Bush, gas prices and, last but not least, the environment

The bad news: More environment-bashing by the Bush Administration. The president's plan to reduce gas prices for American consumers includes easing up on environmental safeguards to spur the building of more refineries, suspending clean-burning gasoline rules, and, yet again, calling for drilling in the Arctic wildlife reserve.

Gas prices have doubled since Bush entered office and, given Americans love of their cars, the Republicans are scared silly this could augur defeat in the November elections.

The good news: Bush's approval rating has dropped to 32 per cent. And even better news, more Americans are doubling up on rides and switching to hybrid cars and motorcycles. And the icing on the cake, public transit systems are reporting increased ridership.