more bad stuff by rue

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

more bad stuff

POSTED BY: RUE
UPDATED: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 06:53
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009 6:30 AM

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

POLITICAL MANIPULATION OF SCIENCE RIFE DURING NOMINEE’S TENURE — Fish & Wildlife Service Southeast Region Employees Saw Interference and Reprisal

Washington, DC — President Obama’s nominee to lead the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service did not protect science from political interference or scientists from retaliation, according to a survey of his employees conducted by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Last week, the White House announced its intent to nominate Sam Hamilton to head the Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), which has been the focus of intense criticism for allowing political officials to improperly alter scientific findings.

For the past dozen years, Sam Hamilton has overseen the 10-state FWS Southeastern Region of the Fish & Wildlife Service, home to endangered species ranging from the American crocodile to the Florida panther. In 2005, PEER surveyed more than 1,400 FWS biologists, ecologists and botanists working on Endangered Species Act and other wildlife protection programs across the country. Those survey results for scientists working within Hamilton’s region found that –

Nearly half (49%) of FWS respondents cited cases where “commercial interests have inappropriately induced the reversal or withdrawal of scientific conclusions or decisions through political intervention”;
A similar percentage (46%) said they had been “directed, for non-scientific reasons, to refrain from making . . . findings that are protective of species”; and
More than a third (36%) feared “retaliation” for merely expressing “concerns about the biological needs of species and habitats” and a similar number felt they were “not allowed to do my job as a scientist”.
“Where was Sam Hamilton when all this was going on?” asked PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch noting that Hamilton did not inquire or request any investigation into widespread complaints by his staff. “Why would anyone expect Mr. Hamilton to protect scientists when he previously has not?”

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FEDERAL AGENT SACKED FOR REPORTING ILLEGAL COUGAR KILLS — Upcoming Whistleblower Hearing to Air Corruption in Nevada U.S. Wildlife Services

Washington, DC — A federal agent who reported that his colleagues had illegally used government airplanes to hunt mountain lions was fired in retaliation, according to filings released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). The legal complaint filed by Gary Strader, a professional hunter for U.S. Wildlife Services, is one of the first whistleblower cases arising during the Obama administration. How the case is handled may give important clues as to whether civil servants can expect a respite from the heavy-handed personnel practices that characterized the Bush administration.

Gary Strader worked for Wildlife Services, an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as a hunter and tracker, principally of coyotes, out of the agency’s Ely, Nevada office. His job was abruptly eliminated after he reported both to his regional office, as well as the FBI, that his agency co-workers had –

Illegally shot as many as five mountain lions from government airplanes. These actions constitute a felony under the Airborne Hunting Act, as well as violating Nevada state hunting laws; and
Filed false statements to cover up the offenses.
Mountain lions are difficult to track overland in rugged Nevada terrain. Federal employees in search of trophies (the heads were removed but the animals were not pelted) took the easier course of spotting and shooting mountain lions from the air.

After his supervisors determined that Strader’s reports would not likely result in prosecution, he was notified that there were no longer funds to support his position. When Strader asked whether his termination was due to his pursuit of the violations, the Director of the Nevada Office for Wildlife Services, Mark Jensen, responded affirmatively. The Whistleblower Protection Act forbids the discharge of a federal employee in connection with his or her disclosures of crimes or other waste, fraud or abuse.

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Silence is consent.

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009 6:53 AM

SIGNYM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

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We should have strapped him into a glider, filled it nose heavy w/ explosives, and dropped his Allah lovin' ass into a large, empty field. After which, release wild boars into the area so they could make good use of his remains. Now THAT's justice.- rappy

Yeah, that's what Sheikh Issa said. Seems you both have a lot in common.- signy

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