Which Is More Important?

Hey folks,

Which would you see as more important? The safety of our Military, and National Security, or the possibility of a negative effect on sea life? I say POSSIBLE, because the “Experts do not even KNOW what effect it has. Sorry, I’ll go with National Security and the safety of our Military. This is what I’m talking about when I say the Environment Wackos care more about nature than they do about human beings, freedoms, or anything else. Most are also part of the Global Warming Chicken little crowd that are too ignorant to think for themselves.

According to the AP - Bush exempts Navy from environmental law

By PAULINE JELINEK, Associated Press Writer
Wed Jan 16, 3:58 PM ET

President Bush exempted the Navy from an environmental law so it can continue using sonar in its anti-submarine warfare training off the California coast, which critics say is harmful to whales and other marine mammals.

They SAY. What PROOF?

The exemption by itself won't allow the Navy to go forward with the training, but it could strengthen the military's argument in court, Navy officials said. They have asked a court to decide by Friday.

The White House announced Wednesday that Bush had signed the exemption Tuesday while traveling in the Middle East. The Navy training exercises, including the use of sonar, "are in the paramount interest of the United States" and its national security, Bush said in a memorandum.

Of course it is. But it may upset the whales, so SCREW the Military and American security.

"This exemption will enable the Navy to train effectively and to certify carrier and expeditionary strike groups for deployment in support of worldwide operational and combat activities, which are essential to national security," Bush said.

A federal judge in Los Angeles had issued a preliminary injunction earlier this month requiring the Navy to create a 12-nautical-mile, no-sonar zone along the Southern California coast and to post trained lookouts to watch for marine mammals before and during exercises.

Yea, the Judge was trying to comprimise. But you know, the enemy does not care about Whales. If we were to engage an enemy, do you REALLY think they will say to us, "Wait. We see some whales floating aroud here. Lets meet 12 miles south, so we do not upset them?" Do you REALLY believe that this would happen?

Bush has no authority to overturn a court injunction, officials said. With the exemption in hand, they are hoping a three-judge panel in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco will vacate the injunction.

The president's decision drew immediate criticism from environmentalists who had fought to stop the Navy's sonar training.

Wackos

"The president's action is an attack on the rule of law," said Joel Reynolds, director of the Marine Mammal Protection Project at the Natural Resources Defense Council. "By exempting the Navy from basic safeguards under both federal and state law, the president is flouting the will of Congress, the decision of the California Coastal Commission and a ruling by the federal court."

Because it is idiotic. Besides, there is NO law against it. A bunch of Wackos like this Idiot, do not like it, because they do not care about YOU. They do not care about American Security. For these nut jobs, Human beings are evil, and second class behind the Spotted Owl, Whales, Jimminey Cricket, or anything else. They can have their little club, but when it interfears with National Security, or MY life, welbeing, property, or money, they can go blow.

NRDC spokesman Daniel Hinerfeld said the group would be filing papers with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later Wednesday or Thursday to challenge the exemption.

Go for it. More waste of time and tax payers money.

A federal judge early this month found that using mid-frequency active sonar violated the Coastal Zone Management Act. It was a section of that act for which Bush issued the waiver or exemption.

Complying with the environmental law would "undermine the Navy's ability to conduct realistic training exercises that are necessary to ensure the combat effectiveness of carrier and expeditionary strike groups," Bush said.

Which is more important?

The Natural Resources Defense Council had sued to force the Navy to lessen the harm of its sonar exercises. In November, a federal appeals court said the sonar problem needed to be fixed.

What PROBLEM?

Scientists say loud sonar can damage marine mammal brains and ears. Sonar may also mask the echoes some whales and dolphins listen for when they use their own natural sonar to locate food.

Proof?

Much is still unknown about how sonar affects whales and other marine mammals. For example, the sound can hurt some species while not affecting others, and experts don't fully understand why.

Or if it ACTUALLY DOES.

In an argument that has been going on for years, the Navy has continually argued that the exercises are vital for training and that it works to minimize the risk to marine life.

A statement from the Defense Department said the exemption covers the use of mid-frequency active sonar in a series of exercises scheduled to take place off the coast of California through January 2009 and that the Navy already applies 29 measures to mitigate the effects.

Yes, but they do not care.

In a separate development, Navy Secretary Donald Winter signed a memo Tuesday agreeing to greater public participation and better reporting on the issue while officials complete an environmental impact study for Southern California.

Use of sonar "is part of critical, integrated training that must be done in the Navy's operating area off the coast of San Diego to take advantage" of features there related to water depth as well as extensive ranges, airfields and other infrastructure needed for training, a Pentagon statement said.

About half the Navy's fleet will receive "its most critical, graduate level training" there before it deploys its forces around the world, it said.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead said that exercises with sonar train sailors to detect quiet submarines that might threaten its ships.

"We cannot in good conscience send American men and women into potential trouble spots without adequate training to defend themselves," said Roughead.

"The Southern California operating area provides unique training opportunities that are vital to preparing our forces, and the planned exercises cannot be postponed without impacting national security," he said in the Pentagon statement.

Folks, I'm sorry, but I couldn't care less about these Idiots. I DO care about America, PEOPLE, and our freedoms. I do NOT care if some of the things we need to do, MAY, and we do not know how much or to what effect, it effects some sea life. I do not care if some are "uncomfoitable" with the way MANKIND has to do some things to protect ITSELF and, well, actually live. People come first in my book. They can believe whatever they want. But THEY have loss ALL cedibility with me a long time ago. THIS is a perfect example why.
Peter