BS: Integrity Roars? - Finally

Subject: BS: Integrity Roars? - Finally
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 02:15 PM

EPA unions slam political appointees

They withdraw from council over policy issues like Calif. warming ruling

The Associated Press
updated 4:05 p.m. CT, Mon., March. 3, 2008

WASHINGTON - Unionized EPA workers are withdrawing from a cooperation agreement with the political appointees who supervise them over controversies including the agency's refusal to let California regulate greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks.

Nineteen union local presidents representing more than 10,000 Environmental Protection Agency employees signed a letter to Administrator Stephen L. Johnson last Friday accusing him of "abuses of our good nature and trust."

Under Johnson's leadership EPA has ignored jointly developed principles of scientific integrity "whenever political direction from other federal entities or private sector interests so direct," the unions charged.

Asked for comment, EPA spokesman Jonathan said only: "As a 27-year career EPA scientist, the administrator values the expertise and advice of his staff and will do so through his time in leadership."

The letter cited the California greenhouse gas waiver denial and several other issues, including mercury emissions from power plants.

The Bush administration recently lost a court case for not sufficiently weighing the health impact of its proposal for reducing mercury pollution.

"EPA boasts of the principles of scientific integrity before the Congress and the public as an example of EPA's dedication to using only good science in its decision-making, but refuses to agree to an adjudication process for resolving disputes arising from alleged violations," says the letter, released Monday by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.

The union locals involved represent the vast majority of EPA workers around the country. Signers included William Evans, president of the EPA headquarters chapter of the National Treasury Employees Union.
Evans said that the purpose of the Clinton-era National Labor-Management Partnership Council was for senior agency officials and workers to deal with workplace and other issues before the decision stage.

Instead, "what we found is decisions are being made and they're being presented to us," said Evans.

The union leaders told Johnson they'd be suspending involvement in the partnership council "until we receive from you a clear commitment and specific direction."

The move follows a letter by a smaller group of union officers in January protesting Johnson's decision on the California waiver.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press

[Well, at least they squeaked.]

John

Subject: RE: BS: Integrity Roars? - Finally
From: Peace
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 02:17 PM

'"EPA boasts of the principles of scientific integrity before the Congress and the public as an example of EPA's dedication to using only good science in its decision-making, but refuses to agree to an adjudication process for resolving disputes arising from alleged violations," says the letter, released Monday by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.'

That doesn't sound very scientific of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Integrity Roars? - Finally
From: PoppaGator
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 03:09 PM

Good for them! While we often have only bad things to say about "government bureaucrats," the folks who have made careers out of their concern for environmental issues are certainly more disinterested and more sincere advocates for doing the right thing ~ protecting the environment ~ than are the political appointees who oversee them.

If only the disaster-management experts who had worked for FEMA prior to 2000 had been able to raise a similar protest and to remain at their posts. Sadly, the Bush administration purged that agency of its dedicated professional staff and turned it into a patronage mill to reward campaign contributors and flunkies like Arabian Horse expert Michael "Heck of a Job Brownie" Brown. Many of us are still living with the disasterous results. I have absolutely no doubt that the appointees in charge of today's EPA are just as unqualified for their posts and just as antithethetical to their agency's purported purpose, Environmental Protection.

Subject: RE: BS: Integrity Roars? - Finally
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 04:43 PM

Unfortunately these folks can't quit their jobs in protest. They know all too well that their positions would be filled with other "toadies" or just not filled at all.

The current administration has been using funding cuts and personnel shortages for nearly eight years to try to destroy programs it doesn't like.

Subject: RE: BS: Integrity Roars? - Finally
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 09:46 PM

Dec. 30, 2005, enacted by Congress and sent to the President: When requested, scientific information ''prepared by government researchers and scientists shall be transmitted [to Congress] uncensored and without delay."

Bush's signing statement: The president can tell researchers to withhold any information from Congress if he decides its disclosure could impair foreign relations, national security, or the workings of the executive branch.

NO ADMINISTRATION COMMENT ON TECHNICAL ISSUES CAN BE TAKEN TO BE FREE FROM POLITICAL AGENDA. (That's just my opinion, of course.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: Integrity Roars? - Finally
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 11:41 PM

I know I posted to this and saw it take. Oh well:

Fanfuckingtastic and good for them. At least someone is showing some backbone.

As for the shrub and his admin, when the history books are written they will show him for the worst our country has ever known, esp. in terms of destruction of our basic rights, collective consciousness, and place in the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Integrity Roars? - Finally
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 08:18 AM

With Little Fascist Johnny right behind - where he usually was.... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Integrity Roars? - Finally
From: Mooh
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 09:21 AM

As a former public sector union negotiator I can honestly say that there are times that the hirees are what keep the hirers clean, that there are times when their collective will keeps the political thugs from doing too much wrong. However, there are times when they collectively run in fear. Glad they're not running from this.

Peace, Mooh.