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Republicans, Democrats Blast Barton For Apologizing To BP

June 23, 2010 by  

Republicans, Democrats blast Barton for apologizing to BP Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas) was heavily criticized from both sides of the aisle last week for publicly apologizing to BP chief Tony Hayward.

"I’m ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday," Barton said to Hayward, referring to the White House’s decision to demand that the oil giant set up a $20 billion account to help repay the victims of the disaster.

Barton’s condemnation of the hard stance taken toward BP evoked critical responses from Democrats and Republicans alike, all of whom demanded that the Texas congressman retract his apology, which he eventually did.

Democratic leaders quickly took advantage of Barton’s BP apology, running television ads showcasing his statement.

During an appearance on ABC’s This Week, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel referred to the gaffe as a "political gift," and said that the apology is a prime example of the GOP’s affinity to protect big business.

"I think what Joe Barton did is remind the American people, in case they’ve forgotten, this is how the Republicans would govern," said Emanuel. "They see the aggrieved party here as BP, not the fishermen and the communities down there affected" by the spill.

Emanuel also took the opportunity to ridicule the comments made by Tea Party favorite Rand Paul, who referred to President Obama’s criticism of BP as "un-American."
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  • L.J.

    This “display” by the Whitehouse was nothing more than one of Obama’s “dog and pony” shows. All it serves to do is to distract the public’s attention away from the real things going on. Thank God the court reversed Obama’s 6 month moratorium on offshore drilling. And oh yeah, you just know that bastard [Obama] will appeal it. The one who wants to “stack” the Supreme court with nothing but radicals. I have never hated a “president” more than I do this impostor!

    • richeyrich

      My sentiments exactly, Ollie (Laurel and Hardy).

  • trp 878

    Barton had every right to say what he did. The Reps that scolded him were wrong. You Reps. still don’t get it. Boehner from Ohio. I had some respect for you, however, your missing the boat again. Remember NY when you endorsed the Republican candidate who lost then turned “Rhino” and backed the Democratic candidate. You should have learned a lesson from that. Don’t be supporting the Liberals for anything. Barton was right & you threw him under the bus. Sure hope you learn this time, or the Tea Party may decide that you are selling out conservatism.
    I have but 2 quotes to offer you:
    “ir sapit qui pauca loquitur” – (That man is wise who talks little)
    “verbum sat sapienti”- (A word is enough for a wise man.)

  • http://arjay@mchsi.com Richard J. Sizer

    What is the Mystery? Washington, DC – the Capital of Confusion! -
    Political Babble? – Smoke and Mirrors? – Self Interest to Win Election to Office? Every Amarican is Born With a Heart and Soul?
    To Love Money or Love God and Others? Your Choice?

  • Marilyn

    Big Man Obama and his cronies have made fools of themselves with BP. Yes, the people and sea life affected by the BP oil disaster deserve some kind of retribution but Obama is stepping up after his one month delay in Gulf Crisis to make it appear he is a hero. HogWash! BP had already started making payments to those who came forth. Obama’s demands were made “long after BP was in midst of making financial payments to the affected people!” Joe Barton seems to be the only decent politician who knows what is happening. I regret that he had to make an apology. The 20 billion + that BP will pay into a “fund” for the relief of the Gulf Oil Disaster will be managed by a chosen Government team. WE all know what happens to funds that are managed by the United States Government these days. The affected shrimpers, etc. will be lucky to see a dime of it unless the fund is handled by BP.
    Lest we forget, BP, so far, has been the only company that is allowed to clean up the mess. We and other countries have many intelligent people who could help with the disaster. Why is our Government only pointing fingers, making up stupid legislature to control American Citizens, and not jumping in to HELP BP? Strange, isn’t it?

    • Kinetic1

      Once again I ask, how much of the 9/11 money is unaccounted for? How many victims/families are complaining that they weren’t helped? This fund will be administered by the same man who is in charge of the 9/11 fund, you know, the fund set up under then President Bush? That fund was all, 100% taxpayer money. Was that a Republican slush fund, or are these types of funds only slush under Democratic administrations?

