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June 17th, 2010
07:01 AM ET
Hayward in the Hot Seat
From CNN Intern Emily Landrieu
Tony Hayward is scheduled to testify later this morning before the House of Representative’s Energy and Commerce sub-committee. Hayward is expected to be grilled on BP's role in the Deepwater Explosion. CNN will cover the hearing live.
Meantime, we want to hear from you.
What are your thoughts on the hearing? What questions should the sub committee ask Hayward and what do you want to hear from him?
I want to know why he thought he could get away with this. I have been following this from the begining. I really hope tthat the reps do infact, grill him and do it with alot of heat.
These grillings serve no purpose. We know Tony Hayward is going to tell us what we want to hear. We are going to watch a bunch of our elected representatives looking indignant. Politicians speaking directly to their voters...It's a total waste of time and a joke. Actions speak louder than words. Put a pair of handcuffs on the guy, put him in jail for crimes against America, God, and Nature and throw away the key. Do something that will actually make a difference.
I am interested in knowing more about the disaster plans for all BP's oil RIG Platform's. Is there anything different in the disaster plans from 1 to another or do they all follow the same general disaster plan?
Not specific to Tony Hayward's hearing, but It would also be interesting to know what other company's (not just BP's) disaster plans are. Are other oil company's disaster plans any more reliable than BP's?
I don't want to hear anything, I want him to not waste time at the witness table and to be out on the rig getting things fixed. Congress needs to look at their own regulations and the laws which permitted this disaster. Tony is not the only guilty party, congress had a lot to do with it because of the political leanings of congress.
Reelection is their primary agenda not the protection of America. CNN needs to focus on congress, not BP, not the President. Who voted for what over the years, which party if either is more in the pockets of the oil companies and other corporations.
The names of the members of MMS should be prominently displayed for the public. We should memorize those names! In reality, they are the villains of the whole Oil Spill catastrophe! They should all serve long prison sentences and heavy fines!
None of this will help until we actually stop the oil from gushing into the ocean. Can we just focus on that first?
B.P. just paid 20 billion dollars to give Tony Hayward a break the grilling will be great put the punisment has bean paid off .
B.P. just paid 20 billion dollars to give Tony Hayward a break the grilling will be great but the punisment has bean paid off .
A Shell Oil spokes person said this morning that other countries, specifically Africa & the Middle East, utilize huge tankers that suck the oil right out of the water and into the vessel for disposal when they are faced with similar spills. Why not us?? The spokes person said because an old law called the "Jones Act" makes it illegal to bring in any other countries tankers for help! The Act says we must use our own tankers. So this all begs two questions: Why can't the Jones Act be waived under this national emergency? AND Why doesn't BP own a similar, huge tanker of their own for use in the U.S.?
If we find out that 20 Billion is just a drop in the bucket who gets stuck for the balance of costs? It better have been a deal where its understood that BP continues to pay if the 20 Billion was an ill conceived, unrealistic figure! THE OIL IS STILL GUSHING.
Mr Hoffmeister is so full of hot air if it wasnt for his ties to the oil industry, he would float away. The people from the oil industry are despicable people.
They only care about profits, and their shareholders. Nobody talks about the spil in the gulf of mexico from 1979, its like the event never happened.
These people need to be held responsible for their actions, and inactions as well.
"Little people" and our environmant as well as our health suffers damage from their greed. Once again people in suits who never worked an honest day in their lives, take it upon themselves to play god with millions of peoples lives.
Enough is enough, time to hold people responsible for their actions, regardless of their monetary status. I hope they are made an example off, and jailed for their crimminal disregard to society around them.
Thank God CNN is in DC...Today
WOW is an understatement at today's hearing. Mr. Joe Barton's offensive personal remarks is a disgrace to the proceedings. His remarks that he is ashamed to live in the US saying the White House hi-jacked the $20 million to protect us from BP. I SUGGEST THAT MR. BARTON DO JUST THAT RESIGN AND MOVE TO WHATEVER COUNTRY HE CHOOSES. His remarks are shamefull. As for claiming his remarks were personal rather than political is a farce!
Keep covering the hearing . I like the split screen showing the birds and the oil gushing. You are the only one covering it live. Stay on it. We are watching!
Linda in Florida
Watching Joe Barton apologizing to CEO Tony Hayward on CNN, what a joke.
Interestingly enough Joe Barton's office and email are closed. He received $1.5 million dollars from the oil and gas companies in campaign contributions. Typical politician bought and paid for by big business.
We need to vote him out of office in 2014.
I keep hearing a conflict of interest from some Republican Representatives. These people say they have compassion for those affected by these disasters but I hear these people stress what is most advantageous to them. This is not a place to create a conflict; it is a place to get to the bottom and find out what went wrong and how it can be avoided in the future.
I want to know what his company is doing to ensure that the health of the people cleaning up the "spill" is being looked at, look at all the volunteers that helped with Exxon Valdez and the health issues that they are still going through. Why isn't BP providing the gear needed to ensure that these volunteers do not get sick
Wow! What a monumental day for this country and all of those who wanted the government to step in and do something. For the first time sinse this accident happened BP is actually agreeing to pay a substantial amount into an account that the government can use to pay the devistated families.
Unfortunately our State Reps have made this into an opening statement marathon to justfy thier own corruption as the leaders of our country. These same senators are not worried about this oil spill they are just worried about their next term in the senate. Lets get to the bottom of the accident AFTER WE STOP THE DAMN OIL SPILL!!!!!!!!
I also am sad to bring to the attention of our senators the fact that there is not one major company in this world that will not cut cost and increase the possibilties of an accident if they are able to make a greater profit.. This goes for not just the oil industry but the mining, carpentry, welding, trucking, and every other company that is extreamly profitable. That is why people invest in strong financial companies untiul they have an accident then, AND ONLY THEN, do we critisize that company for poor safety.
America i ask that we all come together and " FLUSH THE TOILET AND DRAIN THE CRAP WE CALL CONGRESS" so that we can start over with hopefully less corrupt of a congress and put this country back on the path of "FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE'. Only after we take care of this problem in the gulf.
PLEASE ask the host to STOP interrupting the airing of the proceedings. Some of us ACTUALLY want to hear what your congressmen and women have to say. It is our one chance to know that our Congress persons ARE actually paying attention, have thoughts and feelings and understand the complex issues they are elected to manage. So far, Congress doesn't exactly have a winning record in this realm! Thanks.
For Barton to be such an idiot and use these preceedings for bipartisan theatrics is reprehensible.The republican party should apologize to the people of the gulf immediately for this embarrasment and also apologize to the President.Just when you think politics can't get any lower this republican official has proven it can.It's an embarrassment and a disgrace to this country.
Looks as if the Republicans are still supporting their wealthy oil friends. Good photo op and paltform to slam the Administration. They are against Regulation and insist that corporations can regulate themselves. I agree that all deep water drilling needs to be halted until it is completely safe. God forbid they start up again and have a second blow out in the gulf. Then what are the Republicans and the Gulf residents going to say. OH Mr. Obama dosen't care about us... ;ool he let them drill again.
