Showing posts with label Big Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Business. Show all posts
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Ladies and Gentlemen, Today's Republican Party
Robert Reich rightly calls out the Republicans for who and what they are and work for. I love who he put on the opening screen, don't you?
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Has Anyone Noticed This Republican Party President Is Dismantling Our Government?
The title here is not hyperbole.
First, Mr. Trump sets out to move--break up, weaken--the Department of Agriculture by moving it out of Washington, to here in the heartland, to Kansas City and then, last week, he gets started breaking up, moving the Bureau of Land Management to a legitimately small town in Colorado, Grand Junction.
And sure, I recognize this could be good for the Kansas City metropolitan area, adding to our rented space and population, some growth, but consider the ramifications.
The people with experience at these jobs in the USDA don't want to sell their homes and go to some new area they've likely never been. Who would? Who can blame them?
And according to the Washington Post, it doesn't just effect the USDA, either.
Relocation could seriously disrupt the work of two agencies
The Agriculture Department is offering employees a rare choice: accept a forced transfer to a post 1,000 miles away or be fired.
The Trump administration’s plan to move two agencies from the District to the Kansas City area includes a document with two blank boxes on it, sent to employees on June 13. Check one, it instructs: Accept the transfer by July 15 or “be separated by adverse action procedures.”
That means getting fired, with an opportunity to appeal the dismissal through what could be an expensive process. Getting fired could also make it more difficult to find another federal job in an area where the government dominates...
Of the 547 employees the department wants to move for the two agencies combined, 253 are with the Economic Research Service, 77 percent of its 329-person workforce. An additional 294 are with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, 93 percent of its 315-person staff. News of the move prompted a surge of support for the union. Employees at the National Institute voted 137-2 to join AFGE two weeks ago. Last month’s vote at the economic service was 138-4.
And it's not going to save us, the US, money, either, folks.
But the USDA estimate of nearly $300 million in savings over 15 years is way off, according to an analysis by the Milwaukee-based Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. Instead, it would cost taxpayers between $83 and $182 million, the analysis found. The USDA underestimated the true cost in part because it did not account for “the lost value of research from staffers who resign or retire rather than move,” the association reported.
Divide and conquer, folks. It's what he's doing.
And breaking up the USDA, weakening it, is just the first blow against regulating industry.
This has at least two effects on the agency and its work.
..as excited as Grand Junction is, many people outside this high desert city are deeply skeptical of the move. The Public Lands Foundation, made up of mostly former BLM employees, opposes it, saying it will likely gut the agency as many of its workers won't want to move. And Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva of Arizona sees another worry. Moving to Colorado means the BLM will be that much closer to the oil and gas industry.
It makes it easier for the special interests to have access without a lot of accountability and light somewhere else than here in D.C. And I think that works to their advantage.
This fits in perfectly Mr. Trump's work and attempts to both weaken government and assist business.
83 Environmental Rules Being Rolled Back Under Trump
As air pollution increases in US cities, the Trump administration is weakening clean air regulations
Then, as if all this, above, weren't enough bad news, there's yet more this week from The Orange Man in the White House. Check this out for mind blowing:
Nuclear commission considers fewer plant inspections
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission thinks it's a good idea to have FEWER inspections of nuclear power plants.
You read that right, folks--fewer inspections and less oversigh of nuclear power plants.
This is not good for clean air, folks. This is not good for the people, you and me.
It's fantastic for big business.
Links:
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Monday, September 23, 2013
Business, banks, Wall Street and the people, all against a government shutdown
Other than the extreme Right Wing of the nation, it seems most have lined up solidly against any government shutdown--most of the people, the business community, the banks and Wall Street:
Concerns about the strength of the economy and the potential for a budget fight in Washington pushed down the stock market Monday...
...The threat of a looming political showdown over the budget also weighed on investors.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to defund President Barack Obama's health care law on Friday, a gesture that reminded Wall Street that the Republican-led House and the Democratic-controlled Senate are poised for a showdown over spending.
