You tell 'em Robert! Three cheers for The Sundance Kid!

****

MONDAY MAY 14 2001

Redford spurns 'abysmal' Bush's day of the condor

FROM LAURA PEEK AND MARTIN FLETCHER IN WASHINGTON

ROBERT REDFORD has rejected an invitation to release a rare condor with Gale Norton, the US Interior Secretary, because of the Bush Administration’s “abysmal” record on the environment.

The actor and environmentalist, whose films include Three Days of the Condor, said that instead of helping Ms Norton he would spend time trying to counter “the devastating environmental repercussions of the agenda you and President Bush embrace”.

Redford’s snub came days before Mr Bush is expected to announce an energy policy that will further infuriate environmentalists.

The California condor, the largest bird in North America, is a bald vulture with glossy black feathers and white markings on its wings. The species was facing extinction, but more than 160 birds have been bred in captivity, of which 50 have been released since 1992.

In her invitation to Redford, Ms Norton said: “You and I have never met, but we do have a common interest.” She noted that the actor had narrated a film about saving the condor, and said that she had enjoyed Three Days of the Condor. “Perhaps we can also discuss the best way to conserve America’s unspoilt landscapes and the wild creatures who inhabit them,” she said.

Redford replied that he was “mystified” that she would think they had anything in common. “Sadly, since assuming the Interior Secretary post, you have compiled an abysmal record of capitulating to big businesses at the expense of the nation’s public health, public lands and wildlife,” he wrote.

A spokesman for Ms Norton said: “Mr Redford’s scurrilous attacks make it hard to improve the tone in which we talk about important issues such as conserving and protecting our cherished environment.”

Mr Bush has made clear that he will prioritise production over conservation to counter an energy shortage that has already caused blackouts in California and pushed petrol prices towards record levels. His energy policy will set a target of building between 1,300 and 1,900 power plants during the next 20 years — more than one a week. Conservation measures will be limited to giving tax breaks to those using energy-saving technology.

Mr Bush was a Texas oilman. Asked last week if Americans, the world’s biggest energy consumers, should change their lifestyles to counter shortages, Ari Fleischer, his spokesman, said: “That’s a big ‘no’. The President believes it’s an American way of life, and that it should be the goal of policy-makers to protect the American way of life. The American way of life is a blessed one, and we have a bounty of resources in this country.”

Referring to Redford’s films, Mr Fleischer said of the actor’s snub to Ms Norton: “It was hardly an Indecent Proposal for Mr Redford to spend an afternoon with Ordinary People releasing an endangered bird. Unfortunately, Mr Three Days of the Condor flew the coop.”

Redford has said that the appointment of Ms Norton was like “putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop”.

-- (take your oil polluting plans @ and. shove them), May 14, 2001

Answers

“Perhaps we can also discuss the best way to conserve AmericaÂ’s unspoilt landscapes and the wild creatures who inhabit them

DUH!!!! These people have the unmitigated gall to actually put on a "show" of concern and expect people to fall for it? They are so transparent it is sickening. If there is a public outcry over some policy they are planning to impliment, they develope a public propaganda campaign to change the public's perception of what is really going on.

They think everyone can be sucked into propagating the farce they are putting on if they throw a few phony compliments and ego strokes at them.

Notice her wording, Perhaps we can discuss. Yea, right. The discussion would go something like this; "The president is interested in preserving bla bla bla, but not at the cost of unreasonable financial burdens to industry. It was an attempt to give the impression that he goes along with the administrations policies on the enviroment.

The administrations spin machine is working over time, creating a sweet facade like cotton candy. A little sugar spun so fast and thick, but full of hot air which will melt and disolve into a lumpy mess as soon as a few drops of rain falls on it, cleaning the air.

This is how the Bush "spin machine" plays their game.

First Ms Norton kisses up to Redford, complimenting him. Then she tries to convince him they share the same goals, hinting that his input is desired.

