New requirements for government lab scientists?

Under new plans to reorganize the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, some 6,000 scientists and other public health experts–including not only emergency responders but also laboratory scientists–would have to pass an “Annual Fitness Test.” The test would measure not their research prowess, but rather their abilities in the 1.5 mile walk, 500 yard swim, and at push-ups and sit ups.

Of course these measures may well not go through. But there is a precedent of sorts, do we not require our Presidents to be tall and (relatively) good-looking?

The link is from Chris Mooney, who recently has geared up his blog to be even better than before. Chris is the guy who keeps us all honest when it comes to politics and science, right-wingers won’t always find it comforting reading.