Bush Administration Criticizes Tiffany

[gldstwmn]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...cs/8277766.htm

Posted on Thu, Mar. 25, 2004

Bush Administration Criticizes Tiffany

NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS

Associated Press


SPOKANE, Wash. - The jeweler Tiffany & Co. is publicly opposing plans for a silver and copper mine beneath a wilderness area in Montana, prompting a forceful response Thursday from the Bush administration.

Tiffany officials paid for an open letter published Wednesday in The Washington Post that asked Forest Service chief Dale Bosworth, whose agency has approved the mine, to block construction. The mine would require boring three miles under the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area near the Montana-Idaho border.

Mark Rey, an undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, said the letter signed by Tiffany's chief executive was filled with errors, though he declined to say what they were.

"I'm guessing this ad in The Washington Post cost upwards of $50,000," said Rey, director of the administration's forest policy, in a telephone interview. "For $49,999.63 less, they could have sent us this letter and given their customers a discount on their products."

Mining interests also criticized Tiffany, suggesting the company was responding to threats of boycotts of its jewelry from environmentalists opposed to the mine.

The Forest Service approved the mine in June, but nine environmental groups have sued to stop construction, saying the mine would hurt grizzly bears and bull trout in the area.

Bosworth planned to meet April 15 with Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and chief executive officer of Tiffany, who signed the open letter, Rey said.

Officials with New York-based Tiffany, a 167-year-old company whose name is synonymous with fine jewelry, stood by the contents of the open letter and called for reform in federal mining policy.

"It is by no means the first time that we have communicated with appropriate government officials about our desire to see precious metals and gemstones extracted in environmentally and socially responsible ways," the company said. "Our record on that score goes back nearly a decade."

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by gldstwmn
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...cs/8277766.htmMark Rey, an undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, said the letter signed by Tiffany's chief executive was filled with errors, though he declined to say what they were.

Remember back in the day when folks expected a person to support a point?

- Jake

[gldstwmn]

Originally posted by darklinensuit

Remember back in the day when folks expected a person to support a point?

- Jake

Yes. It was about five years ago. It's so lowest common denominator for them to denounce the letter as full of errors and the snide comment about the price of the ad. What oil company did Mark Rey work for before they appointed him Undersecretary of Agriculture?
I was really pleased and surprised to see Tiffany speaking out on this issue.

[Johnny Stew]

Not to make light, but I read the subject line and thought, "What on earth could Bush have against a teen-queen from the 80s?"

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
Not to make light, but I read the subject line and thought, "What on earth could Bush have against a teen-queen from the 80s?"

I thought that, too. Remember Clinton & Queen Latifah?

- Jake

[Johnny Stew]

Originally posted by darklinensuit
I thought that, too. Remember Clinton & Queen Latifah?

Did they have some kind of tiff? I thought Latifah was a big Clinton supporter?

I do remember Bush Sr. and Sista Souljah though... talk about funny. He turned out to be a one-termer, and she turned out to be a one-hit wonder! Makes you wonder what all the fussin' and a-feudin' was about!

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
Did they have some kind of tiff? I thought Latifah was a big Clinton supporter?

I do remember Bush Sr. and Sista Souljah though... talk about funny. He turned out to be a one-termer, and she turned out to be a one-hit wonder! Makes you wonder what all the fussin' and a-feudin' was about!

That must be what I'm thinking of.

- Jake

[gldstwmn]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
Not to make light, but I read the subject line and thought, "What on earth could Bush have against a teen-queen from the 80s?"

He doesn't like that song, "I Think We're Alone Now."

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by gldstwmn
He doesn't like that song, "I Think We're Alone Now."

Wow! His first GOOD call in four years!

- Jake

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by gldstwmn
He doesn't like that song, "I Think We're Alone Now."

Referring, of course, to our stance in the world and our alienation of most nations with our cavalier foreign policies Who knew Tiffany was so deep

[Johnny Stew]

Originally posted by gldstwmn
He doesn't like that song, "I Think We're Alone Now."

Originally posted by darklinensuit
Wow! His first GOOD call in four years!

Now, now, watch what you say about "I Think We're Alone Now."
I can't defend Tiffany's version, but the Tommy James original is a classic!

"Look at the way we've gotta hide what we're doing... 'cause what would they say, if they ever knew...."

[gldstwmn]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
Referring, of course, to our stance in the world and our alienation of most nations with our cavalier foreign policies Who knew Tiffany was so deep

Well, she is a Stevie fan...