GOP Rep. Barton apologizes to BP for Obama's "shakedown" [Archive]

Cartesiantheater

Jun 17th, 2010, 3:36 PM

Ahahahahahahah!!!!

I'm not speaking for anybody in the House of Representatives but myself, but I'm ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday. I think it is a tragedy of 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.

Fucking unbelievable!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts2660

This guy must have no concern for his job security... oh, wait, nevermind, he is speaking what's on the minds of conservatives the world over...

Blu-ray

Jun 17th, 2010, 3:52 PM

Probably because of this:

Congressman Barton has taken $1.4 million in campaign contributions from the Oil industry since 1989, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

GamerGal

Jun 17th, 2010, 3:59 PM

Hey, he will probably win a landslide election since the people who vote for him only watch Fox Noise and FN already stated this was only Obama's fault, not BPs, not Bush's deregulation, not calls for small government and big business, nope, all Obama's fault for writing off in 2008 for the... Oh what, Bush was president in 08 and so he wrote off on the oil platform? Uh, Obama's a secret Muslim from Kenya!

lycanox

Jun 17th, 2010, 4:14 PM

Sounds like one politicus that wants to hand over all power to the corporations.

Rhiannon

Jun 17th, 2010, 4:15 PM

I hate politicians. They are the root of all evil.

JenaS62

Jun 17th, 2010, 4:25 PM

He does not speak for everyone as I was appalled that he apologized. What state was he from anyway? They need to vote his ass out of office.

Blu-ray

Jun 17th, 2010, 5:49 PM

He does not speak for everyone as I was appalled that he apologized. What state was he from anyway? They need to vote his ass out of office.

Texas.... go figure.... LOL

Reef Badlaw

Jun 17th, 2010, 6:14 PM

How dare Barton suggest that the 20-billion will become a porklitical slush-fund, in which Govertment hurdles for proof of damage claims will eventually be just as insurmountably fire-hooped and time-delayed as BP's are... ?

Cartesiantheater

Jun 17th, 2010, 6:48 PM

BARTON NOT ALONE
But Barton was not alone among Republicans who question the $20 billion fund.
Georgia Representative Tom Price, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservative House members, issued a statement arguing the same point.
Price said BP's willingness to go along with the White House's new fund suggests that the Obama administration is "hard at work exerting its brand of Chicago-style shakedown politics."
And former Texas Republican Representative Dick Armey, who was House majority leader and is a leading voice in the conservative Tea Party movement, told a Christian Science Monitor breakfast this week that Obama lacks the constitutional authority to set up such a fund.
In addition, conservative Republican Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota told the Heritage Foundation think tank that the escrow account was a "redistribution-of-wealth fund."
Barton is the biggest recipient of oil and gas industry campaign contributions in the House of Representatives, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
Its data showed that Barton has collected $1,447,880 from political action committees and individuals connected with the oil and gas industry since 1989.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100617/pl_nm/us_oil_spill_apology;_ylt=AuqdaEaRBaexP7m6xiJVnbVH 2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTM5cXAybDU4BGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTAwNjE3 L3VzX29pbF9zcGlsbF9hcG9sb2d5BGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bG FyBGNwb3MDMgRwb3MDMgRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xr A2Fwb2xvZ3l0b2JwMw--

:cough cough: The bullshit... it's starting to burn my eyes... :cough cough:

Blu-ray

Jun 17th, 2010, 7:33 PM

Total Oil Industry Contributions to Republicans
REPUBLICANS, INDUSTRY MONEY, BP MONEY
George Radanovich $149,638 ~~~~~~~ $4,000
John Sullivan ~~~~ 529,950 ~~~~~~~~4,500
Marsha Blackburn ~ 177,643 ~~~~~~~~1,000
Michael Burgess ~~ 226,246 ~~~~~~~~1,000
Phil Gingrey ~~~~~ 57,500 ~~~~~~~~2,000
Parker Griffith ~~~ 36,750 ~~~~~~~~~~0
Robert Latta ~~~~ 39,250 ~~~~~~~~~~0
Joe Barton ~~~~~1,676,930 ~~~~~~~~27,350

