One rule would allow coal companies to dump rock and dirt from mountaintop mining operations into nearby streams and valleys. Another, issued last week by the Health and Human Services Department, gives states sweeping authority to charge higher co-payments for doctor's visits, hospital care and prescription drugs provided to low-income people under Medicaid. The department is working on another rule to protect health care workers who refuse to perform abortions or other procedures on religious or moral grounds.

"The department is working on another rule to protect health care workers who refuse to perform abortions or other procedures on religious or moral grounds."

Will Christian Science postmen get the same consideration?

Responsible Civil Servants in these government departments should decline to enact these "rules" before January 20, 2009.

don't worry. the boy blunder will probably drink himself into the ground.

karma.

Too bad it hasn't happened already.
Unfortunately-that'd left Darth Cheney in charge-oh wait...he already is...Butt-I think having to come out and stay out of his "undisclosed Location" would be too much stress on him-and we'd have ended up with President Pelosi..........There's a thought.

So typical Bush --

HOW MUCH LONGER until that pos gets out of office?

Did anyone else notice this from the article --

...The Labor Department is racing to complete a new rule, strenuously opposed by President-elect Barack Obama, that would make it much harder for the government to regulate toxic substances and hazardous chemicals to which workers are exposed on the job....

"Racing" -- that's right.

Bush and his band of thugs are "racing" to pass a rule -- as FAST as they possibly can before they are out of power -- to allow employers to loosen up regulations against the use of poisons and hazardous chemicals their employees would be exposed to on the job.

What a piece of crap Bush is.

What other President have you ever known in all of history who would consider it to be of utmost importance for him, in his last days as President, that he be sure to get rid of (or loosen) as many workplace safety rules as he can currently in place to protect American workers from getting sick and/or dying on the job.

Secretary of Labor Elaine Chow sickens me too. As REPUBLICAN Senator Mitch McConnell's wife, she has been working her butt off to implement Bush's wishes to help destroy as many hard working American jobs as possible -- be it through outsourcing of jobs, increasing of H1 visas and, as in this instance, helping to poison and kill them on the job by getting rid of every safety precaution which might take more than 10 cents away from corporate profit.

Thank God, Obama will most likely overturn all this garbage pushed through by Bush.

Have you ever seen any other U.S. President -- from either party -- who so hated American workers? Bush has done NOTHING for the American people or for our country the entire eight years he's been in office.

What a sick pos Bush is.

HOW MUCH LONGER until that pos gets out of office?

CalifChris

If obama wants to be a decent president, he's going to end up spending 2 years undoing all the shit these nazi assholes have passed in the last 8 years...

Oh gee, all you liberals just hate George Bush and blah, blah, Blah.

Signed
The idiotic right

Congress could and should stop this crap from going down with the very law the pos Republicans passed to prevent Bill Clinton from changing things in his final days.

None of this will change, one has to remember that the only way to get approval is through the democratic party majority.

Well, that will truely tell everyone how effective the lazy do nothing democratic party majority is and how in bed with this administration and the republicans they are really.

I find it humorous that these left leaning supporters can't seemed to find it within themselves to be critical of their party congress.

Idiots, go listen to your music thread, it is far more important to our future.

Boo Hoo Money;

FTA: "This rule is being pushed through by an administration that, for the last seven and a half years, has failed to set any new OSHA health rules to protect workers, except for one issued pursuant to a court order," said Margaret M. Seminario, director of occupational safety and health for the A.F.L.-C.I.O.

Bush is King Midas in reverse in that everything he touches turns into shit not gold.

He's already turned the Department of Justice into the Department of Injustice with his flunky appointees justifying torture and mass spying on the American people and maliciously prosecuting political opponents.

He turned the Enviromental Protection Agency into the Encourage Pollution Agency.

He turned the Defense Department into the Offensive Pre-emptive War Department.

Turned Dept of Homeland Security into the Dept of Global Insecurity.

He's weakened workers rights, shat on the Constitution, increased pollution, created a global financial crisis, sullied America reputation abooad, weakened it's standing in the world, eroded the wall seperating church and state, increased governmental secrecy, decreased individual liberty and privacy, increased global terrorism, decreased America's ability to defend itself from same, realigned the geo-politcal aliance map against American interests etc etc ad nauseum ad infinitum.

