A Senator apologizes on to BP for the "shakedown"? What Bullsh*t!

[bmugford]

I am sure the Democrats would like to thank Mr. Barton for his soundbite. I wonder how many political commercials he will be starring in this fall.
It just reinforces many of the negative stereotypes that the Republicans already have.

Brad

[Raider]

To support the GOP Senator who felt it necessary to apologize to BP because our government demanded they put up money to help defray the cost and damage caused by BP's neglectful and greedy operations is the same thing as supporting BP's shameful, disgraceful and what some, including myself, consider criminal actions.

Seriously, does your nonsense ever stop?.. Your completely overreaching on this point. Read this and read it good; I support BP paying out any and ALL claims for the cleanup and any damage or hardship caused by this oil disaster... This is exactly what BP was doing shortly after the accident, paying out claims that resulted from this, They opened 25 claims offices and disbursed over $80 Million in payments to date, So why did Obama have to step in? Because he's a greedy power hungry THUG, that's why. A Chicago thug who saw a great opportunity to extort 20 BILLION dollars from a private corporation and create a Slush fund AKA "Escrow Account" that he and his administration will be in complete control of.

What this President did is outside the normal process of paying out claims, I don't know of one other disaster where a President of the United States forced a private corporation to do this. Under the US Constitution the President has NO authority to legislate or adjudicate, He has NO authority to force private companies to pay out anything. You can go after big Oil all you want to, but the fact is Obama abused his executive power in this case, no question about it. And if Republicans and Democrats had any backbone they would impeach this bastard for what he did.

And don't think it's a private firm that's going to administer this slush fund either, oh NO.. That's what BP wanted and didn't get, NOPE, it's going to be administered by an Attorney, who is an Obama appointee, He'll be in charge of this account with NO rules, NO restrictions and NO legal controls, and I doubt it will have any oversight either, Obama wouldn't want that... Under the direction of Obama and his pack of Federal bureaucrats, they will be deciding for themselves who the victims are and who aren't, Who get's the money and who doesn't, And who they can hire to process the claims, and how much they want to skim off the top for political bribery, This is exactly what a SLUSH fund is, and Barton was 100% correct when he called it that.

---------- Post added at 01:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 AM ----------

The escrow fund being established is an absolutely marvelous idea. We can only hope that it is run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Your the perfect dupe Obama wanted in that voting booth.

[exponent]

Raider, I agree that Obama overstepped by forcing BP's hand. However, BP could have kept things held up in court for a decade or more. Seriously. I'm in a civil suit right now against one of the biggest retailers on Earth. There are hundreds of stall tactics that can be used when a company fears a payout is eminent. Since BP technically hadn't been sued by Joe Fisherman or Forest Gump, who says they have to pay claims? The United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 limits BP's liability for non-cleanup costs to $75 million unless gross negligence is proven. Good luck proving it. That could take YEARS in a civil case. If Obama had created a government fund using taxpayer dollars, people would have complained about that too. So, looking back, it's one of those situations where you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.

[Raider]

Raider, I agree that Obama overstepped by forcing BP's hand. However, BP could have kept things held up in court for a decade or more. Seriously. I'm in a civil suit right now against one of the biggest retailers on Earth. There are hundreds of stall tactics that can be used when a company fears a payout is eminent. Since BP technically hadn't been sued by Joe Fisherman or Forest Gump, who says they have to pay claims? The United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 limits BP's liability for non-cleanup costs to $75 million unless gross negligence is proven. Good luck proving it. That could take YEARS in a civil case. If Obama had created a government fund using taxpayer dollars, people would have complained about that too. So, looking back, it's one of those situations where you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.

Point well made, but BP was already processing and paying out claims, They created their own fund and staffed it with qualified private individuals to compensate victims of the gulf for their losses, as well as Federal, State and Local Goverments.. ... BP has given every indication they would do right by this, And in the event they didn't, The Federal Government can impose massive fines under the Clean Water act, which amounts to over 5 Billion in Oil spewed into the Gulf so far.. I believe the act allows $1100 in fines per barrel, and if it's found that BP was grossly negligent, the fine can increase to $4300 a barrel.

