http://www.truthout.org/103108A
A Last Push to Deregulate
by: R. Jeffrey Smith,
The Washington Post: October 31, 2008
In its final months in the White House, the Bush administration is preparing
to eliminate federal regulations designed to protect the environment and
human health.
White House to ease many rules.
The White House is working to enact a wide array of federal regulations,
many of which would weaken government rules aimed at protecting consumers
and the environment, before President Bush leaves office in January.
The new rules would be among the most controversial deregulatory steps
of the Bush era and could be difficult for his successor to undo. Some would
ease or lift constraints on private industry, including power plants, mines
and farms.
Those and other regulations would help clear obstacles to some
commercial ocean-fishing activities, ease controls on emissions of
pollutants that contribute to global warming, relax drinking-water standards
and lift a key restriction on mountaintop coal mining.
Once such rules take effect, they typically can be undone only through a
laborious new regulatory proceeding, including lengthy periods of public
comment, drafting and mandated reanalysis.
"They want these rules to continue to have an impact long after they
leave office," said Matthew Madia, a regulatory expert at OMB Watch, a
nonprofit group critical of what it calls the Bush administration's penchant
for deregulating in areas where industry wants more freedom. He called the
coming deluge "a last-minute assault on the public . . . happening on
multiple fronts."
White House spokesman Tony Fratto said: "This administration has taken
extraordinary measures to avoid rushing regulations at the end of the term.
And yes, we'd prefer our regulations stand for a very long time -- they're
well reasoned and are being considered with the best interests of the nation
in mind."
As many as 90 new regulations are in the works, and at least nine of
them are considered "economically significant" because they impose costs or
promote societal benefits that exceed $100 million annually. They include
new rules governing employees who take family- and medical-related leaves,
new standards for preventing or containing oil spills, and a simplified
process for settling real estate transactions.
While it remains unclear how much the administration will be able to
accomplish in the coming weeks, the last-minute rush appears to involve
fewer regulations than Bush's predecessor, Bill Clinton, approved at the end
of his tenure.
In some cases, Bush's regulations reflect new interpretations of
language in federal laws. In other cases, such as several new
counterterrorism initiatives, they reflect new executive branch decisions in
areas where Congress -- now out of session and focused on the elections --
left the president considerable discretion.
The burst of activity has made this a busy period for lobbyists who fear
that industry views will hold less sway after the elections. The doors at
the New Executive Office Building have been whirling with corporate
officials and advisers pleading for relief or, in many cases, for hastened
decision making.
According to the Office of Management and Budget's regulatory calendar,
the commercial scallop-fishing industry came in two weeks ago to urge that
proposed catch limits be eased, nearly bumping into National Mining
Association officials making the case for easing rules meant to keep coal
slurry waste out of Appalachian streams. A few days earlier, lawyers for
kidney dialysis and biotechnology companies registered their complaints at
the OMB about new Medicare reimbursement rules. Lobbyists for customs
brokers complained about proposed counterterrorism rules that require the
advance reporting of shipping data.
Bush's aides are acutely aware of the political risks of completing
their regulatory work too late. On the afternoon of Bush's inauguration,
Jan. 20, 2001, his chief of staff issued a government-wide memo that blocked
the completion or implementation of regulations drafted in the waning days
of the Clinton administration that had not yet taken legal effect.
"Through the end of the Clinton administration, we were working like
crazy to get as many regulations out as possible," said Donald R. Arbuckle,
who retired in 2006 after 25 years as an OMB official. "Then on Sunday, the
day after the inauguration, OMB Director Mitch Daniels called me in and
said, 'Let's pull back as many of these as we can.' "
Clinton's appointees wound up paying a heavy price for procrastination.
Bush's team was able to withdraw 254 regulations that covered such matters
as drug and airline safety, immigration and indoor air pollutants. After
further review, many of the proposals were modified to reflect Republican
policy ideals or scrapped altogether.
Seeking to avoid falling victim to such partisan tactics, White House
Chief of Staff Joshua B. Bolten in May imposed a Nov. 1 government-wide
deadline to finish major new regulations, "except in extraordinary
circumstances."