This our Congress at its best. A lot of windbags venting their Party line. This should never be done in public. Lets stop the leak then let a independent agent investigate the cause. After that we have a Court system. I seems like all the Louisiana people just like to hear themselves whine. Let us hope that it can be cleaned up. In the future we need to check a little closer, but we are a Capitalistic society and a Democracy. This wont be the last and we just need to learn from this and stop all this idiotic way of blaming someone constantly and spending money on hearings that are useless. I am a retired engineer from the Energy Industry.
I think that Pres. Obama has done the right thing. He has negotiated a settlement cash pool, without a cap, for the people affected by this terrible accident. Why apologize to BP's Mr. Hayward for that???? If Pres. Obama had not done that, he would have been hung out to dry. But now that it is negotiated, what more do they want him to do? Yes, I believe that BP has tried a few ideas to cap the area in question, and each has failed. Since this tradegy is not easily controlled, BP needs time to get more "fixes" in place and hopefully one of them will work. BP was wrong in their actions and Pres. Obama has been right in his. To make this a political "hot ball" is just once again, showing that political parties care more about themselves, than they do getting the right things done. I used to be a Republican, but I was so ashamed of my party with the way the Bush/Gore election debaucle, that I changed my party thinking to Democratic. I have not seem anythinf from the Republicans but crying in their beer. If they would only try to work together, just think about how much better our country could be. AND if both parties worked with BP, just thing what could be accomplished!
Here's a few possible outcomes of this panel comittee:
(a) Pres. Bush created the lack of regulations for "big-businesses" in his presidency.
(b) Pres. Obama gave BP the oil drilling contracts, and should be held responsible.
(c) Tony Hayward's corporation cut corners and should be charged under international law.
And to sum these possible outcomes up:
The American economy is all about reducing governmental restrictions on foreign owned big businesses. It's the way the country maintains its supremacy over the rest of the world. When citizens revolt against these "laissez fair" practices, there is usually a government change. When this new government decides to regulate and tax these businesses, they end up driving away foreign investments.
Catch 22
Why is there no shut-off valve on the blow-out valve on the sea floor?
I don't understand that a major flaw is in the blow-out valve that has no shut-off valve.
I think that Rep. Joe Barton apologizing to Tony Hayward was a very stupid and insulting thing to do. I would really like to see Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi force a vote on what Barton said were every member of Congress will have to vote "Yes" or "No" and publicly go on record about whether or not they agree with what Joe Barton did and said. Any member of Congress who votes "Yes" that they agree with Barton's apology to Hayward will more than likely be found "Guilty" in the court of public opinion. Shame on Joe Barton!
Mitch Dworkin,
Dallas, Texas
Well the great voters of Texas must be proud of Mr. Barton. I wonder how he would feel if the entire Texas coast was in the shape that Louisiana is in right now. I guarantee he would not be speaking out the side of his mouth like he did today. This guy should resign and walk out of that room in shame. Mr. Barton you and others with your same method of thinking are the reason that we find ourselves in the situation we are in
In listening to Joe Barton, I am sickened! Maybe he is afraid of Obama taking the $20.0 mil because of the way the former administration handled the Katrina crises. The government is only protecting the current and future claiments from their losses – much like an insurance company requires a reserve be put up for any losses suffered. Before we criticize, we need to look in our own back yard for how we have handled things in the past!!!. Hopefully the Obama administration with due their due dilligence expediently before paying out the claims. Just get the well pluggeed and the clean up going at a faster pace. Thank you!
OMG–can the opening statements stop! Why is it every hearing on Capitol Hill invites all committee members who attend to make opening statements first and then lets the witness or witnesses [we tuned in to hear from] just sit there for an hour or more! We need to hear Hayward's pathetic excuses and we also need to hear him answer tough questions from the committee. For once Congress needs to run a real hearing-where you hear immediately from the witness (or witnesses) and then have them answer the tough questions. This hearing is all about listening to the committee members. While I am always amused by Barton's outrageous comments I would much rather hear from the witness about what his company is doing to address this environmental catastrophe they have created.
After 1 hour of the Tony Hayward hearing, I've yet to hear any of the committee members ask him any questions. Instead, they seem to prefer to hear themselves talk. I finally understand why Congress never accomplishes much. As much as I find Hayward detestable, I almost feel sorry for him having to listen to this nonsense. Would someone please ask him an investigative question?
I cannot believe the senators who are attacking Obama and defending BP. This is the most divisive and partisan republican group of senators we have ever had. They are against everything and are doing everything to obstruct anything from getting accomplished. They are clearly in the pockets of the oil industry.
We will need to continue to drill, but we need to stop the shortcutting, and make sure the technology is the latest.
People who order corners to be cut should be charged criminally, and do time as well as pay huge fines based on their decisions. The time they do should be hard labor and cleaning up oil spills for 20 years. People who cut corners under objection should be punished also, because they did not resign instead of going ahead.
He looks as if he sitting there thinking about his next holiday out. These people (B.P.) have done nothing but lie and munipulate the Gulf residents and all American people . I think I may talk for the majority. We do not trust anyone anymore!!! Our country seams to be sliding down the toilet hole. When he finally apologizes, think of the millions of gallons a day that have been flowing into our beautiful gulf !!!
Where has Mr. Barton of Texas been for the last 59 day's? Doesn't he understand that the people of the gulf coast need money today, not 20 years from now. If the coast line of Texas was covered in oil would he be making apologies to BP? I think this fund gives some ray of hope to the people affected by this tragic oil spill. I think Mr. Barton owes the people of the gulf coast an APOLOGY!
I can't believe Rep. Barton – HOW DARE HE APOLOGIZE TO BP!
Then turn around and condemn the USA and President Obama for doing the right thing for the "small people" – the citizens of USA! Valtez victums took 20+ years to get a penance of "relief".
Rep. Barton and other who stand by BP should be strung up along side the BP officials – string them all up by their privates out in public so that we, the "small people", of the USA can file by to pelt them with rotten fruits and vegtables!
How big of a canary does America need!
This makes me furious. Corporations run the world now, doing anything they can to keep raking in the money, and they don't care at all who is trampled in the process. BP is just unlucky in that their evil is millions of gallons too large to keep hidden(as hard as they tried.) These suits don't care about the lives lost, the lives ruined, and they don't care if the ocean is completely destroyed in the process either. We're just slaves to them, tricked into believing we're free, and the only thing that they care about is keeping us happy and uninformed enough to not tip the status quo. 98% of the wealth of the world lies in the hands of LESS than 1% of the population, and look how they use their wealth. Not feeding the homeless, not curing illnesses, but hording it like selfish children. This inquisition is a joke. The only way things will ever get better is if we stand up for our rights. Over 90% of people born poor, die poor. Poverty isn't a choice, it's a curse. Wake up, America. They never freed the slaves, they just tricked the rest of us into thinking we're free.
Why doesn't CNN stop interrupting this hearing and let us watch the entire thing??? You also are more concerned with money than letting the American people hear what is being said. You run your commercials and let John King keep talking telling us what we just saw. PLEASE, let us see ALL of the hearing!!!
