Amazingly coincidental news report just published by the Telegraph (UK)...
... in light of
this Jan 8, 2008, editorial by the Republican VP candidate, Sarah Palin:
Listing the bears under the Endangered Species Act is the wrong move at this time. My decision is based on a comprehensive review by state wildlife officials of scientific information from a broad range of climate, ice and polar bear experts.
There is insufficient evidence that polar bears are in danger of becoming extinct within the foreseeable future -- the trigger for protection under the ESA. And there is no evidence that polar bears are being mismanaged through existing international agreements and the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.
... and
this May 25th, 2008 story from the Anchorage Daily News regarding Gov. Palin's misrepresentation of Alaska's internal review of the issue:
The state's marine mammal scientists agreed last year with federal researchers who concluded polar bears are threatened with extinction because of a shrinking ice cap.
The state's in-house dispute seems to refute later statements by Gov. Sarah Palin that a "comprehensive review" of the federal science by state wildlife officials found no reason to support an endangered-species listing for the northern bears.
MORE OF THE SAME. Outright lies and suppression of scientific findings in support of corporate, crony interests. Does Alaska have any laws prohibiting lying to the public? If so, Palin should be investigated and potentially prosecuted.