The debt ceiling must be raised by Oct. 1 to avoid a government shutdown, and a potential default on payments, including debt, later in the month.
"There seems to be a higher probability there will be more of a battle over that," said Scott Wren a senior equity strategist at Wells Fargo Advisors. "That could inject some volatility into the market."
_______________________________________________________
No one, no one wants a government shutdown except, again, the extreme Right Wing and uber-Conservatives and the extremists of the Republican Party, including and likely especially the Tea Party members.
There's nothing good--and a lot of bad--that would come with such an extreme, unnecessary, utterly avoidable and irresponsible move.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Quote of the day
"I spent 33 years & four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street & the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico... safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti & Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys... I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House.... I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests... I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies... In China... I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents." --US Marine Corps General Smedley Butler. Author of "War Is A Racket." At the time of his death, the most-decorated Marine in US history.
Monday, October 4, 2010
As we get closer to election day
All things they've voted for... or against. Think about it. And then don't vote Republican. Vote for smaller government but for the love of pete, don't vote Republican.
And enjoy that great weather out there, folks---have a great week.
And enjoy that great weather out there, folks---have a great week.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Get out and see this movie!
Starting today, Michael Moore's new movie "Capitalism: A Love Story", starts today here in Kansas City and across the rest of the country.
It's another good, important documentary and an important one for us to see so get out there and check it out, folks. Let's learn more about what the corporations are doing to us, for pity's sake.
And the thing is, he's both funny and factual in it so don't think it's all just dry.
Link to theaters and times here in KC this weekend:
http://www.google.com/movies?hl=en&near=Kansas+City&dq=capitalism+a+love+story&sort=1&mid=ae3788caa2fc2e3e&ei=9iHGSsXwO47aNvaO4fMH&sa=X&oi=showtimes&ct=movie-link&cd=1
Link to movie's official site:
http://www.capitalismalovestory.com/
It's another good, important documentary and an important one for us to see so get out there and check it out, folks. Let's learn more about what the corporations are doing to us, for pity's sake.
And the thing is, he's both funny and factual in it so don't think it's all just dry.
Link to theaters and times here in KC this weekend:
http://www.google.com/movies?hl=en&near=Kansas+City&dq=capitalism+a+love+story&sort=1&mid=ae3788caa2fc2e3e&ei=9iHGSsXwO47aNvaO4fMH&sa=X&oi=showtimes&ct=movie-link&cd=1
Link to movie's official site:
http://www.capitalismalovestory.com/
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Two fights for America and Americans
There are two fights, at minimum, going on right now--today, in fact--and it truly is over America and Americans.
Mostly our money.
The first was made obvious by the debate today at the Supreme Court over whether corporations will be allowed to pour their untold billions of dollars into our political campaigns, so they can say whatever they wish and about whomever or whatever they wish.
If you've read me before, you can no doubt guess I'd be vehemently against this.
In the first place, it simply goes against all court rulings and precedence and so, our law.
More importantly to me, though, is the fact that because of the dissolution of the "Fairness Doctrine" years ago by Republican lawmakers, our airwaves have been made far more ugly and vitriolic while at the same time, taking accountability and level-headedness out of our discourse.
Pouring far more corporate money, anonymously, into our political campaigns--which is what is being considered--will only increase the ugliness, bitterness and irresponsibility into our lives and political development.
There are other reasons, too, but these are the two main ones for me and certainly enough to show this should not change and should not go the corporation's way.
The second fight going on right now in America is evidenced by President Obama's address this evening to a joint sesson of Congress over health care reform.
He's pushing for this, sure, but it does look, in this case as well as the first one, above, that the corporations and big business are winning while Americans are losing--mightily and badly.
It's interesting but it doesn't look good for you and I--the man and woman on the street.
Mostly our money.