      As for our government’s involvement in the clean up, what do you know? According to many sources we have had experts involved all along. How do you know how many ideas have been put forth? Why would you suppose that our scientists would have more expert knowledge than BP’s? Yes, we turned down offers from several countries due to several laws and EPA standards. That may have been short sighted, but consider this; the Dutch oil skimmers pull water and oil from the ocean, then release the settled water back into the ocean with some remaining oil. That would seem like a reasonable result, given what we have seen, but BP lied about the amount of oil gushing and their ability to clean it up! Much of our government’s decisions were based on BP’s information, and BP was looking to cover their butts. If they had confessed that they, like most of the industry had done little to prepare for this type of failure, we would likely be in a much better position.

  • Fred Campbell

    Mr Barton apologized for the rudeness of our elected representatives.

    This was an appropriate and meritorious act.

    Thank you for restoring a measure of civility to our government.

  • chucky

    First off I have no love for BP but accidents happen. it happened and BP has made a 20 billion dollar commitment when they could of just put 77 milliom up (which is the cap) according to the law passed after the exxon spill. Taking BP officials to the wood shed could of been done after the problem is solved. pointing fingers is not needed now and will not accomplish much.

    • Kinetic1

      Accidents happen, but they happen more often when you ignore proper procedures and protocol. All the evidence thus far suggests that this was not an unforeseen slip, but rather the result of taking too many risks to increase profits. As far as “taking BP to the wood shed”, have you failed to pay attention to what has happened to those damaged by the Exxon Valdez?

      The time and money spent suing Exxon for damages after the fact has helped few people more than the lawyers. It took 5 years to get through the initial court battle, and then after Exxon was found liable an appeals court ordered that the punitive damages be cut. In 2006, 17 YEARS after the spill, Exxon was ordered to pay the roughly 33,000 victims $2.5 billion in punitive damages, but how much of that will go to lawyers? What do you suppose life has been like for those whose livelihoods were ruined while they waited for restitution? How many died before the final verdict?

      The Obama administration did the right thing. The president may have come off as thuggish to some as he presented a tough stance to appeal to those who called him weak, but this was a negotiation with BP, not a shake down. BP came in with an agenda just a clearly as our representatives did, and in the end each side came away with something. In our case it is a guaranteed fund to help the victims now and not 17 years down the road.

      As for Joe Barton, his apology was an issue because he is the top representative of his party on the energy and commerce committee. This is not just a matter of one man’s free speech, but of a man who represented the whole of the Republican party. This was a high ranking government official who felt it was his place to publicly dress down and apologize for our president! No matter how he may have condemned the actions of BP in this spill, he was wrong. He has a right to his opinion as a private citizen, but he was out of place to make such remarks on the floor.

      • Strawberry Shortcake

        Kinetic1,

        You are trying so hard to balance on that fence of yours that you are starting to fall off. What evidence? You speak so matter of fact concerning violations BP has made etc. Look, I’m not taking that off the table, but you cannot sit and think that just because a news network says it (even Fox) then it must be true. Things can be spun any way those with power and money wish to spin it. You don’t find it odd that this whole oil crisis suddenly gives Obama a reason to decide that banning drilling is a good idea? This on the heels of him approving offshore drilling (which I believe was for show)? Are you kidding me? He campaigned to the contrary regarding oil energy. Now we are loaning Brazil two million dollars so they can drill for oil and sending Deep Horizon’s drilling equipment to them for use as well? Consider this; the government made them drill to a depth of 5000 feet. They wanted to drill 500 feet, but Uncle Sam stepped in and said uh, no, you’ll drill to the depths that WE tell you. So while they are kicking BP in the teeth, where exactly lies their accountability? I’m sorry, there are dots to be connected here.

        As for Barton, he absolutely had every right to speak his opinion on behalf of whomever he wished to speak it…as a private citizen, top representative of the energy and commerce committee, or a congressman on the floor. The latter being even more so, in my opinion. That is the very fabric of this country’s principles.

        Lastly, you gave me a good chuckle with the whole “blame Obama” comment, you have to be joking. I truly don’t feel it’s a fitting assessment of the “dunces” commenting on this particular article. Have you forgotten how many times “we inherited this problem” has come out of Obama and his administration’s mouth, especially when they should have absolutely been accountable for their decisions? Hardly a parallel to those that feel Barton was right for exercising his Constitutional right (regardless of his reasons behind doing it or whether anyone liked it or not). Only a liberal would sum that up as some kind of “blame Obama for everything” syndrome.

      • http://naver samurai

        I don’t know who you are, but I hope you stay on these posts for a long time! It’s good to see someone who will stand up for what is right. GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP GOING!

