And a bit surprising, actually. This isn't the time to complain about compromises that were necessary to get this listing through. Polar bears are able to prosper in the presence of humans - including oil drilling - they simply can't survive a massive loss of habitat. We must NOT use this listing as an opportunity to bludgeon each other politically - It's time to set politics aside and start dealing with global warming in an intelligent manner. Whether or not we drill can be dealt with separately.

Following our esteemed president's lead, Secretary of the Interior Kempthorne is simply issuing a "signing statement" to the Endangered Species Act.

Is there no end to this administration's greed and depravity?

They are willing to say that the polar bear is threatened, as long as they don't have to actually do anything about it.

Brilliant.

Polar bears are able to prosper in the presence of humans - including oil drilling - they simply can't survive a massive loss of habitat.

This, of course, begs the question, what happens when humans and their oil drilling (and subsequent burning of same) results in a massive loss of habitat for the polar bears?

The fact is, these aren't separate issues.

Listed is listed. That means that the government is required to take certain actions to protect the species. Kempthorne's huffing and puffing to the effect that he's not going to do this or that to protect the polar is so much hot air. He's going to take the actions legally required to protect the bear, or he's going to be sued. And he'll lose. Just like last time.

So this really is good news.

Have I mentioned that January can't come soon enough?