Andrea
California
The ONLY job of a corporate executive is to generate profits for the share holders. In most cases where no catastrophe results from the cost cutting efforts the CEO is hailed as a business success by stock market analysts. When catastrophe happens a fish must be fried but corporate structure must not be changed. What do you expect when you pay people millions to gamble with other peoples' lives and other peoples' money. I would take great risks too if the rewards were that high and the consequences of my actions will really only affect someone else.
I am ashamed at the Repubican Party for playing politics as usual in this mornings BP oil hearings. How long has Mr. J.Barton been in office as he said speaking for himself and the campaign money he has possibly gotten from the oil industry. He expressed being ashamed of the US Government by apologizing to BP for as he stated the "Shakedown" that occurred in the White House on yesterday when BP announced the $20 millions dollars that they were putting in escrow to benefit some of the suffering people and companies of these lower United States of America who are suffering form short cut pay offs from BP. I am Ashamed of this man he needs to be"Fired". He has been in office too long looking out for his own interest. So many of the Repubilicans have been in office for the last 9 and 1/2 years. President Obama has been in office for 1 and 1/2 years.
This accident had to happen because the rules for proper over site
were not set in place years ago. "Payoffs", ":Shakedowns"
to turn the page hearing after hearing in these USA congressional
meetings of years ago ( Bush 8 years, Obama 1 and 1/2 years) are all apart of this BP oil diaster. Stop fighting , Stop "Shaking the American Citizen down. Stop playing Politics as usual.
Committee members should have to disclose any contricutions received from oil companies before they make any statements.
In 1988 Piper Alpha killed 167 workers. Occidental was found guilty of negligence but no criminal charges were brought. The British Govt. didn't hound Occidental. Several years later Occidental brought suit trying to get back the damages paid!
It is regrettable that Howards is being made the "Fall Guy". When his conduct is analyzed he was working for his Company and the Shareholders (39% American) and that was what he was paid to do. Grow up America!
I was glad to hear Bhopal got a brief mention and that surely is the blackest of man-made disasters ever to have occurred where the poorest people were exploited. Where is the outrage?
I dont think this is the time to be skinning someones hide.This man is in charge of the worst man made disaster in history[even surpassing the election of obama].There will be plenty of time to skin hides after the leak is stopped and the clean-up continues in full force.If we skin hides and ask for resignations because of things that effect the lives of tens of thousands, then the current administration should be skinned because the stimulus package will effect tens of millions of people for generations to come. The cause of the accident has not and most likely will never be found out .This could have been caused by somebody lighting a cigarette at the wrong time, I'm just saying that not all accidents are caused by shortcuts or faulty equipment.BP has not ever said they would not take responsibility for this nor have they said they wouldn't make it right.Theres still 300 someodd million or billion dollars unspent from the stimulus package use this money and let BP pay it back just to get these people on the gulf coast some help today
After hearing some of the opening statements. I am outraged, and in disbelief of BP's actions regarding their negligence of safety. I look forward to hearing how Hayward will respond to these comments.
Republicans are morally bankrupt. If anyone ever wondered what difference there was between the two parties, now they know. Senator Barton's statement is reprehensible and shameful. The Republican Party has always been the party of big business and the Democratic Party the champion of the command man. Even in the face of the worst environmental disaster our country has ever seen, Republicans choose to apologize to the culprit. Such callous insensitivity is mind numbing.
Correction: Republicans are morally bankrupt. If anyone ever wondered what difference there was between the two parties, now they know. Senator Barton's statement is reprehensible and shameful. The Republican Party has always been the party of big business and the Democratic Party the champion of the "common" man. Even in the face of the worst environmental disaster our country has ever seen, Republicans choose to apologize to the culprit. Such callous insensitivity is mind numbing.
Im so tired of everybody blaming the President and the Obama administration for this terrible disaster in the Gulf, BP and Tony Hayward should be held accountable to the fullest and truth be told $20 Billion dollars isn't enough, people's lives and jobs have been destroyed, BP and Tony Hayward should be ashamed but we all know they don't care, they got money!
Scott Stodden (Freeport,Illinois)
Trivia Question: How can you tell when a BP executive is about to tell a lie?
Answer: He approaches a microphone!
Perhaps it is time that the government and oil industry look toward the nuclear industry as a model for industry regulation and safety.
As an individual who has worked in the nuclear industry for over thirty years, I am amazed that the MMS would accept the inaccurate emergency plans and licensing documents that apparently were submitted not only by BP but other oil; companies as well. Having experienced the oversight by the NRC in regard to nuclear construction and licensing permits and their continued monitoring of the industry from construction through operations, I find the government's apparent lack of oversight in this area appalling.
In addition, the nuclear industry places daily emphasis on promoting a nuclear safety culture characterized by conservative decision making, robust corrective action programs, lessons learned from internal and external industry operating experience, and on-going oversight by internal organizations and external industry experts and regulators. In additon, routine self-assessments are designed to identify areas for improvement and corrections in all major departments. It appears that this approach was and is not shared by BP.
There is no question that BP has much to answer for but caution should be used in the "fixes" that will soon be mandated. Our country is in the energy mess that is in today partially because decisions were made that resulted in halting construction of nuclear plants. In addition, it is to our shame that our senators and congressmen have failed to create a viable energy program for our country. Until the needed changes are made, we need to continue to allow drilling on our coasts but with much more oversight by the regulators and the introduction of a much stronger industry safety culture.
To me, once we get through this political posturing and BP bloodletting, we need to focus on fixing the immediate problems, identifying the causes of the accident, identifying the appropriate corrective actions, implement the solutions, and monitor if the solutions are effective.
The line of questioning from the Texas Rep. is reflective of the misconceptions of the majority of participants in discussions of the Macondo blowout. They know nothing of how things actually work. The CEO's of major oil companies are not looking at the specifics of in progress operations. The question is ill-informed and a pointless waste of time, very frustrating the government continues unable to effectively fill its role.
Can't we play the Blame Game after we get the leek STOPED!
Hayward's reaction to all this is disgusting. How he can't recall anything or was not part of anything is making me sick to my stomach. I sense no sympathy at all.
Now comes Dingell. According to BP emails made public by this committee, the lockdown sleeve was planned to be installed at a point determined by approval, or lack thereof, by MMS as to where the upper cement plug could be set. There was no cost saving motive involved. It was not intended to be completely left out of the well completion procedure.
Watching the Hearings with the BP CEO I have just one question. What exactly does this man get paid big bucks for since his main reply to all questions is; I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THAT DECISION. I'd call it a GRAVEY JOB but in this case I guess it is an OILY JOB.
Who's paying Rep Barton?
What a show. First- They waste time by making such ridiculous comments for their own political agenda, Hayward must have felt like getting up & walking out. Then they finally get to the questions (of which they know the answers) & BPs Hayward acts like ignorant dummy, certainly not like a CEO. Criminal charges should be laid immediately. Stop wasting all this time & treating companies like Gods. Makes me sick.
After watching Hayward's responses to the questions. I doubt his words will satisfy any expectations of the american people.
