I spent years on the road as a stand up comic, and had the pleasure of being booked with Bill Hicks for three weeks ( not consecutively). We played Richmond, Newport News, and New York.
During his shows he would rail at how the government sells out to business all the time. As a lefty, even I thought that was sort of Malcolm X-ish and too sever for me.
Fortunately, Bill did not live to see the day when the mask came off as well, and the government no longer pretended to be the advocate of citizens.
Read on.
Federal Regulators under the Bush Administration are appointed to protect business, not Americans. Lapin has been writing on this subject as well. But most Americans I believe don't have any idea how bad the situation is.
Quite literally, every single agency established to secure the general welfare has been infested with hard right wing ideologues, who hold back data that might stop business, development or share holder profits.
{Bonus story about Bill Hicks. I was doing a show with him in Newport News Virginia in the 80s. He had made fun of Jesus and after the show, while I was with another comic drinking, a third comic rushed in and said Bill was in trouble.
Outside, two Sailors cornered him and told him they didn't appreciate him making fun of Jesus.
Bill: So you guys are Christians?
Sailors: yes we are.
Bill: Then forgive me.
The fight never happened.)
Scientists say they've been told to withhold species findings
WASHINGTON -- Scientists in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say they've been forced to alter or withhold findings that would have led to greater protections for endangered species, according to a survey released by two environmental groups.
The scientists charge that top regional and national officials in the agency suppressed scientific information to avoid confrontations with industry groups or to follow the Bush administration's political policies.
The mail-in survey by the Union of Concerned Scientists and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility -- which drew responses from 414 of 1,400 biologists, ecologists, botanists and other scientists -- was not a scientific poll. But the two groups said the large number of responses reflect concern by many Fish and Wildlife Service employees that political appointees are inappropriately influencing the science that drives decisions to list species and protect their habitat.
Federal Regulators Refuse To Fix Rail Safety Problems
America's four biggest railroads suffer from substantial and systemic safety problems, according to a new federal audit that raises questions about how well federal regulators are overseeing the rail industry.
Citing a series of serious accidents in recent months, the Transportation Department's inspector general said he was concerned that the Federal Railroad Administration's approach to regulation, which stresses "partnership" over punishment, might be failing to fix the most persistent safety problems. He asked the agency to prepare a comprehensive plan to improve its inspection of railroads and enforcement of federal safety rules.
FDA Hides Unfavorable Results
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 - A day after Canadian officials suspended the use of a hyperactivity drug amid reports of deaths associated with its use, Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa contended that United States health officials had asked the Canadian regulators not to do so.
Senator Grassley, a Republican, said on Thursday that the Food and Drug Administration had made the request of Canadian health officials because the F.D.A. could not handle another "drug safety crisis." Mr. Grassley said he was basing his contentions on reports from whistle-blowers within the agency.
Dr. Robert Peterson, director general of the therapeutic products directorate at Health Canada, said through a spokeswoman that reports that F.D.A. had asked Health Canada to refrain from suspending the drug "are untrue."
F.D.A. Secretly Begged Canada Not to Publicize Bad Drug Tests
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 - The tension and intrigue surrounding a crucial federal drug advisory committee meeting next week, already high, reached a boil on Friday when Senator Charles E. Grassley charged that top federal drug regulators intended to suppress an important study.
The panel has been convened to discuss whether Celebrex and Bextra, heavily selling arthritis pills from Pfizer, hurt the heart and are worth their potential risks. But top officials of the Food and Drug Administration have forbidden Dr. David Graham, a drug-safety officer at the agency, to discuss before the panel a large study of that very question, said Dr. Gurkirpal Singh of Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Graham's co-author.
"We have significant new information that will alter the thinking about these drugs," Dr. Singh said. "I don't understand why they won't let us present this information."
Labor Department Gives Wal Mart 15 Day Heads Up For Investigations.
The Labor Department and Wal-Mart signed the agreement on Jan. 6, but made no public announcement. The department disclosed the settlement yesterday after a reporter questioned officials about concerns raised by several department employees that the agreement gave Wal-Mart special favors.
The agreement states, "Compliance with the child labor laws and regulations will be an important factor in evaluating the performance of managers."
A provision also promises to give Wal-Mart 15 days' notice before the Labor Department investigates any other "wage and hour" accusations, like failure to pay minimum wage or overtime.