In the contemporary world the largest pressures on our societies relate to our relationship with the natural world. Be it water resources, our own pollution from industry and urban expanses, or climate change. And our societies relies on organisations such as the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to keep check on these pressures, to draw attention to them, and to mitigate their effects.

However, in recent times the effectiveness of the EPA has been somewhat questionable. The most notable case of this conduct recently was the when Tim Powe, senior manager in the EPA reviled "...political considerations have stopped the introduction of air-quality monitoring and mandatory community health checks at Mt Isa's two smelters - the largest source of lead emissions in Australia. "[1] Since this expose testing has found "one to four years, have tested higher than the recommended dosages deemed safe by the State Government "[2]

The list also includes lead and zinc dust blowing off the Townsville port onto the houses of surrounding suburbs [3], the Alcoa Aluminium refinery in Wagerup [4], Port Pirie's lead contamination [5], and the Narangba Industrial Estate fire [6]. And on and on.

‘Pressure for World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz to resign grew yesterday as the bank's board wrangled behind the scenes over whether his approval of a high-paying promotion for his girlfriend bent rules.

from the NYT …..

Longer Duty Leaves Forces Disappointed but Stoic

from Crikey …..

Does Alan Jones deserve a place in our licensed radio community?

 
from the Guardian …..

In 5-Year Effort, Scant Evidence of Voter Fraud

By ERIC LIPTON and IAN URBINA

Published: April 12, 2007

PRIME RATTUS:

 
Schwarzenegger urges greenies to get 'sexy'

from the NYT …..

Bush Criticizes Democrats for Delay in Iraq Spending Bill

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and JEFF ZELENY

from Crikey …..

Howard: cut off, not cutting through

Christian Kerr writes:

‘Although Saddam Hussein was hanged months ago, Vice President Cheney insisted today that the ex-Iraqi dictator was still actively plotting with Al Qaeda - more specifically, with the “equally dead” Mohammed Atta and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.