Home Save Our Wetlands (SOWL)
Looking into the future the Pelican feeding its young from a self-induced wound in its own breast (as depicted, mysteriously, on the state flag of Louisiana) is accepted as an appropriate symbol of both self-sacrifice and rebirth. Through his selfless efforts, man is raised from the slavery of ignorance to the condition of freedom conferred by wisdom. Given the current state of affairs in Louisiana, one hopes that the understanding of the Pelican as a symbol shall point the way towards a new consciousness of ourselves as a whole, and lead us to face our futures with strength, grace, wisdom and faith, to learn from our mistakes and carry our successes and zest for living to future generations.

Veteran Deal Makers Hopeful on Energy Bill

These two political wheeler and dealers are hopeful to leap the United States a gigantic step backwards into more oil, gas, toxic, and nuclear waste pollution. They will do these things on behalf of their corporate masters. Forget about solar, wind, water, alternative energy sources, or energy conservation. These changes will affect the lives, economic sustainability, and natural resources of the American people. It's a government of the corporations, by the corporations, and for the corporations. They represent all that is sick and wrong with the United States political system mastered by corporate elitism for the super rich.
  1. By Carl Hulse
  2. September 7, 2003
  3. The New York Times National
WASHINGTON - Together, Sen. Pete V. Domenici, NM and Rep. Billy Tauzin, LA will write much of the proposed new energy policy as the two men, both dependable industry allies, try to ride the momentum from the recent blackout to enact a long-stalled energy bill that critics say is a step backwards.

It is the very expertise of the two men that worries conservation groups and others who oppose the emerging measure, objecting to its proposed tax incentives for the oil and gas industry, its push for new power plants and the possibility on oil drilling in an Alaskan wildlife refuge.

"They have been around for a long time and they know how to work legislation," said Debbie L. Boger, senior Washington representative for the Sierra Club. "Essentially they are a team at this point. The problem is, they are being very smart by using the blackout to suggest that we need to have more nuclear power plants, more coal-fired plants. The two things have nothing to do with each other."

Anna Aurilo, legislative director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, expressed a similar view. "Their energy policy looks nothing like the future," she said. "It is all about the past - big polluters, special interests, nuclear, oil, and coal."

The lawmakers have strong ties to the energy industry. Mr. Tauzin's district relies heavily on oil and gas production, and Mr. Domenici, an advocate of nuclear power, is considered by the nuclear industry to be its patron saint.

FAIR USE NOTICE:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.