June 17, 2010

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.