Lab jobs restored ahead of Bush speech (W's speech today)

[underpants]

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/politics/13923163.htm

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - President Bush says he wants to diversify the nation's energy mix to end America's dependence on foreign oil, yet some critics are wary of his commitment and point to cutbacks at a government energy laboratory here.

Two weeks ago, 32 workers, including eight researchers, were laid off at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden. The lab helps develop the very renewable energy technologies the president is promoting.

Then, over the weekend, just before Bush's planned visit to the lab on Tuesday, the government restored the jobs. His trip to the renewable energy laboratory is part of a two-day, three-state trip to promote the energy proposals he outlined in his State of the Union address.

At the direction of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, $5 million was transferred to the Midwest Research Institute, the operating contractor for the lab, to get the workers back on the job, the Energy Department announced Monday.

[rodeodance]

1. glad to see this is making regional papers.

[RedSock]

2. and then ....

two weeks from now, the same workers will be shoved out the door.

[underpants]

4. DING! this is a photo-op

I would hope they would keep these people doing their job (from what I have read) but this smells like those fake cardboard boxes from a few years ago.

[TheDebbieDee]

5. Yeah, that's the report I wouldn't be

surprized to read!

[cantstandbush]

3. The Bush administration are such liars and decievers.

I think they are dispicable!

[populistdriven]

6. Budget Cuts Force Layoffs at DOE's NREL -February 9, 2006 (SMOKING GUN)

Their jobs had been cut because of Bush's budget!

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=43197

Budget Cuts Force Layoffs at DOE's NREL

February 9, 2006

Golden, Colorado Just a week after President George W. Bush proclaimed his support for renewable energy technologies, the nation's premier renewable energy laboratory has been forced to announce layoffs because the Bush Administration's proposed budget doesn't adequately fund the laboratory's current staff.

"I appreciate how you have all responded to the challenges placed before us. NREL should now focus on the new opportunities and challenges that lie ahead."

-- Dan Arvizu, NREL Director, in a message to staff

Citing a $28 million budget shortfall, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reduced its staff by 32 people this week. Research programs affected by the layoffs include biomass, hydrogen and basic research.

In a related story published last week ("President's Energy Initiative Falls Short"), RenewableEnergyAccess.com reported widespread sentiment among industry watchers that the President's energy plan announced in the State of the Union speech said one thing but did another, lauding renewables while cutting the very budget items that support it, as in the slashing of funds for the DOE to support its National Energy Renewable Laboratory.

Another factor that exacerbated the budget situation for NREL is the vast amount of Congressionally directed projects, or earmarks, which reduced the budget available to the Department of Energy for funding renewable energy and energy efficiency research at the Laboratory, leaving $28 million less in operating funds for NREL for fiscal year 2006. ~snip~

[Coastie for Truth]

7. Been there, done that

The battery and fuel cell engineering skills (plating, etching, Tafel slopes, Debye Layer, etc. etc. etc) are the same as the semiconductor fabrication engineering skills. (throw in some epitxial growth - which is now the hot idea in fuel cell catalysts).

Same journals - J.Electrochem.Soc., Faraday Soc. The AIChE doesn't like "Battery and Fuel Cell" chem e's or "Semiconductor fab" chem. e.'s.

[Felix Mala]

8. Don't unpack your boxes! How can they keep doing this shit

and no one ever calls them on it? How do they keep a straight face? Actually, they don't. At least "W"anker doesn't. He's always got that look on his face that says, "Boy am I shitting on you..."

Funny, they restore the salary, but none of the money they need to do anything. They'll all be gone the next time there's a hurricane or a non-threatening nation to invade. Good thing "W"anker knows the bible so well because he can keep straight in his head which apostle he's stealing from today to pay the next one in line.

[underpants]

10. Boxes? Do you mean these fine MADE IN THE USA boxes?

[Felix Mala]

11. Exactly... no doubt imported through foreign-managed ports...

[Spinzonner]

9. Temporary Potemkin Jobs

[IsItJustMe]

12. Same old Repuke propaganda. We had to destroy the village

in order to save it.

DOUBLE SPEAK, pure and simple.

We had to cut college education funding in order to make it more efficient.

Does this bull ever get old? Wake me up when the ride is over please.

[Samurai_Writer]

13. I would like those researchers to say "no thanks"

and look for jobs elsewhere if they can. And then go to the media and give interviews. That way Bush couldn't hide behind his hypocrisy. Or, they should go to the media in 2 weeks when they get their jobs yanked out from under them AGAIN.

[flashdebadge]

14. We need these people working for sure. Glad they got their jobs back. (nt

[ColonelTom]

15. BushCo = 100% political calculation, 0% policy.

If there was ever a clearer illustration of this administration's M.O., I can't imagine it. And to think that the Republicans used to accuse Bill Clinton of sticking his finger up in the air to test the political winds before making a decision. What a f*cking joke.

[wordpix2]

16. see this thread about Bush's "explanation" re: restoring worker jobs

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2122455

[yellowcanine]

17. Truly the gang that can't shoot straight. Except for "Pepper" Chaney,

of course. Apologies to poor old Harry Whittington.

[madmark]

18. will they be refired after the speech

[eppur_se_muova]

19. Ye gods...I had considered applying for a job there recently...nt

[Mugsy]

20. If you ever needed more proof Bush is NOT in charge....

...this proves it.

He goes before the country and delievers a speech that says his Administration will be investing in alternative fuel research (in direct opposition to Big Oil's interests), and the next day those same programs are cut (along with someone telling us "what he meant"). Then, as soon as he plans a trip there, someone goes back and rehires them... so that the "boss" doesn't find out.

The fact that someone quickly rehired these people in order to hide it from Bush, just proves what we've known all along: that Bush really isn't in charge. He's the "easily maniuplated, dull witted boy king" puppet of people with an agenda (like Cheney, Rumsfeld and their PNAC cronies).

[underpants]

21. I think Cheney shooting someone in the face proved that too

Clearly W is the last to know.

[gizmo1979]

22. Whoohoo Bush finally created some jobs

oh wait he destroyed them before he created them so I guess it's a wash.Nevermind.

[intheflow]

23. I heard this on NPR today.

This administration is full of weasels. Bet they cut those jobs again in the next budget round. :grr:

[krkaufman]

24. $5 million transferred FROM WHERE?

Who just lost their jobs, so Bush's photo op wouldn't be overly ironic?