IP: Nanotech group comes to DC, begs for billions in federal $$$

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

> http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,49147,00.html
>
>    Nanotech's Pitch for Megabucks
>    By Declan McCullagh (declan@wired.com)
>    2:00 a.m. Dec. 15, 2001 PST
>   
>    WASHINGTON -- The U.S. nanotechnology industry may be young, but it's
>    fast becoming an old hand at demanding its share of the federal pork
>    barrel.
>   
>    During one of the first nanotech policy events ever in Washington, an
>    industry trade association clamored for billions of tax dollars in new
>    spending.
>   
>    For a bit of insider help, the Nanobusiness Alliance has turned to one
>    of the savviest politicians around, who also happens to be a
>    self-described futurist: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Gingrich,
>    the politico who once wanted to hand laptops to poor kids, will serve
>    as the group's honorary chairman. [...]
>   
>    The Nanobusiness Alliance already has learned one of the most
>    important lessons of Washington politics: When asking for money, stay
>    relevant. In an announcement of the event, it played up an
>    anti-terrorist theme: "Nanotechnology is already having a major impact
>    on homeland security (and) disease detection...."
>
>    [...]

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