It just reinforces many of the negative stereotypes that the Republicans already have.

Before Obama was elected, many Americans didn't know what Liberalism or Socialism was, But thanks to Obama, now they do. How long do you think it will take to erase the negative stereotypes that Liberals and Democrats now have as being Anti-Capitalist, Fiscally irresponsible, Pro Bigger Government and Pro Socialized programs? Not before November 2012 that's for sure.

Obama is human wrecking ball, leaving a path of destruction with everything he touches, He has single handedly given the Republicans enough ammunition to bury his own party this November, and to remove himself from office in 2012... Thank you Mr. Obama!.

[draggar]

This escrow fund is hardly a shakedown. It is assurances that BP does in fact accept responsibility for the accident, the fund is to be funded over the next 3.5 years, and there is NOT a cap place on the amount of responsibility. This is assurances that the US taxpayers and US governmental agencies are not going to have to cover the bill for stopping the leak, cleaning the water, stopping the spread of oil, and ensuring the clean up effort. In addition, according to documents released yesterday, BP is also going to establish a coastal restoration fund in addition to the fund already established.

Reports also indicate that the escrow and particulars involved thereof were already established and ironed out between BP execs and the Administration prior to the meeting yesterday.

For this assclown to apologize as a person elected by the citizens of the state of Texas should be and is a disgrace to the people he represents. He is now on record as opposing the fund's establishment as a "shakedown". The escrow fund being established is an absolutely marvelous idea. We can only hope that it is run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

And you can damn well guarantee that when a tarball washes up on the coast of Texas Barton will be singing a different tune, if he remains in office.

The issue with the escrow account is that the people who are suffering from this (fishermen and other business owners / workers in the affect areas) most likely will see very little. There's already reports of people getting the runaround from BP trying to get a check for a second month (which BP agreed to). They're demanding more and more paperwork, "losing" claims, etc. The affected people are going to get screwed no matter who runs it - if BP runs it, well, we can see the issues here, and if the government runs it (doesn't matter which party runs it), they'll be too busy taking out their share for payment and sitting around picking their noses (like we've seen in the past).

They'll sit around in their comfortable chairs in their air conditioned offices with their steady (contracted) jobs while the victims of this disaster will suffer longer.

There are stories coming out of BP's call centers - reps saying that the calls they get in go nowhere. Some reps are frustrated to the point where they type "blah blah blah" into the computers, others are anonymously going to the news to tell them what's going on. Oil rig workers are stepping forward with claims that companies often bypass safety because "nothing has happened in the past"and with the attitude "if nothing has happened then nothing will happen". Yeah, I've never had a car accident, does that mean I should skip out on car insurance?

Some people are saying that with a well this deep there is nothing you can do. the oil was pressurized to push it up close to a mile - that's a lot of pressure. The only thing you can do is wait for the pressure to be equalized (and only relief wells will help with this). Capping will not work - there is too much pressure and it will just push anything out of the way (try to contain a water main brake with a plastic shopping bag if you don't get what I'm saying).

As for the senator - I do realize oil is a big industry in TX but I hope the people there realize what he said.

Nice catch Draggar... It seems the only members who are upset about what the Senator said are the ones who want to demonize Republicans, A political tactic to deflect away from the Presidents incompetence and sinking poll numbers.

It wasn't meant as a partisan claim - I'm sure many politicians would have quickly jumped in front of that camera if BP threatened to pull their campaign funding and with Texas being one of the largest oil industry states then BP had the most to gain from that. I wonder if he is going to run for re-election, if not, then it is clear why he did this (and maybe a nice job with BP after his term is up?).

If my "senator" said, regardless of political affiliation, I would have made damn sure I would have NOT voted him in the next election and I would have let his office know.

People need to wake up - political party affiliation one of the reasons things go so slowly in our government and what's f-ed us over so much in the past. Time to get more parties in there so not just one party can easily have a majority in any elected area.

I am sure the Democrats would like to thank Mr. Barton for his soundbite. I wonder how many political commercials he will be starring in this fall.

I'm sure he'll get more airtime than any other candidate. I don't feel sorry for him. I hope it is used and over used so it is hard-wired into the brains of every potential voter he has.