The first was made obvious by the debate today at the Supreme Court over whether corporations will be allowed to pour their untold billions of dollars into our political campaigns, so they can say whatever they wish and about whomever or whatever they wish.
If you've read me before, you can no doubt guess I'd be vehemently against this.
In the first place, it simply goes against all court rulings and precedence and so, our law.
More importantly to me, though, is the fact that because of the dissolution of the "Fairness Doctrine" years ago by Republican lawmakers, our airwaves have been made far more ugly and vitriolic while at the same time, taking accountability and level-headedness out of our discourse.
Pouring far more corporate money, anonymously, into our political campaigns--which is what is being considered--will only increase the ugliness, bitterness and irresponsibility into our lives and political development.
There are other reasons, too, but these are the two main ones for me and certainly enough to show this should not change and should not go the corporation's way.
The second fight going on right now in America is evidenced by President Obama's address this evening to a joint sesson of Congress over health care reform.
He's pushing for this, sure, but it does look, in this case as well as the first one, above, that the corporations and big business are winning while Americans are losing--mightily and badly.
It's interesting but it doesn't look good for you and I--the man and woman on the street.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Health care situation doesn't look good
To see and hear the conversations on different news media--newspapers, television and internet--it seems clear to me that the corporations and their lobbying dollars--millions of them--are winning this fight.
Whether it's The McGlaughlin Report or The Week with George Stephanopoulos or, God forbid, of course, Bill O'Reilly or Glenn Beck and the Fox Network,etc., the support of the corporations comes through.
George Will and Liz Cheney, naturally, spew the lines and sound eloquent, so people might think they're correct.
And of course they're not, plainly.
Our American health care system is badly, badly broken and is financially breaking American citizen's households because we have the most expensive health care system in the world and that story is, I think, completely lost.
All these people have to do is instill fear, ala' George W. Bush's techniques, which they've clearly learned so well, and health care reform, to benefit us all, seems unlikely to pass.
Sad.
Really sad.
Whether it's The McGlaughlin Report or The Week with George Stephanopoulos or, God forbid, of course, Bill O'Reilly or Glenn Beck and the Fox Network,etc., the support of the corporations comes through.
George Will and Liz Cheney, naturally, spew the lines and sound eloquent, so people might think they're correct.
And of course they're not, plainly.
Our American health care system is badly, badly broken and is financially breaking American citizen's households because we have the most expensive health care system in the world and that story is, I think, completely lost.
All these people have to do is instill fear, ala' George W. Bush's techniques, which they've clearly learned so well, and health care reform, to benefit us all, seems unlikely to pass.
Sad.
Really sad.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Agreed. Lets go get 'em
There was a pretty fascinating one-half page advertisement in The New York Times today, in the very important first section by the Catholic group, the Knights of Columbus.
Now, normally, the last thing I'm going to do is even mention any Catholic group, let alone agree with them but I think they got it right this time.
Under the title "Now is the Time for Change", in big, bold letters, they write that "The United States is suffering an economic crisis, a leadership crisis and a moral crisis."
They go on:
We must do something...Now."
Most Americans would have long ago agreed with this.
They write that their "polling shows more than three-quarters of our country believes the corporate world's moral compass is pointed in the wrong direction. Moreover, a majority of Americans, and two-thirds of executives, gave a grade of D or F in ethical matters to the financial and investment industry."
They say that "We have lived with this lack of business values too long. It is a problem that cannot be legislated or regulated away."
Okay.
Agreed.
And way overdue.
But the thing is, what they're saying needs to be taken to its logical, harsh, complete truth and that is that CAPITALISM HAD FAILED US.
Captialism has failed us and the corporations of America are eating us alive.
Corporations are chewing up their employees and workers, using them and spitting them out, at the end of their work-cycles as desperate, poor, unsupported people who have no resources--because it all went to the CEOs and the corporation itself--and no health care coverage.
