A probe to determine if the Bush Administration plotted to alter sworn Congressional testimony by a Federal Official in order to play down the threat of Global Warming has led to the door of Vice President Dick Cheney.
Now, on the heels of the accusatory finger-pointing, George Bush's sidekick in the Oval Office is taking the coward's way out and asserting Executive Privilege to avoid recrimination.
The scandal first found footing several months ago when the news magazine show - 60 Minutes - conducted an investigation into allegations by reputable scientists that the Bush Administration was suppressing crucial facts about greenhouse gases and their negative impact on the environment.
President Bush is opposed to mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, oil refineries, and other polluters on the grounds that such steps would drive up energy costs and hurt the economy.
During on-camera interviews at CBS Studios, a handful of environmental specialists noted that initially the Government forbade them from releasing any of their reports to the media.
The strict ultimatum was later abandoned in favor of a Government policy that stipulated that officials in Washington review all findings before they be released and made public.
After the new mandate was imposed, Scientists were later startled to uncover evidence that indicated Officials on the "Hill" not only manipulated data to minimize the impact of the findings - but, in some cases - edited out information in a deceitful effort to mislead the public about the seriousness of the alarming problem.
Then - a nasty tussle with Governor Schwarzenegger over a request for an EPA waiver - signaled something was definitely amiss in the corridors of power that went far beyond simple concerns about rising energy costs.
Although the Governor met all the criteria for the granting of a "waiver" he sought to impose stricter greenhouse gas regulations in the State of California, the request was summarily denied by the EPA on dubious grounds.
On the heels of the denial of the waiver, the office of the State Attorney General proceeded to file suit against the Government alleging wrongdoing. In addition, a Committee headed up by Senator Boxer began interrogating key witnesses to determine the facts.
At this juncture, shadowy figures behind-the-scenes in Washington, sought to hush up the truth.
For instance, when former EPA Administrator Johnson was asked to appear before Boxer, he noted for the record that he intended to relay to the committee that "greenhouse gas emissions" harm the environment.
In a follow-up letter to Boxer, Johnson confessed that an official in the office of the Vice President later called to ask him to change his proposed testimony. In spite of the arm-twisting from Washington officials, Johnson appeared as planned, and offered up the damning testimony in spite of their protests.
In addition, six pages of of testimony by Dr. Julie L. Gerberding (the Director for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention) were deleted in an underhanded effort to suppress the facts.
In recent days, an official has sworn that Cheney's office took that wrongful action to prevent Gerberdin's testimony about the dire health risks of climate change from seeing the light of day.
But the mind-boggling interference did not end there.
Jason K. Burnett (a former EPA Official) noted that last December he sent the White House an e-mail which underscored the importance of a Supreme Court ruling that related to greenhouse gas emission risks. After the communication was received, Burnett was summarily asked to testify that the missive was sent in error.
Brunett refused to comply with the request on the grounds that it was a bald-faced lie.
Undoubtedly, the stepped-up attempts by Washington Officials to interfere with the information-gathering by Boxer and others, is a scurrilous effort on the part of the Bush Administration to prevent a reversal of the Federal ruling denying California and other states permission to impose stricter emissions standards than the Federal Government allows.
Notwithstanding, efforts by Congressional Democrats to obtain documents pertaining to White House memos and other communications have been thwarted by Cheney's curious claim of "Executive Privilege".
Ah, there must be a smoking gun somewhere!
In sum, Boxer believes that history will judge George Bush and crony Cheney harshly.
"They're recklessly covering up a real threat to the American people they're supposed to be protect."
Yeah, their looking out for their own sorry political a**es!
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