SUBTOTALS ~~~ $2,893,907 ~~~~~~ $39,850
Center for Responsive Politics

Total Oil Industry Contributions to Democrats
DEMOCRATS INDUSTRY MONEY BP MONEY
Bart Stupak~~~~$ 83,850 $~~~~~~~~~~7,500
Bruce Braley ~~~~~~~0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~0
Edward Markey ~~~~ 88,991 ~~~~~~~~~~ 0
Diana DeGette ~~~~~16,200 ~~~~~~~~~~0
Mike Doyle ~~~~~~~100,812 ~~~~~~~~~~1,250
Jan Schakowsky ~~~~4,250 ~~~~~~~~~~~250
Mike Ross ~~~~~~~~222,050 ~~~~~~~~~2,000
Donna Christensen ~~~~4,100 ~~~~~~~~~~ 0
Peter Welch ~~~~~~~11,250 ~~~~~~~~~~0
Gene Green ~~~~~~~375,613 ~~~~~~~~8,000
Betty Sutton ~~~~~~10,000 ~~~~~~~~~~0
John Dingell ~~~~~~~423,091 ~~~~~~~~31,000
Henry Waxman ~~~~~31,600 ~~~~~~~~~~0
SUBTOTALS ~~~~~ $1,371,807 ~~~~~~ $50,000

Interesting... very interesting...

13 Democrats received 1,371,807 from Big Oil

While the 8 Republicans received 2,893,907

The biggest recipient was Joe Barton...

http://www.cnbc.com/id/37765419

Cartesiantheater

Jun 17th, 2010, 11:57 PM

Lol now he's apologizing for apologizing!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100618/ap_on_bi_ge/us_gulf_oil_spill_bp_s_ally;_ylt=AqTjL9fVZBLh5.LNb 4YzablH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTNnb3VjcDNiBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwM TAwNjE4L3VzX2d1bGZfb2lsX3NwaWxsX2JwX3NfYWxseQRjY29 kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzMEcG9zAzMEc2VjA3luX3Rvc F9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNnb3BsYXdtYWtlcmE-

The Texas Republican, the House's top recipient of oil industry campaign contributions since 1990, apologized Thursday for apologizing to the chief of the British company that befouled the Gulf of Mexico with a massive oil spill.

Ahahahahhahahahaha~!!!!!!

GamerGal

Jun 18th, 2010, 2:03 AM

Come on Pico, Reef, Jena, any defense for your party saying sorry for asking BP too you know, pay for the damages they caused. So far you blame Obama(Who didn't sign off on the platform, Bush did) and ignore Bush's deregulations that you called for because Big Corporation knows better then Big Government. Or you say "I didn't support it!" Then Cart and I post your quotes where you said, and again I quote "This so far is the only good decision he's made"

Abyssal_Worm

Jun 18th, 2010, 3:41 AM

Republican damage control is in full swing...

http://preview.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-17/barton-s-shakedown-comment-prompts-swift-rebuke-from-fellow-republicans.html

‘Wrong’

Less than six hours later, Boehner’s office released a statement by Barton in which he retracted his apology to BP and apologized “for using the term ‘shakedown.’” Boehner’s office also issued a separate statement from the Republican leader, Cantor and Representative Mike Pence, an Indiana Republican, calling Barton’s statements at the hearing “wrong.”

Barton’s statement said he regretted “the impact that my statement this morning implied that BP should not pay for the consequences of their decisions and actions in this incident.”

The comments by Barton, who was first elected to his Dallas-area House seat in 1984, inflamed Gulf Coast Republicans, who are outraged at BP for failing to plug the leaking well.

“I don’t think we need to be apologizing to British Petroleum,” said Florida Republican Senator George LeMieux.

Barton was talking out of his anus. He doesn't speak for the entire party, just himself and the constituents he represents.

medicvet

Jun 18th, 2010, 4:10 AM

oh bullshit. He was very sure in what he was saying, and probably thought he sounded good saying it too. And I'm supposed to believe that he didn't mean it? He fucking said it TWICE AND WITH EMPHASIS. He knew EXACTLY what he was doing. And it's not the way the GOP think? Really? again, bullshit. If he wasn't sure of support he wouldn't have said it. At least the dems have the decency to close the drapes when they kiss ass, this guy did it to bp live and nationwide. I hope to god he is up in November and get rid of this schmuck.

