Of Signs And Scientists September 11, 2018September 12, 2018 HOW ABOUT AN AWARDS SHOW FOR THE BEST PROTEST SIGNS? You’ve got your Oscars and your Emmys — how about the Snarkys? Or the Firsties? (Hat tip to everyone’s favorite Amendment.) Here are some. Here, too. Among my favorites: TRUMPCARE. IT’S LIKE TRUMP UNIVERSITY BUT YOU DIE. IF THE PRESIDENT DOESN’T PAY TAXES WHY SHOULD I? Most signs just emphasize or poke fun at something we already know — WE SHALL OVERCOMB — but some, like this one, make you run to the Google machine: TRUMP HATES PUPPIES. . . . and then there’s this one: “SCIENCE IS NOT A LIBERAL CONSPIRACY!” Which got me thinking. HOW ABOUT A NATIONAL SCIENTISTS DAY? There’s a National Science Day (science, not scientists) — but it’s in India. Maybe there’s one here, too, but when you refine your search to “national science day USA,” you still get India — February 28. A national holiday, no less. We have National Secretaries Day (next year: April 24). But a National Scientists Day? Again, Google tells you it’s in India. This came to mind because my friend Wipperman (he has a first name, some believe, but to us, he’s just Wipperman), texted from the lab recently on a gorgeous beach day. He texted me a photo of beakers and computer screens (I texted back a photo of the Atlantic Ocean framed by my toes) and told me to “check out [his] latest paper!” I did. You can, too. It appears in Molecular Cell ($322 a year), titled: Mycobacterial Mutagenesis and Drug Resistance Are Controlled by Phosphorylation- and Cardiolipin-Mediated Inhibition of the RecA Coprotease. To which I say: Thank heavens for amazing people like Wipperman, working so hard to create the magic that helps the rest of us live longer, healthier, less scary lives. National Scientists Day! Fifty-six days to go: Join Team Blue. CrushTheMidterms. It even designs an action plan for you. MobilizeAmerica. Watch Active Measures on iTunes. And if you can — click here.