BP (Back Peddling)

Representative Joe Barton, Texas Republican, shocked his colleagues during the House Energy and Commerce committee's hearing on the BP oil catastrophe.

Speaking to Tony "I want my life back" Hayward -- BP's chief officer -- Barton proclaimed that Mr. Hayward and BP were the victims of the tragedy. Barton apologized repeatedly to the oil executive who oversaw the biggest environmental disaster in U.S. history.

Barton:

I apologize. 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 with the attorney general of the United States -- who is legitimately conducting a criminal investigation and has every right to do so to protect the interests of the American people -- participating in what amounts to a $20-billion slush fund. It is unprecedented in our nation’s history.

I apologize. I do not want to live in a country where any time a citizen or a corporation does something that is legitimately wrong, is subject to some sort of political pressure that is, again, in my words -- amounts to a shakedown. So I apologize.

Rep. Barton has received more than $1.5 million in campaign donations from the oil industry.

Shortly after GOP officials threatened to strip the Representative of all privileges for his apology, Barton began back peddling. He apologized if anyone had "misconstrued" his remarks. The congressman's office then issued an apology for Barton's apology.

Spill, Baby, Spill

The normally talkative Sarah Palin has fallen strangely silent on the topic, but the good old boys down South are facing an oil spill crisis. An oil rig explosion in the gulf has resulted in about 42,000 gallons of oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico daily. The oil is now moving towards the Louisiana coast.

The Wall Street Journal reports: "The crude spill, emanating from broken drilling infrastructure 5,000 feet below the surface at a rate of 1,000 barrels a day, was caused by the explosion and sinking last week of the Transocean Ltd. Deepwater Horizon, which was drilling an exploration well for BP."

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official says the oil is expected to hit shore within days. If that occurs, it could create an economic and environmental disaster.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal says he is receiving constant updates on the oil spill. He insists the spill can be contained and that the government is prepared to handle the crisis. 

. . . Government? . . . Who needs government?

Fresh Brewed Backlash

The civility pledge of the new Coffee Party USA:

"As a member or supporter of the Coffee Party, I pledge to conduct myself in a way that is civil, honest, and respectful toward people with whom I disagree. I value people from different cultures, I value people with different ideas, and I value and cherish the democratic process."

http://www.coffeepartyusa.com/

Sick of Health Care

To be honest, none of us will get the health care bill we each want, because we are not in the Congress.[who by the way should all take a pay cut]. This bill does have flaws, but is a first step in the right direction. Republicans held the majority for 12 years and did absolutely NOTHING. The rich got richer and the poor and middle class got poorer. Who do you trust to get something going here?

Surely not the GOP.

We are so far behind the other industrialized world in health care. We pay 17% of our income, but lag behind the pig Castro/ Cuba in some areas. One would have to live under a rock to believe some of the garbage that spews forth daily from the mouths of the fright-wing.

If the Party of Elephants gets their way, the only 'PUBLIC OPTION' will be to file bankruptcy.
I'm sick of delaying health care reform. GET IT DONE!

Values Voters Gone Wild

MSNBC's Brian Mooar, invited to cover the 2009 "Values Voter Summit" was harassed by several attendees while broadcasting live. Apparently other reporters were similarly threatened.
The head organizer later apologized to the press and asked the crowd of values voters not to be disrespectful, intolerant, presumptuous and rude.

Inappropriate and Regrettable

Apparently overcome with anger at President Obama's plans to offer every American affordable health care, Rep. Joe Wilson simply couldn't help himself.

During the President's September 9 speech to congress, the congressman from South Carolina openly heckled the Commander-in-Chief. As Obama was clarifying that his health care proposals do not include illegal immigrants, Wilson loudly yelled, "You lie!"


Democratic leaders immediately called on Wilson to apologize. Even Republicans were reportedly mortified and offended. John McCain said it was "totally disrespectful," that there was "no place for it in that setting or any other" and that Wilson "should apologize for it immediately."

Wilson issued a brief statement explaining that his emotions got the better of him.

