Smokey Joe's Back and He Won! **Update**

**Update** ~ Just a reminder of another Congressman Joe Barton "moment" earlier this year. He must be choosing his battles.

Click Here for that quick reminder.

**This just in...Dr. Al Armendariz Resigned Today.**

We were wondering why Congressman Joe Barton has been so quiet since the feeding frenzy began. But now we find this 7-Pages of correspondence sent to Dr. Armendariz from Joe Barton this past Friday (April 27, 2012)...and we see that Congressman Barton is front and center with all the hoopla.





Page 1



Page 2



Flashback ~ This is what our Texas Congressman, Joe Barton, said in 2009:

"CO2 is odorless, colorless, tasteless – it’s not a threat to human health in terms of being exposed to it. We create it as we talk back and forth. So, and if you go beyond that, on a net basis, there’s ample evidence that [global] warming generically — however it is caused — is a net benefit to mankind." [emphasis added]

Let's remember that.



Okay. So, now why don't we watch and remember another classic Joe Barton moment ~ the apology to BP's Tony Hayward in June of 2010:

Joe says he doesn't like "shakedowns" or "slush funds." Let's remember that, too.

Click Here to read the CBS News Story About Congressman Barton's Outrageous Apology to BP.

Here's an important excerpt from that story:

Rep. Jeff Miller, a Florida Republican, has called for Barton to resign as the ranking Republican on the committee, Politico reports.

"I condemn Mr. Barton's statement," Miller said. "Mr. Barton's remarks are out of touch with this tragedy and I feel his comments call into question his judgment and ability to serve in a leadership on the Energy and Commerce Committee."



According to the Associated Press, Barton has taken more than $100,000 in political contributions from oil and gas interests since the beginning of 2009 [slush fund?], more than all but one other member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. [emphasis added]

Whew! Why don't we just pause for a quick Looney Tune?

So, now, at this very moment, please write or call  Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the EPA, TODAY.   

Click Here.

Email: jackson.lisap@epa.gov

Here's an example of an e-mail that you may wish to use or add your own thoughts to it as well:

Dear Ms. Jackson,



The current Region 6 EPA Administrator, Dr. Al Armendariz, has been working diligently for those of us in Region 6 since 2009. As you know, the Gas and Oil politicians are using a video (taken out of context from a very serious situation, by the way) to smear and diminish the work of the EPA in Texas. These politicians are NOT advocating for We, the People. In fact, based on what we have learned, they are more likely working for They, The Oil and Gas Industry.



Many individuals and families are suffering because of the lack of adequate regulation of the shale gas industry in the Barnett Shale, the Haynesville Shale and the Eagle Ford Shale.  This build-out of drilling operations so close to where people live and breathe has created problems for so many of our communities.  We believe that Dr. Armendariz is uniquely qualified to head up Region 6 of the EPA. We know that he cares about the health effects many are experiencing now, and will, more than likely, experience in the future.

Thank you, Ms. Jackson. Please continue to employ Dr. Armendariz as Region 6 EPA Administrator no matter what congressional politicians like Rep. Joe Barton or Senator James Inhofe say or do with this "shakedown."

Respectfully,



[Your Name, City and Phone #]

Stay tuned to this developing story...(and be sure to write that letter.) Thank you! Update: Dr. Armendariz Resigned Today (April 30, 2012).  Joe Wins.

Environmental Protection for Texas the Inhofe Way **Update**

We Welcome Senator James Inhofe to the Westchester Gasette.

_______________

**Update, April 29, 2012** Well, we almost missed this, but now it appears that our very own Texas Congressman Joe Barton is signing on to this feeding frenzy. Click Here to See the 7-Page Letter with Congressman Barton's signature Front and Center. Oh, and there's more. Stay tuned. OK. Click here for the rest of the story.

________________

Now wait just a minute, Senator Inhofe.  What did Dr. Armendariz really say?

So, just in case you've been busy...here's the deal. There is a certain story (introduced by Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma on the Senate Floor this past week) that our very own EPA Region 6 Administrator, Dr. Al Armendariz, wants to "crucify" the oil and gas industry.  Holy Cow!

Of course, when we heard this, a couple of days ago, we were shocked beyond words.  I mean, who wouldn't be?  But then, taking a step back from a feeding frenzy sometimes helps us see things in an entirely different way. And definitely not the way Oklahoma sees it. Lord have mercy for they know not what they do. 

In the Senate floor speech (here) Senator Inhofe apparently believes that Dr. Armendariz is promoting the "crucifixion" of the oil and gas industry. Wow. That's some power. However, we believe that Dr. Armendariz was simply offering what's called an "analogy" during a discussion with the citizens of this small North Texas community, when he said:

 

"You make examples of people who are NOT complying with the law..."

Keep in mind, that the video in question was taped when Dr. Armendariz travelled to Dish, TX in the Spring of 2010 to meet with the Mayor of Dish ~ Mayor Calvin Tillman ~ and his community.  His community was worried, stressed and concerned about safety and health effects from the 11 Shale Gas Compressor Stations that had recently landed in his very small town in Denton County, TX. 



So, with ALL of that background about Dish, TX in mind, watch and listen carefully as Dr. Al Armendariz speaks to and answers questions from the worried citizens of Dish, TX on a Spring night in 2010.

Just recently, Mayor Calvin Tillman discussed the actual chemical studies conducted in Dish, TX (February, 2012)



Fox News Reporter Greta Van Susteren does her level best to explain it to Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe ~  who apparently won't accept that he may have gone overboard on the Senate Floor:

By the way, Mayor Tillman eventually left his town behind. 

Link to the Story

Clearly, Senator Inhofe has no idea what has happened to Dish, Texas. And why Dr. Armendariz was there in the first place. 



People in Dish, Texas were simply asking for help and protection. And no one in our state (Texas) was helping.

Now watch Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe on the Floor of the Senate, Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Goodness Gracious. Who Crucified Whom?

This is your U.S. Congress "Protecting" Us from Harm. Oh, and they want to have a hearing, too.

God. Help. Us. Please. Write to Lisa Jackson, Now.