Max

Jun 18th, 2010, 4:47 AM

In this case, I consider the republicans much better than the democrats in handling it. The democrats are all but rubbing their fat hands together at the prospect of sacrificing and destroying a global corporation, just so they can bag a few good media shots.

The republicans seem more pragmatic, they recognise a need for short term clean up of this disaster, but also long term protection of american interests and jobs. Never thought id say it, but the republicans must be reelected, Obama is not a statesman, hes a disaster. Its time his false hope died and you blinded obamafans realised.

//Statement from a recovering Obama junkie who thought obama was the messiah.//

calliope

Jun 18th, 2010, 7:24 AM

This is one of the main reasons for Barton's criticism of Obama:

BP also has extensive holdings in the United States. It merged with Amoco, the former Standard Oil of Indiana, in 1998, and about 40 percent of its shares are held by American investors. It owns a refinery in Texas City, Tex., that is one of the world’s largest, and a 50 percent interest in the Trans Alaska Pipeline, in addition to a huge gasoline marketing operation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/business/11bp.html?th&emc=th

JenaS62

Jun 18th, 2010, 10:21 AM

Oh look! The repubs apparently do not blindly follow and think as a unit. Looks like Barton was FORCED to appologize by his own party. Quite frankly though, his seniority should be taken away anyway for being an oil company apologist and an idiot.

"Updated at 5:15 pm ET — Ryan Grim of Huffington Post reports that House Republican leaders told Rep. Joe Barton they would take away his seniority on the House Energy and Commerce Committee (a former chairman, he is now the top Republican on the panel) if he didn't apologize for his remarks and pronto."

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/06/17/127911317/rep-joe-barton-apologizes-for-his-bp-apology

Mezurashi

Jun 18th, 2010, 10:31 AM

this more than any other event helps the previous criticisms that Generally Speaking the Republicans are a bunch of meat puppets for the Big Money.

even the apology for the apology forced upon 'one of their own' is a huge attempt to cover collective asses. it was not done out of true feeling of any sort, except maybe greed and the worries of public perception affecting campaign donations.

sad, it's also similar to how the British PM is asking the US to 'take it easy' on BP over this.

and as for sacrificing a global corporation - if Business is War then let it be WAR for fucks sakes. I don't recall there being 'time outs' in War. I don't recall there being 'mercy' in total war. and if Big Business fucks up ... CRUCIFY THEM. and don't sell me sob stories about workers and families and such - look at the way companies like BP have regularly stomped on 'the little people' throughout their sordid histories. look at the state of the environment. think of all the people who have already lost their Livelihoods (instead of just a day job).

defend the workers of BP? they Chose to work for Big Oil - it's like Choosing to work for Tobacco Corporations ... and if you can't live with the consequences of your choice, too fucking bad, schmedly.

the only disappointment I feel in Obama's performance is that he hasn't just up and Jailed the motherfuckers from BP - it's not as bad as they deserve but it's a start.

JenaS62

Jun 18th, 2010, 11:07 AM

Mezurashi

Jun 18th, 2010, 11:10 AM

It's not just the repubs Mez. Its on both sides. Rahm Emanuel lived rent free in an apartment owned by someone from BP. Rent free. Rent free.

We are beyond hope. One is as bad as the other and for every one we get rid of, another takes their place. They are all sleeping with the enemy.

the one who is not sleeping with the enemy is the one you hate the most.

the irony is laughable, if it wasn't so fucking tragic ...

JenaS62

Jun 18th, 2010, 11:12 AM

the one who is not sleeping with the enemy is the one you hate the most.

the irony is laughable, if it wasn't so fucking tragic ...

Are you suggesting that Obama is not sleeping with the enemy? Seriously?

GamerGal

Jun 18th, 2010, 11:48 AM

Are you suggesting that Obama is not sleeping with the enemy? Seriously?

