Bush Blames Energy Lab Cuts on Mix-Up

[wordpix2]

As usual, Bush "didn't mean it literally," when it involves energy policy.

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=AP&Date=20060221&ID=5520979

GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) - President Bush on Tuesday acknowledged that Washington has sent "mixed signals" to one of the nation's premiere labs studying renewable energies -- by first laying off, then reinstating, 32 workers just before his visit.

snip:

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.

Philip Clapp, president of the National Environmental Trust, said the decision restores only $5 million of the $28 million budget shortfall at the lab that forced the layoffs.

"The $5 million stopped the bodies from going out the door, but it doesn't provide the money for the (renewable energy) programs," Clapp said.

[mwb970]

1. The wheels are really coming off the wagon now. (n/t)

[LiberalVoice]

2. A "mix-up" like every other task this administration has taken to.

Fucking liar will do anything for a photo-op. Including spending $5 million dollars in american tax payer money.

[AndyA]

3. Um-hmmm. Yeah. Right. Sure. I believe you Mr. Bush...

Because you've never lied to me before. Is this like the promise you made in your SOTU speech about how America needs to have the best students?

And then your budget comes out with huge cuts for education?

How can this work? No money means no program. Do what you say, Mr. Bush, DO WHAT YOU SAY...

...FOR A CHANGE!

America is watching you, and your history of saying one thing then doing another is catching up to you!

[Crazy Dave]

4. If I was one of those 32 people

I'd still keep the want ads handy.

[Webster Green]

6. Yeah, they will be de-funded soon enough...

Usually takes about a week.

Bush's photo ops are the kiss of death to whatever he is touting that day.

[NeoGreen]

5. Yeah we know, they happened in FL in 2000 and OH in 2004 n/t

[MadMaddie]

7. Remember the question by the college student...

concerning college loans and pell grants...

Bush responded that there were no cuts to the programs the programs were just modified...

A couple of days later the budget comes out and what is on the list....cuts to college funding.....

He is a lier and an idiot!

[kayice]

18. My high school senior son gets tired of me b!tching about B*sh but

the one thing he always comments on is the look on Bush's face when that K-State student asked him why the student aid program was being cut......(his gov't class watched on TV the day he was at Kansas State)..the boy does listen somewhat to me because the first thing he said later to me, he acted like that was the first he heard of it and you already told me.

We are doing the fafsa dance right now, and I will have 2 at K-State in the fall. (hopefully)

[bullimiami]

8. oh crap, didnt think we would need that one for a photo op. hurry

reinstate enough to get the guys back on the job.

[wordpix2]

9. he's seen the light on alternative energy---as long as a photo op takes

[AzDar]

10. You think you've seen and heard it all from these fools..and then

they turn right around and manage to top their last outrageous clusterf*&k...
This isn't REALLY happening, right? A terrible, extended nightmare....

[MadMaddie]

11. It is a nightmare...

How do we make it stop.....:shrug:

Welcome to the Twilight Zone 2006!!

[wicket]

12. As Bush said during the 2004 campaign:

"Mexed missages" :rofl:

[rocktivity]

13. Wanna take bets on how soon the five mil--and the jobs--

disappear again?

:evilgrin:
rocknation

[underpants]

14. LOL -->Link to companion LBN thread from this morning

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2122063&mesg_id=2122063

I was just about to post this.

Wow! They really are that stupid.

I understand from yet another thread that W spilled one of the props.

[chelsea0011]

15. "don't pay any attention to that man behind the curtain"

[wordpix2]

22. Don't look at him because he HAS NO CLOTHES!

[warrens]

16. I really, really hate these lying, cynical fascist pricks

Smirky the Punk couldn't care less about renewable resources or conservation. He'll say any fucking thing to hold on to power or change the subject when the news is bad.

[AnneD]

17. Wish he could say that about the

student loan program. He looked so clueless when he tried to sputter out an answer to the Kansas student.

[rodeodance]

19. AP "Washington has sent "mixed signals""--sure Jr......

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060221/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_8;_ylt=Aul5YHFuVcQBuEeF.izXo3psaMYA;_ylu=X3oDMTA5bGVna3NhBHNlYwNzc3JlbA--


Bush Blames Energy Lab Cuts on Mix-Up

By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer Tue Feb 21, 11:48 AM ET

GOLDEN, Colo. -
President Bush on Tuesday acknowledged that Washington has sent "mixed signals" to one of the nation's premiere labs studying renewable energies — by first laying off, then reinstating, 32 workers just before his visit.


The president blamed the conflicting message on an appropriations mix-up in funding the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which is developing the very renewable energy technologies the president is promoting.

"The issue, of course, is whether good intentions are met with actual dollars spent," Bush said. "Part of the issue we face, unfortunately, is that sometimes decisions made as the result of the appropriations process, may not end going to where it was supposed to have gone."

"We want you to know how important your work is," he said. "We appreciate what you're doing."

Two weeks ago, 32 workers, including eight researchers, were laid off at the lab.

[rodeodance]

20. ----government has funded only one-third of the money

The White House says Bush is providing that leadership. They say he wants to invest more in zero-emission, coal-fired plants, as well as support solar and wind research, promote cars that run on hydrogen, encourage more nuclear power plant construction and fund work to produce ethanol — not just from corn, but from wood chips and switch grass.

Critics of the Bush administration are skeptical of Bush's energy proposals.

Rep. Mark Udall (news, bio, voting record), D-Colo., co-chairman of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, said the government has funded only one-third of the money the 2005 energy bill authorized for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Clapp claims the president is promoting renewables because polls show his job approval numbers are being weighed down by Americans' concerns about high utility bills this winter and the cost of gasoline at the pump.

[Thor_MN]

21. So why didn't they just "In-shore" some people and put them in lab coats

for the couple hours a * "Defending my fuckups" speech takes? It would coat a lot less than $5 million to get 30 people in lab coats to act interested as he ruins evrything they let him touch.

[wordpix2]

23. * was thinking about how to make money for his cabal w/ alternative tech

[0rganism]

24. 5 million $$? For $500, they could've rented some photo-op manequins

Come on, GOP! Party Of Fiscal Responsibility, remember? :crazy:

[antonialee839]

25. The only "mix-up" here was the axing of 32 jobs right before

our Great Leader's photo-op, causing him to look like the lying fool he is. They probably meant for the layoffs to occur a few weeks after the visit and under the radar.