The War on... the Enviroment?

I'm a little tired after a twelve hour work day. So I'll make some of this quicker than I probably should. I knew this would be a problem when I started this thing, however, and I know I will come up with a better solution soon enough. For now...

The Houston Chronicle reports that in order to save money at military bases, orders were sent to "stop spending money on many environmental protection activities"

After reporters questioned the Pentagon on Thursday about the order, which was contained in an internal e-mail, Army officials said they had found the money necessary to keep environmental programs on track.

I think this guy puts it best:

"It was indicative of a mind-set that environmental protection, even in the United States, is a discretionary activity," said Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the Washington-based watchdog group that provided the initial e-mail to reporters. "Protecting America's land, air and water is not a secondary mission that should be shirked when budgets get tight," Ruch said.

Lovers of clean air and water can't breath a full sigh of relief just yet:

The orders imposing and rescinding the cutback of environmental programs came as Congress is considering Pentagon requests that its operations receive exemptions from the Clean Air Act and two toxic-waste laws.

Since President Bush took office, Pentagon officials have repeatedly sought exemptions from environmental laws that they say have curtailed their ability to train personnel for the challenges of war. So far, Congress has granted the military exemptions from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.

I was all amped to make a joke about the army destroying the last of the American symbol the bald eagle, but a new study says the bald eagle may be removed from endangered species list by the end of the year. Guess I'll have to pick one of these animals instead.

Rep. John D. Dingell of Michigan reminds us of another shortfall to the plan:

The top Democrat on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, said the memo shows that the Bush administration is hiding the "full truth about the war's cost."

Snap!