National Park Superintendants Ordered To Stick To Bush Talking Points

[hatrack]

WASHINGTON, DC, May 13, 2004 (ENS) - "The National Park Service has directed its superintendents to apply for prior approval before they depart from “talking points” provided to them on controversial issues, according to internal emails made public Wednesday by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

Following revelations by retired parks employees that current park superintendents are supposed to mask budget cutbacks by calling them “service level adjustments,” the National Park Service Headquarters Washington Office (WASO) and regional offices have been issuing scripts or “talking points” that park superintendents must follow in communicating with the media. One directive issued in April states, “Interviews with media regarding budget are to be consistent with WASO talking points on ‘service level adjustments’ issued several weeks ago. Anything more in depth needs to be ‘blessed’ at region or WASO level.”

The long list of official talking points is unrelentingly positive about the Bush administration's handling of parks, despite bipartisan calls in Congress requests by environmental groups for more funding to handle a multi-million dollar maintenance backlog.

One talking point mentioned in the internal email begins with a question that might be posed by media. "The National Parks Conservation Association and other organizations claim that there are huge operations budget shortfalls in parks? Are there huge shortfalls and what are you doing to address the issue?" "Recommended response/message: This Administration is very committed to preserving the resources of the National Park System, and we are working hard to find creative solutions to addressing the challenges confronting parks today." “Despite the challenges, NPS has fared well under President Bush…” is aother line superintendents are supposed to feed the media. “The Bush Administration is committed to dramatically improving air quality,” says another.

“Talking points are nothing new and are often useful but, in the past, this guidance did not come with gag orders attached,” said PEER Executive Director attorney Jeff Ruch whose organization also represents U.S. Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers. She is forbidden from granting media interviews without clearance from the Park Service Director or Deputy Director after being suspended for telling a "Washington Post" reporter about staff shortfalls in the Capital District."

EDIT

http://forests.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=31653

[MSgt213]

1. This abuse of using government employees for political purposes has to be

stopped. There needs to be a law that elected officials cannot do this.

[skooooo]

2. This is just BULLSHIT

I see some very well-justified law suits being filed soon.

You do know why the Republicans hate the "trial lawyers" so badly, don't you? For one, they're mostly democrat....

See ya in court you mofos.

[wtmusic]

3. Wow. Great post

What a pantload.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

4. Iraqi information minister.

"There is NO MINING going on in our National Forests. Those machines behind me are BUILDING TREES!"