Bad Deeds for 12-19-06

EPA Not Acting On Soot Emissions – Thirteen states sued the EPA on Monday for failing to set air quality standards that, according to its own figures, could save up to 24,000 lives a year, and accused the agency of ignoring and suppressing the findings of its staff scientists. Sources of soot include factories and power plants, exactly the sort of corporate polluters that the Bush administration has gone to great lengths to avoid displeasing. The EPA has not offered any explanation for its decision not to act on its own data.

Bush Administration Latching on to Troop Increase for Iraq in Opposition to Advice from Joint Chiefs of Staff – The nation’s top military commanders unanimously disagree with a plan being pushed aggressively by Bush officials that would send as many as 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Iraq. The Joint Chiefs reportedly believe that the White House is latching on to the idea in part because of limited alternatives and have warned that any temporary surge may only set up the U.S. for bigger problems when it ends. The Joint Chiefs think the White House still does not have a defined mission in Iraq.

Bush signing statement on US-India nuclear deal erases Congressional restrictions – Hours after signing an agreement yesterday on cooperation with India on civilian nuclear technology, President George W. Bush issued a “signing statement” insisting that the executive branch was not bound by terms of the agreement approved by the House of Representatives and Senate. President Bush pledged that “As part of the agreement, the United States and India have committed to take a series of steps to make nuclear cooperation a reality, and we’re going to fulfill these commitments. The bill I sign today is one of the most important steps, and it’s going to help clear the way for us to move forward with this process.” However, a reading of the presidential signing statement which came later in the day made unclear the strength of some of those commitments, especially those made to Congress. In all, President Bush took exception to nine full sections of the bill approved by Congress. [Bush makes agreements, then says he won’t abide by them. What do you call that? It’s certainly not a democracy. – JLV]

Conservative Christian groups making money on “War on Christmas” – Invent a war, then sell ammunition. For Conservative Christen groups, this year’s hot gift is a weapon for fighting back in the “War on Christmas,” be it a button, a bumper sticker or a memo with advice to the troops. The Mississippi-based American Family Association says it has sold more than 500,000 buttons and 125,000 bumper stickers bearing the slogan “Merry Christmas: It’s Worth Saying.” The Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian legal aid group that boasts a network of some 900 lawyers standing ready to “defend Christmas,” says it has moved about 20,000 “Christmas packs.” The packs, available for a suggested $29 donation, include a three-page legal memo and two lapel pins. And Liberty Counsel, a conservative law firm affiliated with the Rev. Jerry Falwell, says it has sold 12,500 legal memos on celebrating Christmas and 8,000 of its own buttons and bumper stickers.

Sean Hannity Gets In The Christmas Spirit By “Joking” About Stuffing A Toy “Down A Liberal’s Throat” – Franklin Graham visited Hannity & Colmes last Thursday to promote Operation Christmas Child which provides shoeboxes with gifts and, not so coincidentally, a book of the gospel, to children in developing countries. As he and Hannity reflected on the importance of keeping Christ in Christmas, Hannity held up one of the toys and “joked,” “We can stuff this down a liberal’s throat and shut him – make him quiet.”

Regards,

Jim