All this in the name of "unfettered Capitalism" and progress.
We need to stand up and force our government to stand up for us.
We need to take power back from corporate America.
So the Knights of the Columbus is on the right track on these issues but at the end of the advertisement, they merely ask for us to "join us in creating a Culture of Volunteerism..."
Volunteering to help one another is not enough. Volunteering won't get this done.
Getting lobbying, lobbyists and corporate lobby money out of our election system--now, that will start to get something done.
Then we'll start to get our corporations to stop completely exploiting all of us.
Link to ad here:
Now, normally, the last thing I'm going to do is even mention any Catholic group, let alone agree with them but I think they got it right this time.
Under the title "Now is the Time for Change", in big, bold letters, they write that "The United States is suffering an economic crisis, a leadership crisis and a moral crisis."
They go on:
We must do something...Now."
Most Americans would have long ago agreed with this.
They write that their "polling shows more than three-quarters of our country believes the corporate world's moral compass is pointed in the wrong direction. Moreover, a majority of Americans, and two-thirds of executives, gave a grade of D or F in ethical matters to the financial and investment industry."
They say that "We have lived with this lack of business values too long. It is a problem that cannot be legislated or regulated away."
Okay.
Agreed.
And way overdue.
But the thing is, what they're saying needs to be taken to its logical, harsh, complete truth and that is that CAPITALISM HAD FAILED US.
Captialism has failed us and the corporations of America are eating us alive.
Corporations are chewing up their employees and workers, using them and spitting them out, at the end of their work-cycles as desperate, poor, unsupported people who have no resources--because it all went to the CEOs and the corporation itself--and no health care coverage.
All this in the name of "unfettered Capitalism" and progress.
We need to stand up and force our government to stand up for us.
We need to take power back from corporate America.
So the Knights of the Columbus is on the right track on these issues but at the end of the advertisement, they merely ask for us to "join us in creating a Culture of Volunteerism..."
Volunteering to help one another is not enough. Volunteering won't get this done.
Getting lobbying, lobbyists and corporate lobby money out of our election system--now, that will start to get something done.
Then we'll start to get our corporations to stop completely exploiting all of us.
Link to ad here:
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Everyone's going to want a piece of this
I've said several times that at least I should have been cynical enough to see what was coming in 2000, with the election of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney stealing the White House election.
Face it, we all should have bought oil stocks.
Oil and Halliburton--all we could have gotten our hands on, absolutely.
So now? Now that everyone thinks we may have hit the bottom of the market?
A couple of things are going to happen, here, folks.
First, there is going to be, as my partner, Michael said, some very real "irrational exuberance" that's going to kick in.
Everyone's going to want to make up in profits what they lost in the last few years, with this down, bear market.
And second, a whole bunch of people are going to get on that band wagon and buy oil stocks like crazy.
Today it was up to $53.00 a barrel.
That will look like such a bargain in no time, it won't be funny.
Really, it won't be funny.
Every household and speculator--everyone--is going to want to buy in to the roaring oil markets.
Congress should shut this down now by regulating the speculation markets for oil.
But they won't.
Hang on to your seats, folks, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.
Link to markets story today:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/energy-stocks-join-rally-petro-canada/story.aspx?guid={81E7937A-5152-44A8-A238-BFD96B830764}&siteid=yhoof
Face it, we all should have bought oil stocks.
Oil and Halliburton--all we could have gotten our hands on, absolutely.
So now? Now that everyone thinks we may have hit the bottom of the market?
A couple of things are going to happen, here, folks.
First, there is going to be, as my partner, Michael said, some very real "irrational exuberance" that's going to kick in.
Everyone's going to want to make up in profits what they lost in the last few years, with this down, bear market.
And second, a whole bunch of people are going to get on that band wagon and buy oil stocks like crazy.
Today it was up to $53.00 a barrel.
That will look like such a bargain in no time, it won't be funny.
Really, it won't be funny.
