The Washington Independent reported late this week on the Bush Administration’s Orwellian use of the word "transparent" to describe its disregarding scientific opinion in favor of corporate interests in setting regulatory policy.

Environmental Protection Agency chief Stephen Johnson used the new pet word last week to describe the process used to reverse EPA recommendations for limiting smog. Appearing before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Johnson said of the administration’s decision, "It’s been a very transparent process." As if.

The next day, another Bush Administration official, the top regulatory officer with the Office of Management and Budget, used the word to describe new EPA rules that allow the Pentagon and industry to keep the EPA from evaluating toxics. OMB Watch has a helpful factsheet on the decision. Incredibly, the White House has the nerve to call this transparency.

One thing is transparent alright — the Administration’s total co-option by corporate interests. They don’t even try to hide it anymore.