At Least Industry Can Breathe Easy
One of President Bush's first acts," reports a New York Times editorial, "Was to convene a task force to produce a national energy strategy":
Led by Vice President Dick Cheney, the group met secretly with hundreds of witnesses. It heard from few environmentalists, but many lobbyists and executives from industries whose fortunes would be affected by any new policies. Despite lawsuits, the White House has refused to divulge the names of those privileged to get Mr. Cheney's ear. The results, however, have been plain as day: policies that broadly favor industry ó including big campaign contributors ó at the expense of the environment and public health.That unfortunate bias was demonstrated anew this week when the Environmental Protection Agency decided to drop investigations into more than 140 power plants, refineries and other industrial sites suspected of violating the Clean Air Act. The winner is industry; the loser, the public.
How is the administration going to spin the fallout from this one? Liberal bias...in favor of...breathing?