Two Federal Agencies have launched investigations into the possible coverup of Global Warming data. Will investigators probe effects of financial ties between Joe Barton (Global Warming Detractor), and Dave Reichert, member of Science Committee?
The AP and WaPo are reporting that Inspectors Generals from two different Federal Agencies have launched investigations into Bush Administration Censorship of Global Warming Data:
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., said he was informed that the inspectors general for the Commerce Department and NASA had begun "coordinated, sweeping investigations of the Bush administration's censorship and suppression" of federal research into global warming.
"These investigations are critical because the Republicans in Congress have ignored this serious problem," Lautenberg said.
He said the investigations "will uncover internal documents and agency correspondence that may expose widespread misconduct." He added, "Taxpayers do not fund scientific research so the Bush White House can alter it."
Although not mentioned in these articles, it seems reasonable that these investigations might look at the activities of Texas Congressman Joe Barton (R), Chairman of House Energy and Commerce Committee. Chairman Barton refused to hold hearings on Global Warming, while at the same time harassing climate scientists with sweeping demands for records of their research grants.
These investigations may also want to look into the relationships between Congressman Joe Barton (R) and Congressman Dave Reichert (R). Its clear that Joe Barton (R) used his position as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to stonewall requests for Global Warming investigations. But at the same time, Dave Reichert sat on the House Science Committee, and appeared to do little to look into these issues, while at the same time taking money raised by Joe Barton.
Joe Barton has been fund-raising for Dave Reichert; Joe Barton hosted a $1000 a head "Barbecue" for Dave Reichert. So Joe Barton, partisan Chairman of a Committee that suppressed Global Warming studies, is also financially linked to a Science Committee member, Dave Reichert, who did little to investigate Global Warming.
I think its a fair question to ask if there was any relationship between money that Dave Reichert accepted from Joe Barton, and his (Reichert's) lack of "interest" in pursuing the Global Warming issue as a member of the Science Committee.