      • Norm

        samurai
        The blind leading the blind. Try praying hypocrite.

      • http://naver samurai

        I do that everyday, abnorm. The Lord our God knows how many of us feel about the terrorist in office. It seems you don’t really pray that much, do you abnorm? FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!

      • Smilee

        samurai says:
        June 24, 2010 at 7:26 am

        I do that everyday, abnorm. The Lord our God knows how many of us feel about the terrorist in office. It seems you don’t really pray that much, do you abnorm? FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!
        ________________________________________________________________

        He also knows how much you lie, and as Obama is still in office I guess he has not answered your prayers either.

      • Ann Williams

        Obama did NOT do the right thing — Not Now; Not Ever!
        He’s a jackass, and has No Idea WHAT to do about Anything!

      • http://naver samurai

        Here, here!

      • Smilee

        Kinetic1

        I have not heard BP complain and we all know they had no legal obligation to agree to this agreement they could have chosen to go the route that Exron Valdeze took by stalling it off 20 years and then hope to get lucky and have the SC reduce the award to peanuts as it did in the Exron Valdeze spill. I take my hat off to BP for stepping up to the plate and taking this much responsibility for those who suffered loses because of them. Lets hope they will agree to pay the total costs of the clean up and not leave for you and I to pick up the tab. Most people hear seem to have no concern what so ever for the losses occurred by so many in the gulf and do nothing but criticize this voluntary agreement and do not forget the parties actually involved in the negotiations have not even hinted there was a shake down.

  • s c

    Barton never learned that when you’re RIGHT, you NEVER apologize. Apparently, Barton’s spine is dissolving, and he’s literally surrounded with people who want him to brown-nose and suck up to progressives. Mr. Barton, consider resigning.
    Of course progressives criticize ANYONE who dares to side with a corporation. How absolutely predictable they are.
    At the same time, progressives are in bed with and are in lust with the Fed, and they can’t understand how they’ve elevated HYPOCRISY to an art form. They can LIE 24/7, but that’s somehow ‘OK.’
    Barton, be a man or BE GONE. Change your Specter-like ways, or get ready to be voted OUT so you can necome another strinking, useless progressive. What the hell is your problem?

  • http://arjay@mchsi.com Richard J. Sizer

    I served God & Country as a SeaBee in the South Pacific – take no prisoners! I fought for Sanity with a bottle in one hand and My God
    in the other hand for 40 years? My six children intervened on Father’s Day of 1988. With 22 years of Sobriety, I see America fighting Our War inside America – Our Civil War to Maintain Individual Peace? United We Stand! – Divided We Fall? The Money Fight? 2000 Years ago a Child was Born – Money is worthless! Love Buys Happiness in Eternity! Love God above All Else, etc. Amen

    Richard – Son of Joseph! – Grandson of Mary!- Blessed by God!

  • JCO

    I CAN NOT BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE WARE BLINDERS. DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE OBAMA AND CO. INTENDS TO REIMBURSE THE SMALL PEOPLE AROUND THE GULF, FOR THEIR LOSSES! THIS IS A SHAKDOWN, AND THE SMALL PEOPLE WILL NOT SEE A CENT. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF DO PROCESS? OBAMA AND CO. ARE WALKING ALL OVER, EVERYTHING WE STAND FOR, OR DID STAND FOR. TRUTH. JOE BARTON IS RIGHT ON. NORM BABY, ARE YOU PART OF OBAMA AND CO? MAYBE JUST, THIS GULLIBLE?

  • dennispa

    I truly believe those who support this president over reaching acting like judge and jury to shakedown BP for money that they were already obliged to provide, will buy off on any violation of his constitutional obligations. If Obama can do this to BP he will do it any number of other companies in his quest for full on socialism!

    I’m not sure his combined actions since becoming president are not borderline treasonous!

    Just a thought.

    • Ann Williams

      I agree with you, whole-heartedly.
      He’s gotta Go!

  • bobinpa.

    This Incompetent, Unqualified, Marxist, Raghead, POSER doesn’t and Hasn’t done ANYTHING right. JOBS, The WAR,the ECONOMY, HEALTHCARE. IMMIGRATION. Obama is nothing but a LYING, LOSER. All this Raghead can do right is BOW to his Muslim LEADERS. From OIL in the Gulf, to NUKES in IRAN, Obama is a disgrace. Oh yeah, how’s your JOB situation?? Are those CENSUS workers still working??

