DARPA is one of the only government science sponsors that doesn’t come under fire from Republican lawmakers for wasting taxpayer dollars. Money spent on science is considered a waste, unless&#x2F;until you slap the name “defense” on.<p>Look at the nonsense Lamar Smith is currently putting NOAA through. <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wired.com&#x2F;2015&#x2F;11&#x2F;congress-chief-climate-denier-and-noaa-are-at-war&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wired.com&#x2F;2015&#x2F;11&#x2F;congress-chief-climate-denier-a...</a><p>Having Smith as the chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee of the House (which oversees research funding for NASA, NOAA, EPA, NSF, etc.) is a travesty, and he individually deserves blame, but the whole GOP leadership is on board with his basic goals and tactics.