George W. received a pair of defeats last week in his ongoing effort to rollback environmental safeguards throughout the US. On August 23rd a federal judge blocked the Administrations plan to allow commercial logging in Giant Sequoia National Monument, and on August 25th Judge Coughenour shot down their attempt to weaken the rules governing pesticide use.

Although Bush has been successful in rolling back countless environmental protections at the expense of air, water, species, and public health, the courts have remained his biggest obstacle in moving forward with more aggressive pro-industry policies. Enter the proposed Ninth Circuit U.S. split.

Through this initiative, the Senate Republicans are pushing to change the pool of judges that decide the fate of environmental laws in the western states into a mix that would favour industry over the protection of the natural world.

Earthjustice is running an ongoing petition against the proposed changes. Visit to add your name and help protect the integrity of the judicial system and the environment....because it's time to retire this batter.