Don't believe what the news is telling you, too. Tarballs are washing up in the Florida Keys and despite claims that it's not from this rig - where are they coming from? Why did they start coming in these numbers after the accident? One caller called into a morning show I listen to and said that he was 25 miles off of Marathon Key (about 2/3 of the way from Key Largo to Key West) and saw large oil slicks in his binoculars. That's several hundred miles away from where everyone is claiming where the oil is.

Point well made, but BP was already processing and paying out claims, They created their own fund and staffed it with qualified private individuals to compensate victims of the gulf for their losses, as well as Federal, State and Local Goverments.. ... BP has given every indication they would do right by this, And in the event they didn't, The Federal Government can impose massive fines under the Clean Water act, which amounts to over 5 Billion in Oil spewed into the Gulf so far.. I believe the act allows $1100 in fines per barrel, and if it's found that BP was grossly negligent, the fine can increase to $4300 a barrel.

Ask the business along the gulf coast who have been suffering since this began how their second month claims are going. I think many are calling the first check "shut up" money.

[Raider]

I'm sure he'll get more airtime than any other candidate. I don't feel sorry for him. I hope it is used and over used so it is hard-wired into the brains of every potential voter he has.

By the time November rolls around, it would of already been proven that what he said is 100% true.... Follow the money.

[fab]

Raider, I agree that Obama overstepped by forcing BP's hand. However, BP could have kept things held up in court for a decade or more. Seriously. I'm in a civil suit right now against one of the biggest retailers on Earth. There are hundreds of stall tactics that can be used when a company fears a payout is eminent. Since BP technically hadn't been sued by Joe Fisherman or Forest Gump, who says they have to pay claims? The United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 limits BP's liability for non-cleanup costs to $75 million unless gross negligence is proven. Good luck proving it. That could take YEARS in a civil case. If Obama had created a government fund using taxpayer dollars, people would have complained about that too. So, looking back, it's one of those situations where you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.

I like this point as well!

[Gerry]

It wasn't meant as a partisan claim - I'm sure many politicians would have quickly jumped in front of that camera if BP threatened to pull their campaign funding and with Texas being one of the largest oil industry states then BP had the most to gain from that. I wonder if he is going to run for re-election, if not, then it is clear why he did this (and maybe a nice job with BP after his term is up?).

Nor was it taken as a partisan issue. It is simply a matter of record and matter of fact.

It could have been a Martian on the panel speaking and it would not change the fact that it was a Martian who stated it.

But now, we see one member speaking out (typing out) that the only reason it is an issue or posted on this forum is because he is a member of the GOP. Suddenly, we are guilty of demonizing Republicans.

When I hear or read a statement like that (boo hoo hoo - we picking on him and demonizing him because he is a republican - I have to ask this; what is the opposite of that line of thought? Don't mention that he is a member of the GOP simply because someone feels he is being picked on?

WRONG! He is being admonished from all sides, INCLUDING THE RANKING GOP MEMBERS, for making such a stupid, callous, insensitive, and untimely remark. He may be right in the sense that he is not speaking on behalf of the GOP and only speaking on behalf of himself. He has 107,000 reasons to make such a remark going into his 2009-2010 campaign drive.

For a person (member) to even suggest that the reason his statement (broadcast live and now part of the congressional record and on the record), for a person to make an assertion that he is being picked on because of his party affiliation, that person making that claim is truly is very shallow and absent of thought. What's next? If one person can claim he is being picked on because he is a member of the GOP, can others make similar claims? What next: He's white so it was a racist comment to the poor Creole people of the bayou? the Blacks? the indian tribes of the bayou? the vietnamese community of the bayou?

He said it, it is on record, it is recorded, and that's that.

If my "senator" said, regardless of political affiliation, I would have made damn sure I would have NOT voted him in the next election and I would have let his office know.

So true. That's like my State Senator standing on the house floor claiming Matthew Shepherd was not murdered and it is all a hoax.

Do you think I, from North Carolina, and the rest of the nation wants someone of this caliber speaking out on behalf of me, the rest of the citizens for NC, or being a member of the US Congress representing the values of the United States?

Hell no!

