Publisher's Watch

Mississippi Gov. Barbour Wants His State to Be Healthy -- But Not Necessarily Yours Posted By Jonathan A. Schein

At the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was one of this year's piñatas. First, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich took his stick and made a major swipe at the EPA by calling for its shutdown and elimination. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was a little more cautious, merely stating that through the EPA, the Obama administration is "trying to achieve through regulation what it can't pass through legislation." Following up on that statement, Barbour told a group of Kentucky coal executives that the EPA is over-regulating the coal industry with its strict environmental standards.

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To Halliburton or Not to Halliburton Posted By Jonathan A. Schein

If you want to get some high-flying action going at a party, just bring up the company Halliburton. When some people hear the word "Halliburton" they immediately recall that it's the company where former Vice President Cheney amassed great wealth. Others identify the multinational corporation as a major player in the oil field services industry. In any case, just mention Halliburton and emotions typically fly high. Although it's not the only company involved in the oil industry, in some corners, the word "Halliburton" seems to have become synonymous with the word "evil." The company is seen as signifying all that is wrong with our energy policy, both abroad and at home, as Halliburton leads the charge to exploit shale formations in North America.

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