@maineprep. OMG, you’re right about GWB v. GHWB. On my readout, the H. & the W. are on separate lines, & I plum missed the H. I take back everything I wrote. Friedman is a genius.
Actually, Bush Pere started out well, having run in 1988 as “the environmental president.” However, his initial enthusiasm for a clean environment (which led to renewal of the Clean Air Act, with Amendments, one of which — as Friedman wrote — included cap-and-trade to control acid rain) gave way to an industry-friendly in-house panel that “negotiated” for the president with the heads of federal agencies to curb their application of environmental regs. Bush Pere also opposed &/or refused to sign international treaties limiting environmental hazards.
But as far as I know, Veep Quayle never convened a secret meeting of oil executives to hammer out energy policy. Aitch Dubya was no Dubya. I stand corrected. And thanks for pointing that out.
Marie
