President Bush's American Competitiveness Initiative

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After the Soviet Union fired the first satellite into orbit, a crash program led the US to revolutionize science and technology. Now, among high school seniors in the world's top countries, the US ranks 16th in science and 19th in math. China, India--even South Korea and Singapore--are putting the US to shame, turning out highly skilled, innovative PhDs in science and engineering, pushing unfettered inquiry where the US once was unrivaled. President Bush says his Competitiveness Initiative will restore American leadership. But why make cuts in basic education? Will he give with one hand and take with the other, leaving the country in economic jeopardy? Where are the rocket scientists when we need them? Making News: White House Told about Scale of Katrina Disaster on Day of StormThe day after Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, President Bush famously said that New Orleans had "dodged a bullet." Today the beleaguered former Director of FEMA, Michael Brown, told a committee of Congress that the White House knew full well what was going on--because he told them. Eric Lipton is covering the hearing for the New York Times.Reporter's Notebook: Barry Munitz Steps Down as Head of Getty TrustAfter months of revelations that led to rebuke from a US Senator, an investigation by the State Attorney General and probation status from the Council on Foundations, Barry Munitz has resigned as head of the $9 billion Getty Trust. Instead of receiving $1.2 million in severance pay, Muniz will pay the Getty $250,000 to resolve what both parties call "any continuing disputes." Jason Felch is following the dramatic rise and fall in the world of philanthropy for the Los Angeles Times.
After the Soviet Union fired the first satellite into orbit, a crash program led the US to revolutionize science and technology. Now, among high school seniors in the world's top countries, the US ranks 16th in science and 19th in math. China, India--even South Korea and Singapore--are putting the US to shame, turning out highly skilled, innovative PhDs in science and engineering, pushing unfettered inquiry where the US once was unrivaled. President Bush says his Competitiveness Initiative will restore American leadership. But why make cuts in basic education? Will he give with one hand and take with the other, leaving the country in economic jeopardy? Where are the rocket scientists when we need them?
  • Making News: White House Told about Scale of Katrina Disaster on Day of Storm
    The day after Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, President Bush famously said that New Orleans had "dodged a bullet." Today the beleaguered former Director of FEMA, Michael Brown, told a committee of Congress that the White House knew full well what was going on--because he told them. Eric Lipton is covering the hearing for the New York Times.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Barry Munitz Steps Down as Head of Getty Trust
    After months of revelations that led to rebuke from a US Senator, an investigation by the State Attorney General and probation status from the Council on Foundations, Barry Munitz has resigned as head of the $9 billion Getty Trust. Instead of receiving $1.2 million in severance pay, Muniz will pay the Getty $250,000 to resolve what both parties call "any continuing disputes." Jason Felch is following the dramatic rise and fall in the world of philanthropy for the Los Angeles Times.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on role of DHS, FEMA leadership in Katrina disaster

Lipton's article about White House knowledge of Katrina disaster

American Competitiveness Initiative

Felch's article on Munitz resignation

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Warren Olney