The Endangered Species Act is under assault. And so are the
federal scientists that determine which species qualify for protection under the act.
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.
To us, its just another case of Bushco altering reality to comfort its patrons. Endangered species? Hah, who cares? We've got a rapture to engineer.
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.
Republican leaders in Congress, led by House Resources Chairman Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., want to pass a major overhaul of the Endangered Species Act, which critics say is failing to save species from extinction.
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"The Fish and Wildlife Service's credibility rests on its scientific integrity," wrote Reps. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Nick Rahall, D-W. Va. "If political agendas are allowed to overrule science, that credibility will be compromised."
Forty-four percent of the scientists who responded to the survey said they have been asked by their superiors to avoid making findings that would require greater protection of endangered species.
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And more than half of the respondents -- 56 percent -- said agency officials have reversed or withdrawn scientific conclusions under pressure from industry groups.
Every facet of our government is for sale. Plutocratic rule has firmly rooted it self.