1. Report: SoCal voters switched to GOP without their knowledge

- From the associated Press, via SF Gate -

Snip:

Dozens of voters were registered as Republicans without their knowledge in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, The Press-Enterprise of Riverside reported Thursday.

The newspaper analyzed voter registration cards collected in late 2005 and early 2006 and found at least 37 that appeared to involve unauthorized changes of a voter's party. Only 19 of 60 people contacted by the newspaper said they were aware their party registration had been changed to Republican.

The newspaper said it appeared many of the unauthorized changes were made by signature gatherers who received a bonus for each new GOP registration.

2. EPA ignores advice for annual limits on tiny soot - Science panel had urged tighter rules, citing health effects - SF Gate, Jane Kay, Chronicle Environment Writer

Snip:

Ignoring the advice of its own science panel and several health and environmental groups, the Bush administration issued new limits Thursday on lethal soot particles billowing from sources such as power plants, trucks and ships.

. . . the EPA's science panel had wanted a rule that would go further in cutting pollution made up of microscopic flecks of dirt, soot and vapor. Fine particles have been linked to thousands of premature deaths, asthma attacks, heart attacks and other health problems.

In his decision, Johnson (EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson) failed to tighten limits of the amount of fine particulate pollution that may be emitted in a year.

Medical experts, including some EPA staff members, say that annual standard must be strong to safeguard public health, particularly in urban areas.

The new standard was attacked by such industry groups as Edison Electric Institute, an industry group of power companies, and National Home Builders. They don't like the EPA reducing the daily standard, arguing there is uncertainty over the health benefits of reducing fine particles and that it's costly.

1. Voting irregularities which strangely favor the GOP are nothing new. Anybody remember the 2000 and 2004 elections?

2. No surprise that the Bush EPA is catering to industry and big business at the expense of human and environmental health. This, after all, is the administration that has denied the effects of global warming even as the flood waters rise around them. Apparently EPA no longer stands for Environmental Protection Agency but Expendable Planet Agency.