Business operates on getting the most for the least outlay. We all want cheap gas for our SUVs. Shouldn't we praise a company that operates so efficently that it makes huge profits? This is a capitalist society so why are we directing all this name calling at BP? I suppose it makes a change from lambasting financial institutions.
Tony Hayward knew what the questions were going to be. He should have brought people with Him that did know the answers! If you go into court unprepared your going to get screwed and I hope they put the screws to old Tony real good!!!
What a joke! This investigation committee is so dang premature. When the investigations have been concluded is the right time for this not now when there are far more questions than answers. Most members should receive an acting award they just performed. How many CEO's are involved with decisions that are in the hands of supposed experts? Oh, please give Hayward a break. He apologized quite sincerely and he isn't going to slit his wrists over this. How stupid for this display of true ignorance on the committee's part to expect him to assume and speculate! They have just made America look more ridiculous than it is!
Oh yeah, and how about MMS's lack of responsibility?
i think that this hearing on bp is becoming a political football rather than something helpfull for all sides, cnn is showing some partisan behavior by beating the drum all the time as if this is only thing going on in the world,im a person who has watched for over 40+ years., and an independent political observer
I am not defending BP, but you have to understand Tony Hayward is the CEO of a multibillion dollar corporation with thousands of employees and hundreds of projects.There has to be delegation in decision making, he cannot be expected to know every decision that was made and why. I think halliburton and transoceanic were probably the big decision makers in the building and bringing this well online.They can probably answer the engineering questions more readily than the CEO.It seems that it was a seriously wrong engineering decision made that could be the cause of this catastrophe.
How on earth can CEO Tony Hayward possibly answer questions regarding some of the technical aspects of what happened on the oil rig. At this point nobody knows exactly what happened. As he says, the investigation is on going. I'm sure he did not micro manage every aspect of the drilling, leaving the qualified engineers on the rig to make decisions.
STU
$500,000 part has cost them billions.
I do not trust anything they say.
In the end nothing will be done.
All BPs operations in the US should have been suspended until they find a walrus in the gulf.
I sincerely hope he never gets back his "life"! I hope this disaster haunts him for the rest of his life. Not for the disaster itself, but for his callousness and lack of empathy that he has displayed.
Watching Mr.Hayward's SO CALLED [Drilling ] by Congress is a SHAME..!!!! They are all putting on a good show to try to make the American people think THEY CARE & THEY ARE going to get something POSITIVE done for the People in the Gulf area;It's ALL a SHOW. Tony Hayward has such a smug SMILE on his CEO face it's disgusting!! He isn't going to answer ANY questions, how can he?He is so OUT of touch with his JOB, he's CLULESS, Just like our President & Congress are, President Obama & Our Congress are going to get paid NO matter what they say or do!!! Mr.Hayward's going to get his BIG FAT PAYCHECK & Continue to live a LAVISH LIFESTYLE, also! What the heck, 20 Billoion Dollarrs is a JOKE & Chump-Change to BP, they left meeting @ White House yesterday & laughed ALL the way to the BANK! 20 Billion will not come close to proper compensation for the 11 victims who lost their lives in BP explosion & the other wounded in the explosion & NOT even close to enough to REALLY help livesof People who live in Whole Gulf region! Let's see the red tape REMOVED so the good people who want to help save SOME of the wet lands & beaches go to work & giet it done!! ENOUGH...Mr.President, Congress & Commander T. Allen PLZ ACT now for the people & Quit protecting the BIG DOGS....BP.! Your elected for the people & by the people; not to serve Big Business who put a lot of money into your election funds & private business deals! ENOUGH cheap talk, ACTION PLZ!!!! Thank God for CNN News, they are staying on the ground 24 hours a Day to msake sure WTP know the truth & to try to get the Hurting people in the Gulf some HELP!!!! This is a 24 hour a day Man-Made disaster, why aren't the BP Executives & Workers up 24/7 to clean this mess up & to help feed, house & cloth the MANY Families in the Gulf ALL 5 states!!! This is a DISGRACE, & the President , Congress & Attroney General should be Making sure BP is ACCOUNTABLE 4 ALL & GET THE PEOPLE the FUNDS they NEED TO SURVIVE!!!! SINCERELY , Sheila, ALABAMA
I'm sorry I must have missed the explanation, but why will it take until August to get the relief wells ready? I understand these "things" take time, but from April to August??? I must have missed the explanation on this. Please help. Thank you.
If I was asking questions?
#1 what are you going to do now to remedy the leak and the destruction of the coast, peoples lives and the animals?
#2 What happen to the precautions you should have taken?
# Was profit more important that safety?
#3 What prcautions did you take or didn't take?
#4 Do you realize what distruction you have caused?
BP messed up...they were allowed to. They were allowed to not only from a documented flawed agency titled MMS, but from the head-shed called Department of Interior. This department is in terminal turmoil.
I'm tired of the press targeting MMS. It IS Department of Interior that is the cronic disease of natural wildlife and resource mismanagement in the US. No one has focused on Bureau of Land Management that does the same dog and pony show on land. The Department is incompetent, special interest-revolving door diseased.
Get with it CNN and media...Washington and an unknown cancer called Department of Interior is the culprit here. BP did what they could because they were allowed. I'm tired of Salazar getting a free pass on this mess.
Hayward's answers are scripted by his legal staff. He will not answer to any question that might incriminate himself or BP. After working in the Gulf on drilling rigs for many years, I see that our Senators are stumbling with technical questions concerning things that went wrong with the well. A properly trained Oil Field consultant needs to explain to all of them what is unsafe about each of the 7 things found to have possibly caused the blowout. They need to have access to that specific well's DWOP meeting (Drill Will On Paper). It might not help answer questions about things that happened, but it would increase their overall knowledge of how that well was planned.
Purgery is a crime punishable by law, though most times it doesn't happen.
When the Republican from Ohio "grilled" Tony what's his name..Haywood....the CEO said several times "I'm not able to answer that question at this time."
The Republican from Ohio asked good questions that should have been answered with a Yes or No answer.
Haywood's "right and left" shoulder men obviously "drilled" Haywood on what To say and what Not to say .
The two lawyers (they have to be lawyers) to his left shoulder and his right shoulder or" his left and right shoulder man"......
are a big part of the story.....please get it.
The guy on the left (haywood's right) looks to have some conscience(that could be just a look), and the guy on the right has to be RUTHLESS.
My question, if Haywood is a criminal, or purgers himself, do these guys go down with him...........as they should?
I don't care if this is posted or not.......I want to know why Haywood is just talking out both sides of his mouth (after he lied his face became red as he knew he was on the hot seat and had lied) and not really, really answering any questions.
He is so very Vague.
Why can't he be made to answer, this seems to be a waste of time...as he's protected so by these two.........sleezebags to his left and right?
This is a dog and pony show by this Congress! They are asking questions to a CEO that deals with the business of BP not the Engineering Department of BP. Congress shouldn't be asking questions that they know nothing about either. BP is a large corporation and I seriously doubt that the CEO of any oil company head is out on the rig making the decisions of what cement to use on the caps and such and it makes them look so stupid just asking these technical questions. This is political posturing from these members looking for some face time and they look like idiots asking questions they don't know about. Let BP fix the problem and pay for the cleanup other than that let everyone continue to see what they can find in the investigation and quit letting Congress get involved in something they know nothing about.