Jena, in one topic you were PISSED at the GOP for a dog and pony show. Five minutes after a Republican comes out and says BP is God... You only attack Obama. Hmm, sleeping with the enemy? I didn't know Obama owned an oil company or worked for Halliburton. Or spent the past 8 years deregulating the industry. Or used Drill Baby Drill as his campaign slogan. Also, did Rahm come out and apologize for being so mean to BP? No? It's the GOP doing that? I'm glad you can totally ignore 8 years of Republican butt fucking with Big Oil and put all the blame on a guy who has barely been in office for 1.5 years.

JenaS62

Jun 18th, 2010, 11:56 AM

Jena, in one topic you were PISSED at the GOP for a dog and pony show. Five minutes after a Republican comes out and says BP is God... You only attack Obama. Hmm, sleeping with the enemy? I didn't know Obama owned an oil company or worked for Halliburton. Or spent the past 8 years deregulating the industry. Or used Drill Baby Drill as his campaign slogan. Also, did Rahm come out and apologize for being so mean to BP? No? It's the GOP doing that? I'm glad you can totally ignore 8 years of Republican butt fucking with Big Oil and put all the blame on a guy who has barely been in office for 1.5 years.

Do you have a reading comprehension problem? I was pissed at congress (in general - both sides) for the dog and pony show. Also, I clearly said that Barton should lose his seniority regardless of his apology because he is an oil apologist and an idiot. And where have I placed ALL the blame on Obama? I blame Obama for the slow response - his failure to speak to BP until 59 days after the gusher started, for not lifting the Jones Act, for using 100% toxic dispersent instead of less toxic alternatives, etc etc... Obviously Obama did not cause the spill.

Mezurashi

Jun 18th, 2010, 11:58 AM

Are you suggesting that Obama is not sleeping with the enemy? Seriously?

observe the level of diatribe aimed against him for his policies - even on AO there are people saying that Obama is overstepping his authority by his actions against BP (i.e. The Shakedown).

but I guess in Certain Perspectives he is just a Big Oil Shill, 20 billion doesn't mean shit in the grand scheme of things after all ...

really ...

GamerGal

Jun 18th, 2010, 12:01 PM

Nice turn around! Still doesn't excuse your stance on Big Business is good now because GOP said so. Dog and Pony shows, only bad until the GOP says otherwise. Also, it was the REPUBLICANS like Bachmann and Jindal asking for Big Government and taking over private boats against the public's will. Thankfully Obama is a democrat and didn't listen too Jindal and Bachmann and other Republicans and didn't shoot civillians for not handing over boats.

Rhiannon

Jun 18th, 2010, 12:20 PM

Reef Badlaw

Jun 18th, 2010, 4:43 PM

the one who is not sleeping with the enemy is the one you hate the most.

the irony is laughable, if it wasn't so fucking tragic ...

Obama was a guest of the Getty (Oil) family during his last California visit, stumping for Barbara Boxer, tho I'm not alluding that he literally slept with a family-member...

Mezurashi

Jun 18th, 2010, 5:30 PM

Obama was a guest of the Getty (Oil) family during his last California visit, stumping for Barbara Boxer, tho I'm not alluding that he literally slept with a family-member...

that he has to maintain good relations with Big Oil is not something I would disagree with - we're talking politics and money and interest groups and all the bells and whistles. but I will copy and paste something I posted on another thread;

20 billion in 'punitive' damages as a start, moratorium on all off shore drilling, potential that BP might be on the hook for decades, causing diplomatic strife with the UK over the handling of it ... yeah, the guy's doing absolutely fuck all. you're absolutely Right about that, lol ...

so we're looking at the potential to develop an 'adversarial' relationship with one of the Big Oil hydra-heads ... what happens next is of interest to me because of that part that reads "a moratorium on offshore drilling" applies across the board at the moment. if that remains the case then it could be argued that O-man is butting heads with the Big Machine rather than just one arm of it. but if he caves and begins to 'refine' the terms of the moratorium then there is your credible evidence of influence mongering.

the delay in getting things started could easily be attributed to interference from certain sectors trying to get their 'damage control' mechanisms in place as much as it could have been because Obama was negotiating with the other hydra heads of Big Oil to set up a convincing floor show which would mollify the masses long enough to allow the 'others' time to set up for an even greater period of expansion - "In this time of energy crisis, it has become imperative that America seek out and exploit the remaining resource zones within our control ..."

but that hasn't happened yet.

