E-Mail Finds an Unintended Audience

Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) got some unexpected help in circulating a draft letter urging President Bush to look into a report that White House staffers had edited regulations to play down the toxic effects of mercury.

The draft was attached to an e-mail from a utilities lobbyist urging other industry lobbyists to keep "your Senator off" the Feingold letter.

As often happens in Washington, the e-mail found its way into enviro hands.

"The letter seeks reassurance from President Bush that mercury science will not be politicized. They are attempting to finalize it by this Friday. Please try to keep your Senator off this letter," said the Tuesday e-mail from Edward Yawn, a lobbyist for the Edison Electric Institute.

Frank O'Donnell, executive director of the Clean Air Trust, said of the e-mail: "In other words, the Edison Electric Institute is trying to stir up power industry lobbyists to block a request that good science be used in setting standards for toxic mercury."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5647-2004May5.html

There is an explosion happening here.

This is just freaky wild.

Maybe, I do need to breath for awhile,...just sit back with my pepsi and popcorn,...and watch this happen!!! *especially considering that I am soooooo exhausted*

I felt that last night. There's an overwhelming, inevitable tide we are caught up in - and its strange now that its happened because we all knew it was coming - yet its so powerful it is still surprising.