That gives officials just a few more weeks to meet an effective Nov. 20
deadline for the publication of economically significant rules, which take
legal effect only after a 60-day congressional comment period. Less
important rules take effect after a 30-day period, creating a second
deadline of Dec. 20.
OMB spokeswoman Jane Lee said that Bolten's memo was meant to emphasize
the importance of "due diligence" in ensuring that late-term regulations are
sound. "We will continue to embrace the thorough and high standards of the
regulatory review process," she said.
As the deadlines near, the administration has begun to issue regulations
of great interest to industry, including, in recent days, a rule that allows
natural gas pipelines to operate at higher pressures and new Homeland
Security rules that shift passenger security screening responsibilities from
airlines to the federal government. The OMB also approved a new limit on
airborne emissions of lead this month, acting under a court-imposed
deadline.
Many of the rules that could be issued over the next few weeks would
ease environmental regulations, according to sources familiar with
administration deliberations.
A rule put forward by the National Marine Fisheries Service and now
under final review by the OMB would lift a requirement that environmental
impact statements be prepared for certain fisheries-management decisions and
would give review authority to regional councils dominated by commercial and
recreational fishing interests.
An Alaska commercial fishing source, granted anonymity so he could speak
candidly about private conversations, said that senior administration
officials promised to "get the rule done by the end of this month" and that
the outcome would be a big improvement.
Lee Crockett of the Pew Charitable Trusts' Environment Group said the
administration has received 194,000 public comments on the rule and protests
from 80 members of Congress as well as 160 conservation groups. "This thing
is fatally flawed" as well as "wildly unpopular," Crockett said.
Two other rules nearing completion would ease limits on pollution from
power plants, a major energy industry goal for the past eight years that is
strenuously opposed by Democratic lawmakers and environmental groups.
One rule, being pursued over some opposition within the Environmental
Protection Agency, would allow current emissions at a power plant to match
the highest levels produced by that plant, overturning a rule that more
strictly limits such emission increases. According to the EPA's estimate, it
would allow millions of tons of additional carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere annually, worsening global warming.
A related regulation would ease limits on emissions from coal-fired
power plants near national parks.
A third rule would allow increased emissions from oil refineries,
chemical factories and other industrial plants with complex manufacturing
operations.
These rules "will force Americans to choke on dirtier air for years to
come, unless Congress or the new administration reverses these eleventh-hour
abuses," said lawyer John Walke of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
But Scott H. Segal, a Washington lawyer and chief spokesman for the
Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, said that "bringing common sense
to the Clean Air Act is the best way to enhance energy efficiency and
pollution control." He said he is optimistic that the new rule will help
keep citizens' lawsuits from obstructing new technologies.
Jonathan Shradar, an EPA spokesman, said that he could not discuss
specifics but added that "we strive to protect human health and the
environment." Any rule the agency completes, he said, "is more stringent
than the previous one."
***
From: Earth Sucks: A Musical
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 10:59 PM
Subject: The End of "Earth"
Dear Lovers and Dreamers,
EARTH'S FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH "EARTH SUCKS" ENDS THIS WEEKEND!
Technological innovations have been shared, cultural differences overcome,
orifices probed. Come celebrate with us! On Friday (8pm), we're offering
$10-off discounts to anyone who shows up in costume - so that's $15 general
admission, $5 for students. You must wear a costume to qualify for the
discount and our intermission costume parade. Think of it as practice for
the big parade that will be happening just up the street. Then on Saturday
(8pm) and Sunday (7pm) we're partying like it's the end of the world, I
mean, run.
Then we're off into the firmament. If you haven't made it out yet, let me
assure you that some regrets hound you to your very grave. Or, for a
cheerier perspective, the words of one enthusiastic convert after a recent
show: "You must hate fun if you don't love parts of this show!" We could
not hope for a more ringing endorsement.
Maybe you already caught us? You can write a review for the world to see on
the L.A. Times' "The Guide" online:
http://theguide.latimes.com/search/what_n_where_search?what=earth+sucks&where=&x=0&y=0
Events like this come around once every 86 years. Give or take. We'd love
to see you. Links, raves and info below.