Every household and speculator--everyone--is going to want to buy in to the roaring oil markets.
Congress should shut this down now by regulating the speculation markets for oil.
But they won't.
Hang on to your seats, folks, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.
Link to markets story today:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/energy-stocks-join-rally-petro-canada/story.aspx?guid={81E7937A-5152-44A8-A238-BFD96B830764}&siteid=yhoof
Monday, December 22, 2008
A George Bush "Three-fer"
Over the last 8 years of the George W. Bush Administration, I have not--even once--been able, frankly and honestly, been able to say anything good or positive about anything that came our of either this White House or the President's mouth.
It's absolutely not that I could not or would not give him a chance or a "benefit of a doubt."
If he said or thought or sponsored something intelligent, I'd have been the first to note it, here or with friends or something.
Honestly.
I would have.
So it's been quite a drought.
Then, suddenly, in the last few weeks, I've been astonished to note some things W said that were, dare I say it? Bright? Right? Intelligent?
Geez.
Even I'm stunned.
The biggest, so far, has been his reluctant but correct support of loans to the Big 3 automakers.
I mean, come on, what else could he have done? He would have beat out Herbert Hoover for the "Most Do-Nothing President of All Time" Award.
The Great Depression would have been overshadowed by the mess we'd be in if he and the government walked away from our auto-making industries.
Well, now, here he comes with a three-fer.
George Walker Bush gave us the third correct, intelligent thing out of his Presidency this weekend.
I was shocked.
Sure, back in February of this year, the President "described President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe as a 'discredited dictator,' sharpening his criticism of one of Africa's most stridently anti-American leaders on the eve of a trip to the continent." (original link here: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/14/africa/bush.php)
And sure he was right then but this, from this weekend, was much truer and more spot-on: "'As my Administration has made clear, it is time for Robert Mugabe to go,' Bush said in a statement issued by the White House. 'Across the continent, African voices are bravely speaking out to say now is the time for him to step down.'"
“'These leaders share the desire of ordinary Zimbabweans for a return to peace, democracy, and prosperity,'” the U.S. president said. “'We urge others from the region to step up and join the growing chorus of voices calling for an end to Mugabe’s tyranny.'” (original link here: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20081210/bush-tells-mugabe-to-resign-with-zimbabwe-in-shambles.htm)
Fortunately, Zimbabwe doesn't have oil or he might be talking about going in and taking him out militarily.
Anyway, it seems that Mr. Bush is really trying hard to have a good legacy after all, what with all these final truths and "rights" coming out of his mouth.
After 8 years of not believing what I hear, it's a big, welcome surprise.
I have to get used to this.
Fortunately, our time with him is almost over so I don't have to get too used to it.
Besides, in the "back door" of our government, his minions are still trying to tear everything else down that they can, like EPA rules for mining, etc.
It's absolutely not that I could not or would not give him a chance or a "benefit of a doubt."
If he said or thought or sponsored something intelligent, I'd have been the first to note it, here or with friends or something.
Honestly.
I would have.
So it's been quite a drought.
Then, suddenly, in the last few weeks, I've been astonished to note some things W said that were, dare I say it? Bright? Right? Intelligent?
Geez.
Even I'm stunned.
The biggest, so far, has been his reluctant but correct support of loans to the Big 3 automakers.
I mean, come on, what else could he have done? He would have beat out Herbert Hoover for the "Most Do-Nothing President of All Time" Award.
The Great Depression would have been overshadowed by the mess we'd be in if he and the government walked away from our auto-making industries.
Well, now, here he comes with a three-fer.
George Walker Bush gave us the third correct, intelligent thing out of his Presidency this weekend.
I was shocked.
