Senate approaves anti gun zealot to head OSHA

[ericire12]

http://www.examiner.com/x-7812-DC-SCOTUS-Examiner~y2009m11d18-Senate-committee-approves-antigun-ideologue-to-head-OSHA-Nominee-backs-junk-science-too

David Michaels, a left-wing ideologue who supports junk science and seeks to restrict gun possession, has been approved by the Senate Health Committee to head the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Only two Senators -- both Republicans -- voted against Michaels.

The vote occurred with no discussion, and no hearing was even held on his nomination, although hearings on nominees have consistently been held in the past, even for far less controversial OSHA nominees.

Lawyer, and Second Amendment expert, David Kopel, explains how Michaels wants to ban guns in and near workplaces, and could use his position at OSHA to do so, if the political climate shifts in favor of gun control. (Some businessmen in high-crime areas possess guns to protect themselves against armed robbers, and even strict local gun-control laws have generally contained exceptions to allow such businesses to defend themselves).

As the Washington Times noted, "Mr. Michaels also is an anti-gun zealot who has described 'gun violence' as an issue of 'public health' that 'invariably demands more and stronger regulation, not less.' As Walter Olson of the Manhattan Institute explained, by way of warning, on Aug. 15: 'That's by no means irrelevant to the agenda of an agency like OSHA, because once you start viewing private gun ownership as a public health menace, it begins to seem logical to use the powers of government to urge or even require employers to forbid workers from possessing guns on company premises, up to and including parking lots, ostensibly for the protection of co-workers. In addition, OSHA has authority to regulate the working conditions of various job categories associated with firearms use (security guards, hunting guides, etc.) and could in that capacity do much to bring grief to Second Amendment values.'"

Michaels wants to reverse the Supreme Court’s Daubert decision limiting the use of junk science.

As I noted in the New York Times, Michaels' appointment could "dramatically alter OSHA's approach to ensuring workplace safety." Michaels has been called "one the nation's foremost proponents of allowing junk science to be used in jackpot-justice lawsuits."

Many business groups raised concerns about his nomination and extreme views.

Iain Murray says that Michaels seeks to ban useful products from the workplace based on imaginary risks. One newspaper calls Michaels "virulently anti-business."

[TAB]

changing OSHA regs is actually very hard.  policy is easy, the laws are not.  I don't see him being able to do it with out lots of support.

[tombogan03884]

Think about this, every time BO appoints a communist, or left wing flake it is a GOOD thing.
Each one is another nail in his coffin that guarantees voters will tear him and his minions to pieces.

[ericire12]

Think about this, every time BO appoints a communist, or left wing flake it is a GOOD thing.
Each one is another nail in his coffin that guarantees voters will tear him and his minions to pieces.

Wrong. Each one is a vermin that has to be exterminated once he leaves office..... like any infestation, it is often difficult to get every last one.

[tombogan03884]

Wrong. Each one is a vermin that has to be exterminated once he leaves office..... like any infestation, it is often difficult to get every last one.

Why wait ? You don't stand out side your house to kill the cockroaches when they go for their evening walk. Get them now while they are all in the nest.

[Sponsor]

[tt11758]

Why does it surprise anybody that Oba-Mao would appoint an anti-2A person to ANY post?  He made it very clear throughout the campaign that he was anti 2A himself.