Talk about manipulatingthe public~ this one is full of associations. Releasing a condor, a species which was facing extinction which was saved by environmentalist. Asking Robert Redford, an environmentalist, to release the condor, because of his film Three Days of the Condor, and the one he narrated about condors, all tied together in an attempt to associate him with the enviromental agenda of the administration.

Redford was supposed to what??? Jump at the chance to be involved in one bird being set free while ignoring the devestating consequences of the Bush enviroimental policies?

Is the man not allowed freedom of speech? Is he allowed to hold his own views? Was he in some way obligated to go along with the propaganda machine and pretend he saw the emperrors new clothes?

One minute he could do no wrong, Ms. Norton couldn't say enough good things about him, even hinting he might be allowed to have some input about enviromental policies.
Suddenly he is being accused of scurrilous attacks. Why? because he voiced his own opinion?

This is how it was done in Texas. It is no secret that if you didn't go along with what Bush wanted, you would pay for it.

Redford was “mystified” that she would think they had anything in common.
DUH, he isn't "allowed" to be mystified?
Telling the truth is considered an attack?

What part of his statement is not true? "Sadly, since assuming the Interior Secretary post, you have compiled an abysmal record of capitulating to big businesses at the expense of the nationÂ’s public health, public lands and wildlife.
Since when does a spokesman for Ms Norton dictate what a citizen is allowed to say without being retaliated against with accuasations of "scurrilous attacks"?

Mr Bush was a Texas oilman. Asked last week if Americans, the world’s biggest energy consumers, should change their lifestyles to counter shortages, Ari Fleischer, his spokesman, said: “That’s a big ‘no’. The President believes it’s an American way of life, and that it should be the goal of policy-makers to protect the American way of life. The American way of life is a blessed one, and we have a bounty of resources in this country.”

I don't know about anyone else, but I don't believe that this is what America stands for.

-- Cherri (jessam5@home.com), May 14, 2001.

Robert Redford is just another liberal ‘entertainer’ in the same mold as Bawwa S. Like his left leaning brethren, he says one thing and does another. Here is his quote of a few years ago when he was ‘called out’ for turning a few acres of pristine Utah wilderness into a ‘business for profit’ venture:

"I bought Sundance to preserve it, and I found myself, like preservationists everywhere, in the development game. The only way to protect nature is to manage it like a business - in fact, to make it a business and devote your life to it."

Gail Norton should be thankful that this two-faced asshole would not share in this Condor release project.

Cherri, are you capable of an original thought? Your constant ‘cut ‘n’ paste’ attacks on the current administration labels you as just another mindless moron with no personal communication skills. The causes you champion are tainted and you don’t have the critical thinking assets to realize that.

-- Lay Down (on@the.couch), May 14, 2001.

You mean Robert Redford, THE ACTOR??!!??

WOW!!! This is big......;-)

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), May 14, 2001.

Lay Down,

You ought to get your head out of your ass. I know its stuck in your ass because its looking for your brain but all it has accomplished is to allow tons of shit to spew forth. Its obvious to all that you are a bought and paid for whore for the repugs. What a fucking waste! You call yourself an American?! You double speakin stupid fucking repugs are all the same!

-- Tony Baloney (Fuck the@repugs.com), May 14, 2001.

Funniest part is these Lay Down types actually think they could detect intelligence if they saw it. They whine about Cherri, too funny.

Well they got their boy in the WH. Wonder what boners Dumbo will propose this week? hahaha.

-- (losers@unks.board), May 14, 2001.

"You mean Robert Redford, THE ACTOR??!!??"

That's right Deano, Redford THE ACTOR, who has more integrity in his pinkie finger than you and dumbshit Dumbya put together.

Again you resort to the usual strategy of you spineless scum-sucking Republigoons, attacking the messenger instead of the message. You couldn't be more wrong this time. Redford is a man of character and principle, a superb human being. His career may be acting, but in his personal life he is the most down-to-earth and real person you could ever know, a great guy.

You are forgetting that he was simply minding his own business when he was approached by Dumbya's partners in crime. They are so stupid they thought he might actually participate in some kind of real-life charade, setting a bird free while behind the stage they are destroying the future for millions of real people.

