Executive Privilege Agency

My time on this earth has not been long, and I try not to get overly involved with too many things so as not to trigger an information overload-induced stroke. But, when I do discover the shear stupidity or ignorance of people who are supposed to be civilized and/or processes that are supposed to be open, I wonder, has this been happening all along?

My irritation today comes from more information (ah, the irony) on the lack of information the federal government has presented regarding its reasoning to deny 16 states the opportunity to better themselves through the implementation of tougher greenhouse gas standards on automobiles of all flavors. AP writer, Samantha Young, gives us the latest update on the goings-on regarding this issue here.

The most astonishing part of the entire ordeal is that the EPA invoked executive freakin’ privilege in refusing to give a congressional environmental committee information it requested on the agency’s denial to allow certain states the right to impose the toughest emissions standards in the country. From the article:

The EPA informed Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., that many of the documents she had requested contained internal deliberations or attorney-client communications that would not be shared now with Congress.

“EPA is concerned about the chilling effect that would occur if agency employees believed their frank and honest opinions and analysis expressed as part of assessing California’s waiver request were to be disclosed in a broad setting,” EPA’s associate administrator Christopher P. Bliley wrote.

WTF? I’m sure there was some attorney-client privileged communication that needs protecting but it isn’t like this issue concern’s national security – directly at least. You know, oil-based wars, etc . . . The justification of this kind of b.s. is at least in the realm of possibility if the documents pertained to the debacle in Iraq, funding of “black ops” or the sale of weapons technologies.

This is about getting our cars to spew less toxins in the air. What can there possibly be to hide, unless the information is so blatantly supportive of the special interest groups (oil) that own our President that its release would be the straw that broke the camel’s back. That’s where my money is. I don’t think most of what’s being covered up is being done so under protection of the legal system. I think the EPA is abusing power, like Dubya taught it to do, to cover up embarrassing information and evidence that there’s more to this issue than meets the eye.

I don’t know the status of the law suit but would appreciate an update from a reader if he or she is following it.