You really have to read the article to understand just how outrageous this legislation is. Even in the neutral tone of the Times language, the influence of big business and its hold over lawmakers is glaringly obvious. Among the provisions of the bill is the go-ahead to start drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge that I've mentioned here before. Aside from that is an important point regarding the gasoline additive MTBE. Here's a piece of the article:
"Capps said groundwater contamination from the gasoline additive has affected more than 1,800 community water systems in 29 states with a potential cleanup cost of $29 billion. MTBE makers, including large oil companies and refiners, dispute that estimate but have argued they need liability protection because of an expected surge in lawsuits.
The MTBE provision has been a top priority of Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Rep. Joe Barton, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, who argue that Congress endorsed the widespread use of the additive when it required gasoline contain an oxygenate to help clean up the air.
Both are from Texas where major MTBE manufacturers are located."
Subtle, eh? Social conservatives vote these great Republicans in, hoping that they'll ensure that gays can't get married and women can't get abortions. Apparently they're not thinking of the unwanted child being born with birth defects from the contaminated water its mother drank while she was pregnant and how the company that polluted the water supply is protected by legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Congress...
A bit of a stretch, you say? Perhaps, but everything's connected.
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