As the man of dignity that he is, he stays true to his character and tells them the truth, and now he is attacked by spineless bottom feeders like you. How pitiful.

-- (kissing Dumbya's ass is @ death. wish), May 14, 2001.

Dude!!!

You have me laughing out loud!!!!!

So tell me, how else do you spend your free time other than frothing at the mouth??

Uh Professor??? Where did I attack the 'messenger'?? Reading is fundamental to learning how to vote correctly......

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), May 14, 2001.

Robert Redford can kiss my ass.

-- (joe@sixpack.city), May 14, 2001.

You know damn well Deano, you typed the word ACTOR in all caps, as though this somehow makes him less qualified to have an opinion on this matter. Well I've got news for you pal, there are a lot of people who aren't career politicians who have a hell of a lot more morals, character, and integrity than King Dumbass.

-- (repugs@deceptive.as.always), May 14, 2001.

You're absolutely correct. I typed the word ACTOR like that on purpose. Why?? Because he's an ACTOR not an elected official.

Why is it so many ACTORS THINK they are politicians??? Because they're in the public eye and feel they have to voice their political opinions publicy??

I gots news for ya lil' Abner........Most intelligent Americans could give a rat's ass what ACTORS think about POLITICS.

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), May 14, 2001.

They didn't when Ronnie was on stage.

Deano=RNC freebie

-- (wakethe@fuck.up), May 14, 2001.

Make that DID care when Ronnie was on stage.

And when did elected servants garner so much ear? Doesn't this reversal of the model concern you Deano? Can you even SEE it Deano? Hello Deano?

-- (ineedto@wakethefuck.up), May 14, 2001.

Deano, Lars, CD -- all "nice guys" who are blind to what is happening. These folks cannot see the reality that our earth is being despoiled at an incredible rate, and they're we're going to run out of fossil fuels in about 10 to 20 years. After that, we have global wars over energy -- when we have technology now to release free energy to all the world, ending hunger, want, warfare, etc. But corporate powers are holding onto this technology because the USA has to be "on top."

My question -- where does Lars and Deano think we're going to go after the earth runs out of oxygen, fresh water, oil? To what planet?

I have big news for you folks -- there is NO WHERE TO GO BUT HERE.

THIS IS IT. THIS IS OUR HOME. EITHER WE STEWARD IT WITH COMPASSION AND WISDOM, OR WE RAPE AND DESPOIL IT, AND CONDEMN OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO A TERRIBLE FUTURE. WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME LEFT.

We are condemning our children and grandchildren to a kind of geopolitical warfare and a kind of suffering we cannot even imagine.

When I read the naive and silly comments of Lars, Maria, Deano, etc., all the dupes on this board who think Bush and the GOP have THEIR interests at heart, I am incredibly saddened.

Our civil rights are being stripped from us. Cheney is organizing 40 intelligence departments into a new "super" group headed by FEMA. If that isn't chilling alone, I don't know what is.

But then, these are people who don't even care that their right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure was just stripped from them by a Republican Supreme Court.

These are people who don't even care that their "man" said it was better to shut down the vote counting in Flordia than to count the votes.

These are people who say there are no environmental problems, that species are dying at an alarming rate, that our water and air are not in any trouble.

These are the "nice little people" who like to talk about sports, surfing, and "philosophy" yet cannot see that they are supporting an American regime hellbent on destroying the earth and all its inhabitants for what purpose? To line their own pockets and reap utter control of the few at the expense of the many -- including US.

That is why there's no point in arguing with them. They cannot see these truths, even when you point to the plain facts.

It's better to work in other ways to do what we can to save the planet.

-- Giving Up on Dupes (moving@on.com), May 14, 2001.

Best one is the way these phonies pound on the point of telling their kids to be honest and fly straight. Then they toddle off to work each day for yet another session of buttkissing and brown-nosing. All so they can buy the latest SUV and DVD player to help snuff out the realization they are freaking HYPOCRITES.

