Remarkable Statement by Republican Congressman - Apologizes to BP CEO

Never mind that the tax payers are off the hook to pay for the clean up of this oil disaster thanks to Obama’s efforts. Never mind the fact that Exxon slow-walked the claims after their disaster and eventually had them reduced. Never mind that thousands of people along the Gulf Coast have lost their livelihoods for year or generations to come. Never mind that BP has created the largest manmade disaster in this country's history. Never mind that this is a foreign corporation fouling our shores. Republican Joe Barton felt the need to apologize to CEO Tony Hayward for being held accountable, or as he put it, “the shaking down” for the damage they've done to this country and o’ so many Americans. Absolutely friggin amazing! Congress couldn’t even agree to raise the damage limit to $10B and Obama got $20B. I hope this guy is running for reelection this fall.


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...ies/stories/061810dnnatbartonbp.b0aaffc4.html

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton apologizes to BP CEO for '$20 billion shakedown'
By MELANIE MASON / The Dallas Morning News
mmason@dallasnews.com

WASHINGTON – Rep. Joe Barton , R-Arlington, apologized to BP CEO Tony Hayward on Thursday morning for the "political pressure" his company is facing.
Barton condemned the White House's handling of a meeting Wednesday with BP officials, in which President Barack Obama pushed the company to create a $20 billion escrow account for damage claims from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The congressman called the account a "slush fund."
The statement drew a rare and forceful denunciation from the White House.
Barton made the remarks at a House Energy and Commerce committee hearing that is ongoing. Hayward is before the committee to testify about his company’s handling of spill.
"I am ashamed of what happened at the White House yesterday," said Barton, the top Republican on the committee. "It is a tragedy in the first proportion that a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown – in this case a $20 billion shakedown."
Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., said he could "not disagree more strongly" with Barton’s statement.
"This is not a shakedown," Markey said. "This is the American government and President Obama ensuring that this company is held accountable…In my opinion, this is the American government working at its best."
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs called on other members of Congress to repudiate Barton.
Outside the hearing room, Democrats were quick to seize on Barton’s remarks.
"At a time when everyone agrees that BP should be held accountable for every dime of the economic and environmental catastrophe they cased, it’s disgraceful that Congressman Barton would defend BP," said Ryan Rudominer, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

 

Probably the most politically stupid comment in the history of politically stupid comments.

 

Have to ask you guy's if you know where the majority of the BP staff are located and if you happen to know what country they pay the most tax in ? you might be suprised to find that the answer to both questions is the US of A
Ever here of Amoco, ARCO or Gulf Oil well the 1st 2 are wholy BP the third it bought up much of it's southeasters US network, they have contributed millions to American political parties (Mainly the Republicans) in 2009 BP used nearly US$16 million to lobby US Congress, how about ampm the convienience stores? yep they are a subsidury of BP so it realy isnt as forign as you might think LOL

BP is 40% owned by British share holders, 39% owned by American share holders and 21% the rest of the world approx figures

 

Another thing not everyone may know is that BP owned about 65% of that well. Are the other companies being forced to put up funds (one US and one Japanese)? They sure as heck would have shared in profits. They ought to pony up in costs.

 

I have to admit that I don't really care who owns BP or who has this much invested in BP or that much in BP, the point is that the Republican leadership is out there from Fox News to the halls of congress apologizing to BP for having to take financial responsibility for the disaster they caused. What is the alternative here, the tax payers shelling out the money? If the Republicans want to run in November as the champions of BP, go for it. They are nothing but the tools of corporate America and any other big money interest anyway and if you ever had any doubts about that reality, this situation should pretty much clear up your misconception or you are simply deciding to be a tool of the GOP. I guess the only thing left to ask is, How does it feel being a tool of a tool?

 

That seems kind of snarky. Not near long enough either.

 

Another case where moen's own "proof" actually disproves the silliness he is trying to raise. moen would have us believe the entire Rep party was standing line to apologize to BP when that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact Rep leaders jumped on Barton pretty quick & forced him to retract the apology he made. Would that be the action of a party who shares Barton's sentiments (as moen would hope we would believe)? I think it proves just the opposite.