People need to wake up - political party affiliation one of the reasons things go so slowly in our government and what's f-ed us over so much in the past. Time to get more parties in there so not just one party can easily have a majority in any elected area.

I heard something the other night that is potentially disheartening if true : this congress runs the potential of being the first congress in the US history of having every bill presented subjected to Filabuster by the GOP and haveing every single bill brought before a vote to be voted against straight down party lines.

I am not sure that statement is 100% true. Even if it is not 100% true, I do know that it is damn close and an absolute shame of the state the States are in.

We do not have a Congress that represents the people. They represent their own self interest and they represent the party line.

Seriously, it is way past time for term limits on all of these elected officials. Pretty soon, our nation's legislative branch of the Government is going to become the laughing stock of the world, since it is already the laughing stock of our country.

Yet, at the same time we can't just vote for someone or anyone (like Alvin Greene) simply for the sake of getting someone new in and someone old out. We can not settle for just any Joe The Plumber or Jane Doe to represent us.

[draggar]

I heard something the other night that is potentially disheartening if true : this congress runs the potential of being the first congress in the US history of having every bill presented subjected to Filabuster by the GOP and haveing every single bill brought before a vote to be voted against straight down party lines.

I am not sure that statement is 100% true. Even if it is not 100% true, I do know that it is damn close and an absolute shame of the state the States are in.

We do not have a Congress that represents the people. They represent their own self interest and they represent the party line.

Yep. Sure, people can easily blame the R's and the D's, the blues and the reds, the conservatives and the liberals but in all, it's all of them. Luckily this administration is proving that.

For 8 years we watched the US's reputation go down the drain as our government waged two wars at the cost of billions a year and then our economy fell because of it.

Then, we had this candidate come in claiming "change change change" and painted himself as the messiah and he would fix everything. I have to admit, Obama is brilliant. he knew exactly what to say and when to say it to win the election hands down, almost by a landslide - so many politicians would love to have that talent. He was even handed a Nobel prize (for what?).

Now, a year and a half later we're all learning the ugly truth - no matter who is in charge, they'll only care for themselves, their careers, and their campaign contributors. Give them enough money and they'll say or do whatever you wait (um, wait, isn't that technically illegal? Oh wait, it's legal when it's to their campaign so they don't have to spend their own money!).

Even though I'm registered as a republican I haven't voted R or D in a while (I'm one of the minority who actually researches the candidates - ALL candidates - before I vote.

Seriously, it is way past time for term limits on all of these elected officials. Pretty soon, our nation's legislative branch of the Government is going to become the laughing stock of the world, since it is already the laughing stock of our country.

Hell yes but we all know damn well they would never pass this (conflict of interest?). They're allowed to vote their own pay raises, too. Maybe it should be like in any other company - your pay raise is up tot he people who hired you - us, the voters.

BTW - the US government is already the laughing stock of the world - they're all just doing it behind our backs.

Yet, at the same time we can't just vote for someone or anyone (like Alvin Greene) simply for the sake of getting someone new in and someone old out. We can not settle for just any Joe The Plumber or Jane Doe to represent us.

Why not? People have been doing it for years. The majority of voters act like lemmings - they do as they're told and follow the group. Even the campaign volunteers who are asking (demanding?) your votes don't know how many candidates are on the ballot. How can our voting process be serious when the majority of candidates aren't even allowed into the debates?

[Raider]

Ask the business along the gulf coast who have been suffering since this began how their second month claims are going. I think many are calling the first check "shut up" money.

The delay in the second month could very well be caused by the uncertainty between BP and the White House... I believe the first installment of 5 BILLION was transferred to the slush fund just TODAY.

So from here on out, if anyone or any business along the gulf has a complaint about their claims or check not arriving.....They know exactly who to contact now;

White House "Gulf Paymaster"; Kenneth Feinberg

He says he's not going to operate the fund out of DC, so if you want your money, you need to chase him down somewhere along the Gulf;


"This program cannot be run from Washington, D.C.," Feinberg told a news conference in Jackson, Miss. "You have to come down here to the states affected by this spill and hear firsthand what's being done, what needs to be done, to provide prompt, fair, impartial compensation for people with a legitimate claim." ~ Kenneth Feinberg