Mr. Hayward's verbal fencing is very reminiscent of President's Reagan's at the Iran Contra proceeding. He delivered his "I Can't remember" with more charm.
Why hasn't anyone been asking questions of the MMS? They approved the plans for this well, they inspected the operation of this well and all we hear is BP this & BP that. The United States Government is neck deep in this whole mess and someone better start asking the right questions. BP is responsible for this tragedy and they have owned up to this. The whole MMS Department should be terminated and have possible criminal charges filed against them.
Why is CNN picking on Rep. Barton? He is only stating the official position of the House Republican Study Committee, a caucus of more than 100 Republican House members. The HRSC asserts that the compensation fund is a "Chicago-style shakedown." It seems a lot of GOP reps have thrown poor Rep. Barton under the bus for saying exactly what he was encouraged to say!
I do not agree with Ms. Elvia M. Chalmers everybody can learn something from the hearings. The truth is that nothing will happen until Augus and Congress needs to look at their own regulations and the laws which permitted this disaster. Yes, Mr. Tony Hayward is not the only guilty party. Congress had a lot to do with it because of the political gears. Yes, sadly reelection is the primary agenda to the member of Congress not the protection of America. Many Media Companies should focus on congress, not BP, not the President. Who voted for what over the years, which party if either is more in the pockets of the oil companies and other corporations?
What I am not happy about is the interuption of Rick List people on talking about what a senator said 1 hour into the begining of this important meeting with the CEO of BP.
There are a couple of questions from at least two senators that could not be heard that might have been important that the people of this country wanted to hear. Why does this talk between host and quest take place after this meeting is over and use the tape of what they are talking about be used then. After this important time... All the other show host let the meeting continue with out blocking the sound and us having no clue on what was asked of Mr. CEO.
It is time some of your different programs stay out of the news and let it speak for it self.
I believe this whole sub-commitee investigation being done right now is a big joke. If Hayward claims that they have not finished the investigation on who is to blame or where the line of command was broken then why are we having a sub-commitee meeting now? The only reason is for the politicians on the commitee to have an investigation is just to show to their people they are taking action. It is an insult to the American people to have an investigation just because they want to keep thier seats in office. Otherwise why don't we wait until the full investigation is finished. They all looked like fools asking the same questions over and over again just because they told their people they would ask these questions. If Hayward is telling the truth in the fact that the investigation has not been finished then wait until it has been finished.
I think this committee has done all the can do for now, taxpayer dollars are footing the bill and it's time to stop until the investigation is over so there is really no need to grill because we'll know the answers.
Transparency is needed everywhere.
Can anyone PLEASE ask Tony Hayward what his job discription is. What is he paid for? He has passed the buck more than anyone I've ever seen. For someone with his salary – surely he should have SOME responsiblity. If he can not give us this answer than ask him how I can get a job like his? I would love to NOT work, have NO responsiblitys (except to cash my check) and not have to answer to anyone. In addition, please tell him he needs to open a DANCE studio. Never before have I seen a better dancer. Tony dances all around every question asked of him. God help us! In his defence, I would love to say that I'm very proud of him that he knows what day it is.
I am wondering- can the United States jump in and take over the FIXING of the oil breach? (BP to step aside pay the moneys and the bill.lol)
Why doesn't CNN identify the Senators and Represenatives that voted, several years ago, to minimize the safety requirements for drilling in the gulf? Ask those Senators and Representatives why they voted the way they did? What trade offs did they make to cast that vote. Even though some may not still be in office, identify them and ask them the hard questions.
RemoveHazel A de Haseth-Belluomo Outrageous! Appauld! I could not believe what came out of Rep. Joe Barton's (R-Tex.) mouth! I apologize to the people who survived this tragedy, to the people who's livlihood has been destroyed, who will lose their homes, etc. I apologize to all creatures mained and murdered, etc.
Rep Joe Barton is either very very s...tupid or very very calleous. Stupid can almost be forgiven; Calleous cannot be forgiven.
People, vote this ASSinine out, Please!
For those of you who do not know what an ass is: asinine – Definition [ăśə-nīń]
(adj.) Utterly stupid or silly: asinine behavior.
(adj.) Of, relating to, or resembling an ass.
America! We need to be wise and start taking notes so we know who to vote in and wo to vote OUT!
The ceo of BP,An the Chairman of the Broad,are just like the president
and the others on capitol hill,The think that we are the little people.And
the chairman said so.Didnt he,Yes he did.Its nothing to what congress
and the others have called us citizens of this country.We are the stupid
an ignorant people.So lets give them the answers that they understand,vote these people out.The Federal Government doesnt
have the right to sue the states for laws that we the people have voted
in.When they dont do the jobs that they are in effect right now.The Feds
need to make it clear to everyone that it is not legal to hire these people,nore give them places to live,or give them food,or water.If we
dont let them have these things they will leave.After all they are ILLIGALS.They dont deserve to get or have anything,No matter how
long they've been here.Let them come in the right way LEGALLY,No
problems!Start chargeing 50'ks Per person .They'll go home were
they belong.An the feds should start at Justice dept.and go out to the
other Instutions and then collect from the little people.Lets get these
people out,all of them,and We can do it.Thank you William Traywick jr
IT is amazing that Rep. Barton has received $300K from the oil company, yet makes the most stupid and hypocritical remark. Now, who is not being transparent???
I completely agree with JR who stated earlier "This our Congress at its best. A lot of windbags venting their Party line. This should never be done in public. Lets stop the leak then let a independent agent investigate the cause. After that we have a Court system. I seems like all the Louisiana people just like to hear themselves whine. Let us hope that it can be cleaned up. In the future we need to check a little closer, but we are a Capitalistic society and a Democracy. This wont be the last and we just need to learn from this and stop all this idiotic way of blaming someone constantly and spending money on hearings that are useless. I am a retired engineer from the Energy Industry."
This hearing accomplished nothing. Let's solve the problem, find out what caused it and take steps to make sure it never happens again. This could have happened to any of the companies currently drilling in the gulf.
I have been reading from experts that the flow rates are severely under reported and that it was estimated that the pressure coming out of the blowout preventor is showing more on the order of 60,000lbs psi rather than 11,000-14,000lbs psi. If this is true, then the pipe going from the preventor to the actual reservoir of oil most likely has been eroded away (essentially 60 days of uncontrolled flow at high pressure)....and if that is true then running relief pipes into this pipe connecting the preventor to the oil reservoir will not work and possibly cause even more problems. I don't know what is true...anyone have a clue if this is reasonable?
I finally heard Hayward refer to the Blow Out Preventers and knew he would try to lay blame there. I was waiting for him to use this for an out. From watching TV I saw that when BP's R.O.V. cut the riser in half above the B.O.P.'s, there was a separate pipe inside that had also been cut. This pipe was larger than drill string pipe. It could have been casing. The pipe was deformed and oval shaped like it had been pinched by the rams inside the B.O.P.'s. If it was casing, the preventers couldn't shear it and prevent the well from blowing out. If it's true, that means the whole casing string moved upward through the Blow Out Preventers. The locking well head that has been mentioned would have held the pipe in place, keeping the preventers clear for closing. I think the committee should obtain this video and zero in on this.
