A Lame Duck Presidents Lame Final Moves

It's common for a an outgoing US President in the final months of his term to enact regulations that don't get Congressional or Public review under the auspices of Executive review and interest. George W. Bush is no exception. However, his administration is taking this practice too far by working to enact reglations not for the benefit of the American people, but for the financial benefit of mining, power, timber, and other big businesses that could take decades to undo if once enacted.

Among the changes:
-Opening the approval process to allow for a ramping up of "Topping" mountains in the Appalachians for the purpose of faster, less expensive access to coal deposits. This practice, denounced by environmental groups and recreational groups, leaves permanent, visible damage to the mountains that cannot be undone. Last I heard, the mining companies had "Topped" over 1200 mountains. Enacting this regulation could quadruple the visible damage within a few short years. Additionally, the mining companies are lobbying hard to remove the restrictions on allowing mining pollution into streams, thereby polluting the water sources for many towns downstream from mining operations. This will add dangerously high levels of lead, mercury, cadmium, and other dangerous toxins contained in the slurry from mining.
-Removing nearly every restriction on coal fired power plants meant to protect the air, streams, lakes, and rivers we all enjoy--not to mention the billions of tons of particulate matter that would be dumped into the atmoshere on a yearly basis. Acid rain absolutely comes to mind when considering the ramifications if this is established.
-Abandoning restrictions on waste and emissions produced by oil refineries. This could very well lead to dangerously high pollution both into the air and into the ground/streams that would pose a very real risk to anyone near the refineries. Remember too, that our most-hated President gained his fortune in the oil industry, so I'm sure he has not only self-interest here, but also the interests of a number of his oil buddies around the country.

There are also the usual number of Presidential pardons (non are controversial--at least not that I've heard), Presidential favors to other Special Interest and Business groups, etc.

While every President uses the Holiday recess to enact various laws and/or regulations, they are usually enacted in the best interest of the American people--or at the very least, with the extensive commentary of public input. True to his deceitful form, Dubya (and Administration Cronies) is acting is his, and his Friends' best interest in mind. Forget about what is best for the Country as long as he and his friends are taken care of long after he leaves office.

After all, he's already assured his biggest Crony, Dick Cheney, guaranteed income for the foreseeable future with the no-bid contracts to Haliburton for both the wars currently being fought.

Talk about Lame.