Giant Plumes of Oil... A way to clean those up?

[SpiritWarrior]

Originally Posted by Papa Schlumpf Wow. Further proof that today's politics have polarized so much that Republican politicians really are little more than stereotypical comic book villains now.

Yes, I saw this play out. It was interesting how he started off defending BP then I guess his people checked their iPads and Blackberries, saw all the people calling him a "traitor" and advised him to apologize later on in the hearing. Well, we know who pays his bills.

I mean, can you imagine this? He pretty much opened a hearing of congessional lawmakers who were looking for answers and to place responsibility for this entire mess that costed the lives of humans and animals alike with "I am so sorry someone made you clean up your mess". LOL, it is so ridiculous it doesn't even deserve this commentary. Like I said, I know who pays this guy's bills. I bet it will come out too.

[SpiritWarrior]

Originally Posted by SecretMaster To be fair, he's a businessman and not a politician. I don't exect any CEO in these circumstances to be able to deal with our clowngress. I'm not trying to defend the actions of BP here, I think they fucked up big time. I'm not pleased with the long-term magnitude of this situation. It's really bad. But I think a lot of people are missing the bigger picture. Our wonderful media certainly has done so, but I expected so. We have a large number of Americans becoming a massively angry force. The entire body of lawmakers and policy deciders of our government are trying to get their 15 minutes of fame by attacking this CEO and feeding on public feeling for their own self-interest. The country is slowly turning this into some sort of political firestorm and having it devolve into partisan politics. It's turning into a giant circus, like every major news story. I'm thoroughly disgusted at what I see transpiring. While all these shenanigins are going on, here is what I see. I see an oil spill that is foreshadowing of larger, more worrying concerns. BP was certainly cutting corners somewhere, which lead to this mega disaster, or at least that is what I've heard early on when this happened (I don't know if anything has been "proven" yet). Why were they cutting corners? Sure greed and profit had a large role in this. But a lot of profits go back into reinvestments in the company to fund future drilling. Oil extraction isn't as profitable as people think it is, and the margins are getting slimmer and slimmer. Why are they getting slimmer; because we are increasingly relying on deepwater, offshore drilling to get our oil. Why is this so? Is it perhaps because we've used up most of the easy to get oil? Hmm... This spill is reflective of so many looming problems and societal questions that need to be raised and addressed. Of all the things to be discussing and arguing about, everyone is focused on some of the more trivial (and quite frankly, stupid) aspects.

I agree with you, although I don't think anger is misplaced. Misused for political reasons? Maybe. But I am angry about it and I am not a politician. After seeing that CEO and how ignorant he was, the fact that he ultimately knew nothing about anything - according to him, and the fact that he generally just came off as not sincere or credible, it leaves me angrier than ever - especially after reading and hearing how corners were so carelessly cut. The whole "it takes 10 hrs and that's too long" thing really irked me too.

[John D Harris]

here's the video of exactly waht was said by Rep. barton. NO WHERE NO HOW Does hes say or imply that BP wasn't responible or defend BP. Listen to the words he uses not the crap you've read in the news papers. He was specificly speaking of due process and due process only in his apology.



Which word did he use that could even be considered saying BP wasn't responsible? Or standing up for BP in committing the Oil spill? Which words did he use that even came close to "I am so sorry someone made you clean up your mess"?

I am ashamed that Rep Barton caved and Knuckled under. I am the ONLY One On this Board that I know of who is really effected by the oil spill. It Directly effects my business, not some Oh that's a terrible thing *wring hands* *whine whine whine* about something that you don't know about or has anything to do with you or really effect your life.

[SpiritWarrior]

Originally Posted by John D Harris here's the video of exactly waht was said by Rep. barton. NO WHERE NO HOW Does hes say or imply that BP wasn't responible or defend BP. Listen to the words he uses not the crap you've read in the news papers. He was specificly speaking of due process and due process only in his apology. Which word did he use that could even be considered saying BP wasn't responsible? Or standing up for BP in committing the Oil spill? Which words did he use that even came close to "I am so sorry someone made you clean up your mess"? I am ashamed that Rep Barton caved and Knuckled under. I am the ONLY One On this Board that I know of who is really effected by the oil spill. It Directly effects my business, not some Oh that's a terrible thing *wring hands* *whine whine whine* about something that you don't know about or has anything to do with you or really effect your life.

Firstly, John, who are you talking to now?

To speak on what I could understand of what you said, about him saying specific words...let me clarify why people take this as him defending BP. He said he was ashamed that the Obama admin. got 20 million from BP to repair the damage (which is a fraction of what it would take btw). He said he was ashamed of that. Ashamed that the government wanted them to pay for the mess they made. Why would someone be "ashamed" of that? Wouldn't it make you ask "Why is he defending BP in this?" or "Who pays his bills?". I have a feeling he has oil interests or ties that will eventually come to light.

Anyways later on, apparently he too saw the danger in what he said, because he then apologized, saying he holds BP responsible. But then, if he holds BP responsible as he said in his backtracking, then again, why would he be ashamed for them being held responsible? Either he is or he is not. He seemed to say one thing then say the opposite afterward. Are we clear now?