GamerGal

Jun 19th, 2010, 7:05 AM

Mez, didn't you hear? Stop being so mean! BP did nothing wrong it is all Obama's fault! I'm still amazed at the 180 people like Jena made. Sick of the dog and pony show, until the GOP says stop being mean against BP and start blaming Obama for the Bush Admin literally fucking Oil CEOs in the Oval Office.

My solution? Obama places loudspeakers along the coastline blaring all the Republicans shouting Drill Baby Drill then every hour on the hour saying "This is what you voted for, suck it."

GamerGal

Jun 20th, 2010, 7:10 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100620/ap_on_bi_ge/us_gulf_oil_spill;_ylt=Av1czcJek7JxE7m2t0uI6vEA_b4 F;_ylu=X3oDMTM2bG5xMWFqBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNjIwL3V zX2d1bGZfb2lsX3NwaWxsBGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb 3MDNARwb3MDNARzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA2JwY2V vc3lhY2h0bw--

I'm glad he can still go out on a boat. I know Jena, stop picking on BP, the GOP told you so. But I don't care what they say BP is still a dick. And unlike you and the Hive Mind of the GOP as a liberal I think for myself. Even if Obama comes out and agrees with you and the GOP we are just being big meanies towards BP I will still hate BP, blame them for this mess they made, and call them dicks.

JenaS62

Jun 20th, 2010, 10:05 AM

I'm glad he can still go out on a boat. I know Jena, stop picking on BP, the GOP told you so. But I don't care what they say BP is still a dick. And unlike you and the Hive Mind of the GOP as a liberal I think for myself. Even if Obama comes out and agrees with you and the GOP we are just being big meanies towards BP I will still hate BP, blame them for this mess they made, and call them dicks.

I've been boycotting BP since before CT desperately attempted to downplay this eco disaster by the lack, at that time, of a body count.

I know that it's beyond your very limited comprehension that some are not lock step with the GOP as you clearly demonstrate on a daily basis that you are with the dems. Here is your challenge for today GG - find me one, just one, post where I support BP. Go ahead. Make my day.

JenaS62

Jun 21st, 2010, 7:10 AM

Here is your challenge for today GG - find me one, just one, post where I support BP. Go ahead. Make my day.

Nothing? Hum....

That's what I thought.

MaximumPain

Jun 21st, 2010, 7:23 AM

I hate politicians. They are the root of all evil.

Yeah I hate the street level mafia thugs they are the root of all evil.

MaximumPain

Jun 21st, 2010, 7:25 AM

I think it is safe to say that all politicians are greedy bastards. Obama, Bush, the whole lot of them. I am sure they all have pockets to line and agendas to fulfill. Our country and the people in it are not priorities. Barton was just saying what everyone else is doing.

How short sighted of you. Its ok pay no attention to the men behind the curtain just get pissed about their servants.

GamerGal

Jun 21st, 2010, 11:52 AM

JenaS62

Jun 21st, 2010, 1:21 PM

Sorry, little busy with job interviews and such. You supporting BP?
http://forums.armageddononline.org/showpost.php?p=367418&postcount=19

Oops, its ok for BP to do what they want because a Dem got a room for free. Sure they weren't literally fucking in the Oval Office like the GOP did or a Dem saying sorry for Obama being so mean.

Also, as I pointed out, if Obama comes out and agrees with you about not being mean towards BP, I'll still call them dicks. Unlike you who did a 180 the second a GOP said BP is God don't piss on them any more.

Seriously? You actually attend college?

That post was not showing support for BP but was for pointing out that this administration has skeletons in it's closet regarding BP. Like I requested - find me one post - just one - where I show any support for BP or STFU.