  • Fred

    I’m sorry it was 680 million plus dollars that put him in office.

    • Smilee

      Freddie

      Actually it was because he got the most votes but don’t let facts stop you from telling lies.

  • jopa

    That was just the first half of Bartons speech.He also went on to talk of the benefits of the spill such as not having to worry about shark attacks if they are all dead and if you jump into the gulf whoopie you come out looking like John Boehner.I say money talks and the BP BS flies.

    • Brownhawk

      Barton was right it was a shakedown From the Chicago Crim Inc.
      He should have never appologize to The SOB in the white House nor
      to anyone else.Some say they fill sory for 680 million dollars that
      got him elected, I’m sorry that there are so many ignorant people in
      The Nation cause he told them is intentions, “Transform America” So
      I “How is that Transformation working for all those idiots?

  • Fred

    Joe I agree with you completely. It would not be surprised if this was not sabatoge by the Cap and Traders. Why did 11 men have to die without hardly any investigation for so long? As for the Cap and Traders, why don’t they go to China and India and tax the hell out of them who are producing the magority of the world’s pollution. We need to be drilling in Anwar, South and North Dakota and other land areas where we can control a spill without much effect on the enviroment. As for Rahm Emanuel, well he and the white house are always the one’s who are blaming someone else. Joe Barton you are a great American along with Joe Wilson and it would be a pleasure to shake your hand. Why don’t more people have the guts to speak out against this Marxist, communist, Muslim, teleprompter, socialist, Kenyan puppet that 68 million dollars plus put in office.

  • Norm

    FloydS
    Maybe you’d like a little surtax to help bail out poor old BP.

    • Strawberry Shortcake

      Norm, you dufus, you’re sitting there threatening surtax like a smart ass yet your obvious political alignments would make you an advocate of the AIG bailouts that we will soon be paying for. That includes you, ya moron. Unless of course, you have managed not to pay taxes…and in that case I suppose you would have no concept of it’s impact.

      I think your cup of Koolaid may be empty or diluted, you’re starting to blur lines…maybe you should fill ‘er back up.

      • gary

        LMAO you crack me up! LMAO Wow Strawberry, That was perfect! THankyou

      • http://naver samurai

        Me too. Ha, ha, ha! Norm just got a missle shot up his !@#$%^& and can’t handle it. Norm, do us a favor and knock the crap off. You know we are right, but I’ll give you credit for your tennacity. Theres something good to be said about loyalty to one’s leaders, but your loyalty seems to be as blind as the one in the White House. Norm, just go home, lick your wounds, and don’t come back on the post!

      • Norm

        Strawberry Shortcake
        I’m retired and I still pay more taxes then a lot of full time workers(even pay on SS).
        You make my point for me you fool. You were dead set against the bailouts of the banks, ins. cos. etc, but you are all for the government picking up the tab for the reckless actions of a very profitable company. The 20 billion is now in an escrow account and guaranteed to go to the harmed people.
        If you have a problem with that you are indeed a stawberry shortbrain.

      • Strawberry Shortcake

        it circumvents a law that has a 75 million cap and Clinton passed that. if you advocate a government coercing private companies you should be called Adolf. You do not pay more in taxes than me. 20 bill is not in escrow. 5 bill is. another 5 bill each year until 20.

        what point have i proven for you again?

      • Norm

        Strawberry Shortcake
        75 million is pure peanuts.
        All you proved to me is that you would rather see BP pay out it’s 10 billion quarterly dividends(this quarter) than make good on the harm that they stupidly caused. Tell it to the folks living on the Gulf. Morons like you just have to blame all the world’s problems on Obama.
        As far as taxes, I don’t know or care how much you pay but I do care how much I pay.
        Oddly enough, I own shares of 2 energy mutual funds, both of which have(or had) BP holdings.

      • http://naver samurai

        Gee, abnorm. If this is true then why are you attacking BP? If your stocks are part of BP, wouldn’t that be kind of like cutting your own throat in the earnings department? If you can’t see what is going on around you, how can you be able to lead or convince people of what is going on these days? Strawberry Shortcake, you are right in what you are saying. Could you do me a favor? Don’t fire too amny of those missiles at poor ol’ abnorm. He may have a heart attack and die.