Sure, back in February of this year, the President "described President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe as a 'discredited dictator,' sharpening his criticism of one of Africa's most stridently anti-American leaders on the eve of a trip to the continent." (original link here: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/14/africa/bush.php)
And sure he was right then but this, from this weekend, was much truer and more spot-on: "'As my Administration has made clear, it is time for Robert Mugabe to go,' Bush said in a statement issued by the White House. 'Across the continent, African voices are bravely speaking out to say now is the time for him to step down.'"
“'These leaders share the desire of ordinary Zimbabweans for a return to peace, democracy, and prosperity,'” the U.S. president said. “'We urge others from the region to step up and join the growing chorus of voices calling for an end to Mugabe’s tyranny.'” (original link here: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20081210/bush-tells-mugabe-to-resign-with-zimbabwe-in-shambles.htm)
Fortunately, Zimbabwe doesn't have oil or he might be talking about going in and taking him out militarily.
Anyway, it seems that Mr. Bush is really trying hard to have a good legacy after all, what with all these final truths and "rights" coming out of his mouth.
After 8 years of not believing what I hear, it's a big, welcome surprise.
I have to get used to this.
Fortunately, our time with him is almost over so I don't have to get too used to it.
Besides, in the "back door" of our government, his minions are still trying to tear everything else down that they can, like EPA rules for mining, etc.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Further reason why I write this blog
I was reminded today of why I first started this blog and why I continue to write.
The outrageousness and ignorance and stupidity and greed and ugliness that comes out of this White House and this George W. Bush administration is just too much.
This blog is meant to give information for some and catharsis for me.
President George W. Bush (man, it has always hurt to say that) was on the radio yesterday for his weekly radio address and, unbelievably, blamed the Democrats for high gas prices.
OH MY GOD...
I couldn't believe it. I still can hardly believe it.
This President, the one from Texas, the one from and for oil companies, the one with a Vice President and Secretary of State and a lot of others both in and around this administration, from the oil companies, has the nerve and gall to accuse the Democrats of being the reason for the high oil prices.
Holy cow.
Don't you think your arbitrary, internationally illegal war in the Middle East which you at least "misrepresented" to us, the American people, had anything to do with it, Mr. President?
It's as I've said the last several months--all Americans, be they Republican, Democrat, black, white, conservative, liberal--all of us, from all walks of American life--should have automatically bought oil stocks in 2000, once this shill for Big OIl and Big Business stole the White House election.
It was one thing we could have counted on--oil prices going up.
We just didn't know how far up.
The outrageousness and ignorance and stupidity and greed and ugliness that comes out of this White House and this George W. Bush administration is just too much.
This blog is meant to give information for some and catharsis for me.
President George W. Bush (man, it has always hurt to say that) was on the radio yesterday for his weekly radio address and, unbelievably, blamed the Democrats for high gas prices.
OH MY GOD...
I couldn't believe it. I still can hardly believe it.
This President, the one from Texas, the one from and for oil companies, the one with a Vice President and Secretary of State and a lot of others both in and around this administration, from the oil companies, has the nerve and gall to accuse the Democrats of being the reason for the high oil prices.
Holy cow.
Don't you think your arbitrary, internationally illegal war in the Middle East which you at least "misrepresented" to us, the American people, had anything to do with it, Mr. President?
It's as I've said the last several months--all Americans, be they Republican, Democrat, black, white, conservative, liberal--all of us, from all walks of American life--should have automatically bought oil stocks in 2000, once this shill for Big OIl and Big Business stole the White House election.
It was one thing we could have counted on--oil prices going up.
We just didn't know how far up.
Monday, August 11, 2008
How much longer 'til these clowns are out of office?
I knew this would happen. I knew the Bushies would try to slip their friends in the corporate world more and more bonuses and gifts in these last, waning months of the administration and here it comes, today:
Bush administration to relax parts of Endangered Species Act (AP)
Check this out:
"Parts of the Endangered Species Act may soon be extinct. The Bush administration wants federal agencies to decide for themselves whether highways, dams, mines and other construction projects might harm endangered animals and plants."
