NASA’s own inspector general released a report yesterday determining that Bush administration appointees to the space agency’s office of public affairs “reduced, marginalized or mischaracterized climate change science made available to the general public,” confirming accusations levied several years ago against the official in charge.

According to the report, politics was “inextricably interwoven” into operations at the public affairs office, and its behavior was inconsistent with the objective demands of “a topic that has worldwide scientific interest.”

George C. Deutsch, a former NASA Public Affairs Office editor, along with several other politically-appointed officials are held responsible by many outside observers. Appointed by President Bush to the position at age 23, Deutsch resigned following allegations that he lied on his resume and did not, in fact, graduate from Texas A&M University.