Collision of the Minds
A Visit Across the Pond Brings Some Pointed and Surprising Insights — We’re back at the keyboard having returned from two weeks abroad. While away, Mr. and Mrs. PolicySmith caught up to our Swedish relatives, laid over in Iceland and checked to see if there was anything still rotting in Denmark. We came away with.. read more →
Lobbying/Government Relations for Private Business 101 — Better Late than Never!
Part 2 of 2. To read Part 1, click here. The PolicySmith admits to advancing age, its tripwires and the widening of cracks for the important and sundry to drop through. While rummaging through this blog’s dustbin, lo and behold an unpublished post appeared! In 2017 this space was attempting to shine a light on.. read more →
What the &%$@# is a lobbyist, anyway?
Why do we need them? Who has them? What do they do? Part 1 of 2. Part 2 coming later this week. Like everything else that revolves around government, it depends. The PolicySmith at one time registered as a lobbyist, which was a big mistake, although not for reasons you might think. The reporting, the.. read more →
The (Some) Science Guys
From the first Earth Day back in the 70s to the March for Science this year, the melding of enviro-politics and scientism is complete. Scientism – it’s the religious arm of science by exception. It demeans true science by denying the science that does not align with green politics. Organizers of the March for Science.. read more →
Guilty Pleasure
Road warriors are typically united in their poo-pooing the “glamor of travel” so often uttered by those who travel infrequently. The grind of hotels, car rentals, airport security, crowded flights and uneven hours take a toll. But even the most jaundiced traveler takes pleasure in the posh way stations along the way. And one in.. read more →
Infidels at the EPA Inquisition
This is part 3 of a 3-part series. Concluding this examination of bureaucratic overreach at EPA is an exercise in reflection. How did it get as far as it did? What did the companies do wrong? How could it have been avoided/settled/otherwise negotiated? Questions, questions, questions. For commercial businesses, the court of public opinion, the.. read more →
EPA Pursues ND Oil Producers – Grow the Fiefdom (or not)!
This is part 2 of a 3-part series. Part 1 can be found here. Why would EPA target North Dakota in its vendetta against the domestic petroleum industry? Texas and Oklahoma have historically been much more outspoken in opposing federal overreach. Alaska’s delegation vehemently advocated for offshore access and North Slope exploration. Hmmm…. It’s fair.. read more →
Down and Dirty on Clean Air
This is part 1 of a 3-part series. With Noble’s scalp hanging in EPA’s trophy case, the agency turned its sights on North Dakota Bakken shale producers. For a variety of political motives that state had a bullseye on its chest. North Dakota had risen from the backwaters of oil producing states to second behind.. read more →
The EPA Says: “Show Me the Money!”
At the end of May, an especially pointed essay by Wall Street Journal columnist Kim Strassel examined the Deep State. Here’s a link to this important work. This entity is the government within government that is devoted to and pursues an agenda unto itself. It is the government of fiefdoms, “federal family,” and wink-and-nod actions.. read more →
The BLM Angered
In the decades following enactment of the National Environmental Policy Act, its breadth and impact became a primary consideration and cost factor in virtually every development project across the U.S. Increasingly empowered EPA staff grew their influence and oversight to an ability to virtually veto any project they did not favor, regardless of statutory requirements… read more →