      • Norm

        sumarugli
        Just because I hold stock in BP doesn’t mean I support their criminal actions. People who put money above principle, as you and Barton do, are exactly what’s wrong with America.

      • http://naver samurai

        Believe me abnorm, I know that there are more important things in life than money. Health, country, God, Jesus, etc., but I just don’t understand how could you even mention some dort of tax and not expect a reaction like strawberry shortcake gave you? Sorry abnorm, I’ve never been rich in money and I know I’ll never be that way, but I’m rich in other areas abnorm. I eat right, go to church, get a good 8 hours of sleep a night and not be tired the next day, I also have friends. These are ways that I’m rich in, but you seem to lack there abnorm. Remember, the head of BP did apologise and took full responsibility for this matter. Could he do anything less then that? Obama bin Laden raking him over the coals was just for show and WE THE PEOPLE know it. At least Barton has some BALLS to stand up and do what is right, not like you libs who overburden the average taxpayer with the self destructive welfare state and hand outs to foreign nationals. By the way, they are not authorized by the constitution. Get off the kool aid and stop your tea bagging. It’s fried your brain.

      • http://myronjpoltroonian.blogspot.com Myron J. Poltroonian

        Your question does lead me to wonder if Norm’s pitcher of Kool Aid is half empty, or half full?

      • Norm

        Myron J. Poltroonian
        Another brillient comment from the peanut brain gallary.

      • http://naver samurai

        Speaking of pea brains, where did you learn to spell, abnorm? Did you get your diploma out of a box of cracker jack?

      • Norm

        sumarugli
        It’s sad when we get to rely on spell check.
        But if spelling is is a problem with you, I’m not at all surprised.
        Content is secondary to idiots.

      • Ann Williams

        Alright, everyone — let’s mind the name-calling. You’re starting to sound like Obama and Biden, and their campaign folks. Let’s not get distracted and off-course. Stating your view is fine; just keep the personal-attack angle out of the equation.

        Thanks.

      • http://naver samurai

        OK Ann, I’ll try to watch myself better. But you are right about staying with the subject.

      • Smilee

        Ann Williams says:
        June 24, 2010 at 8:07 pm

        Alright, everyone — let’s mind the name-calling. You’re starting to sound like Obama and Biden, and their campaign folks. Let’s not get distracted and off-course. Stating your view is fine; just keep the personal-attack angle out of the equation.

        Thanks.

        Ann Williams says:
        June 24, 2010 at 8:12 pm

        Obama did NOT do the right thing — Not Now; Not Ever!
        He’s a jackass, and has No Idea WHAT to do about Anything!

        ________________________________________________________________

        See what a phony you really are see the top post of yours and then scroll down about twenty posts and you will see how well you follow your own advise, unbelievable and only five minutes later

  • Dr. T

    Barton has it right, a textbook example of a shakedown or extortion.
    Dictators and tyrants always claim to be doing what’s “best for the people” but the USA used to be governed by laws, precedent, due process, but not with this administration. Hugo Chavez has a lot in common with our current president. It’s disgusting.

    Barton wasn’t apologizing to BP, he was apologizing to law abiding citizens for the behavior of the President and VP. In full context, he lambasted BP just like every other committee member. This is what happens when people take quotes out of context, or don’t grasp the bigger picture. Chicago thugs, union bosses, professional politicians with no real world experience have no business running a free country.

    • Ann Williams

      Couldn’t've said it better, myself! You nailed it!

  • Strawberry Shortcake

    Riiight. Look, I’m not an ally of Republicans or Democrats. I believe in whomever aligns with our Constitution, but give me a break. So they run out and try to smear using the “protecting big business” tactic, yet who approved the bailouts against the will of the American people again?

    I saw the “hearing”, it turned my stomach. Mistakes happen, but at the risk of sounding like a “conspiracy theorist” is it possible that this oil spill and it’s quite perfect timing has more going on around it than meets the eye? Or is it just a great opportunity to make a crisis useful? I can’t honestly say that I know. I know for certain that I have no trust in this government.

    Look if those [offensive word removed] on Capital Hill could push Healthcare down our throats despite the opposition, in addition to the countless other violations of the American People perpetrated by the government, WE THE PEOPLE’s government, than Barton has every right to feel and voice whatever he wants. Additionally, uh, isn’t that protected under the whole Freedom of Speech thing? Who demands an apology? And what spineless twit conforms?

