When did Saint Pete become such a demagogue? This is the

frequently used, shameless tactic of the Radical Right, to make such inflammatory and patently false accusations. Now that they have all

the power, they go so far as to create the situations and then lie about the role of their opponents. This is the behavior of a

scoundrel. mjh

Domenici Wants N.M. Tree in D.C., BY HELEN GAUSSOIN For the Journal

“I refuse to let environmental extremists and a federal judge play Scrooge with our holiday tree,” the New

Mexico Republican said in comments prepared for Friday’s opening reception of the Capitol Holiday Tree Art Extravaganza.

A

Forest Service spokeswoman said the federal agency has received no objections to the holiday tree cutting but said that

does not mean it won’t before the end of a 30-day comment period that began Oct. 4. …

Domenici … has likened those who

challenged the Forest Service rule to “the grinch who stole Christmas,” as well as Scrooge…

Environmentalists

with the Forest Guardians in New Mexico and the national office of the Sierra Club have said the Forest Service has extended the impact

of the ruling to situations, like the holiday tree project, never intended in the lawsuit. They argue the administration is

manufacturing a controversy to draw opposition to the ruling.