Bush Taps EPA Chief As Health Secretary

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) has chosen Environmental Protection Agency (news - web sites) head Michael Leavitt to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (news - web sites), government officials told The Associated Press on Monday.



Leavitt, Utah's governor before joining the Bush administration in late 2003, would succeed Tommy Thompson, who recently resigned.


Bush also has to name a new head of the Homeland Security Department to take the place of Bernard Kerik, who abruptly withdrew his nomination Friday night, citing immigration problems with a family housekeeper.


Two government officials, each speaking on condition of anonymity, said Bush planned to announce Leavitt's nomination later Monday.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&ncid=703&e=6&u=/ap/20041213/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_cabinet

[otohara]

1. Always Thought EPA Were The Good Guys, No More

not under Bush.

[baby_bear]

9. Hey, not so fast there

Those of us who are career scientists are still hanging in there, doing the right thing at personal cost.

I still help the environment.

EPA will survive Bush.

b_b

[hatrack]

2. Oh yeah, whom can we look forward to now for EPA?

Maybe Ditzy Clod Witless can stage a bureaucratic comeback? Whoever it is, I'm sure it will be :puke:worthy.

[Tempest]

3. EPA is going to allow massive waste dumping

Stewing in Filth: EPA to Reverse Sewage Standard, Allow Massive
Dumping

December 10, 2004 — By Natural Resources Defense Council

Policy Rollback Raises Threat of Waterborne Illness, Disease for
Millions

WASHINGTON (December 9, 2004) — Millions of Americans will face an
increased threat of bacteria, viruses and parasites in their water
thanks to a new federal policy allowing sewer operators to dump
inadequately treated sewage into the nation's waterways. The
Environmental Protection Agency's new plan, which reverses a current
rule requiring sewer operators to fully treat their waste in all but
the most extreme circumstances, will allow operators to routinely dump
sewage anytime it rains. The EPA is expected to issue the policy
sometime in the next few weeks.

<more>

http://nrdc.org/media/pressreleases/041209.asp

[Sara Beverley]

4. Another unqualified appointment!

Republican affirmative action in action, starting with the top. Unqualified, unconcerned, unprepared, untruthful.

[maddezmom]

5. ah, but he knows insurance

and I'm sure it won't be a positive to the medicare/medicaid users.

[DemBones DemBones]

6. Oh, dear God, read the set up in the Yahoo/ AP story:

Leavitt to Head HHS, Could Cut Programs


WASHINGTON - Michael Leavitt, President Bush (news - web sites)'s choice to be secretary of Health and Human Services (news - web sites), may have to cut billions of dollars from the government's mammoth health programs for the elderly, poor and disabled to pare the budget deficit.

The Medicare and Medicaid programs, consuming nearly $500 billion a year and growing quickly, could be vulnerable in the context of last year's $413 billion budget deficit, the ongoing war in Iraq, costly domestic security commitments and administration plans to revamp Social Security without raising taxes.



No need to provide any health care for all those useless fodder units out there, right?


MORE:

Before becoming governor, he was chief operating officer of the Leavitt Group, a family insurance firm in which he maintains an investment worth between $5 million and $25 million, according to a financial disclosure report he filed in 2003.

The company owns 100 independent insurance agencies that sell supplemental Medicare policies, among other insurance products, according to company literature.
The Medigap policies account for less than 1 percent of company revenues, said Dane Leavitt, the president and CEO. He is Michael Leavitt's brother.

"I have never had a discussion with him on any of those topics and I don't anticipate having one," Dane Leavitt said.

The family company, which Michael Leavitt used to be CEO of, OWNS insurance agencies that sell supplemental Medicare policies, but his brother, who's now the company's CEO, claims they've never discussed such things??? Tell us another one!

:argh:


Edit: Go to yahoo.com, click "politics" in left hand column, and you'll find this story. That way you can rate it and have your rating count. If I give you the direct link and you use it to go there, your rating won't count.

[maddezmom]

7. was just about to post this update... :(

[AZCat]

8. The sad thing is...

The BFEE always telegraphs their moves waaaaay ahead of time, but the media always acts so surprised. We knew long before the Bush Administration began the barrage of lies about Iraq that it was on their agenda. We knew long before the lies about environmental policies (Clear Skies Initiative, anyone?). We knew long before the lies about the Medicare Drug Benefit. We knew long before the lies about Social Security privatization. But every time the media acts surprised, like Bush is some sort of sneaky criminal genius.

It's like the old Batman TV show, where the Joker starts committing crimes, and he progresses from the Jewelry Store to the Opera House to the Kennel to the Embassy. Can anyone guess what's next? The media doesn't seem to be able to...

[baby_bear]

10. Excellent analogy, AZCat!

They are the JOKER and we are the LOSERS.

Let's see you put words to that acronym...how's this?

Lie your heart out during the 2000 campaign.
Outrage environmentally-aware people as soon as you are installed.
Send Kyoto to the nearest incinerator.
Eviscerate the Clean Air Act.
Remain in power, thanks to dull-minded media and public tuned into "Reality TV."
Stack your cabinet with yes-men, once again.

I guess "SUCKER" is next.

b_b