"New regulations, which don't require the approval of Congress, would reduce the mandatory, independent reviews government scientists have been performing for 35 years, according to a draft first obtained by The Associated Press."
I said it much earlier in the year. That is, that these clowns will try to dismantle all they can while still in office this year, in an effort to give Big Business more and more of what they want. It was an easy prediction and like I said, here it is.
But these guys get really pushy and outrageous. Look at this quote: "The draft rules would bar federal agencies from assessing the emissions from projects that contribute to global warming and its effect on species and habitats."
What a hoot. Not only do they want to roll back our already-established laws but they "bar federal agencies from assessing...emissions."
Man, they're good, aren't they?
Unbelievable.
What chutzpah.
These guys have major cajones.
They are, in effect, rewriting our laws, all by themselves. They take out Congress. They take out the courts--everything and everybody. It's just them. They are the only branch of government. Period. It's done.
There needs to be major lawsuits over this. This is against the constitution, once again, from this administration.
Then, to add insult to insanity, they say they're doing it to "protect...species".
Yeah, no kidding.
Interior Secretary Dirk ("Diggler") Kempthorne said "We need to focus our efforts where they will do the most good. It is important to use our time and resources to protect the most vulnerable species. It is not possible to draw a link between greenhouse gas emissions and distant observations of impacts on species."
But wait. As usual with these guys, there's more:
"If approved, the changes would represent the biggest overhaul of the Endangered Species Act since 1986. They would accomplish through regulations what conservative Republicans have been unable to achieve in Congress: ending some environmental reviews that developers and other federal agencies blame for delays and cost increases on many projects.
"The changes would apply to any project a federal agency would fund, build or authorize that might harm endangered wildlife and their habitat. Government wildlife experts currently perform tens of thousands of such reviews each year."
'"If adopted, these changes would seriously weaken the safety net of habitat protections that we have relied upon to protect and recover endangered fish, wildlife and plants for the past 35 years," said John Kostyack, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Conservation and Global Warming initiative.'
So get this straight: your own government, headed by George W. Bush, is stripping the EPA and government of its own ability to evaluate the effect emissions will have on nature and then saying they're doing it to "protect the most vulnerable species."
If this isn't more Orwellian double-speak, there isn't any.
Again, thanks to all those who voted--even once--for this clown and this administration. We'll be cleaning up his messes for years to come, both here at home, with the environment and our own government and in Iraq and 'round the world, literally.
Go to the following site and tell Secretary Kempthorne to keep our national law and the Endangered Species Act the way it is, for good reason:
http://www.doi.gov/contact.html
Additionally, write your Senators and Representatives about this. Let them know this is completely unacceptable. This is one easy way, right from your computer in your home, to take important action.
(See the original article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080811/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/bush_endangered_species)
Bush administration to relax parts of Endangered Species Act (AP)
Check this out:
"Parts of the Endangered Species Act may soon be extinct. The Bush administration wants federal agencies to decide for themselves whether highways, dams, mines and other construction projects might harm endangered animals and plants."
"New regulations, which don't require the approval of Congress, would reduce the mandatory, independent reviews government scientists have been performing for 35 years, according to a draft first obtained by The Associated Press."
I said it much earlier in the year. That is, that these clowns will try to dismantle all they can while still in office this year, in an effort to give Big Business more and more of what they want. It was an easy prediction and like I said, here it is.
But these guys get really pushy and outrageous. Look at this quote: "The draft rules would bar federal agencies from assessing the emissions from projects that contribute to global warming and its effect on species and habitats."
What a hoot. Not only do they want to roll back our already-established laws but they "bar federal agencies from assessing...emissions."
Man, they're good, aren't they?
Unbelievable.
What chutzpah.
These guys have major cajones.
They are, in effect, rewriting our laws, all by themselves. They take out Congress. They take out the courts--everything and everybody. It's just them. They are the only branch of government. Period. It's done.
