# The spotted owl, now the rice whale

**URL:** <https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-spotted-owl-now-the-rice-whale/11937>\
**Category:** Science and Technology\
**Created:** [April 3, 2026, 1:35pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-spotted-owl-now-the-rice-whale/11937 "2026-04-03T13:35:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2026, 1:35pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-spotted-owl-now-the-rice-whale/11937/1 "2026-04-03T13:35:05Z")

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> **[‘God squad’ waives endangered species law to allow US drilling in Gulf of Mexico](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/31/gulf-of-mexico-drilling-endangered-species?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other)**
>
> Critics say exemption for fossil fuels exploits White House’s ‘self-made gas crisis’, and could doom the rare Rice’s whale

The spotted owl was the symbol of capitalism vs environmentalism back in the day. The committee that could override the species protection act has not met since, well, until Trump.