There are some good points raised here. Dave's right in that Bush needs to make the effort to get Democrats involved in his projects, but it's imperative that Democrats participate, not blow off opportunities that arise just because the project is suggested by a Republican.

One thing Bush needs to do is a better job of communicating his ideas. He's not eloquent, and that may be part of the problem, but some of his ideas are worthwhile and commonsense solutions, yet they've been burned by bad public relations, bad press, and I think, partisan bickering. For instance, his "relaxation" of EPA rules on pesticides-- something that was discussed on this forum. The spin given by the press and his environmental opponents was that the actions were a strike against the environment.

However, and it's a big however, the rules that were rescinded were so cumbersome to follow that the EPA hadn't been using them for something like 12 years. It makes sense to do away with those and find something that will work and will do the job of protecting the environment.

I've seen other examples of people thinking some of the same old fairy tales about roadless areas. This is an area I have a background in, and what Bush proposed was nothing like the 'cut and slash' predictions I've seen posted recently.

Does this mean that I think the Bush administration should be given a pass-go card on the environment? Of course not-- but it does mean that I think it's necessary to keep an open mind. Too many people have closed minds and don't think for themselves. Too many people react first without thinking things through. Too many people think that the only way to save something is to lock it up. In this day and age, that's a sure way to lose -- a lot of things.

My $.02,

Keith