WoW! As the Congressional investigation began questioning BP CEO Tony Hayward in the Congressional House Energy Panel, Republican Congressman Barton APOLOGIZED to BP CEO Tony Hayward and 'Told him he felt President Obama's 20 Billion dollar escrow fund which was secured from BP yesterday was a 'Governmental Shake-Down' by President Obama!
Wow! That is so very typical of how totally disgusting Republican lawmakers have become, it doesn't get more foul than that does it??
Needless to say, If BP wasn't paying 20 Billion dollars in this initial early-on clean up of the enormous Gulf Oil spill, It would be the American Taxpayers Footing the Bill.
Republican lawmakers in Congress, the US Senate and in the State of Louisiana remind me of a drug addict going thru withdrawal symptoms, demanding more of their 'drug'. Drill baby drill, give them more Oil lobbying dollars to pad their pockets! And in light of all the environmental damage from this current Oil Gusher, they are screaming for more of their crude Oil 'drug'.
All American's can help Louisiana kick their addiction to crude Oil by helping America move to non-crude Oil derived fuel.
And a special shout-out and thanks to CNN for showing the extensive coverage of the Congressional investigation from the House Energy panel of BP CEO Tony Hayward. It is really amazing the questions coming from the Democratic congresspersons appear right on the money while the Republican congressmen appear to be patting Tony Hayward on the back with there 'atta-boy's'.
Yesterday on CSPAN, the aging and grumpy Republican US Senator John McCain appeared to be sleeping during a Senate Gulf Oil Spill investigation as the Office of the GAO was explaining how toxic and poisonous the crude Oil was that is gushing out of the blow-out Oil well in the Gulf, go figure!
I believe Hayward did a great job today! How many times did he have to answer the same questions. I don't believe he's trying to hide anything and when the investagations are done he WILL disclose ALL the facts.
Just like the former Big Oil CEO's that were requested to take the oath and appear before the Congressional Energy Hearing and Investigation, BP's CEO Tony Hayward was ALSO previously given a summary of ALL of the questions he was asked today in person.Tony Hayward didn't even act like he had read them, much less looked up requested BP documents nor contacted his staff for any answers. Just the same blank look as the previous Big Oil CEO's adopted to their questions.
Constantly performing the old Bush-Cheney two step of denial, don't recall, do not know and repeating the lawyered up mantra's of 'doing their best', 'doing everything possible' really falls short of helping Congress and the American people feel very much compassion for BP period.
Nonetheless, it appeared during the Congressional hearing that there are THREE owners on the Oil Well Lease and BP is only one of the three. Regardless if BP is seen as a 'principle' owner or not, Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (APC) one of the other two owners is likely going to be compelled to pay for the Oil spill damages and penalty's.
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (APC) was of course summoned to appear as was the third owner of the lease on this blown oil well before Congress. Neither of them even showed up! For the record, Anadarko is listed as 25% owner on the lease and well.
Investors have certainly torched the stock holdings for the corporations involved. Just for giggles, here are those numbers:
– BP PLC, majority owner of the leaking well and operator of the rig that exploded and sank, down 48 percent, to $31.71 from $60.48.
– Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 25 percent stake in the well, down 44 percent, to $41.60 from $73.94.
– Transocean Ltd., owner of the drilling rig, down 46 percent, to $49.43 from $92.03.
– Halliburton Co., performed cementing work on the well, down 21 percent, to $26.39 from $33.31.
– Cameron International Corp., made the blowout preventer that failed to stop the oil leak, down 18 percent, to $37.60 from $46.04.
More than anything else, when other Corporations and their CEO's see such huge drops in the above company's worth and millions of investors jump ship dumping their stock, they certainly do not want to risk ending up in a similar state of slide.
I wouldn't be surprised if the board of directors in each of the above companys insists their CEO's be replaced and there are large shakeup's with the executive officers and management in each of those companys.
You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time. Semper Fi
I'm sure most people would like to know when this nightmare will end. Tony Hayward won't give any answers that would jeopardize any future lawsuits, his job is to protect BP. This hearing just provides a platform for political grandstanding in an election year.
Barton is a republican and it is well known that republicans ALWAYS support big business over the people. ALWAYS. This is just another example. Though usually the republicans try to sneak about it more.
All these politicians wanted was to be filmed putting BP down so they can use it in their renomation push. Pathetic.
The numbers being reported on recovery per day is confusing because how can we compare to what any other well in the Gulf
daily recovery would be.
Brian in Ohio
While our politicians are busy pointing fingers and grilling Hayward, the oil still gushes out of the well and pollutes the Gulf. Plug the well, clean up the mess and send BP the bill. No one benefits from this continued flow of oil except the politicians, who are getting a lot of face time.
Representative Barton should resign. This was not something said in the heat of battle. Representative Barton had time to think about what he was saying. He has failed the American people who are fighting to save the Gulf of Mexico. This spill is not the fault of government, it is the fault of BP and the companies they contracted with to drill the well. Shameful.
This whole gulf thing is really tragic but the blame should not be totally on BP. It has been the unlimited appetite of the american public for more and more oil which is at the center of all this. In order to quench this appetite oil companies are drilling more and cutting more corners. The only way to solve this is to go green on energy. Shame on our government for not setting policies to an alternative sourse of energy.
The real blame for the gulf spill is the american government for not setting policy to redirect our need for more and more oil.
What i would like to know is, Why they have let it go on for so long? I am sure that they know how to stop the leak, but the real question is Why arent they doing it? is it because of the money. I am sure that they can plug it up and drill a little bit deeper and tap into the well and not lose any more gallons of oil.
I do not deny that BP is not responsible. However I feel that the Obahma admin. is in charge of taking care of this country just as much as Tony Hayward is in charge of running his company. Obahma has failed us again! Yesterdays hearing was a way to take the heat off of Obahma and his administration. Obahma should have been on this since day one. Ask those effected by this disaster. I had seen comments to this respect from those interviewed who are directly effected.
Barton stunned me about his inappropriate "shakedown" comments, then stunned me again by apologizing to Heyward! WHAT? I'm not accepting his apology to BP! He insulted Obama, and HE and the people of the Gulf Region are the ones who should get the apology. Barton obviously forgets that we have frozen the assets of our enemies, and companies that aid our enemies. BP is getting off easy because their innocent employees, and our economy, would be hurt. With the non-stop Republican partisanship in Washington, and on conservative networks, I won't hold my breath waiting for a Republican to apologize to our Democratic President.
If your bathtub was overflowing would you hire thousands of people to keep mopping up the water or would you TURN OFF THE FAUCET???!!!
6-18-10
CEOs delegate; Typically, middle management abuses the power they receive. It’s not unusual for CEO’s to be “out of the loop.” Additionally, it’s far from responsible to ask Hayward to speculate[ rather than be factual] just to appease the emotionally needy for instant gratification. We’d yell later about his “lies.”
