Bush administration listens only to itself
A report from the Union of Concerned Scientists titled "Scientific Integrity and Policy Making" is one of the most recent in many testimonies to the complete subjectivity exercised by the Bush White House in policy making.
The revolving door at the EPA as scientists reject the rationalization process pressed upon them by the White House is another example. We're seeing Pentagon contingency plans for dealing with catastrophic global warming exposed by British journalists while Bush crushes the Kyoto Accord.
The well-known construct used to justify the occupation of Iraq was built upon the convenient "intelligence" provided by Vice President Dick Cheney's friends in the Iraqi National Congress, with efforts made by the vice president and others to mold our own intelligence agencies reports to fit their needs. Other examples are on the public record.
To our very considerable misfortune, we are saddled with an administration which at every turn exhibits contempt for rational scientific process, international opinion, honest meaningful use of language and the American public at large.
To our very considerable fortune, the emotionally charged hot button tactics of President Bush's administration and its historically unprecedented unwillingness to listen to inconvenient voices are being recognized. Such an arrogant administration should consider one of Gandhi's quotes (paraphrased): "My people know what they want, and because I am their leader, I will follow them." I suggest that the Bush administration only knows what it wants.
STEVE PHLEGAR
Yuma
