The Smithsonian's "Inconvenient Truth": A Lukewarm Show on Global Warming

Yet another Congressional investigation of the Smithsonian---this by the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

Brett Zongker of the Associated Press reports:

The inquiry comes a day after The Associated Press reported that Robert Sullivan, a former associate director at the National Museum of Natural History, said Smithsonian officials softened last year's "Arctic: A Friend Acting Strangely" exhibit....

Among other things, the exhibit's text was rewritten to inject more uncertainty into the relationship between human activity and climate change, Sullivan said. The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming sent a letter to the Smithsonian requesting all letters and e-mails about the exhibit.

It's always been hazardous for federally funded institutions in our nation's capital to try to mount exhibitions on politically charged topics: Remember the Enola Gay at the National Air and Space Museum. Remember "The Cultural Landscape of the Plantation," which was taken down from its original venue, the Library of Congress, to be reinstalled at a branch of the local public library.

Mr. Acting Secretary, what have you to say about this contretemps, which occurred on your watch as director of the Natural History Museum?