Aero interviews Interior Sec. Norton

“This Saturday morning, Interior secretary Gale Norton was in Billings, MT. She spoke for about an hour at the BLM Montana State Office. I was there to cover the action.

After a long opening statement the Secretary took questions. I was ready and raised my hand.

"Yes, Aeroldo?"

"Thanks, Madam Secretary. Uh, you can call be Aero. I'm with Trail Talk. Uh, yeah, well, uh, you know like, uh, like well, uh, you're like, uh, the hottest Secretary of Interior we've ever had!"

"Why, thank you Mr. Aero! Now what was your question?"

"Uh, well, it's, like, you know, a two-part question. First, what's your opinion regarding the repeal of the Clinton-era Mining Law revisions eliminating the Interior Secretary's authority to block new mines on federal land where they could harm communities and the environment? And the second part is, uh, like, can I take your picture?"

"Well, Aero, to answer the first part; I've put that veto power on hold since I took office in January. The power will be eliminated for good as part of the new rules take effect, along with major revisions in the 3809 regulations. We are adding more teeth to the bonding requirement as well. It's not right that States must bear the large reclamation and post-mining clean-up costs."

"Now, to answer your second question; NO!"

"Uh, OK, well I can respect that. Ok, now, how have the events of 9/11 affected the Bush energy bill?"

"That's a good question. As you know, part of the Bush energy bill includes language that will allow oil drilling in ANWR. I've been to Prudhoe Bay in the dead of winter and believe me it's cold; 75 below wind-chill! The production facilities are really amazing and every effort has been made to make them as environmentally sound as possible. We believe ANWR has the production potential of 1 million barrels of oil per day. To put that into perspective, we are importing 750,000 barrels per day from Saadham Hussein. We need the ANWR to ensure that the United States will have a secure source of energy."

"Ok, Ok, here's another one! Has your administration backed off the acreage of the Upper Missouri Wild and Scenic River's National Monument designation under the pressure from the Montana Governor and Republication congressional delegates?"

"Oh, thanks a good one! Well you've got a wild and wacky governor there in Judy Martz! No, no Aero, we're not backing off the original acreage proposed under the previous administration. You gotta go with public opinion once in awhile. Ha Ha!"

Stay tuned for more, after this!”

“lol.... good one ScAero!”

“What a bunch of lies. I never heard of a politician who wouldn't take time for a photo op.”

“I actually did get to introduce myself and skake her hand. The Secretary was nattily attired in a matching khaki pants and shirt set with a gold scarf accented with a gold (no surprise here) necklace. There were surprisingly few people there, maybe 50. She's sharp, I'll give her that. She can field questions like Derek Jeter shagging grounders; her legal background is evident. She builds a good case for drilling ANWR and cited the many stipulations currently in place in Pruhoe Bay. She said the production facilities are so clean it looks more like a milk processing plant than an oil prod. facility. What next- Caribou milking?”

“Aero, just what do you do for a living?? Sounds like you're a reporter to me......... or just very well-educated, with a wacky sense of humor!!”

“No way! Jjust a concerned citizen. Only Newghoul knows my true identity.”

“The next day....
I read in the paper that the BLM office, where the Secretary spoke, had an Anthrax scare on Friday afternoon. Some boxes came in their mail room which had come for the contaminated Brentwood Post office facility. "The test results should be available November 1, 2001." Pass the cipro, please.”

“Ohhhh, I think you're a BLM'er!!

Good luck!”

“I didn't read the paper this wkend. Very interesting stuff. We have alot to discuss, I have all kinds of questions for you.”

“Almost as interesting as meeting you, newghoul! Didn't get a picture, though.”

“Hahaha! Some of this BLM stuff has alot to do with my area and my job, we should discuss.”