Corporate United States, welcome suckers.

-- (ifeel@your.frustration), May 14, 2001.

follow-up,

and then scratch their collective coconuts and wonder why their kids have noserings and think it a "good idea" to go shoot-up the High School.

-- (ifeel@your.frustration), May 14, 2001.

baaa baaa baaa - that's all you mindless democrats can say.

-- dem zombies (follow@your.leader), May 14, 2001.

Follow your leader???

Bwaaaahahahaaaa!!!

Looks like the conservative repugs are the ones who mindlessly follow their leader, especially when he is leading them right over a cliff!

-- conservatives are worthless shits (moreinterpretation@ugly.com), May 14, 2001.

Dumbya is the pied piper for the stupid repugs. Take em away dumbya! bwaaahaaaa bwaaahaaaa. Repugs really suck!!

-- Tony Baloney (Fuck the@repugs.com), May 14, 2001.

The "brain" behind Bartcop is on vacation. Since you guys have no one dictating what you are to think or do this week explains why you mindless sheep are even in more of a confused daze than normal.

-- dem zombies (follow@your.leader), May 14, 2001.

I hear Bert of Bert and Ernie fame went on a nationally televised rant against George "W" Bush. I'm sure all you cult libs will be quoting him here for the next several days.

-- dem zombies (follow@your.leader), May 14, 2001.

I know Bert is only a puppet, but so are many of you.

-- dem zombies (follow@your.leader), May 14, 2001.

Well, I'll pass on the political rhetoric.

I will say that I think Mr. Redfords attitude is pretty typical of my perception Hollywoods elite. The "My way or the highway" egotistical attitude is fine for servants, agents and producers, but is pretty infantile when dealing with the real world.

He was invited to participate in the process, and POSSIBLY make his point heard, but chose to take his ball and go home, and cry all the way about how horrible the other guy was.

Whether you like it or not, politics is about compromise and reaching a workable solution. It isn't about your way, or my way, but what can we DO, together, to fashion some plan of action that maximizes our common goals, and minimizes our differences.

Inaction is action by abdication, but it is the cowards decision. It is the course that allows criticism without accountability or responsibility. It is the childish position of finding fault without proposing alternatives or working for solutions. It is crying about the results of others efforts, but refusing to exert any effort oneself.

My opinion is that Mr. Redford has taken the cowardly route to the cheap seats where he can bitch and moan without effort. (And exactly how environmentally friendly is his Hollywood style estate and all the machinery that is required to maintain it? What about the water and fossil fuel requirements to support your lifestyle, Mr. Redford?)

FWIW

GB7

-- Greybeard7 (Wolverine_in_nc@Go.Blue), May 14, 2001.

"I hear Bert of Bert and Ernie fame went on a nationally televised rant against George "W" Bush. I'm sure all you cult libs will be quoting him here for the next several days.

-- dem zombies (follow@your.leader), May 14, 2001."

That would be infinitely more intelligent than the strategy used by "Ra" aka "libs are idiots" and "dem zombies". He prefers to kiss the ass of King Dumbshit!

-- conservatives are worthless shits (Ra worships @ Dumbya. the dumbshit), May 14, 2001.

Thankyou for proving my point. I believe Bert said that somewhere in his unintelligible tyrade.

-- dem zombies (follow@your.leader), May 15, 2001.

"...Whether you like it or not, politics is about compromise and reaching a workable solution..."

Oh like that major dumbass that took over in the coup would ever "compromise" or "reach a workable solution". He is a NWO big oil whore! If you repugs would only practive what you preach. Repugs really suck! Big time!

-- Tony Baloney (Fuck you@repugs.com), May 15, 2001.

‘conservatives are worthless shits’ AKA ‘Hawk’

Wrong! No prize for you bird brain….but thanks for playing.

-- Ra (tion@l.1), May 15, 2001.

R1,

Hey ho!

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), May 15, 2001.

Most intelligent Americans could give a rat's ass what ACTORS think about POLITICS.