Yeesh! If Osama Bin Laden had been elected in 2000 he couldn't have done more damage to the US than this guy no matter how hard he tried.

It's still not too late to impeach the evil little fucker you know.

Be Well.

I find it humorous that these left leaning supporters can't seemed to find it within themselves to be critical of their party congress.

It is because they are so brainwashed that they are not unable to utter critical words of their own party and they actually turn a blind eye to its shortcomings. I mean think about it -- if you are told, "When the right controls congress, blame them". Then later you are told, "When the left controls congress, blame the right for congress's shortcomings" over and over and over, those with a small, controllable brains start to believe it. It doesn't matter if they are on the right or the left. But those with a larger brain who are capable of shunning the sheepleherders and think on their own know better.

How ridiculous is it to think that a group of people, millions strong is always correct? Well, that's what the sheepleherders have their flock believe -- as astounding as that sounds. Pick a few of the leftie and rightie diehards on this list. Ask yourself, "Have they ever been critical of their party?" Of course they haven't. That is why their opinion here is pretty much shit. It isn't their own opinion, it is that of those who hold their nose rings.

Pity the sheeple, and if you are not one, be thankful for your ability to use basic cognitive skills and think reasonably and be able to differentiate between right and wrong, no matter who is to blame or who is to credit.

Goat,

Interesting but have found it very rare that you have ever questioned or been critical of anything on the right.

Talking of knowing right and wrong, I have yet seen you defend such when it involves the making of money at the expense of future generational good objectives.

"Idiots, go listen to your music thread, it is far more important to our future"

I understand your frustration with partisanship, but dude, seriously, you need to relax about the music thread. It really isn't a big deal. That thread is having zero effect on the bitter partisanship that this site is famous for.

You don't like music...stay away from that thread. See there....that's not so hard.

Throw You Hatred Down, man....

Interesting but have found it very rare that you have ever questioned or been critical of anything on the right.

*yawn*

I have been critical of the right many, many times. I've criticised Bush many, many times. I've support what are generally considered leftist causes many, many times. But I'm sick of justifying myself everytime someone like you makes that same tired, trite comment. So like null-brain et alia, feel free to assign whatever political position to me that you want. Read whatever posts of mine you want to read. When you come across posts that doesn't fit into your preconcieved notion of what you think I should be, ignore, them so you little, tiny world isn't upset. It doen't matter to me.

Soul,

Sorry, this is a political blog, not a musicology blog and I tend to keep that perspective.

I have nothing against your liking to share your music, I just don't share where you are venuing such.

porn shouldn't be on disney.

I have yet seen you defend such when it involves the making of money at the expense of future generational good objectives.

As I said, moneywar (and you just proved) you read what you want to read. I have constantly endorsed alternative energy sources. In fact, I even had a thread supporting Texas' great inroads on wind energy.

But I'm sick of justifying myself everytime someone like you makes that same tired, trite comment. So like null-brain et alia, feel free to assign whatever political position to me that you want.

No matter how many time you say it doesn't make it so or even believable.

It sounds like many people have said this same thing, perspective seems to be short sighted here.

I get where you're coming from money, but it just seems to me you're wasting too much energy complaining about it...more than most of us posting there. There are plenty of threads on here, worthy of working up a righteous anger and frustration over. But a music thread....really?

As for bitching about Bush these days....that to me is also wasted energy. Good riddance is all I can muster.

perspective seems to be short sighted here.

That's why I've been spending less and less time here. Same suspects regurgitating the same idiocies.

No matter how many time you say it doesn't make it so or even believable.

This reinforces what you said above better than anything you could have. LOL Thanks for underscoring that point better than I could ever have hoped to.

I agree, bitching about bush is a waste of time and energy.

As far as I have seen, I am the only one who has broached the subject on the musicology. I was merely showing my dismay at the amount of posting and research into the music on a political blog while those same people can't seem to spend the same amount of time and research in posting on the mission of this actual blog.

That's why I've been spending less and less time here. Same suspects regurgitating the same idiocies.

LOL!

People are just getting to see how you seem to play convoluted word games rather than actually posting real diverse critique of unshared ideas.

The people also notice that you continue to push the regurgitated aspect of YOU win and all others lose.

