Maryann Tobin:examiner.com
Blocking subpoena power in disaster investigative commissions is unheard of. The terrorists crisis, the financial crisis and Three Mile Island commissions all had subpoena power. However, Senate Republicans gave no explanation on Monday when they blocked the Presidential Commission on the BP oil spill from having subpoena power to conduct the investigation. “These guys are in bed with the oil industry” said MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews.Sen. Byron Dorgan D-ND said, “At a hearing that I was at we had Halliburton, Transocean and BP, all of whom were involved on this rig and this drill, and you know what they were doing is pointing at each other. Well, listen, the only way you’re going to get to the real truth and find out exactly what happened is to be able to subpoena all of them and say, look, you have got to produce all of your books and records so that we can inspect them and understand what happened a mile under the ocean out there.”
Protecting BP does not serve the American people, and it will not bring the truth to the millions of people along the Gulf Coast who are entitled to answers. Moreover, it is an insult to the families of the eleven men who were killed the night the Deepwater Horizon exploded. It is difficult to fathom how the Republicans can justify obstructing justice in the BP oil spill, but that is exactly what they have done. The bigger question is, how can Americans let them get away with it?
8 comments:
republicans + BP + Money = No Subpoenas. What's not to understand.
that's all true Jerry, but I think there may be a story that involves some Bluedogs. I'll do some research.
From what I saw of this... the R members all said NO, but it was only through DeMinted because he is the one who filed the objection and I guess that's all it takes.
I am with JC, I think the reason they don't want it investigated is because they are getting too much money from them, including payoffs to keep the investigation from going forward.
There may be some bluedogs, like Landrieu from LA, who support this, but this was all the r's.
This one is very simple- it should not be a Democrat vs Republican thing. It's about doing what is right.
The BP oil disaster is the greatest environmental catastrophe in the history of the Western Hemisphere; probably the only thing worse was the nuclear meltdown in Chernobyl.
Does anybody with half a brain think that oil execs testifying before Congress will tell the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth without the hammer of American justice "encouraging" them to do so?
Many Republicans -read "Tea Partiers"- make a living by questioning the patriotism of those they oppose. But I'll question the patriotism of anyone who'd advocate the blocking of subpoena power in any investigation of the Deepwater Horizon disaster and it's aftermath.
It's OUR Gulf of Mexico. And those hindering the investigation by blocking subpoena power are, for all intents and purposes, using procedural methods to obstruct justice and therefore keep the money flowing into their re-election coffers.
It is, in a sense, legal bribery.
It's that simple.
I think Chris Matthews in particular will being hammering away on this one.
Go get 'em.
Those Republicans have been hitting the sheets with big oil for the longest time. Based on how Republicans jumped to the defense of BP and blocked this subpoena, there's no question of who's on top and who's on the bottom in this "relationship".
I love reading all your comments. You all are smart, informative, and I am amused and sad with the truth that each of you write. Amused because your words are so straight that it's funny (not really a ha, ha funny), but sad that it is SO true. My cup is held high to each of you! Sue, you've got an awesome blog, keep on informing!
Expresso thanks! My friends are the best bloggers there are in the blogosphere, I am so proud to have each and every one of them here, and now you too!
Guys my computer is giving me fits today, I will be back tonight after I give her some time to cool down and a reboot is in order! Grrrrrrr!!!!
I've been wondering the same thing. It's easy to believe that the opposing party has a financial incentive to obstruct, but why have the Democrats dropped the issue so fast? Why hasn't every Democrat been using this in their campaign ads, and blowing up every debate with it? The only conclusion I can come up with is a scary one. Perhaps both sides were paid to put on a few days of political theater and then agree to drop the issue and let the big boys slip away quietly. God I hope I'm wrong, but that would mean the Democrats don't think this issue is worthy of their time to continue to discuss. Obviously committee chairman Markey (D-Mass) is still causing waves, but this should be a forefront issue!
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