Wednesday Mashup (7/30/08)

I came across two of these items last week that I haven’t seen in posts anywhere, so here is my commentary, for whatever it’s worth (with a third thrown in from yesterday).

For anyone who thought that Bushco would treat the whole FISA fiasco as a “one-and-done” on the issue of immunity from prosecution for negligence, I give you this story in which FEMA is seeking the same thing on the matter of people sickened by the formaldehyde in the trailers the agency provided for the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

See, the branch of Bushco formerly run by Mike (“Horsey Time”) Brown thinks that the contractors they hired should face litigation and not the agency itself…yeah, that’s the ticket…sure (dated comedy reference, sorry).

And by the way, good luck trying to get these contractors to help our government again after Bushco left them high and dry (sorry), or, you could say, sold them down the river (oops – sorry again…honestly can’t think of other ways to put it).

And when I think of the fact that a legislative precedent now exists for FEMA to fall back on due to FISA, I can only present this graphic once more in response.

Heckuva job, Congress.

And in another shining example of stupidity by our ruling cabal, voter registration drives have been banned from VA facilities (from here)…

The policy, called Directive 2008-025, prohibits voter-registration drives at all VA facilities and hospitals.

VA officials said the policy is intended to prevent disruptions and ensure that the VA doesn't get caught up in partisan politics.

"It's totally ridiculous," (Dem Philadelphia U.S. House Rep Bob) Brady said. "We're talking about having bonafide nonpartisan organizations going in and helping soldiers register or get absentee ballots, and they won't allow it."

Matt Smith, the VA's deputy assistant secretary for public affairs, said in a statement that the VA isn't in a position to "examine the agenda, history and motivations of every organization" that wants to hold registration drives at VA facilities.

Translated: we’re not going to “support the troops” because we believe that, due to the pain they’ve suffered from Dubya’s disastrous war of choice in Iraq, they’re going to have the proverbial heads of the Repugs, as it were, this November, and we’re not going to do a damn thing that will make that any easier.

Ideologues to the bitter end…

And in keeping with that theme, I present this San Diego Union-Tribune story telling us that Bushco’s Transportation Secretary Mary Peters has proposed a new plan for funding of our highways (hint: it poses a threat to the environment, of course)…

(Peters) said the scheme plan would reduce the 13-year average it now takes to build (highways and transit projects). It also promises a renewed focus on maintaining and expanding federal highways instead of diverting funds to other projects.

She also called for Congress to revamp the “antiquated” gas tax, which she said results in less revenue for transit because it relies on volatile fuel prices.

…

Environmental activists quickly raised a red flag, saying the plan would eliminate the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program, a key air pollution project.

“It's a little bit surprising that they would go so far as wanting to abolish a critical part of the Clean Air Act,” said Frank O'Donnell, president of Clean Air Watch. “The message they are sending is they want money going for asphalt rather than clean air.”

Peters said the funding that would go to the program would instead be funneled into a pool that cities could use as they wish. Cities struggling to meet clean air guidelines could use their share to reduce pollution, while others could expand transportation.

By now, there are certain words or phrases that, though they are part of our lexicon, should automatically invoke a response not unlike that of the “DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!” gyrations of Bob May’s robot on “Lost In Space” (hey, I haven’t sneaked in a “boomer” reference for a little while now, OK?). One of those is “deregulation of markets.” Another would be anything whatsoever indicating that federal monies will be distributed to states or other localities to do with as they please (either in the form of block grants or other appropriations), since that inevitably means that at least some of that funding will be misspent. And this is a perfect example.

Also, I really don’t understand why Mr. O’Donnell would actually be surprised by the antics of Peters on behalf of her ideologue handlers in the White House. How much more evidence do you need that the environment isn’t even an afterthought to Incurious George and his puppet masters?

And finally, this story gives me an opportunity to plug this site, which I am only too happy to do. There are just way too many Bushco bottom feeders out there to go after for me or anyone to tackle by ourselves, and to say that Peters has a checkered history is an understatement.