Exactly. But apparently, Bush cared about what an actor thought, otherwise he wouldn't have contacted Redford in the first place. I guess he doesn't fall into the category you specified.

-- (bush@unin.telligent), May 15, 2001.

Again, reading is fundamental. In order to properly fill out a ballot, one must be able to read simple English. If you can't read, you'll probably screw up at the polls........doh!

The invitation was from Ms Norton, not President Bush.

Hey, Redford's a great actor. I've enjoyed a few of his films. But the guy came across as a prick in the above article. He had the opportunity to personally have a discussion with the US Interior Secretary and chose not to. Basically saying, "I don't like you so I'm taking my ball and going home!"

A real grownup way to have your voice heard......

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), May 15, 2001.

Not that it matters much at this point, but "Three Days of the Condor" had nothing to do with condors -- it was an espionage/conspiracy film, and "Condor" was the code name of some operative.

-- Mr. Movie (Third Row@Seat.Four), May 15, 2001.

...Then again, perhaps the invitation was meant to be extended to Jon Voight, because they've seen "Midnight Cowboy" and Da Prez really likes cowboy pictures...

-- Mr. Movie (Third Row@Seat.Four), May 15, 2001.

Please forgive Dumbya, he is an imbecile. He never watched the movie, but assumed it was about saving condors.

-- cyber freud (Dumbya's favorite TV hero @ is JR. from Dallas), May 15, 2001.

Redford and Bush go way back. Dubya was best boy in 1979 on Electric Horseman.

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), May 16, 2001.

Gale Norton Just Says Yes to Pollution
by Robert Cox
Date: 1/18/01 Source: San Jose Mercury News

DO YOU believe that factories have a right to pollute? Do you think we should open our nation's pristine wildlands to oil drilling, mining and logging? Is it a good idea to let polluters police themselves in secret? Like most Americans, you would probably say no.

Unfortunately, George W. Bush's nomination for secretary of the interior, Gale Norton, says yes to all of these outrageous questions. Norton -- who is a registered lobbyist on lead paint issues for NL Industries, a company facing dozens of lawsuits -- believes that companies have a ``right to pollute,'' that polluters should monitor themselves in secret, and that the federal government doesn't need to protect our air, water or wildlands.

Few issues command as broad a consensus as environmental protection. The vast majority of Americans want strong environmental standards to protect our forests and wildlands, our clean air and drinking water.

Considering the wide support for environmental protection -- and Bush's frequent claims to be a ``uniter, not a divider'' -- the choice of Gale Norton for secretary of the interior is an outrage.

Norton first came to prominence after James Watt hired her to work for the far-right Mountain States Legal Foundation. Watt was the interior secretary who was ousted by then-President Reagan for some controversial comments. After helping loggers, miners and oil companies overturn various environmental laws, Norton was hired by the Reagan administration. There, she worked at the Department of the Interior as associate solicitor helping, among other things, to open the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling.

As attorney general of Colorado, Norton was a big proponent of reducing the federal government's ability to set environmental and health standards. Norton also favors a so-called ``self-audit'' approach to regulation that allows polluters who admit to dumping to avoid punishment.

Norton has testified or litigated against every one of our linchpin environmental laws including the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Surface Mining Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Why? Because in Gale Norton's worldview, government is a bully, not a steward or protector of the environment.

The problem for Norton is that for decades an overwhelming majority of Americans have rejected this trust-the-polluter approach. Instead of secret deals and after-the-fact answers, we want strong environmental protections and vigorous law enforcement. That's why Norton's agenda is out of step with mainstream America.

After the election, Bush said he would respect the views of his opponents and unite the nation. Unfortunately, instead of embracing the American consensus for environmental protection, Bush has allied himself with one of the most radical of anti-environmental extremists.

The nomination of Gale Norton as secretary of the interior threatens anyone who hopes to leave a healthy planet for our children.

Robert Cox is president of the Sierra Club

-- Cherri (jessam5@home.com), May 20, 2001.