Here is a post that I originally wrote as soon as the news came out about what Rep. Joe Barton said, but I was too cowardly to post it. Lipton and ThatMrGuy can verify, if they bothered to read saved drafts, that I wrote it June 17 at 2:47 pm. But I did not trust my original (and correct) take on matters. It was only after I read others voice the same concerns that I finally had the nerve to post it. The main voice of reason was Thomas Sowell. Read his words carefully and let them sink in.
Yes, Charles Krauthammer is correct: It was the most incredibly stupid move, from a purely political perspective, in recent memory. But the reason it was stupid is because the American public does not always want to know the truth. They do not always come to the right conclusions on all the issues. When somebody hurts, they want to lash out. Likewise, when America is in a crisis, Americans want asses kicked.
But we are a nation of laws. Obama used all the power of his office to bully BP into making a donation of $20 billion dollars. He had his Attorney General on hand, threatening to pursue criminal charges against BP officials if they refused to play along. Do you morons know what criminal charges are? That’s where they LOCK YOU UP if you are convicted. What idiot company would not pony up whatever amount der Fuehrer President Obama demanded under those circumstances?
Now, you hippy acid tripping skinny suckers who claim to drive big motor siccles (you know who you are, Gramps) might be going “Yeah! Make those corporate thieves PAY! Go Obama!” But you are wrong. You don’t coerce companies into giving money to a slush fund that somebody that the President controls, no matter how bad the circumstances. That isn’t the American Way, that’s the Hugo Chavez Way, or the Fidel Castro Way.
Pay attention, Gramps: If, IF, BP broke the law, then charge them. Don’t let them off for a $20 Billion donation. If BP has caused injury due to its negligence, let the courts handle it, or let the system of claims processing handle it.
Okay, in all my shame, here is what I originally wrote but was too much of an F’n pussy to publish: Continue reading →