Bush overrides EPA science team, steps up to protect smog

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Before we get too caught up in choosing the next president, it's probably worth keeping in mind that the current president continues to make startlingly bad decisions that affect us all.

The Environmental Protection Agency weakened one part of its new limits on smog-forming ozone after an unusual last-minute intervention by President Bush, according to documents released by the EPA.

EPA officials initially tried to set a lower seasonal limit on ozone to protect wildlife, parks and farmland, as required under the law. While their proposal was less restrictive than what the EPA's scientific advisers had proposed, Bush overruled EPA officials and on Tuesday ordered the agency to increase the limit, according to the documents.

"It is unprecedented and an unlawful act of political interference for the president personally to override a decision that the Clean Air Act leaves exclusively to EPA's expert scientific judgment," said John Walke, clean-air director for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Perhaps, but Bush does stuff like this anyway.

With the EPA overriding the unanimous judgment of its scientific advisory council, which pushed for a more protective standard, it's worth taking a moment to consider just how damaging the Bush gang has been for the EPA. The president and his team have decimated any number of federal agencies — many of which used to be effective and efficient — thanks to neglect and the promotion of political hacks, but the EPA's demise has been especially striking.

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The administration's done it again have they?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The administration's done it again have they?

The Bush Administration motto: "Never let expert advice get in the way of having the final say."

[HAL 9000 96]

Somehow my WOW is not really surprised... CO2... O3... what's next?

[joelunchbox 0]

Isn't this EXACTLY how we wound up in Iraq? So, Colin, you are a'sayin' it's a bad idee to go into Iraq? Well, heck, I just had a vision--we are going to attack Iraq!!! Of course that little voice might just be one of my oil friends talkin' but what the heck, no one I know is going over there!!! WooHoo!! Hunnert dollar oil!!!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This lot has an established history of messing with the literature put out by the EPA, against (I would add) the wishes of the organisation itself, and those of the authors of the work.

[Heracles 417]

Isn't this EXACTLY how we wound up in Iraq? So, Colin, you are a'sayin' it's a bad idee to go into Iraq? Well, heck, I just had a vision--we are going to attack Iraq!!! Of course that little voice might just be one of my oil friends talkin' but what the heck, no one I know is going over there!!! WooHoo!! Hunnert dollar oil!!!

This must be one of the worst thefts in history considering the current price of oil.

Edited March 14, 2008 by Boo-Yah!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Isn't this EXACTLY how we wound up in Iraq? So, Colin, you are a'sayin' it's a bad idee to go into Iraq? Well, heck, I just had a vision--we are going to attack Iraq!!! Of course that little voice might just be one of my oil friends talkin' but what the heck, no one I know is going over there!!! WooHoo!! Hunnert dollar oil!!!

This must be one of the worst thefts in history considering the current price of oil.

What makes you think that is significant? Oil prices are incredibly high... "someone" is making a massive profit out of this, no?

[HAL 9000 96]

Oil is bought in USD.

Weak USD = OPEC loses money on oil transactions.

OPEC raises price on market by keeping production to a mum = OPEC protects its monopoly in the biz.

Besides...

Maybe Bush has a panel of scientists on his side that are assuring him the EPA and every other scientist out there is mistaken.

Perhaps Mr. Bush thinks that by not protecting the O3 layer, the trapped CO2 in the atmosphere will escape out into space.

[GaryC 7]

Yet another totally slanted and biased Carpetbagger story. Bush is pro pollution. Yeah right. Do you know how dumb that sounds? The Carpetbagger isn't worth the electrons to paint my screen.

[Heracles 417]

Yet another totally slanted and biased Carpetbagger story. Bush is pro pollution. Yeah right. Do you know how dumb that sounds? The Carpetbagger isn't worth the electrons to paint my screen.

The funny thing is that if we posted a link from fox news. Forgetaboutit. They would go on an on about the source. Yet they post a link from some clown site and act as if it is proven theory.

[Peikko 1,575]

Who is this 'us and them' of which you speak? Either pollution is real and a bad thing or it's not real or it's not a bad thing. Either Bush prevented the EPA from doing it's job, or he didn't. I am sure one can find out so what's the problem? Do you think air pollution doesn't exist or do you think it exists and it's harmless?

[HAL 9000 96]

The EPA is science policy. Faux news is not.

How the Bush administration has systematically distorted science to weaken regulations and serve political ends.

Bad Science and the Bush Record

New York Times

E T C

[SpiritAlight 1]

Both Canada and the US embarrassed us by their refusal to take any positive action at the last global (climate) summit in Bali.

Even China has a plan in place to reduce emissions.

Our two countries are at the top of the list for offenders.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Who is this 'us and them' of which you speak? Either pollution is real and a bad thing or it's not real or it's not a bad thing. Either Bush prevented the EPA from doing it's job, or he didn't. I am sure one can find out so what's the problem? Do you think air pollution doesn't exist or do you think it exists and it's harmless?

The Bush administration has interfered with the scientific output of the EPA, drawing criticism from that organisation and the authors of the works that were altered for obviously political purposes. It's pretty well-established - and this isn't the first time they have done it.