Norton sails through the revolving door.
By on Dec 28th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Norton sails through the revolving door.
“Gale Norton is back providing oversight of energy development issues on public lands in the American West, this time as a key legal advisor for a major global oil company. Months after she resigned her cabinet post as President Bush’s Interior Secretary — and then seemed to disappear from public view — the Coloradan apparently has accepted an offer to serve as counsel for Royal Dutch Shell PLC. Shell, one of the world’s largest producers of oil, was also one of the companies that Norton’s Interior Department routinely engaged on matters of drilling in sensitive ecological settings.”
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When do they name the oil tanker after her?
December 28th, 2006 at 1:38 pmWTF!!! I am from Colorado and was SOOO glad to get her out of the state, as she is one of the "rape and Pillage" gang, like James Watt, who don't give a f@ck about the environment, just how much money she can suck from the big energy and utility companies. SO she is now a legitimate employee of Shell, not just a Bushco Insider.
And putting her in charge of the Interior was like having Michael Jackson as Head Chaperon of the Vienna Boys Choir!
December 28th, 2006 at 1:42 pmRight after the Ford funeral next week, ForTruth. The reich need's to keep the focus on their ajenda so no one notices all the war new's....Blessings
December 28th, 2006 at 1:44 pm#1
Probably it would be better to name an oil rig after her in Turkemanestan or Uzbakistan.
I suggest "Gusher Gale" to reflect the way she spews out anti-environmental crap.
December 28th, 2006 at 1:45 pmPublic Officials should have to abide by non-compete clauses in order to stop them from using and abusing public office to further their personal fiduciary desires, which inevitably leads to corrupt actions by the Government since corporations/lobbyists and Policy makers are in bed together for the common goal: GREED.
How much more corrupt does our Government have to become before the uneducated, lazy American stands up and demands change?
December 28th, 2006 at 1:47 pmBy taking that job, good ol' Gale firmed up her position on the environment, basically, let it eat cake.
December 28th, 2006 at 1:49 pmLol she is a oil whore! I cannot stand people who sell their souls to the Oil Cartels like Condi Rice and Gale Norton > shame on them both!
December 28th, 2006 at 1:51 pmI don't think cabinet members ought to be able to take a job in the private sector in the same field in which they served for at least 2-3 years after leaving public service.
This screams conflict of interest to me.
December 28th, 2006 at 1:52 pmGee, she waited 9 months before going to work for one of the oil companies she previously worked for when she was in Bush's cabinet.
December 28th, 2006 at 1:53 pmI dodn't think Bush can hire or associate with anyone who does not suffer from the same ethical challenges as himself.
she is a BAD PERSON.
December 28th, 2006 at 1:54 pmDoesn't surprise me ,those from the "moral party" has none.Truly disgusting.
December 28th, 2006 at 1:54 pmin fact, i'm overestimating her by referring to her as a "person".
December 28th, 2006 at 1:54 pmSo who should the government talk to when they want to figure out how to drill in public areas? Talking to companies that specialize in Oil drilling seems to make sense. Kinda like if you want info on shoes. Maybe talk to a company that produces shoes.
December 28th, 2006 at 1:59 pmThis screams conflict of interest to me.
Comment by Zooey — December 28, 2006 @ 1:52
No doubt.pm
December 28th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
GEEZUS Roger-Roger -
Then you guess 'awl companies' will tell you both sides of the story, like how they might pollute or maybe kill off a few more species? I can't believe you are that naive!
Kinda like Secof Shoes Rice running our foreig policy!
December 28th, 2006 at 2:04 pmGee, she waited 9 months before going to work for one of the oil companies she previously worked for when she was in Bush’s cabinet.
Comment by Marie
Maybe we shouldn't all jump to conclusions. It could be she is really undercover for the Administration to find out about all the oil and gas corporate gouging and price-fixing that is going on.
Sheesh! No wonder the trolls think everyone here is biased against the Bush government.
December 28th, 2006 at 2:07 pmKinda like if you want info on shoes. Maybe talk to a company that produces shoes.
Comment by Roger_Roger
Kinda like if you want info on Global Climate Change. Maybe talk to a fiction writer.
Kinda like if you want info on preserving our nations forests. Talk to the lumber companies.
Kinda like you want info on the nation's sustainable energy future. Talk to profit seeking energy corporations.
Kinda like if you want info on the Middle East.....well Bush doesn't have to talk to anyone on that subject....he knows best.
December 28th, 2006 at 2:12 pmJoe > lol she is NOT doing undercover work to root out price gouging at the pumps! She is there to make money for herself, plus to sell out the nation in doing it! Norton is a oil whore!
December 28th, 2006 at 2:12 pm#16 J6p
December 28th, 2006 at 2:12 pmYou have me LOL.