    People need to start fighting. WAKE UP. You think November will change anything? November buys us time at best. I like Glenn Beck but our founders ultimately were not pacifists and this crap his been in the works for two hundred years. I understand people like Beck need to be careful of advocating any form of violence, but maybe he should just say nothing at all concerning it. God sent Saul to war. People do not need to be brainwashed into thinking there isn’t a cause big enough to fight for. This is our freedom and our childrens’ freedom we are talking about. We are at war and most people have no clue, are convinced pacifism is the way, or simply just do not care…and THAT is what will cause us to lose everything….

    On another note, I was watching the news the other night and how fisherman and other volunteers are helping the coast guard clean up etc and I thought to myself…wouldn’t this be a perfect opportunity for the lower to medium security convicts? I mean instead of making solar panels and stealing jobs from those that can function in society, how about putting their [offensive word removed] to work? I mean, they just sit in there pretty much right? They have tv’s, weight equipment and countless other “you have to be kidding me’s” all at the expense of the tax payers right? They sit in there forming their gangs, plotting murder and perfecting the art of shiv making from a toothbrush and saran wrap…I would think there has got to be things that they can be made to do so they are so tired they don’t have the energy to plot murder in prison because someone used the wrong toilet or more simply sit on their [offensive word removed] sucking up our tax money. Weren’t they saying there wasn’t enough money to keep a lot of convicts in prison now with States going broke anyway? Just a thought…

  • FloydS

    Way to go Joe. It was a shakedown and grandstanding just like the hearing. I can’t believe I heard Bill OReilly saying he was for the Obama Shakedown, looks like he as contracted the Chris Matthews Obama leg tingle.

  • Norm

    Prior to the CEO of BP making his opening statement, a lunatic Idiot Congressman, Joe Barton, made it a point to actually apologize to BP, going on to state that the meeting between BP Officials and the Obama Administration amounted to nothing more than a $20 Billion “shakedown” of a corporation by the US Government, with the money being placed into a “slush fund”.
    As people with actual functioning brains realize, this $20 Billion fund that is being set up is to try to ensure that BP has adequate money set aside to pay for all of the costs of this tragedy. Personally, I think $20 Billion is way too low of a number. If this leak continues for months, the ultimate bill will be much, much, much higher.
    I wonder how many of the people in the Gulf that have lost their livelihoods and income would stand alongside Congressman Barton, offering apologies for the Government having BP set aside money to help compensate them for their losses?
    What an IDIOT this lunatic is!
    Congressman Joe Barton, you need to pull your political head out of your political ass and get a damn clue!!

    • Mary TX

      Hey Norm, why don’t you pick up a copy of the constituion and bill of rights and see what it says our government is supposed to do and get your uneducated head out of your uneducated backside.

      • Norm

        Mary TX
        Is there something in the Constitution that says the taxpayers should pay for the mistakes and stupitidy of private sector companies?
        I couldn’t find that part.

      • Robin, Arcadia, IN

        Norm… Then why did the tax payers have the responsibility to bail out the auto unions? Is this not similar?

      • http://naver samurai

        Yes it is, but when and how we get that money back we’ll never know. Obama bin Laden was to take the lead for this thing and not just watch the situation unfold. If he suspends the Jones Act, he would have been able to move more quickly and not tie the hands of those that would begin the cleaning process. Oh, abnorm. Have we done our tea bagging today? Hmmm……

      • Allan

        Norm-

        You seem not to understand something very basic — that no one on this blog wants BP to avoid any responsibility it may have once the facts are known. We are all talking about the way Obama has handled things…grandstanding, political manipulation, and arrogance. That is the basis of Barton’s comment. That is the basis of McChrystal’s comment. For Obama to have avoided talking to the head of BP for so long (and to his top commander in Afghanistan) has to leave any rational person in disbelief. Suggesting that people on this site don’t want to hold BP accountable and that disapproval of Obama’s performance is racism come from the same are one and the same…simple avoidance of the truth.

    • http://LiberttyDigest Bruce D.

      BP has said from day one it would take full responsibility and pay all damages. The 20 billion is not all up front so that was just a lot of grandstanding and political posturing for people like you. We do not want our congress to act like a lynch mob. We want them to be fair and firm and leave the politics out of it. If BP stock drops too low there could be a hostile takeover by one of the other big oil companies. The free enterprise system is hurt by reducing competition. Try to think of the big picture. If Obama really wanted to do something constructive he would have started the cleanup two months ago.

