Sierra Times 01.07.02 Green extremists are already whining about a Real American who is against banning snowmobiles from Yellowstone National Park. Like anyone cares, they think he would be a poor choice for a key environmental position in the Bush administration. Paul David Hoffman, executive director of the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce and a former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, is being considered for deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks, according to Interior Department officials. This of course, has left-wing, extremist environmental groups screaming like a bunch of prairie dogs in heat. "We are very worried about his appointment," said Michael Scott, executive director of the radical Greater Yellowstone Coalition, an extremist environmental group based in Bozeman, MT, that has urged a snowmobile ban in the park. To settle a lawsuit filed by snowmobile groups, the Bush administration made a wise move and agreed last year to set aside a Clinton-era proposal to phase out snow machines in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and begin a new study of their effects on wildlife. He was Cheney's state director from 1985-89, at a time when the vice president was in the U.S. House representing Wyoming. Hoffman also has worked for Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., and former Sen. Alan Simpson, R-Wyo. Because the appointment does not require Senate confirmation, environmental groups are engaging in a propaganda war. But there is little expected from Hoffman's home state of Wyoming. As per usual, the printed report found quotes from those who opposed, but mysteriously didn't bother to quote anyone in support of the appointment. "There is a clear conflict of interest appointing him," said Alex Jean Rauschman, spokeswoman for the Natural Trails & Waters Coalition, which includes representatives from seven environmental organizations and opposes motorized recreation on public lands. "He has been working on the Yellowstone issue for many years and will be in a position that oversees the director of the Park Service. We are concerned that he will not objectively look at this issue." Yet, these same groups never seem to have a problem when left-wing activist government staff members and even Judges get appointment. Go figure. |