Norton is a oil whore!
Comment by Jay Randal
You make her sound so dirty.
December 28th, 2006 at 2:17 pmthink she might be working on some kind of deal in IRAQ?
December 28th, 2006 at 2:26 pmBirds of a feather.....
Jay Randal
December 28th, 2006 at 2:32 pmYou have to read Joe Sixpack's posts with an eye for the ironic. :)
His dry wit always makes me smile.
Oil is a requirement for the USA making Drilling a requirement for the USA. Sadly, we don't drill half of the Oil available. Even worse, websites like Thinkprogress speak out of both sides of there mouth when they scream that we shouldn't drill and then make posts saying gas prices are going up. WOW, websites like this force us not to drill and then complain that prices are going up. WOW
December 28th, 2006 at 2:33 pmGee, she waited 9 months before going to work for one of the oil companies she previously worked for when she was in Bush’s cabinet.
Comment by Marie — December 28, 2006 @ 1:53 pm
That's just outside the span of attention of the Average American...
This is why the system has become so dirty - the rich simply CANNOT fail. They won't let one another.
December 28th, 2006 at 2:38 pmUmm well Roger, since you missed so much. Websites like this constantly talk about the need to stop using oil, and going to an energy source we can sustian domestically. However your need to rant, and to take an opposing view supercedes any critical thinking on your part. Keep it up, you are why the dems will keep winning.
December 28th, 2006 at 2:41 pmRoger_Roger,
December 28th, 2006 at 2:43 pmWhat's gonna happen when all the oil is gone? Can we harness all the hot air that comes out of people like you to produce the energy we need? The problems are not that we are currently using oil for energy but the lack of leadership that would put us on a path to develop and use alternate sources of energy. Ever hear of the adage about putting all of your eggs in one basket?
Rogerx2 - how's that $1.15 a gallon gasoline coming along? I hope you are short the gas futures - you'll make a killing dude. /sarcasm off
December 28th, 2006 at 2:43 pmwebsites like Thinkprogress speak out of both sides of there mouth when they scream that we shouldn’t drill and then make posts saying gas prices are going up. WOW, websites like this force us not to drill and then complain that prices are going up. WOW
Comment by Roger_Roger — December 28, 2006 @ 2:33 pm
First of all - if this is such a bad place that won't support your needto be selfish at the expense of every other living thing on this planet - then by all means, so away.
Secondly - we are kept dependent on oil because the rich Corporate gluttons resist change. You have a right to complain about them forcing us to use their products and then charging us too much for them.
December 28th, 2006 at 2:45 pmRogx2's banner statement establishing his credibility to speak on energy matters:
"$40 a barrel oil and $1.15 a gallon gas by next spring"
dagadagadagadaga - he's on fire, he's going down Biffo......
December 28th, 2006 at 2:48 pmWOW, websites like this force us not to drill and then complain that prices are going up. WOW
Comment by Roger_Roger — December 28, 2006 @ 2:33 pm
Because what is needed is a comprehensive energy policy that would wean the US off its oil addiction. Plus, prices can go up due to a lack of supply, a spike in demand, or market manipulation and speculation.
About Norton, that a former government official is now working for the very same companies that they used to oversee, raises many questions about their closeness to the people they were supposed to regulate, conflicts of interest, and loose oversight.
Like when Boeing hired the same procurement official from the Department of Defense who was in charge of buying fuel tank parts. It turned out the official had purchased parts worth several billion dollars. Norton's move through the "revolving door" reeks of nepotism.
December 28th, 2006 at 2:50 pmShe was an oil and utility company whore long before she came to DC. She and the Bushco team even made Ronnie Raygunz look like a tree-hugger!
December 28th, 2006 at 2:51 pmSaw on the news last night, or the night before, I think they were predicting $85 a barrel by spring/summer?
December 28th, 2006 at 2:53 pmI guess Roger^2 doesn't even consider the possibility that maybe more drilling is not the best answer. Of course, if someone puts forth the argument that fuel economy standards should be raised by even 1 mpg, the right-wing petroleum-heads will scream that we are killing children by making cars less safe - which is a wholly unfounded claim and can be proven so by the fact that a 2005 MINI has better safety ratings than 2005 Ford F-150.
December 28th, 2006 at 2:53 pmDamn class wars...
December 28th, 2006 at 2:57 pmRoger: "So who should the government talk to when they want to figure out how to drill in public areas?"
Well, since it's a public area, how about an advocate for the public.
December 28th, 2006 at 2:57 pm#33 and can be proven so by the fact that a 2005 MINI has better safety ratings than 2005 Ford F-150
Yea, but the unsafest thing about those F-150s are the Repug, drunk, single-digit IQers driving them!
December 28th, 2006 at 3:05 pmI have a hen house that needs guarded, who knows more about hens than a fox?