      • Robin, Arcadia, IN

        Bruce D. I agree with you! Obama did not treat this as a crisis. Nor does he appear to be finding the best and quickest way to deal with the problem. And I hope I am wrong, but the chances of those who really should benefit from the BP fund will not receive it. Obama and buddies now have more dollars to do as they please with.

    • marvin

      Norm, joe barton has just as much right to speak as do you, my opinion is he was right,would it be ok if the goverment just took your bank account with out due process and said i am going to kick your ass and put my foot on your neck,the goverment is the biggest reason the spill has grown 13 differant country offered help in the first 3 days and were turn down by obama,this same great in his own mind el pres is wanting to write an ex order to give amnest to 15 to 20 million illegals their for by passing congress is that ok with you to

    • Ann Williams

      Barton was right to apologize. Obama is a bully, a dictator, a Commi, and a total Jackass. Barton was completely entitled to speak his mind; O-sicko is tactless, stupid and clueless. He only cares about himself, and how he appears to others who like him. He’s a skinny jerk who’s trying to make himself sound like a “big man”. Raspberries, to him! He’s a one-term “president”. (I use that term loosely — he’s anything But a “leader”!) Let’s send him to the moon!

  • http://www.citizenforfreedom.blogspot.com JOSEPH LARSON

    How about this thought, B.P drilled into the side of an underwater volcano on purpose. The tar balls that are being spit out are not nearly as damaging to the marine life as we are led to believe in the drive-by media. The ocean floor is literally covered with tar balls in the Gulf,aquatic life has adapted to live with these present. This is why B.P./our government won’t accept help from the Dutch or Saudi Arabia, these people are experts in the oil industry and would know this “spill” is a hoax story to allow Ozero to impliment his Cap and Trade bill. Two vent holes in the volcano will stop it from spewing anymore. The streaming video is supposedly, I am not an expert on this but others have looked, the video is fake, it does not always show the same well head and is repetitive.

  • E Nichols

    The emphasis in this crisis is not the destruction of BP but the clear lack of the proper level of attention to the energy crisis by Obama; Obama has failed to demonstrate the necessary leadership in establishing a national energy policy by promoting nuclear power and the use of the abundance of natural gas the country possesses, we are already buiding seven thousands mega watts of wind energy each year and we can do more to provide the US energy independence…….. But not with Obama at the helm.

    • Norm

      E Nichols
      ooga ooga BP goood. Obama baad. All world problems Obama. ooga ooga

      • alpha-lemming

        Ooga ooga zugg zugg NeoCom Obamunists ooga ooga!!

      • http://naver samurai

        Abnorm, we all know that Obama bin Laden isn’t the picture of leadership. In fact, if it isn’t something he wants to force on us (“Osama”care, cap and trade, etc…) he just give two hoots about it. But, of course, he’s just a community organizer and there’s no real leadership in that.

    • gary

      I was just reading yesterday that we have 10 times more oil in the ground than the entire middle east. A lot of it is newly discovered. That is true energy independance. It will take years to get where you want to be, and what do we do in the mean time?? You need to come back down to earth. Do you know how to get rid of nuclear waste? You better tell the government if you do, because they do not.

  • http://www.citizenforfreedom.blogspot.com JOSEPH LARSON

    Why is it that someone who speaks honest heartfelt feelings and thats what Joe Barton sounded like to me can be forced to rescind his statement in a land of free speech. Perhaps we are not free any longer. Perhaps if you go to google earth and enter the co-ordinates
    29.97213 – 81.660047 and look at the 5,000 U.N. VEHICLEs PARKED ON THE RUNWAYS you might know in your heart that the days of free speech are numbered. Right here is the USA, Florida to be exact 5,000 U.N. MILITARY VEHICLES.

    • TIME

      Joe,
      Thank you you get it!

      Your 100% right most people here in the US have no clue tht barryO signed an agreement with the UN just days after being sworn in to allow UN troops on US soil, for as he stated
      ” In case of an emergency”
      What would that be that 60% or more of the US wakes up to whats really going on?
      We are at an easy 35% Plus – right now, so we are half way to that threshold.