There needs to be major lawsuits over this. This is against the constitution, once again, from this administration.
Then, to add insult to insanity, they say they're doing it to "protect...species".
Yeah, no kidding.
Interior Secretary Dirk ("Diggler") Kempthorne said "We need to focus our efforts where they will do the most good. It is important to use our time and resources to protect the most vulnerable species. It is not possible to draw a link between greenhouse gas emissions and distant observations of impacts on species."
But wait. As usual with these guys, there's more:
"If approved, the changes would represent the biggest overhaul of the Endangered Species Act since 1986. They would accomplish through regulations what conservative Republicans have been unable to achieve in Congress: ending some environmental reviews that developers and other federal agencies blame for delays and cost increases on many projects.
"The changes would apply to any project a federal agency would fund, build or authorize that might harm endangered wildlife and their habitat. Government wildlife experts currently perform tens of thousands of such reviews each year."
'"If adopted, these changes would seriously weaken the safety net of habitat protections that we have relied upon to protect and recover endangered fish, wildlife and plants for the past 35 years," said John Kostyack, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Conservation and Global Warming initiative.'
So get this straight: your own government, headed by George W. Bush, is stripping the EPA and government of its own ability to evaluate the effect emissions will have on nature and then saying they're doing it to "protect the most vulnerable species."
If this isn't more Orwellian double-speak, there isn't any.
Again, thanks to all those who voted--even once--for this clown and this administration. We'll be cleaning up his messes for years to come, both here at home, with the environment and our own government and in Iraq and 'round the world, literally.
Go to the following site and tell Secretary Kempthorne to keep our national law and the Endangered Species Act the way it is, for good reason:
http://www.doi.gov/contact.html
Additionally, write your Senators and Representatives about this. Let them know this is completely unacceptable. This is one easy way, right from your computer in your home, to take important action.
(See the original article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080811/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/bush_endangered_species)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Screw the little guy (read: you)
Further proof, as if we needed it, that the Republican Party is the political party of money and big money and big business in general and big oil, in specific:
Bill to rein in oil speculators wins test vote
By Tom Doggett and Thomas Ferraro 21 minutes ago
A Democratic-backed bill to rein in energy market speculators blamed for high crude oil and gasoline prices cleared a U.S. Senate procedural hurdle on Tuesday, but final passage of the legislation remained uncertain.
Yet Republicans may still block a vote on approving the bill unless amendments are added to increase U.S. oil production, such as expanding offshore drilling and developing oil shale fields in the West."
(See the original article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080722/pl_nm/usa_energy_vote_dc;_ylt=Aty_HZSVdVUj_uLuT82fhUas0NUE)
Remember a couple years ago when the Voting Rights Act renewal came up and the Repubs didn't want that to pass, either? Oh, yeah. Don't forget.
Anyone who says the Republican Party is one of inclusion is delusional. They'd sell us down the river for a few thousand dollar campaign contribution in a second. They would and they have and they'll do it again.
And again and again.
Bill to rein in oil speculators wins test vote
By Tom Doggett and Thomas Ferraro 21 minutes ago
A Democratic-backed bill to rein in energy market speculators blamed for high crude oil and gasoline prices cleared a U.S. Senate procedural hurdle on Tuesday, but final passage of the legislation remained uncertain.
Yet Republicans may still block a vote on approving the bill unless amendments are added to increase U.S. oil production, such as expanding offshore drilling and developing oil shale fields in the West."
(See the original article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080722/pl_nm/usa_energy_vote_dc;_ylt=Aty_HZSVdVUj_uLuT82fhUas0NUE)
Remember a couple years ago when the Voting Rights Act renewal came up and the Repubs didn't want that to pass, either? Oh, yeah. Don't forget.
Anyone who says the Republican Party is one of inclusion is delusional. They'd sell us down the river for a few thousand dollar campaign contribution in a second. They would and they have and they'll do it again.
And again and again.
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