Good call dumbfu*k.
December 28th, 2006 at 3:24 pmgreedy bastards!
the almighty dollar uber alles for these republican scum...
December 28th, 2006 at 3:25 pmIf you can find something that is as usable, as cheap, and as easy to refill as gas, WE SHOULD SWITCH. The hot air however is coming from the left as you haven't found even something close to gas when we discuss alternatives. It is corporate America that is holding us back, it is US the consumer. We demand that we pay less, have it work better, and we want to be able to refuel or recharge as fast or faster then gas. If the market can't meet those demands, then we will not switch. This is a simple market issue.
December 28th, 2006 at 3:37 pm#39. I, for one, said NOTHING about switching. I said we should raise CAFE standards. Yet, the Republicans beat back any sort of increase in such standards time and time again. This is NOT the "US consumer" at work, it is the Republicans who eat from the trough that is BIG OIL.
December 28th, 2006 at 3:51 pmRogx2 says "This is a simple market issue".
Question #1: who sets the rules which govern how the market operates?
Question #2: the people to whom Q1 refers - to whom are they accountable?
Question #3: How do they decide how to set the conditions of the market - who influences their policies and how?
You can't throw your hands in the air and say "its the market stupid". The "market" is as bent as the people who make its rules.
December 28th, 2006 at 3:56 pmComment by Roger_Roger — December 28, 2006 @ 3:37 pm
You know I deal with idiots like you on a daily basis, and there are people out there that don't get it. Like you, you stupid bastard. The progressives and liberal people in this country got slammed hard, calling us fu*king tree huggers, because we see a parallel between gas emissions and pollution. The left have been in the forefront in trying make a difference. I remember when Areanna Huffington equated SUV's to aiding terrorism. FOX news had a cow. I only see the right blaming anyone else for his or her mistakes. Don't come into this group to your little pedophile panties in a bunch, go back to your satanic party of koolaid drinkers.
December 28th, 2006 at 4:15 pmRoger_Roger sez: "The hot air however is coming from the left as you haven’t found even something close to gas when we discuss alternatives."
Hybrids and electric vehicles.
But those ideas would interfere with profits from the huge oil companies, who are the biggest contributors to Republicans, who constantly stand in the way of alternatives, because those ideas would interfere with profits from the huge oil companies, who are the biggest contributors to Republicans, ad infinitum.
Get it now?
December 28th, 2006 at 4:30 pmOh yes, the "make a difference" arguement and the "we knew we were right arguement". You see, I ain't an old repug. I may lean conservative, but I also fully believe in Global warming and that we cause it. I am also someone who uses logic instead of passion. You see, the "make a difference" arguement is complete BS. In the end, we are still simply animals. Scientists would classify us as "super predetors". You see, we are too good at consuming resources and just like every super predetor before us, we to will wipe the planet clean of resources we value. It is animal nature afterall. You can keep putting up a fight, but in the end we are doomed. We in America could all stop using cars and stop heating our homes and it wouldn't matter one bit. China afterall is putting up 1 new coal plant every 4 days and is planning an additional 10+ million new cars within the next 6-10 years. India is a close second. Hell, many scientists already believe that we are in positive feedback mode already and it doesn't matter what we do.
So, I keep acting like the super predator I am. I'll enjoy life and all its resources. My children will enjoy a bit less and there children will go to war over the last remaining resources. After that, we will wipe all but 5%-10% of the human population off the map and the whole thing starts fresh except the planet will never support the population it once did. Become a realist already!
December 28th, 2006 at 4:34 pmElectric cars have a range of around 300 miles max. Can you refill them in under 6 minutes when they are on empty? NO, so we the consumer wouldn't use it.
December 28th, 2006 at 4:35 pmAnd where do we get the electricity from in the first place? Coal plants and natural gas mostly. All are huge factors in Global warming as well. So your 2 ideas certainly don't give me warm fuzzy's. They are also much to inconvient for the market to accept.
December 28th, 2006 at 4:39 pm#44
Roger_Roger,
Wow. Lose one election and its the end of the world for you. We may be super-predators but we are also gifted with a super-brain compared to the rest of the Animal Kingdom. Instead of using it you think we should give up. Nice defeatist attitude. Where is the American ingenuity for problem solving and the desire to better the future generations. I guess conservatives just don't hold true to American values anymore.
December 28th, 2006 at 4:40 pmRogx2 says: "I may lean conservative" and then says "....Ill enjoy life and all its resources". Rogx2 is a very strange conservative..... Rogx2 - go ahead and drink the Jim Jones Kool-Aid, please allow the rest of us a chance to save our children's futures.
December 28th, 2006 at 4:42 pmRogx2 says "where do you get the electricity from...?"
Try asking a Frenchman......