      • gary

        Obama expects a guns and ammo revolution thats why he is laying the ground work to defend the government from with in. We need to organize and find out who are real allies really are. Who of you will stand along side us Americans and fight for our freedom again? A blietzkreig on Washington would be the best scenario, with a standing government waiting to assume control. That way you do not need to worry about the UN. I don’t think!!

      • J.M.R.

        well said. i would like to know if he got his private army started yet.the dick-tater wants to do a life time as ruler of this great country, which is sinking if they don’t put a stop to this criminal

      • Jim H.

        If you look at the past record of the effectiveness of U.N. troops, we really have no worries.

      • http://myronjpoltroonian.blogspot.com Myron J. Poltroonian

        When this speech becomes illegal, I’ll become a criminal: “I may become an enemy of the state, but never of the people”. Remember this: “Always aim just below the blue helmet”.

  • bobinpa.

    Don’t the people responsible for MAKING them drill in deep water have a responsiblity in this also? This never would have happened if the drilling occured in shallow water off either coast or even in ANWAR. And what about this 2 Billion dollar loan Obama is reportedly giving to Brazil for deep water drilling. AFTER this incompetent, unqualified, Marxist , Raghead, we have in the White House wants to terminate OUR deepwater drilling in the Gulf.? What is up with that?? All this alternative energy crap is just that. Will your car run by windmill power??. Get Real. We need and WANT OIL. That alternative crap is still DECADES AWAY, if EVER.

    • Strawberry Shortcake

      Oh yeah, the “people” (cough, government, cough) responsible for making them drill in deep water most certainly have a role to play in this…didn’t you hear? They are banning ALL drilling in the Gulf for “6 months.”

      Allllmmmmoosssst sounds like a set-up huh? But what do I know?

    • Hugh Jordin

      No one MADE them drill in deep water. They saw a chance for profit and took it.

  • Charles L. Campbell

    Joe Barton expressed my sentiments exactly.

    • Norm

      Charles L. Campbell
      That’s odd.
      Barton seemed to have even amazed the CEO of BP. Tony looked at Barton with a subdued smirk as if to say “Are you playing with a full deck?”. I guess 1.7 million in oil contributions to Barton’s political war chest bought more than anticipated.

    • Hugh Jordan

      Those who agree with Barton must live on a different planet. It was BP’s cost cutting, poor planning, ignoring the warnings of workers, and arrogant over confidence in their technology that caused the spill that will have horrendous consequences for decades.

      And he wanted to apologize to BP???!!!

      That’s like the families of the dead apologizing to the designers of the Titanic because their “water tight” bulkheads weren’t really watertight after all, and they were so arrogant about the unsinkability of their ship that they didn’t provide enough lifeboats.

      HELLO!

      I am hardly an Obama fan, but this is the type of attitude (blame Obama for everything) that makes some conservatives look like dunces. It’s no different than the lefties blaming Bush for everything that gets many here so incensed.

      • Dan Burke

        Interesting. I read that the rig had been initially approved by the state for shallower waters and it was the federal government who stepped in and said it must be out further from shore. That does not excuse BP. I think BP has plenty of guilt in this disaster, but I find it humorous that we are so anxious to avoid guilt in this matter for our involvement as a society that we attach all blame to just one company, one government administration, or whatever is convenient.

        So what did I think of Barton’s apology. He was stating a truth. It was absolutely the wrong thing for him to say. Politically, it was stupid. Reality, it was the truth. But us Americans don’t want to face the truth that government has taken away our free market. If we had a free market, would government interogate the businesses or tell them how to run their companies? NO!!! I have known for a while that government was meddling in far more than we gave them credit for. Only problem is that slowly we’ve become so accustomed to it that they can now publicly pull these businessmen before congress and we the people get upset if our representatives even consider treating the businessmen as human beings and equals. I think of our nation losing its freedoms like a frog being boiled alive in water. Under threat of drastic revolution we vigorously rejected totalitarian governments during the early 20th century, but little by little like the water being warmed from luke warm to boiling hot we give up our freedoms…. until like the frog in the boiling water is now dead and cooked and never realized until it was far too late even so we have changed as a people and don’t realize who we have become.

  • P T Caple

    Joe Batton, did the right thing, the U S house is disgusting, Pandering to folk back home, It’s time
    for C Span to off the T V

    • J. E. Neal

      Right on!!! Congress looked like vultures just waiting for the BP CEO to die so they could pick his bones. Most were already picking at his eyes!!!

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