In 2001 George Bush signed an executive order that turned over a Clinton executive order that set aside certain lands as “construction free” protection zones. According to the New York Times, a federal court in California has overturned that executive order:

U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Laporte ruled that the Bush administration failed to conduct necessary environmental studies before making changes that allowed states to decide how to manage individual national forests.

The 2001 rule prohibits logging, mining and other development on 58.5 million acres in 38 states and Puerto Rico, but the Bush administration replaced it in May 2005 with a process that required governors to petition the federal government to protect national forests in their states.

Once again, the Bush regime faces the music for obvious transgressions against the American people, their environment and the livelihood of future generations.

So when Congress recovenes this week it will be taking up critical legislation intended to improve the lives of all Americans — doing America’s business if you would. What is that legislation you might ask? Is it improving security at our nation’s ports? Is it dealing with the immigration issue that divides this country? Is it securing a more sound and equitable future for working class through increased minimum wage?

The answer, in all cases, is no. On Thursday of this week Congress will be taking on the issue of slaughtering horses within the United States. According to The Wonkette and Examiner:

So it is that the House of Representatives…will take up a bill on Thursday that would “prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for other purposes.”

With all the ills facing this nation I had almost forgotten how important it is that we remember the uncertain future and welfare of the equine. (And just for the record, if this vote passes, that would make the score : Horses/Jack-asses 1, the LGBT community 0)