The EPA, Environment, and Secrets.

Is The EPA Really Protecting The Environment? — by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at Care2 Election Blog)

Why is the EPA so determined to refuse to allow California and 17 other states from setting stronger emission standards? If this wasn’t so pathetic it might actually be funny. Our country has this thing called the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As the name implies, this agency is designed to protect our environment. But oddly enough, the EPA doesn’t seem concerned with the environment so much anymore. In fact, the EPA has evaded disclosure of documents on why California’s emissions laws were struck down.

The refusal to provide a full explanation is the latest twist in a congressional investigation into why the EPA denied California permission to impose what would have been the country’s toughest greenhouse gas standards on cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles.

The EPA is claiming “executive privilege” – I can’t tell you how sick I am of hearing the words “executive privilege” every time an attempt is made to get to the truth about something.

Secrecy, secrecy, and more secrecy – These are the words that are the cornerstones of the Bush administration. Can there be true “democracy” in a government of secrecy? Does “freedom” exist in a country of secrecy? How can there be “unity” in the United States of America, in the face of so much secrecy? One thing is for sure…Global Warming will continue to thrive in this environment of secrecy.

The Care2 community is very concerned with the environment. If you would like to get involved with protecting the environment, here are a few groups you might want to check out…

Environmental Defense

Union of Concerned Scientists

Hybrid Vehicle Supporters

Global Healing

READ MORE AT THE CARE2 ELECTION BLOG

Thoughts on the CNN Democratic Debate in SC

CNN Democratic Debate In South Carolina — by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at Care2 Election Blog and The Political Voice of Women)

If last week’s debate was a democratic love-fest, then this week’s debate was a Jerry Springer show. In fact, when they brought the chairs out for the second half, I could almost picture Obama and Hillary throwing them at each other. Thankfully, that didn’t happen, and they actually continued the debate in a much less confrontational way.

I enjoyed watching this debate much more during the second half, when the candidates were behaving in a much more “presidential” manner. However, not surprisingly, the media is now focusing its attention on the bickering and fighting. I was watching this debate with my 13 year old daughter, who casually mentioned to me that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were both acting like children. Then regretfully, my son came out of his room after the debate to tell me that Hillary came off as the “B-word”, and he thought she wasn’t letting Barack get a word in edgewise.

Personally, I learned more about the candidates and their positions on the issues when they were discussing them calmly and rationally…And isn’t that the actual purpose of a debate? Several times John Edwards was the voice of reason, and the one who brought the debate back to the important issues facing our country (like poverty, the economy, and healthcare). It was clear by the cheers and jeers of the audience that they were strongly in support of Barack Obama. Although, it seemed to me that Hillary Clinton and John Edwards came off more presidential tonight.

So, did you see the debate? What did you think? Was there a clear winner?

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