Did you read anything about who controls "the market" ? Guess not - Rogx2 has lost the ability and the will to adapt.....
December 28th, 2006 at 4:45 pm#44 - let me guess - there was a Kevin Costner marathon on the SciFI channel again....
December 28th, 2006 at 4:55 pmsolar power gets its energy from the sun which is not expected to burn out for at least a billion years.
December 28th, 2006 at 4:59 pmSpeaking of cronyism, nepotism, and favoritism (my emphasis):
Federal investigators have already determined the Bush administration squandered $1 billion on fraudulent disaster aid to individuals after the 2005 storm. Now they are shifting their attention to the multimillion dollar contracts to politically connected firms that critics have long said are a prime area for abuse.
In January, investigators will release the first of several audits examining more than $12 billion in Katrina contracts. The charges range from political favoritism to limited opportunities for small and minority-owned firms, which initially got only 1.5 percent of the total work.
Fraud, Katrina Contracts Could Waste $2B
I wonder how these firms become politically connected in the first place. By hiring former government officials, perhaps? No?
You have to love the free market conservatives advocates, who do their best to avoid any competition whatsoever. Goes to show the so-called free markets are about as real as the Easter Bunny, and are just fodder for the gullible.
December 28th, 2006 at 5:04 pmRoger: "You can keep putting up a fight, but in the end we are doomed."
Fearful little man. Isn't that precious. So glad his guys aren't in control of congress starting next month.
December 28th, 2006 at 5:46 pm#39 Roger_Roger
If you can find something that is as usable, as cheap, and as easy to refill as gas, WE SHOULD SWITCH. The hot air however is coming from the left as you haven’t found even something close to gas when we discuss alternatives.
Here's the deal, Roger. When you have people in the White House who are not only chummy with all the oil people--they ARE oil people--and then you've got people like Norton who enter government to grease the wheels for the oil companies and then leave government to go rake in the rich rewards for their shill-work, it doesn't matter what the Dems or the consumers say or do. The oil companies will do everything in their power to keep us from weaning off of oil. Do you understand the contradiction? You want there to be a cozy relationship between the Bush administration and the oil companies, but then you blame everyone else but Norton, the administration, the GOP in Congress, and the oil companies for us not having a viable alternative to oil, yet.
Stop feeding the monster and we'll have a chance at beating the monster.
December 28th, 2006 at 5:49 pmRoger is what they call a "can't do" conservative.
December 28th, 2006 at 5:55 pmThe repub congress has been authorizing huge tax breaks for people who buy large gas guzzlers and cutting breaks for hybrids. In spite of this, the Hummer lots are full and there are waiting lists for hybrids. Hey, I know what we could do. Give the bigger breaks to the hybrid buyers and quit providing incentives to guzzle gas!
I'm sure there's a "can't do" conservative around who will be happy to explain to us why we can't do something as simple as this.
December 28th, 2006 at 6:02 pm#56..."The American way of life is not negotiable." - Dick Cheney
The conservative mentality is: Why should we conserve oil? When we run out we'll find a flimsy excuse to invade an oil-rich country and take theirs. Oil-dependency problem solved.
December 28th, 2006 at 6:13 pmAnother petro whore hero type.
December 28th, 2006 at 6:44 pmThis is the company that all of a sudden found out/forgot, that if you don't maintain your oil pipelines, they leak. All though they did not forget to pay their CEO/Chairman his big fat bonus.
December 28th, 2006 at 7:03 pmwhen oh when is this revolving door corruption going to end?
NEVER...........
oh yeah.... democrats going to serve the people, just wait
rmember the 1994 democrats who bought $25,000 silk
covered chairs? by 1998 we wanted them all out only
to welcome the savior republican servants.
revolving doors.... :( CORRUPT and enough to **** !!
December 28th, 2006 at 9:54 pmyou know what's so SICKENING about these cronies is she
resigns goes into the private sector that is suppose to
have no affiliation.... yet political contributions occurs
and the same scandals and corruption occurs
over and over and over again.
resigned means FIRED!!!!!!! no farther contact, BANNED, eliminated
CRIMINAL, all of them GET RID OF ANY POLITICIAN
return the integrity back to the accoutability NOT oh yeah were going to
serve the people..... then what??? OUTRAGEOUS!!!!
Bush is a CROOK, and this kind of corruption has a LONG history within
December 28th, 2006 at 10:02 pmthe Bush Family and Clinton and it appears a good junk of them
RICO prosecution is what GOP leaders should've gotten for xmas, and that would still be better than what they actually deserve.
December 29th, 2006 at 12:51 pmThis is a very interesting artical on the subject of oil royalties and payoffs
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OIL_ROYALTIES?SITE=ASIAONE&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-12-30-14-55-27
December 31st, 2006 at 12:23 am