In one of the recent issues of New Scientist, I read how researchers of embryonic stem cells are eagerly anticipating Obama’s inauguration because the President-elect has signaled he will be reversing many of Bush’s executive orders.

What struck me was that it’s not just this group of scientists who can’t wait for Jan. 19 - there are many groups whose research has been stifled for political reasons. Controversy aside, what I celebrate is the return to open discourse that has been missing these last 8 years.

I grew up in an America that valued science and research at a time when it devalued people of color. The shameful laws of segregation were slowly repealed over the decades. But although we now have policies and laws that protect the rights of minorities (well, everyone except gays & lesbians that is) we have also seen the rise of policies that have been anti-science and regressive.

How ironic now that our 1st African-American president, a man not ashamed of his intellect, will be the one to reverse the policies that have caused this country to fall behind the rest of the world in cutting-edge technology. With Obama, we’ll see research and development into alternative energy resources, medicine, space exploration and nanotechnology ignite to become among the fastest growing sectors of our economy. Contrast this with the service industry which has been the fastest growing sector of the economy under the Bush administration. Not a legacy to be particularly proud of.

Give me the kind of growth that stimulates our economy, fires our imaginations and values education. I too look forward to Jan. 19th.