"While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable," Wilson wrote. "I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility."
Emotions were obviously getting the better of a lot of folks. In place of Wilson's website was a blank page with a note declaring the site has been shut down due to maintenance.

Big Bad Bill is Sweet William Now!

As one of the few statesmen left in America with any street cred, former President Bill Clinton met Tuesday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. On the first day of his mission to Pyongyang, Clinton negotiated the release of two American journalists -- Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

Family members of the journalists issued a statement which read in part: "We especially want to thank President Bill Clinton for taking on such an arduous mission and Vice President Al Gore for his tireless efforts to bring Laura and Euna home."

Bush-era hardliner, John Bolton was less than impressed. Asked for reaction to Mr. Clinton's hostage saving (and legacy-saving) coup, Bolton sniped, "It comes perilously close to negotiating with terrorists."

Donald Rumsfeld and Baghdad's Butcher

Sarah Palin Relative Arrested

Diana Palin Arrested on
Burglary, Trespassing Charges

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A half sister of Gov. Sarah Palin's husband is charged with breaking into the same home twice with the intention of stealing money.

Thirty-five-year-old Diana Palin of Palmer is charged with two counts of felony burglary and misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and theft in connection with the break-ins this week at a home in Wasilla, the governor's hometown.

According to charging documents, Diana Palin's 4-year-old daughter was with her during the break-in yesterday (Thursday) morning.

Diana Palin made her first appearance in court Friday afternoon. Meghan Stapleton, a spokeswoman for the governor's family, says the family had no comment.

Deputy Wasilla Police Chief Greg Wood says Diana Palin was confronted by the homeowner, who hid in the home to see if he could catch the burglar who stole $400 Tuesday night.

Wood says tire tracks and shoe prints tied the woman to the scene in both burglaries.

Slaves to the Free Market

Why are tax-payers now forced to hand out welfare checks to huge financial corporations like AIG, Bank of America and Citi Group -- corporations that made record profits over the last 8 years?

Because they're too big to fail.

During the Bush administration's "Free Market" era -- the market was freed from rules, regulations and restrictions. Certain banking institutions were allowed to become so big, they're now intertwined with just about every other major business in America -- and around the world.

If allowed to go under, these few giant corporations would likely take the whole nation down with them in a global financial meltdown.

Thanks, George!

So along with writing out welfare checks to these exceedingly large companies, we should write some new regulatory laws.

First and foremost, we must limit the size and scope of all financial institutions. If they're too big to fail, then they're too big to succeed.

Whew!

We certainly dodged a bullet by not electing the Republican presidential ticket.














Did you hear about this guy, John Thain? He was CEO of Merrill Lynch, a top backer of G.O.P. candidate, John McCain, and was widely talked of as a contender for a top White House economic position should his man win on Election Day.

Instead of being hired to serve in a position of great honor, Thain has been fired in disgrace. Shortly after Merrill was taken over by Bank of America, Thaine was outed for spending 1.2 million dollars on a Merrill office renovation, $87,000 for a rug and $1,400 for a garbage can.

. . . A garbage can?

Thaine's last minute spending frenzy of 4 billion dollars in bonuses to his friends -- after having lost 15 billion in the last quarter -- is now being investigated by the NY AG office. I'm no fan of Geithner, but can you imagine how much worse it could be if McCain/Palin would have won?

Although not perfect, I'm all for this change.

Separation of Church and State

"The Republican choice for vice president, Sarah Palin, is in this pocket of America that continues to prevent our nation from evolving. She has never been in a 'Science Museum '. She obliviously doesn't drive a car cuz she can't explain gasoline coming from oil which comes from fossil fuels because the world is only 4000 years old. We should all be wearing pilgrams outfits to match her way of thinking. She should be tied to a chair and dunked in the Missouri river to find out if she is a witch. What say ye? "

Truth in Reverse

About Miss Todd of Pittsburgh . . .

. . . Her sad tale is falling apart faster than Joe the plumber's leaky story. The 'B' carved in her face is backwards, as she carved it into her face herself.