Tampering with the evidence; Does the White House morph all their data into what they want to hear?

The EPA has, since 2001, been preparing a comprehensive report on threatening environmental problems. It sent a draft to the White House, and the White House edited it. Today's NY Times has the story. For instance:
"Among the deletions were conclusions about the likely human contribution to warming from a 2001 report on climate by the National Research Council that the White House had commissioned and that President Bush had endorsed in speeches that year. White House officials also deleted a reference to a 1999 study showing that global temperatures had risen sharply in the previous decade compared with the last 1,000 years. In its place, administration officials added a reference to a new study, partly financed by the American Petroleum Institute, questioning that conclusion."

The American Petroleum Institute? Sheez. I'm sure they are the paradigm of disinterested research.

Odd thing. This sounds almost like selecting to hear only hints of nuclear buildup in Iraq...and ignoring the contrary data...
Seems to be a nasty habit.

Update: I see the American Prospect has taken notice as well.