Built on Facts

“Remember Fermilab?” Isn’t it a little premature to be nostalgic? After all, it’s the most powerful particle accelerator in the world. Well, at least it will be until the famed LHC starts operations this year. Once that happens, the contribution Fermilab’s machine can make to fundamental physics will be far superseded. We ought not forget the dramatic discoveries Fermilab has made however, including the top quark.

As a scientist and an American, I hope that our country will not let the facility fade into the background. There’s plans to build a new linear accelerator, and many (including myself) are hopeful that Fermilab may be chosen as the new site.  Funding is short, however.  While I’m not a huge fan of spending taxpayer money, the new collider could be built with a small fraction of what congress spends on earmarks every year.
In the long run, what’s better for the country - pork-barrel funding of campaign contributers, or new and useful science?