Too many in Congress badgered Hayward, not letting him finish sentences–a reflection of the lack of clarity and reason in this country and the pandering to such. It’s rational to wait until the investigations are complete in order to avoid more mistakes.
Aren’t the irrational upset with Hayward’s objectivity in the same way they are with Obama’s? Evolution is toward rational thinking, not devolving into emotional revenge-decisions.
Hi
If you really wanted to stop the oil flow , You would simply valve it off
Use a gated valve mount it to the existing flange , with the valve open . Then once it is set on the old flange and bolted down you can simply shut off the flow of oil.
6-18-10
CEOs delegate. Typically, middle management abues the power they receive. It's not unusual for CEOs to be "out of the loop." Additionally, it's far from responsible to ask Hayward to speculate [rather than be factual] just to appease the emotionally needy for instant gratification. We'd yell later about the "lies."
Too many in Congress badgered Hayward, not letting him finish sentences–a reflection of the lack of clarity and reason in this country. Congres panders to such. It's rational to wait until the investigations are complete in order to avoid more mistakes.
Aren't the irrational upset with Hayward's objectivity in the same way they are with Obama's? Evolution is toward rational thinking, not devolving into emotional revenge-decisions.
I can't believe some people's comments on the testimony of BP's Hayward to Congress yesterday. Doesn't the American people know that Mr Hayward and BP is under a criminal investigation by the AG and this Administration and anything he says can be "used against him in a court of law". Maybe Congress should have read to him his Miranda Rights. Some members of Congress were just 'grand-standing", just makes them look like they are doing their job. The press should investigate why the oversight committees have not had hearings the past four years.
The senators, for all their experience facing stonewallers, hardly asked questions in the right way. Like what exactly is the pressure of the oil coming out of the well? Credit goes to Dylant Ratigan's Show for an interview where it was described as "volcano" like and far far higher than BP "experts" claim. President Obama has been lied to by everyone who counselled him based on the wrong information.
BP's credibility is gone. The citizens of the Gulf states will suffer in in ways we will never grasp because of the enormity of the repercussions, possibly for generations. The American worker's life is no longer valued, our national ecosystem is considered resilient to the point of decimation, wealth and power thrive on this cycle of "too big to be jailed" and we pay for their mistakes so they can continue to provide us what the earth wishes to keep locked very far away from our greedy and ignorant hands.
When is Barton going to personally apologize to President Obama for accusing him of "shaking down" BP? It is overdue!
I watched the whole thing on CSPAN to avoid the irritable breaks and comments. Am I the only one who looked at Heyward's sunburned face and saw contempt for the congressional panel members? Obviously, he must have felt being there was beneath him. This guy thinks he's above it all! I'm really surprised BP hasn't fired him yet.
BP maybe the responsible party for the leak, but the US Government/President Obama is responsible for the clean-up! Why aren't you mad at them for taking so long to get the cleanup process going? You're upset at the loss of animal life – blame our government! You're upset about the oil reaching our shores – blame our government! You're upset about the fishermen not being able to earn money – blame the government! If the US Government/Obama had reacted immediately – 58 or so days ago & arranged for equipment to get out there to block the oil from reaching shore; we wouldn't be losing the battles!
Barton told BP that it was his personal apology which he is entitled to, he was not apologizing for the country!
Yes Republicans believe in business' rights – of course they are the backbone of this country! Where do you get your gas from? Where do you get your food from? Where do you get your cars from? Where do you go out to eat at? Where do you buy your clothes at? For most of us our everyday lives are better because of big business! If you don't believe in big business – then stop using their products! Maybe the computer you are typing on was made by a small company! Perhaps your car was made by a small company! Where do you get your clothes, food, shoes, paper products, soap, furniture etc from? Big business people! If you don't believe in big business – then don't buy/use their products! Try it for one day and see how you would survive without them! Before you get dressed tomorrow morning check the labels – are they from a large company? Don't wear them – rush out buy material from a small store & make your own clothhes by hand! Can't use the sewing machine – it's from a big company! Can't use your stove to cook a meal – another big company made that. Can't drive to work – a big company made your car! Need gas for that car – make sure you find a small gas station that doesn't purchase it's supplies from a big company! Get the picture people?
We live our everyday lives contributing to these wonderful big companies that you claim to despise so much!
Get real! Appreciate those fantastic big companies! Thank the oil companies for being there so you can ride/drive your car/bus/taxi!
You ARE dependent on BIG companies if you like it or not!!!
Have a great day living in this wonderful country of ours that have all these fantastic items! Or move to a third world country and live off the earth! Your choice!
Two things some commenters missed. First, Heyward was sent a letter detailing the questions he would be asked. His lawyers wouldn't let him answer openly – thus all the evasions at the hearing. Second, BP doesn't really want the oil cut off; they need it to help pay for the damages – it's the money thing. Third, the valve someone suggested would have to be a massive 20" gate; you'd need a waterproof motorized operator tested to unfailingly operate at those depths.
The emails provided in the hearing only indicate engineering decisions made on the rig. Until the forensic investigation is complete there is no way to know if those decisions had an impact on the explosion.
Is not hard to figure out the power of BP and the power of money, Congressman Barton, turned over to the other side too quickly.
Like great man Sir Robert Walpole, said. Every man has his price.
I just wonder about Barton, that shows the American people this congressman doesn't work for the people.
As Americans, we need to wake up and scrutinize our representatives, who always fool us that they are representing us but themselves and their big corporations. As always Republicans are the secret financial blood sucking parasites and Democrats the professional liars and we American are left as the fools of the generation. Barton comments justifies everything. The only thing we should do vote them out and deny them of their jobs. Please my fellow country men and women let stop fooling ourselves as the greatest, wisest and smartest in the world.
Tony Hayward’s testimony was a typical political game for the administration to soften the American people’s anger on their inefficiency/lapses. Tony answered the way anyone would in his position so why surprises?
Let’s not fool ourselves Tony Hayward is a very experienced oil /CEO and I bet he knows all the answers to this disaster by now but, will not accept any lapses by BP at this stage unless proved(?)
Strange that competitors Exxon, Chevron etc. distant themselves saying that they would not do drilling the way BP did on this well…can they share their experiences/best practices?
Hearing about $ 20B (looks like ultimate settlement reached?) escrow account is great hear say but, the condition on the draw downs is the most import and I bet it will be another new chapter.
I believe Sen. Joe Barton had a point that do not shakedown BP in an illegal manner for the administration’s face saving that will adversely affect the criminal investigation/ ultimate total compensation
Let’s be smart and work with BP to fix this disaster/compensation before adding more victims due to political threats & speculations on BP that may land them into bankruptcy.
One commenter said that the Government was responsible for the cleanup, then ranted on about the glories of big companies. Let's get the story straight because that's only part of the story.
BP initially told the government the leak was small, that they had it under control, and government intervention wasn't needed. BP initially, and poorly, started the cleanup. When the government realized what BP was and was not doing, they took action that they were prepared to do from day one. The government, and the American people, were deliberately lied to, and action was delayed.
Unfortunately, over the last 60 days, BP's management continues to propagandize, to delay, to evade in order to limit damage to their shareholders. This was highlighted in the hearing. But their plan is actually having the opposite effect.