Is it truely win or lose?

The people also notice that you continue to push the regurgitated aspect of YOU win and all others lose.

LOL So now you speak for "the people" of this blog. Your hubris knows no bounds, does it?

Or am I wrong? Have you had private email interactions with "the people" that allow you to come to this conclusion? Because I've not seen anything of this sort discussed in the open forum.

What an arrogant and sad little person you are -- he who speaks for the DR masses, or thinks he does, anyway.

The people also notice that you continue to push the regurgitated aspect of YOU win and all others lose.

???

Isn't that everyone's agenda? I mean, I don't think I've seen a single post ever that says, "I think this, this, this, and that, but I am totally wrong, so I lose".

People (including yourself, of course) obviously say what they think is right. Are you really that dull to think otherwise?

I'm sorry, moneywar -- it's as I said above: This forum is the same suspects regurgitating the same shit that has been keeping me away. You, my friend, are regurgitating the same shit.

Adios, amigo for now. Hoping for good times for you and yours in the future.

Yes. The government's regulation of toxic substances has just been outstanding. How many thousands got sick from asbestosis, which comes from ripping out asbestos? How many millions have died because of the totally imaginary harm of DDT?

"Strenuously opposed by Barack Obama" . . . well, then it wouldn't be too much for him to put them back, will it? Unless he doesn't REALLY feel that strongly about it, after all?

LMAO. I vaguely remember all the things Obama felt strongly about. Offshore drilling, troops out of Iraq, FISA, illegal wiretapping . . . since wrapping up the nomination, it doesn't seem like he gives a damn anymore. Could it be he was LYING?

Yes. The government's regulation of toxic substances has just been outstanding. How many thousands got sick from asbestosis, which comes from ripping out asbestos? How many millions have died because of the totally imaginary harm of DDT?

For what purpose would some one post such blind ignorance?

People were not getting sick when they left the asbestos alone?

DDT was about people dying? DDT was about people?

My word, this guys calls himself educated.

$$$$WAR

As far as I have seen, I am the only one who has broached the subject on the musicology. I was merely showing my dismay at the amount of posting and research into the music on a political blog while those same people can't seem to spend the same amount of time and research in posting on the mission of this actual blog.

I read you comments about this same think on last night's music thread. ONE thread devoted to music put up on ONE day of the week (usually Friday night) where everyone puts aside their politics and just enjoys each other's company can hardly be considered the destruction of DR.

My God, we have had almost two years of non-stop political campaigning on DR where you had to look long and hard each day to find even a single thread which didn't have Bush, the Democrats, the Republicans, McCain, Obama, or Hillary in the headline. And you want MORE???? Give me a break. I'm SO glad it's over.

Finally, after the election, we're now back to "normal" on DR (if there is such a word to discribe blogging on here lol) and are starting to go back to discussing "some" politics, crazy current events (like people getting shot arguing over toys in "Toys R Us"), the space shuttle, and various assorted and quirky subjects -- like it used to be on DR.

I like the "Friday night Muzack" threads Rex puts up every week. It's relaxing, fun, and you get a chance to know people a little better without having it turn into another political brawl.

btw -- I don't know all the gossip and and background of some of the previous DR battles among a few of the long time posters on here (and don't want to know either). However, I sincerely hope your nonsensical resentment of a once a week music thread has nothing to do with the person who first started it. But I can't seem to think of any reason why such a trivial thing seems to bother you.

Rex has done an excellent job of keeping his music thread "neutral territory" -- even during the time when DR was in the thickest of the political battles just prior to the election.

We ALL need a break from heavy politics for now -- including here on DR.
Besides, there are plenty of threads about politics on here if that's what you want to discuss and you know it, too. This particular political campaign has been draining and emotional for the entire country (at least for those who had enough of a brain to care one way or the other) so let's all give it a rest.

Do me a favor, will ya $$$$WAR?

I'm heading out for awhile but when I get back, I'd really like to find on this thread a youtube link from you to just one your one of your favorite songs? Okay? See, I haven't a clue as to what music you're into. (No offense to Rex, but I sure hope your music taste isn't the same as his lol! Hopefully yours will run more along the line of my favorites -- classic rock and roll and country/western music.)