Peace,
Jonas O
Here's our invasion of the television airwaves on ABC7:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/media?id=6396080
Here is our killer L.A. Times review in full:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-et-stage10-2008oct10,0,2888302.story
And check out glowing reviews from Backstage and the blogosphere:
http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/la/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003872351
http://laist.com/2008/10/24/laist_review_you_are_a_fool_if_you.php
http://www.lataco.com/taco/%e2%80%9cearth-sucks%e2%80%9d-review-artworks-theatre#more-16888
More Liberal Media on Earth Sucks:
"It might be the best movie musical in 20 years (even if it can be seen only
on the stage.)" --LAist.com
"['Earth Sucks' has an] engaging score (vehemently delivered by the onstage
band), droll script and the light touch of the principal performers: [Emily]
Stern has a lovely nonchalant innocence; as lead singer Fluhbluhbluh, Lucas
Revolution almost manages to sell you on his sock puppet; [Nakia] Syvonne's
dry scream of wounded narcissism should be patented; and [Christopher]
Fairbanks manages to imbue the proceedings with emotional stakes." - L.A.
Times
"Crackling music.in the style of The Ramones, The Talking Heads, and
Devo...Syvonne's hilariously wild-eyed, throaty turn is both funny and
tuneful, in the style of Eartha Kitt. And Revolution's alien crooner brings
to mind David Byrne." - L.A. Weekly
"This is serious fun.Abandon all reason at the door and come check this play
out." - LA Splash
"Oppenheim has put together a supremely goofy package that's kicked around
on stage by a group of adventurous actors and musicians, all of whom look to
be having as much fun with the silly material as the audience is having." -
Back Stage West
"'Earth Sucks' is a journey through the galaxy that I highly advise everyone
jump on board for. It's one of those special shows where the actors all
seem to be having a good time." - Stagehappenings.com
"A cosmic goulash of rock 'n' roll and nonsensical fun.[Nakia Syvonne's]
performance along with [Scott] Palmason's is worth trekking across the
galaxy for." - LAtaco.com
"Emily Stern as Echo and Lucas Revolution as Fluhbluhbluh have a quirky
charm about them and Nakia Syvonne (Ulinia Swords) has a huge belt of a
voice. Arianna Pistilli's costumes are funny and imaginative." -
StageSceneLA
"Oppenheim's music is a wonderful compliment to the snappy and witty
dialogue. It's eclectic - every song an extension of each character. From
wacky New Wave to stifling trip pop, Oppenheim has proven that he can write
a space rock musical better than the rest." - SoCal.com
EARTH SUCKS
a space rock musical
Written and directed by Jonas Oppenheim
Starring Emily Stern, Nakia Syvonne, Lucas Revolution, Christopher
Fairbanks, Rawn Erickson II,
Alicyn Packard, Jennifer Fenten, Scott Palmason, John Hanson, Duncan Mackay,
Paul Wyderka
Lighting and technical direction by Cris Capp
Sound design by Tim Boyce
Set design by Mel Horan
Costume design by Arianna Pistilli
Vocal direction by Normandie Wilson
Choreography by Reed Farley and Gustine Fudickar
Stage and production management by Rachel Wohlander and Jessica Wohlander
Web design by Jason Reim
Graphic design by Forest Erickson & Tracy Marcellino
Produced by Joel Farkas, Jonas Oppenheim and Rick Ross
WHEN:
FINAL WEEKEND!
Thru November 2
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 7 pm
WHERE:
Art|Works Theatre
6569 Santa Monica Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90038
(between Highland and Cahuenga; cross street Seward)
YOU WILL BUY TICKETS:
(323) 960-7744 or www.earthsucksmusical.com
HOW MUCH:
General admission: $25
Earthlings 65 and older: $20
Earthlings 21 and younger: $15
HALLOWEEN DISCOUNT - $10 off if you come in costume!
WEB SITE:
www.earthsucksmusical.com
------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Digest: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Help: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
