Obama Designates 3 National Monuments, Congressman Deems Him ‘King Barack’

[n2doc]

On Thursday, President Obama is expected to announce three new national monuments, adding to the 13 monuments he’s already designated during his presidency. Traveling to Illinois, Obama will officially proclaim the Pullman Historic District of Chicago, Browns Canyon in Colorado, and a former Honouliuli Internment Camp site in Hawaii to be national monuments.

Obama has the authority to designate federal lands for protection as national monuments under the Antiquities Act, which dates back to the administration of Theodore Roosevelt as a way to preserve archeological or historic sites. The measure authorizes the president to protect landmarks, structures, and objects of historic or scientific interest without the need of congressional approval. Republicans in a number of states consider the law to be outdated, and have pushed for bills that roll back this authority. Congressional Republicans from Colorado reacted harshly to the designation of Browns Canyon, with one representative saying Obama was acting like “King Barack.”

With Congress able to stifle most of the administration’s efforts to improve air and water quality and mitigate and adapt to climate change, Obama has turned to the Antiquities Act as a reliable method of protecting cultural and natural resources across the country. This is especially apparent when it comes to hydraulic fracturing, as a number of Republicans have advocated drilling on federal lands, including national parks.

With fracking currently legal on federal lands, oil and gas development is already underway in certain national forests or recreational areas — and if it’s not taking place within the borders of these areas it often happens nearby. Aside from the noise, traffic and light pollution, this process can result in damaging spills or water contamination from which it can take decades to recover.

more

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/02/18/3624273/three-new-national-monuments-in-hawaii-colorado-illinois/

[evirus]

1. I almost wish he acted like a king, he deserves it for

Not telling the GOP to go **** themselves on live TV considering the crap they always pull.

[Takket]

4. yeah, what a shame it would be to bypass the congress 90+% of the country thinks is incompetent

[bluestateguy]

2. Then I say ALL HAIL THE KING

When they call him a dictator or a tyrant, you know what that means?

Means he's a strong leader.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. All 3 are great national treasures, I can't even pick a favorite all of them are great choices.

nt