See ya later.
I'll be curious to see what song you liked. :)

wow, my typos are running amok!

you = your
same think - same thing

DDT was about people dying? DDT was about people?

The usage of DDT eradicated malaria from the US. However, it had some minor, short-term ennvironmental negatives - among other things it was blamed for causing the shells of bald eagle eggs to be dangerously thin - bald eagles have made a huge comeback in the last 10 years, BTW.

In Africa, more people die annually from malaria than from AIDS. An agggressive DDT campaign would likely have the same impact in Africa as it has in the US - the elimination of malaria. However, environmental measures prohibit its usage to the degree necessary to eradicate malaria. So, instead we'll just stand back and watch as 1 million Africans die every year from malaria and instead lobby for all sorts of money to curb AIDS - an incurable (at this time) disease that doesn't take nearly as many African lives annually.

Who says Republicans aren't all a bunch of callous, heartless bastards?

$$$WAR

I'll be curious to see what song you liked. :)

#29 | Posted by CalifChris at 2008-11-30 08:06 PM

No favorite song? Oh well.

Too bad that we can't get Chancy Nancy Pelousy to do the right thing and open up with Dennis Kuchinich's articles of impeachment.

Looks like we're just going to have to let President Rosemary's Baby run amok until January 20th.

Turned Dept of Homeland Security into the Dept of Global Insecurity.

#13 | Posted by dethspud

Well Tater Tot seeing as how there was no Dept of Homeland Security before the Bush administration came up with it I don't see how he could have turned it into anything other than what it is and has always been since its inception a needless bloated big government bureaucracy

The Bush administration backed off proposed crackdowns on no-money-down, interest-only mortgages years before the economy collapsed, buckling to pressure from some of the same banks that have now failed. It ignored remarkably prescient warnings that foretold the financial meltdown, according to an Associated Press review of regulatory documents.

"Expect fallout, expect foreclosures, expect horror stories," California mortgage lender Paris Welch wrote to U.S. regulators in January 2006, about one year before the housing implosion cost her a job.

Meanwhile clueless rightie tighties put all the blame on Barney (Frank).

The White House had a website dedicated to easy home ownership for the onershipsociety,until the meltdown.

As bad as this huge problemis, it is only 7% of the market and cannot explain all the institutional failures. For that you have to look at the derivatives market. The same legalized gambling that triggered the Great Depression.

Shrub's motto: Ignore all except war and wealth.

I'm sorry. I can resist it any longer...Up-thread someone opined "porn shouldn't be on Disney."

Do you know why Mickey divorced Minnie? She was f*cking Goofy.

Every one a Maserati.

This shouldn't be a government issue. The truth is, companies implement their own safety standards & for the most part adhere to them strongly because it is a loss prevention issue and it costs a fortune to have an injury. I am working with local government coming from a private company doing the same thing & I can tell you from my own experience, I see things going on here that would have gotten someone fired at my old job for a first offense because safety related mistakes are something private companies cannot afford. Not warned, not coached, not written up, Fired! I've mentioned them to the bosses, no changes. Who is regulating us here? Government!
God forbid we should miss one chance to regulate the hell out of businesses! The companies are either going to get sued from an HR issue or a later health issue anyway so why stick it to them all around? Oh right, because we hate businesses because they're evil & they "deserve" it. BO will do nothing about it even though he's "strongly opposed" unless there is something in it for him politically. Don't miss any hate Bush opportunities, he's almost gone. I think the haters will actually miss him because they'll have nothing to talk about.

RE: DDT was about people dying? DDT was about people?

Actually, DDT does no environmental harm if it's selectively sprayed indoors on damp areas in tropical climes. It was its outdoor pesticide use that caused the bald eagles eggs to have thin shells.
Its prohibition was not so much internal as from outside agencies like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. They wouldn't lend money to nations that allowed its use.

I don't see what DDT has to do with this topic, but I can add that Rachel Carson did not advocate for an outright ban on DDT, but rather its judicious use. She said it should be used only as much as necessary to control malaria and not used to the capacity of the supply. She was villified and misrepresented by companies that evidently preferred to spray according to the capacity of their supply in order to make the capacity of profit. I think if it weren't for this all or nothing mentality on both sides today, we would save many lives through the proper use of DDT.