Overreaching EPA Goes Rogue
By Iain Murray
The Senate undermined its constitutional role last week with a vote that allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. The 53 senators favoring this huge delegation of authority to the executive branch disregarded the principle of separation of powers. The low quality of the debate that preceded the vote, as well as its result, should put an end to the Senate’s reputation as the world’s greatest deliberative body.The motion being debated and voted on was simple. It was to disapprove the ruling by the EPA, known as the endangerment finding, that greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare. According to the terms of the Congressional Review Act, under which Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican, brought the motion, the resolution would have terminated the legal force and effect of the finding. It was most assuredly not a vote on the science upon which the EPA based its decision.
Yet this was the prime argument used by the resolution’s opponents. Sen. Barbara Boxer, California Democrat, for example, compared the motion to a vote to repeal the law of gravity. This was possibly the most embarrassing Senate argument since former Sen. Ted Stevens, Alaska Republican, insisted that the Internet was “a series of tubes.” It also set up a straw man. Nothing in the resolution sought to overturn one word of the scientific case for global warming – or even mentioned it.
After listening to Pres. Obama tonight, BOHICA. “Bend over here it comes again.” (Cap N Trade) Nothing changes with this President. All “I and Me.” Can tell he’s young with no experience. If I can sense it so can the general public. Even MSNBC is chastising him. One term President based upon what I witnessed tonight. What a waste of talent.
I have to disagree, I don’t think he has that much talent. The senate’s failure to pass the resolution by Murkowski with such lame arguments makes me wonder, are they really that stupid or is there a bigger fish to fry. Is there a way to kill cap’n’trade AND Obama-care all in one bill? One vote! Just a dream I have.
Hal, he is a very talented man. He’s just out of his environment. Very simple when you think about it.
In a Department of Defense Anti-Terrorism Awareness Training course, the following question is asked:
Which of the following is an example of low-level terrorism activity?
A. Attacking the Pentagon.
B. IEDs.
C. Hate crimes against racial groups.
D. Protests.
The correct answer is D. Protests.
If at the center of your government you have a huge, closed, untouchable military institution that trains its personnel to see legitimate civilian opposition as the enemy, you are in trouble. The arbitrary rule of secret government becomes inevitable.
Decent, red-blooded Americans need to support courageous entities like WikiLeaks and prevent the US government from making truth-seeking a criminal act.
What in hell does this have to do with the EPA? Do you read?
No Paul I cannot read. My sad secret is out. You are so intuitive it’s scary.
I have no idea what you are ingesting.
Logic and reasoning, yum yum- try some, it’s free!
Intuitive? Yes I am. Your point is?
really Paul… try some…
Love that word. You should try it sometime.
If I detect a lack of logic and reasoning, I must also be intuitive. See how that works? Amazing huh?? It’s pretty neat how logic can move things along.
Logic is also a nice word. The word “FACT” is better.
I would argue that “Fact” it isn’t better than logic. How do you get to a “fact”? Via logic, yes? And “facts” can and have changed over time based upon added logic and reasoning based upon added emperical evidence.
See how logic works? I just demonstrated it, and I’m not even that smart.
No. Facts are immutable. A fact is what is. What changes is our understanding of the facts and our understanding of the broader implications of the facts. Everything else is theory and opinion. Fact is truth. The beautiful thing about truth is that it is eternal. You can bury it, but like fossils, it will reemerge eventually. The warmists are shoveling it on and shoveling it on, trying to bury the truth, but it persists. It will always be there, and will eventually reemerge. Lies take constant work to maintain. Truth is patient and effortless. It just is. That’s a fact.
Dan, Thanks, I needed that. Truth in the end always prevails. Always has and always will. Life’s an interesting journey isn’t it?
Wow Dan (and Paul). What a pretty and shiny, and certain, world you live in. I felt that way about it when I was very young. But, alas, I grew up like most people and see the real world, warts and all.
Very interesting theory you have regarding truth and logic. Very interesting… and as usual for you all- completely backwards.
You will eventually grow up to reality. Theory is not fact. Trust me, you will see the light some day. May not be in my lifetime but you will. Been in your position in the past and done that.
Ok, you win I give up. The next planet (life) I go to will hopefully be more like Spock’s. I really need to be surrounded by logical people. This planet is driving me crazy.
Real life’s a *bleeeep* isn’t it? Deal with it. Most people do. By the way, never give up. You are always entitled to your opinion. Never forget that. Only in America.
“Only in America”…?! You can’t really believe that? Sure we’re more open and free than most radically structured countries, run by absolute dictators… but there are MANY countries that aren’t that way and have just a much if not more freedom than we do here. I know- you like your comforting fanatasies. We all do, but mine is about, well… you know… similar to the Muslim one. The one about paradise and endless virgins… Mine is just as silly as yours.
No further comment. Waste of type.