Lab Jobs Restored Ahead of Bush Speech

Yahoo News ^ | February 21, 2006 | DEB RIECHMANN

[afz400]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - President Bush says he wants to diversify the nation's energy mix to end America's dependence on foreign oil, yet some critics are wary of his commitment and point to cutbacks at a government energy laboratory here.

Two weeks ago, 32 workers, including eight researchers, were laid off at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden. The lab helps develop the very renewable energy technologies the president is promoting.

Then, over the weekend, just before Bush's planned visit to the lab on Tuesday, the government restored the jobs. His trip to the renewable energy laboratory is part of a two-day, three-state trip to promote the energy proposals he outlined in his State of the Union address.

[westmichman]

Typical from the Associated Press wing of the Democrat party find the critics and quote them. If Xlintoon had done this the AP would be saying how much he cared and how he backed up his words with action. IMHO.

[Russ]

See? The President can create jobs...

[FreePaul]

The lab helps develop the very renewable energy technologies the president is promoting.

I would like to know exactly what this lab does. "Helps develop" sounds like a typical government operation which is not expected to achieve any results. Practical renewable energy technology will come from private research and development when there is a need. Any participation by government agencies will only prevent or delay getting the results to the public.

[nuconvert]

So I guess the employees are all happy

[Nathan Zachary]

Many companies lay off employees for a short period of time at their fiscal year end to do a sort of "accounting inventory".

I wouldn't be surprised if this is the case and AP is spinning it to look like something else.

However, if Rats are complaining, then I guess they should all be re- fired. We can't have Bush creating jobs just to look good, can we. So until we find out what the real story is, re-fire them all, and they can all thank RATS being ever so vigilant and pointing out this terrible political theater.