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.

Possibly THE Worst Drivers In This Country (Part 2)

I thought that I had rid myself of all the angst I feel on a daily basis regarding the drivers here in the [ugly] State of Utah; but alas, I am mistaken.

In addition to everything else I stated in my previous post, I thought I would give additional illustration about what a dangerous place Utah is [as it relates to driving]. To start, I have a friend in Oregon who read my previous post on this subject, and she completely agrees with me. Further, she adds that the drivers in her state (Oregon) are closing the gap on the horrific Utah drivers.

Alright...the illustrations...

-When you merge onto a freeway, the law generally provides that while existing traffic on the road is obligated to allow room for you to merge. At the same time, drivers entering the freeway are obligated to position themselves to provide for a safe merge, even if that means slowing down a bit.

In this state, drivers don't know what the word "merge" means. Why? Because they force their way into traffic--even at the risk of causing accidents. I quickly learned to get out of a lane when cars are "merging" onto the road. Utah drivers barely even look over their shoulders to observe traffic. Fewer use their signals. I've had merging traffic pass me on my RIGHT side (they were driving on the shoulder to do so!) to get in front of me when they entered the road way. Not only is this maneuver illegal, it's just plain dangerous!!!

-Speaking of signals, I think a lot of cars here must have broken levers on their signals. Drivers here either don't know, or don't care (more likely) that a signal ahead of any maneuver is to let other drivers know what you're going to do, and can take the proper steps to maintain safety for everyone. I estimate a good 90% of Utah drivers NEVER signal.

-When I moved here I made regular use of turn lanes. Whenever I drive out of state I still do. But while in Utah I don't use it unless I must. Why? Because drivers here freak out if you actually merge into a turn lane. You get honked at, called foul names, get flipped off, etc. Further, I've even seen cars here use the turn lane as a passing lane! Yeah...scary!!

-An all too common occurance on Utah roads is tail-gating. This incredibly dangerous practice happens so frequently that you almost expect it to be going on. I am a defensive driver. I was taught that being so is the safest way to operate a vehicle. I follow the two second rule almost subconciously. Around here though, defensive drivers seem to be few and far between. Instead, offensive driving rules the roads.

I mentioned in my previous post that most drivers here think that speed limits don't really mean much. Right in line with that thinking is tail-gating. Drivers going faster than you will get so close (while in motion!) that you can't see their car hood in your rear view mirror. Yeah, you read that right! The two second rule is non-existant; but is replaced by a 1/100th of a second standard. That is scary no matter how long you've lived here.

If you have to suddenly slow or stop, the pursuing vehicle's front end will be in your passenger compartment before they even realize they have to slow or stop themselves. Extreme tail-gating is one of the reasons there are so many at-fault accidents in Utah.

-Along these lines (or in addition to) is the all too frequent practice of using your high beams when driving...and I mean all the time! Generally, high beam use is permitted as long as you are at a distance greater than 450-500 feet behind a vehicle you are following, and 350-400 feet of a vehicle approaching you in the opposite direction. To be any closer will cause the drivers in either case to be blinded by your headlights.

In this state, drivers use their high beams constantly. Rural driving, city driving, darkened roads or lighted, you will encounter this rude and dangerous practice at any time when headlights are required. And when a driver tail-gating you has their brights on (again to intimidate you into speeding, pulling over, etc), this highly dangerous practice is magnified many-fold.

-I don't think the term "Right of Way" has been taught to the drivers here. They seem to have no concept of what this is. Why? Because every day I see people pulling out in front of oncoming traffic with seeming impugnity. As long as the 'gun it' and speed up fast enough, everything will be ok. Besides, they can drive however they want...right?

-Here's a doozie--Where is it even possibly fathomable (let along legal) for a driver to make a right hand turn out of the middle or even left lane? Well, here in Utah it must be ok, because this incredibly stupid maneuver takesw place every day....and most of the time it happens, the offending driver doesn't use their signal, so all the other drivers around are caught completely unaware when this ILLEGAL move happens. When you honk, they look at you as if to say, "What? What did I do?" Again, at-fault accidents are all too common here.

-Finally, all of these things I've talked about in this post (and the previous one) are all compounded in severity when the weather is rainy. Now, anybody (outside of Utah) knows that when rain is falling, stopping distances double (or triple, depending on conditions), road spray affects driver vision, and vehicle hydroplaning is a very real possibility.

Here, headlights are infrequently turned on in the rain ("I can see just fine. Why do I need to turn on my lights?"), following distances are terrifyingly close, and drivers rely on their brakes far too much.

I hate driving in the rain here, because everything that goes on, all the unbelievably dangerous things, are amplified thousands of times. While I know my driving will be appropriate, I have less than zero confidence that the other drivers have my safety in mind, let alone their own.

So, I hope that I have furthered my case that the drivers here in Utah are the worst in this country. It really is a dangerous thing...driving every day on the roads of this state. So, if you ever find yourself here, please, be extra cautious, and expect the worst to happen. Otherwise, you could wind up having terrible accident that was caused by one of the wonderful, indiginous drivers who were road safety educated by a state (and legislature) that just doesn't care enough to assure the road safety of its citizens.