[Cerek]

Senator Barton initially addresses BP's responsibility for the accident, and subsequent damages, around the 1:06 mark. The reference is indirect, since he doesn't mention BP by name, but he does say "a company responsible for a bad accident" should be held responsible and the "liable party" should be made to pay for the damages.

It does sound like he is sugar-coating the issue and any perceived sympathy extended to BP is going to be questioned harsh.

However, his apology centers on the fact that the $20 million damages were imposed against BP without the benefit of due process. He does not say BP should not be held responsible for cleaning up the spill and paying damages. In fact, at the 3:23 mark, he states "there is no question BP is liable for the damages". He then goes on to restate we had a due process that should be used to determine what those damages are and when they should be paid.

His main argument, which he emphasizes is HIS opinion only, is that the $20 million damages were levied against BP unfairly without following the due process required by law.

[SpiritWarrior]

Someone was talking on Youtube about his Wikipedia page and so I looked and found this (see below). I am *thinking* this will not stay, as the this part of the page is already being contested and statements like these aren't usually accepted by Wikipedia when composed in such a way (derogatory). Still, you can see why this is an issue of contention - even Wikipedia is getting caught up in the crossfire. I am guessing it's a spin on how the right used to call Obama and apologist. Weird term though.

Rep. Barton has been regarded as a global warming skeptic and his opposition to addressing global warming has been consistent and long-term. Barton is considered an oil industry apologist, most notably for his rebuffing and apologizing for the White House asking for an escrow account from BP in response to the Gulf Oil Spill disaster

The bit I was talking about was the "oil industry apologist". As for the environmental skepticism, well, there's no surprises there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Bar...-apology-cbs-8

[SpiritWarrior]

Oh, in further reading, it looks like he was apparently told he'd lose his position if he didn't apologize and he has since issued another one, retracting his use of the word "shakedown" - which I forgot to mention earlier he had actually used the term incorrectly.

Barton also faced harsh criticism from members of his own party. The three top-ranking House Republicans--Minority Leader John Boehner, Minority Whip Eric Cantor and Republican Conference chairman Mike Pence--issued a joint statement calling Barton's remarks "wrong." Later that day, Boehner and Cantor collared Barton in Boehner's office and gave Barton an ultimatum--unless he retracted his statement immediately, he would lose his post as the committee's ranking Republican.[31] During the afternoon's testimony, Barton said that his earlier remarks had been "misconstrued" and that he believed BP was responsible for the accident. Later that day, he issued a statement apologizing for using the term "shakedown" and fully retracted his apology.[32]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Bar...-apology-cbs-8

[Timber Loftis]

Originally Posted by Cerek And Obama made almost no changes when he took over.

Well, with the obscene amount of stuff to fix, it takes time to get around to it all. In reading the link from the Rolling Stone article above you may have noticed a link to an article regarding EPA Admin Lisa Jackson, and the dozens upon dozens of things she's been working on fixing. Fixing up the stuff Bush undermined is Herculean a task, no doubt, and as we can see it can easily consume and sidetrack most all of Obama's (or whoever the subsequent president was) first term in office.

The worst thing is, this THIRD very large BP disaster is not likely to be the last. They've got another rig on the verge of blowing, it hasn't been inspected, and it's bigger.

[Timber Loftis]

Originally Posted by John D Harris here's the video of exactly waht was said by Rep. barton. NO WHERE NO HOW Does hes say or imply that BP wasn't responible or defend BP. Listen to the words he uses not the crap you've read in the news papers. He was specificly speaking of due process and due process only in his apology.

Let's talk about that Due Process. Exxon spent TWENTY YEARS litigating the Exxon Valdez scandal and ended up paying a tiny fraction of the harm they caused. Getting an amount escrowed ahead of time can stop that. And this is not big usurpation of the process. I have a client who wanted to get a deal with the government regarding an environmental cleanup, and they had to set aside an escrow to ENSURE that the work would get done over a decade+ of time it would take, even if the company went bankrupt, etc. It's not an uncommon thing.

But thank you Retard Barton for giving campaign fodder to those who would usurp your Congressional seat.

And, really, since his state is so harshly affected by this, this shows that he is OWNED by the oil companies and NOT by his constituents -- which is entirely shameful.

Now, since we're talking shakedowns, tell me how it is that the most profitable industry on the planet is able to somehow get Congress to give it the biggest tax breaks and subsidies? And how are they able to get sweetheart permits without any oversight? Hookers and Blow -- that's how. Between their lobbyists in congress and their pretty secretaries who like to BOINK MMS employees, it's a combined shakedown/bribery/seduction session they've got set up. It's almost like the corruption you expect in a Soviet Bloc era country. If that's what rule from the Republican Right entails, then please serve me up a dish of socialism for a change, Mr. Barry O'bama you crazy Irish bastard.

[Timber Loftis]

Originally Posted by Cerek However, his apology centers on the fact that the $20 million damages were imposed against BP without the benefit of due process.

I think I just said it, but in case I wasn't clear:

You cannot argue there was no due process when the company met with the government and reached an agreement. I've negotiated cleanups on behalf of companies, and I can tell you from my experience an escrow to ensure the security of the money settled upon is almost always required.