Bush orders 2.4 mil civilian fed employees to curtail non-essential travel

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

GOP fund-raisers, mixers and tarmac birthday parties, especially when they involve some finger-suckin' GOOD tasty cake for the commander-in-chief, as well as any photo ops that might boost the president's sagging ratings, are still considered ESSENTIAL.



Bush tells workers to cut travel

September 27, 2005

BY STEWART M. POWELL
HEARST NEWSPAPERS

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush ordered 2.4 million civilian federal employees Monday to "curtail non-essential travel" -- and urged the nation's drivers to do the same -- to ease threatened gasoline shortages caused by temporary refinery shutdowns during the back-to-back gulf coast hurricanes.

During a visit to Energy Department headquarters, Bush called for gasoline conservation as he continued efforts to showcase the federal response to Hurricanes Rita and Katrina that caused a 28.4% loss in U.S. refinery capacity.

Bush scheduled a trip to Beaumont and Port Arthur, Texas, today -- home to many of the 16 refineries that were temporarily closed to avoid damage from Hurricane Rita. Four other refineries in Louisiana and Mississippi remain closed from damage by Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29.

"We can all pitch in by using -- by being better conservers of energy," Bush said. "People just need to recognize that the storms have caused disruption." Bush said he had directed federal agencies nationwide to reduce trips, saying that if it "makes sense for the citizen out there to curtail nonessential travel, it darn sure makes sense for federal employees."