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White House To Allies: Tell Us Why We Shouldn't Regulate Carbon. No Really, Tell Us. Please.
It may seem like President Bush has all but stopped doing his job lately. But his White House is still working as hard as ever at blocking efforts to fight global warming.
Case in point -- the Washington Post reported Wednesday:
Last week, the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs sent an e-mail to mayors reminding them that time was running out if they wanted to comment on the proposal the administration issued in July, which laid out how the government might curb greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. A 2007 Supreme Court decision required the Environmental Protection Agency to issue such a ruling, but the White House made it clear in its e-mail that it does not think that is a good idea.
The email, sent by Jeremy Broggi, the office's associate director, clearly encourages the mayors to express opposition to limits on greenhouse gases. It says:
At the time, President Bush warned that this was the wrong way to regulate emissions. [House Energy and Commerce Committee] Chairman John D. Dingell called it 'a glorious mess. And many of you contacted us to let us know how harmful this rule would be to the economies of the cities and counties you serve.
It then links to a blog post by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a staunch opponent of efforts to regulate emissions, arguing that caps on greenhouse gases "will operate as a de facto moratorium on major construction and infrastructure projects." And it reminds recipients that the comment period for the rule-making closes November 28th.
"It appears there is no bottom to the administration's pit of disdain for regulating greenhouse gases," William Becker, of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies, told the Post.
Hard to put it better than that.













It seems inconsistent to praise Mr. Obama for his openness to listening to contrary viewpoints, and then criticize the Bushies for seeking out criticism and comments regarding proposed regulations before casting them in stone.
Or are global-warming initiatives such sacred cows that no-one should ever question them?
November 28, 2008 11:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's not inconsistent. Obama has a demonstrated history of accumulating all views on a subject. Bush not only doesn't have that history, he has demonstrated that whatever he says will turn out to be a lie: just because he "invites" comment doesn't mean he listens. He's "the Decider"--unless he isn't (when things are going badly, as usual, and he needs to foist responsibility for his decisions onto others).
November 28, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
This isn't "seeking out criticism and comments," it's grudgingly following the letter of the law. The follow-up comment added by Jeremy Broggi on behalf of the president makes it exceedingly clear how the president feels on the subject. When has Bush ever changed his mind once he identifies his position (which generally takes about 3 minutes of "thought")?
November 28, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Criticizing Bush while applauding Obama is only inconsistent if you believe that Bush is seeking dissenting viewpoints, which he is not--he wants people who share his viewpoint to comment. Nice try.
And yes, global warming is a sacred issue. But no, global warming is not a cow. Nor is this an initiative--it is a call for public comment on a proposed regulation.
November 28, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
You lost. Republicans are in deserved disgrace. Get used to it.
November 28, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Being in a position of power and seeking dissenting opinions while at the same time making your position known is one of the best ways to curb dissenting opinions. :)
-- Cris
My site: Obama Wallpaper Archive
November 28, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
They are just making more needless work for the Obama administration. These people just don't get it do they?
November 28, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink