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Unfortunately, Obama is no FDR. In fact, he's busily dismantling the rest of the New Deal as we speak.
Since BP is a "person" and since they have now been convicted of felonies, they should no longer be allowed to enter into contracts with the federal government. Additionally, this "corporate person" should be sentenced to an appropriate prison term.
Regarding the wrongful deaths, surely there is an army of attys clamoring to be hired.
We should Kill BP because BP is Standard Oil + British Petroleum, two tyrannical kingdoms bullying free enterprise. Never forget, the Redcoats paid the Indians to scalp white settlers when they came too close to the good lands.
We should also address the issue of corruption in the environmental protection agencies with jurisdiction over BP activity in the Gulf. How much work was done without Permitting and Bond posting? Is the enforcement action correct according to their own standards?
Every impact on wetlands requires a Permit to which are attached penalty conditions.
Those so impacted by BP have a way to assess whether or not 4.5 billion is in accordance with the fines and penalties which are required by Law.
For example, a citizen in Florida who cuts down three mangrove trees for a water view can be fined $10,000/day for failure to complete an expensive plan of mitigation, which must be quarterly monitored, reported on, and demonstrate an 80% survival rate at the end of 5 years.
BP by federal law was required to agree to all permit conditions which include remediation for environmental damage. There are guidelines for fines and late penalties which BP agreed to in writing. To know if 4.5 billion is fair, the public should be informed how many square feet of wetland were impacted and how many dollars/ft. fine was assessed. Is this in line with what would be charged any other violator?
Whereas the environmental agency department heads could answer these questions, and it is public information, they will not say a word. This is public information which is tedious and difficult to interpret- it has to come from the filing cabinets of several departments and it has to be evaluated by someone who will read engineering plans and volumes of dredge and fill permit requirements and attorney letters.
This is why I wonder why Greenpeace or other environmental watch organizations will not put their money behind revealing and publicizing what can be obtained from public records searching. We need permit-doggers who check to see if environmental agencies are actively enforcing permits fairly for everyone.
In my county, they are not. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been collected in monitoring fees for mitigation projects which have never taken place.
Justice? killing a planet is a crime where I come from...all polutors should be jailed for life, and all assets go to the rocovery for the damages they have done. Like the law daddy bush made for the dea... loose you home, yacht and everything for one joint, zero tolerance...or save money and hang them from a tree. Equal Justice for ALL of the people of planet earth, she is alive and knows where you live...
Obama let them off the hook! All that money goes into the U.S. Treasury not the poor people of the gulf who were put out of business and other wise harmed. And as you indicated it's pocket change for them!!!!
Global: Come on, really! So you in your infinite wisdom know what all progressives and Democrats want! You sound as pathetic as Rummy Romney trying to blame President Obama of buying votes by giving them gifts like lifesaving medical insurance! Making sure everyone has medical insurance is a plan to control lives? It sounds more like a plan to make sure the presently uninsured do not have to end up in the very costly emergency rooms of our nation’s hospitals. I guess you RE-publinuts are still pissed your man and his billionaire supporters were not able to buy the national and state elections. Sore losers! B.P. admitted they were to blame for this crime against our citizens and our environment. They politically purchased themselves a ridiculously low fine that is so low as to make one laugh at it. And they have avoided criminal charges against the real people who created this catastrophe the C.E.O. and the management of B.P. With no real consequences for their crimes they will do the same thing over and over again. And, God only knows what their next crime will result in doing to mankind and our environment for increased profits! As long as they can continue to make billions with their irresponsible behavior they have no incentive to change how they criminally make their profits. As a Republican you really are not concerned about what the crimes where, just as long as you can bitch about how much it might cost you personally. Corporations are going around the World and destroying the environment and lives in countries with even less strict laws then we have. Thom is right on this one, the punishment does not fit the crimes they committed and now some low level management personnel will be sacrificed to keep the fat cats on top in power. Wake up and smell the oil, you and your family if you have any will have to live in the same polluted environment as the rest of us and B.P. will just dance away to destroy what is left of this place we all call mother Earth! And no I am no an environmentalist, I am just smart enough to realize when criminals get away with their crimes they will just go out and commit more!!
IMO without the BS from the RWNJ, these blogs would be empty. Similarly, I often wonder without FAUX news what would Jon Stewart talk about. Also, one could have some hope that we might provide some information to the RWNJ.
Kend- In your last posted comment, you asked where do I reside, after I commented that Canada is a frozen lake. I have been a resident in Southern California for all of my life, with the exception of my tour of duty with the United States Air force during the Vietnam War. You do remember that conflict that costs over 58,000 American lives and 2,000,000 Vietnamese lives. I have lived in an area called the South Bay and my home is 3 miles from the ocean’s edge. We have the best weather in the 48 continental states. Presently the temperature is 68 degrees with a 5 mile an hour breeze off the ocean. I am able to wear my traditional short pants with my "surfer style" t-shirts about 340 days of the year. On our worst weather days it may rain for 2-3 days and during those days I am still able to walk my daily routine of 5 miles. I know the majority of people in other less fortunate states see California as this economically poor, earthquake ravaged state. When in reality it has been decades since we have experienced an earthquake or fire that has taken lives. We, unlike the nation, have just passed a proposition to increase the taxes (by a few points) on individuals who make more than $250.000 a year to help fund our school system and a prop. to save our Teacher Unions. The RE-publinuts from within our state and some like the Koch brothers outside of our state, spent tens of millions of dollars to defeat these new propositions and they failed. In fact a Pac that was indirectly funded by the Koch’s is in the process of being charged with illegal money laundering to throw the election, by the Commission concerning elections and fraud in California. The Koch brothers used a third party Pac to funnel the illegal funds so they couldn't be charged directly and therefore skirting the law! Typical billionaires who use others to commit their crimes so they will not be charged directly, very much like the people who run B.P. They were afraid if the prop.'s passed here it would catch on in other states and go nationally! They lost again, as in the National election for the White House and our Democrat Senators were re-elected again. We have perfect weather and the 11th largest economy in the World. That is right the World not just here in the states. And that is why I jokingly call your country of Canada a frozen lake. This state of ours is primarily a blue Democrat state and it really pisses off the Republicans because we have the largest electoral vote in our nation. Hope that answers your question. I expect the right wing self-centered RE-publinuts to make disparaging remarks about California and that is what I expect from those less fortunate from the right to make about the Golden State as it is called. This has nothing to do with Thom's blog, but I wanted to answer your question and show how the super wealthy like the corporations will do anything to avoid paying their fair share, just like B.P. has done in their money saving schemes that resulted in the destruction of the Gulf, La. wetlands, businesses, jobs and lives. Typical mind set of the Corporations and their ability to fool people like the ilk that calls himself Global. These Republi-nuts will try to defend corporations when they have actually admitted to the crime. And, like the Koch brother Republicans they will always find someone else to take the fall for them! Sounds a lot like Romney blaming the President for giving gifts like lifesaving medical coverage for his loss of the election. When primarily he was rejected by the majority of the citizens that voted. Democracy is great as long as they win and a sham when they lose and cannot accept the rejection. Have a great frozen weekend! I will be walking in the sunshine as usual......
I was just listening to your hershey bar analogy for BP. It reminded me of when one of my college classmates ate three bananas while waiting in line late in the evening at a convenience store. When he got to the front of the line, he gave the clerk the peels to weigh. This is BP's approach. Take all the good stuff and pay a fine which is equivalent to the value of the peels.
Global, your comments seem to be, in essence, that BP should be able to screw people and the environment and get away with it because they’re the big boys on the block. The costs of damages were thought to be reasonable by a conservative Federal Court based on evidence submitted and after critique by BP. I suspect that BP is breathing easier after this slap on its metaphorical wrist.
2011 BP profits were $24.7 billion. The $4.5 billion fine represents about 18 percent of profits in one year. The profit figure is after the accountant gets his $75,000 so he’s not affected much unless he gets a lot of stock dividends and BP executives will probably still get their bonuses.
Control of lives is certainly a primary feature of corporate functioning where the accountant doesn’t get a vote on what happens to him unlike his relation to government about which he can vote and agitate. Try agitating in your average corporation and guess what you would get?
Fuck no. Corporations are people. Put them in prison. Why can't Bradley Manning pay the government three months of his salary and then go yachting?
The assets would most likely be reconstituted into new oil companies (which just might behave better). It's not like no one would fill the vacuum. Jobs wouldn't permanently disappear.
Killing BP is a little radical. Just make them pay completely for any damage they do If it results in $10.00/ gal gas so be it. All the more motivation to get out of oil and into the many alternatives.
Keep in mind that punishing BP should only result in BP gas at $10.00/gal. They have plenty of competition. Unless they are all in collusion??????
And today Gulf pulls a repeat. Maybe it was a "sympathy" blowout for BP.
Again, the compasionate liberal Thom Hartman through this tragedy wants to make it worse by killing BP. What about the accountant with two kids making $75000 per year -- screw them they can collect unemployment. Liberals never did care about creating jobs they just want the power to control your life. But remember they hate oil companies, they want you to pay $10.00 per gallon of gas to save the environment. The mindset of the destructive liberal is warped.
I voted yes, but I'm actually of two minds on the subject. I would be all for a total recount if it was done only manually of the paper ballots cast and not by these machines which have proven they cannot add correctly. Since his Party is the one who was all for these machines that don't work most of the time, he should shut up and bow out gracefully. He might just get what he's asking for and in so doing reveal how corrupt the Republican Party has become.
Mark Saulys writes: What are you talking about, Mauiman? The rich have been paying less than ever. They absolutely would be able to take up the slack, however reluctantly, as they had for so long before.
There is NO need to tax the middle class any more.
How do you think the middle class became the middle class?
Reply: If you really think that those making over $250,000 could cough up enough tax dollars to fund what the federal government is spending right now, you are must be doing some awfully fine drugs. Can you send me some of what you are smoking, it must be good stuff!!
Last I saw, the combined income of those making over $250,000 was 2 trillion a year. The Federal Government is spending money at about a 3.7 trillion dollar a year rate.
So how is it that those evil rich people can pay enough tax dollars to cut the middle class tax rate to zero.
Send me those drugs you are smoking please!!!
Historywriter writes: Gifts? Like help for Hurricane Sandy maybe? Or how about Social Security, which we have paid into all our lives and our now getting some of it back. It's not an "entitlement," by the way. That's the word repubs use to make it sound as though we're getting something just because we're all whiny, irresponsible victims.
The rich need to pay more. They need to pay what they did in earlier years--the Clinton years, perhaps, when we had a surplus and a steaming economy.
Yes, I agree, if they keep this up they will not only become irrelevant, but will have a hell of a time finding anyone to grow their food and sew their clothes or wait on them for dinner at their fine clubs.
Response A couple of points here.
You don't hear me criticizing money spent to help victims of hurricanes. Those people need help and that is not what is breaking the budget.
As far as social security goes, that is nothing but a Ponzi scheme courtesy of the federal governmant. Unless you are retired right now, that will be one of the biggest rip offs you will ever get hit with. In my case, I went back and calculated that with my donations to social security, just getting the 30 year T Bill rate of return, I should have a 2 million dollar plus account waiting for me when I retire. Instead I will get about 35-40,000 a year. What a rip off!!!!!!!!!! And note, I am not discussing the disability part of social security, that is separate, I am only looking at the pension aspect of the program, which is about 85% of it.
Don't for think for a minute think that the rich have enough money to float what the Federal Government is spending right now, you are truly decieved if you think that for even one nanosecond.
Note that Clinton dropped the capital gains rate, and 18 months later that budget was balanced. And because he had to deal with a Republican congress for his last 6 years, he did not spend nearly the amount of money that President Santa Claus is spending now.
