If it wasn’t so sad, it just might be funny. U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) was able to chair a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing yesterday. He’s been a member of this committee for most of the time he’s been in Washington. Yesterday, the regular committee chair, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calf.), gave the gavel to Baucus to run a committee hearing about the asbestos problem in Libby, Montana.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has the oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency.
So Baucus and the committee invited a couple of EPA officials to testify. The EPA sent two different people and his committee staff kicked them out.
According to the Associated Press:
Baucus, a Montana Democrat, arrived after the exchange. He said at the hearing that he had hoped two officials who worked at length in Libby – Paul Peronard, former on-scene coordinator, and Christopher Weis, an EPA toxicologist – would testify.
Normally a powerful chairman does not have to “hope” people will testify – the chairman just tells them he wants them there and they show up – especially when the chairman’s committee has jurisdiction over the agency these invited people represent.
This happens a lot when showmanship gets ahead of actually helping people. Baucus, once again, received tons of media coverage leading up to and after the hearing. Realistically nothing was accomplished, except for Baucus manipulating the media into covering his hearing – a hearing in which he was unable to get two key members of the EPA to show up.
Meanwhile, the good folks in Libby are no closer to having their problems solved because of it. That’s the sad part of the whole story.
The Western Word 
Anon – It is beautiful country there! -Jack
Gertrude Stein said it best – there is no there there. Libby has moved beyond this past crisis into a stronger community few detractor will not derail the progress they have made in the past 10 years. The mine s gone and its becoming a nature wonderland with hundreds of tourist every year.
Anon: Thanks for your comments. For someone who supposedly has that much clout and sits on the committee, I don’t blame people for being mad as hell at Max’s inaction. He sure wants people to think he’s done something and the press gives him a pass. -Jack
We must not forget the sadist part of all in this whole ordeal of almost 10 years of all talk and no action/resolve.Max, you have been apart of ALL this also since the beginning in 1999,when we were told the truth as to why we are sick and dying.Since then, know that we/you/I know the truth, would you please explain WHY you Max Baucus have continued to allow/invite innocent healthy people/families into a environment that kills you.My point is that since 1999, I have continued to tell ALL who will listen to stay away from Libby Mt as Libby is not safe to anything that breathes.You Max Baucus have warned/protected no one.And I/we have to ask why???EPA and the Bush crew have made a laughing stock out of you and all the rst who have choosen to side with WR Grace and those responsible for selling Libby as safe since 1999.Will you Max Baucus explain to those 250 plus families who have moved to Libby since 1999, being told/sold Libby is safe when they are diagnosed with asbestosis???No, I don’t think so cause we both know how long it takes to show what is killing you and we both will be dead by then but I am glad I try and save people…just the oppisite of what you have done Max.Where the hell are the criminal charges against EPA and others??