Saturday, December 02, 2006

The Latest in Bush's Attack on the Environment

2 disturbing stories came to my attention today.

First, Bush is looking to lift the drilling ban in Alaska's Bristol Bay. For a small amount of natural gas, Bush and the petroleum companies want to destroy one of the nation's last solid stocks of salmon, as well as the home to orcas, whales, and other increasingly rare sea animals. This ban went into affect in 1989, after the Exxon Valdez disaster. Corrupt Alaska Senator Ted Stevens naturally supports the drilling. Will Democrats stand up to this? Even after January 20, I have my doubts.

Second, and I think more disturbing, the Environmental Protection Agency has been closing its libraries around the nation and even destroying documents. These libraries have long played a key role in Congress and the EPA making informed environmental decisions. However, the Bush administration has no interest in anyone making informed environmental decisions. The Union of Concerned Scientists is on the case. The reports on document destruction is pretty fresh stuff and they haven't had time to get it on their website yet--it is just circulating my e-mail right now. But check out their website for more information--I assume it will be up on Monday.