What about the gifts Romney was going to give his cronies? Perpetual tax cuts & exemptions, gov, subsidies & loopholes! What about favors to Sheldon Adelson like halting investigations on his sleazy gambling operations & possibly invading Iran for this crusty old Zionist? Letting the Koch Bros. to continue to pollute, that's a pretty big gift I'd say!
Rather than a remote piece of land, we should set them adrift on an ice floe in the Arctic Ocean. That ice floe will rapidly shrink due to climate change, and will eventually disappear.
HoHoHo...HAHAHA...HEHEHE...Please stop my face is hurting from laughing...I shared your comments with five co-workers (we are all republicans. All of us voted for someone other than Romney)...You wanna know what their response was to you rant(s)...And I quote; " This guy is a perfect example of why more and more people do not like the republican party and why more people voted AGAINST Romney than for Obama."
You seriously need to relax...United We Stand DIVIDED We Fall.
I admit that Obama is/was not my choice for President. However, Romney and the republican party would be no better for the good of the PEOPLE, which infact IS the country. As it is today NEITHER party is truely working for the public...They are working for the BIG Corporations.
I think it is absolutly wonderful and amazing that you take complete care of yourself and don't depend on anyone else to "pay your way" OR "Lend a hand"...If this is ABSOULUTLY true then you should have NO ONE else to thank but yourself. So yes hord all your nutts (and you will), lock all your doors and live in your little ticky tacky bubble that you call reality.
Mean while the rest of us poor schmucks all have to thank each other for the helping hand.
You see I don't mind helping someone who is down and out (for whatever reason)...I myself have been in dire straights before and needed assistance from my family, my friends, my employer and yes even MY Government. I would much rather see MY Government spend MY tax money on: Education, Healthcare, and programms to help those in need, rather then spend trillions on illegal and unnecessary wars, and expanding our Military Industrial Complex.
There is one thing about our country that has never changed in our 236 yr history...Rich white men not wanting to pay taxes and the poor white baffoons that buy into their rehtoric with hopes of joining the club.
Yes I am a conservative...But I am a humanitarian first.
When the world embraces the power of love rather then the love for power...The world will then know peace. (???)
Ken ware, Elioflight.......WELL SAID!
mcowley01: I know what you mean about Texas, my youngest sister lives in the hill country outside of Austin and thinks Glen Beck is God. Also I had the good fortune to spend a month in the UK way back in the summer of 78 as a member of a track and field team from the US. I recall meeting a pre-med student at the University of Birmingham and was greatly impressed when he mentioned that his passion to help others, not financial gain or status, was the driving force behind his efforts to become a Doctor.
This election showed America how out of balance or cockeyed our system is. Isn’t Santa a basic notion of philanthropy? But maybe also a spiritual transcending from the almighty. The old world folklore, or, now, a joyous time with generosity for those who are good to be rewarded by the divine rich job creators?
Sure is not happening now for the average American, is it? Or, for those forty seven percent that can never be reached, should they get a piece of coal instead of a gift according to folklore. Or support Romney with your coal job and loose pay or your job if you don’t support Romney. With a ho ho ho, so impoverished girls don’t have to prostitute themselves we have womb testing. Oh oh oh now proctology testing too. The Republican Ram rods from one end to the other offering reign of tearing faction and civil butchery.
Just incredible what America has tolerated, From Waterboarding to help decision making, virginal probes, now the Annulus Brutus, the southern governor, the Sid Cæsar of modern politics, Haley Barbour. Offering his wisdom that America does need. Our sewage system infrastructure needs reconstruction overdue in feces forensic analysis. March ahead with the fuhrer in facitical goose step.
Oh yes, gifts from habitual thinking from Romney to take the derivative of his true cast, the North Pole now at the Canary Islands or in precession weaving through tax loop holes, from the Swiss bank market avoiding climate change? Let dancer and prance by French mission deeds God bless America and the elevator repairman.
If you can tolerate five minutes of comedy drama and a message this silent video by Sid Ceasar is different. Reminds me of our media.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEhF-7suDsM
I don't know what happened with my comment, but I could not edit it. The edit window did not show the bottom paragraph.