By Manila Ryce
Published Tuesday, February 5th, 2008, 1:01 am
Filed under: Society/Culture: Law/Order, Science and Technology, Environment, World Issues, Society/Culture, US Politics
The Navy must follow environmental laws placing strict limits on sonar training that may harm whales, despite President Bush’s decision to exempt it, a federal judge ruled Monday.
The Navy is not “exempted from compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act” and a court injunction creating a 12 nautical-mile no-sonar zone off Southern California, U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper wrote in a 36-page decision.
“We disagree with the judge’s decision,” White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. “We believe the orders are legal and appropriate.”
The president signed a waiver Jan. 15 exempting the Navy and its anti-submarine warfare exercises from a preliminary injunction creating the no-sonar zone. The Navy’s attorneys argued in court last week that he was within his legal rights.
Environmentalists have fought the use of sonar in court, saying it harms whales and other marine mammals.
“It’s an excellent decision,” said Joel Reynolds, attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, which is spearheading the legal fight. “It reinstates the proper balance between national security and environmental protection.”
4 Responses to “Whales Win: President Bush Overruled by Judge”
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About time someone started telling Bush where the bear shat in the woods!
02/6/08 at 6:07 pm
This is a temporary setback for Bush. Bush has appointed 30% of the Judges in America as of this year. He’ll appeal this and he’ll find a judge that will give him what he wants. The whales are doomed, as are we all.
Republican ideology (ie anti people, anti planet, pro corporation, pro rich, pro profits, anti worker) pervades this country. This country has moved so far to the right, that even Hillary Clinton would be considered a radical right winger in the 1950s. Eisenhower was to the left of her and today we call her a liberal.
02/7/08 at 6:42 pm
Since when has a law or a judge’s ruling affected the President who rules by decrees and signing statements? The checks and balances of the Constitution are just minor annoyances to the Unitary Executive.
02/25/08 at 12:32 pm
I’m afraid you guys might be right Gary and Mark. However, this is good news and it won’t necessarily be overturned. Skeptiscm is good, but lets not get so cynical we immediately discount good news.
02/26/08 at 9:36 pm