alternate brain

Is it possible that the Bush administration contains the largest group of self-serving liars ever to be trusted with running the United States? It certainly appears that way.

The latest news out of Washington? Bush-appointed Interior Department officials have repeatedly manipulated science in order to serve corporate interests, by suppressing protections for endangered species.

An Interior Department inspector general’s report found that Deputy Assistant Secretary Julie MacDonald — who recently resigned — had leaked confidential information on threatened and endangered species decisions to industry and private property groups. Reportedly, MacDonald had either ignored scientific findings on those species, or pressured scientists to back off from their findings.

Overall, President Bush’s appointees have added far fewer species to the protected list than did the administrations of either Bill Clinton or George H.W. Bush, according to the advocacy group Center for Biological Diversity. As of now, the administration has listed 56 species under the Endangered Species Act, for a rate of about 10 a year. Under Clinton, officials listed 512 species, or 64 a year, and under George H.W. Bush, the department listed 234, or 59 a year.

It seems pretty clear that MacDonald was put into place to obstruct the addition of species to the list. Lynn Scarlett, who was appointed to take over after MacDonald left, defended her predecessor, saying she “strived to do what she thought was her duty.”

“Give me a break,” (Congressman George) Miller said. “If you believe that then we are in very serous trouble here and the underpinnings of the integrity of this department are in very serious trouble.”

MacDonald’s actions have created “a serious, serious ethical and legal problem for the department,” Miller said.

Federal judges have already rejected decisions influenced by MacDonald, including a move to downgrade protections for the endangered Santa Barbara and Sonoma salamanders.

Critics argue the administration appears to have not just tolerated, but has encouraged MacDonald’s actions as part of a larger effort to ignore the requirements of the Endangered Species Act.

Amazing, but (sadly) not really surprising. It seems that anywhere the Bush administration can aid their corporate friends, they do it, even at the expense of endangered species that could disappear forever!

This current administration is just plain evil. Integrity seems to be non-existent at the highest levels. This country, this superpower, has the ability to do much good in the world, and in some arenas, they actually do. But unfortunately, there seems to be a much greater emphasis on manipulating anything that can be, in order to help enrich a select group of corporations and individuals.

This trashing of the environment affects us in Canada too, as every species that becomes endangered or extinct weakens the structure of life on this planet. As with any structure, if you make it weak enough, it will collapse.

It is important to let the Harper government know how you feel about environmental issues. Tell your Member of Parliament what you think. Ask questions.

The Harper government likes to align itself with what the Bush administration does. Don’t let that include the environment. The planet can’t afford it.

Just because our neighbor to the south decides to do something stupid, it doesn’t mean we should, too.