Rightfully, that commenter talked about the benefits of big companies, but ignores the fact that SOME companies deliberately defraud their customers and the countries they operate in, raking in obscene profits with disregard for lives, safety, and the environment. We need big businesses – a fact – but we also need regulations to make sure they operate honestly and fairly.
In balance, we need to applaud all the big companies, the majority, that operate in an honest and caring way. A few bad apples doesn't make the whole orchard bad, but they have to be tossed out to save the orchard. A few bad top managers doesn't make the whole company bad, but they have to be tossed out to save the company.
We need to stop and think before shooting our mouths off.
Yes Bill, the leak was thought to be small in the beginning. Doesn't mean they lied about it, just means they didn't know the true extent of the damage. It is still the US Government's responsibility to protect our shores and clean up the mess. Once they realized it was bigger than first thought, why not jump in with both feet then?
There are state Governors and Parish/City mayors etc taking responsibility for their own areas and protecting their shores "illegaly" because the federal government still are not there doing it! Ask the Governors of FL, AL, LA and MS are their shores are being protected by the US Government as required by Federal Law! Ask them how the cleanup is being handled by the US Government as required by Federal Law!
While you're asking them those questions, ask them what they think of President Obama's handling of this entire disaster from day 2 or 3 or 4 or even 54! It became his responsibility to get the federal teams out there to protect our citizens and shores no matter what any big company may have said otherwise!
The main thing is we can all point fingers at the other side and we can file lawsuits and press criminal charges. But in the meantime, the shores and people are being harmed! Do all the blame games later!
Get the equipment and manpower out there to protect our shores and environment NOW! FL, AL, MS and LA need help NOW!!!! Thanks
It seems that Rep. Barton couldn't have been concerned with the people he is supposed to represent in Texas. Evidently, he isn't particularly concerned the employees who died at the drill site, the American citizens in the Gulf area whose lives and livelihoods have been so abruptly devasted, the innocent dead and suffering wildlife some species of which may never recover, or the incredible pollution which is destroying what was once a beautiful sea and shore.
Rather, he made it perfectly clear that interests lie with the corporations that, no doubt, contribute huge amounts of money to his political campaigns. In addition, Rep. Barton was attempting to (I'll put it nicely) discredit the President and the remediation fund agreements that have been produced as a result of his meetings with BP.
I wonder if he will be talking out the other side of his mouth when and if the oil reaches the shores of Texas.
Why waste all this time (the politicians time) when you know he has been told by his American lawyer not to answer significant questions? Talking to this corporate criminal is not going to stop the leak. America needs to focus on the problem at hand or step aside and let the global community fix it. Burning the Oil at the surface is just poisoning the atmosphere. Isn't killing all life in the Gulf enough for you guys?
Republican Joe Barton of Texas cared more for BP than the small businesses and jobs lost and "the little people" the name Tony Hayward called the Average American. As a matter of Fact it is no secret that the Republican party were instrumental in lettng BP Off-The-Hook for the explosion of the BP Texas City Oil Refinery in 2005. And it is no secret, that when the Democratic Congress pass legislation to limit BP's operations in 2007, the Republican Bush Administration allowed BP to expand their operations in 2007 anyway.
To many in the news media keep comparing the Oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico to Katrina. But I believe that since the Oil corporations of BP, Transocean, Halliburton who all had a hand in causing the explosion by way of their continued disregard for proper maintenance and safety procedures as they cut corners in being more concern in cutting costs, that the Oil Gusher in the Gulf of Mexico should be compared to 911 instead with the Big 3 as the terrorists.
So Obama should continue attacking and building the criminal case against BP, transocean, and Halliburton which will happen after the information is gathered from the Congressional hearings.
But Republicans are trying to block the Attorney General from attending the Congressional hearings to gather that information by way of coming up with bogus claims that the big 3's civil rights are being violated with the Attorney General at the Congressional hearings. And you want to put Republicans back in charge of Washington. Will wonders ever cease to exist?
BP guilty, MMS guilty, engrs and inspectors guilty. US Gov't guilty and the
US Congress a bunch of dimwits as usual. Get MMS, BP Engrs and
inspectors if you want technical answers. Get on with it and quit this inane waste of time and breath.
The stock holders complaining about dividends not being paid should bring a cup, or bucket, a plastic bag and come on down to the Gulf Coast. The stock holders can then use that cup or bucket and scoop up some of their "dividends" and take that to the bank! People living here in the Gulf Coast are receiving those "dividends" DAILY! If you asked anyone of us living here in the Gulf Coast, along with the wild life and ocean creatures, would LOVE to GIVE back any and all "dividends" to BP and their stock holders.
Stock holders aren't paid dividends on ANY stock without first deducting any and ALL EXPENSES! This clean-up of the Gulf is an expense created by BP and their slip-shod, corner cutting management and philosophy resulting in the Gulf Coast Clean-up Expense!
Why is it that BP cannot address building the coastline issues at the same time that they are trying to cap the damaged well? It seems to me that the Obama Administration should authorize each state to build the barriers to keep the oil out, and allow each state to send the bill(s) to BP. BP needs to stop stone-walling and get to work in all of the marshes, etc., so our coastline isn't completely destroyed.
Unfortunately, I believe the Obama Administration isn't doing all it can to address the ecological damage that is occurring every day. Admiral Allen should confer with General Honore and get going on mobilizing people and equipment to clean up the coastline. When is someone in this administration going to shift gears and get tough with BP? All of these video chats are not addressing our problems. It's almost as if we've become "talking heads" instead of "people of action".
The testimony that BP CEO Tony Hayward provided on 06/17/10 was a travesty. Hayward has got to be the most inept CEO on the planet. Yes, he's a scapegoat, but he did not even try to set the record straight with his testimony, which was a mockery of our system of laws.
It is too soon to even question Mr. Hayward. The committee should have waited until BP's investigation was over with. I would not have answered the questions before having all the facts before me. There was no harm in waiting.
In fact, I believe that they called him in so that they could cover themselves by making it seem like they were being hard on BP. Right now, there is mainly speculation. Once the facts are in, it will be hard for anyone who received money from BP to distance themselves from it. How many of the persons on the panel or in the room, like the Apologizer, have received money from the oil companies.
Talking about the fox guarding the hen house!
Everyone's main concern should be protecting the ocean life and shores! We can worry about who's to blame and any lawsuits etc later. BP is responsible and they will pay, they've already said they will pay.
So please President Obama, call in the personnel that is necessary to get it cleaned up NOW!!! Stop waiting for it to get worse and worse every single day!
Thankj you!!!
Big businesses care more about money. They always have, and they always will. So nothing they do or don't do surprises me. They should do what is right and safe but what bothers me more is that our own people sold those 11 men that died for a few gifts. i keep asking, will crimminal charges be brought against them? There should be.
I really don't care what they ask. The committee is just covering their own tails for the reelection anyway. Just make sure they "pay" for taking shortcuts and creating, by pure greed, the worst man-made environmental disaster in history. And don't let that jerk apologize again!! That shows how this committee works. The future leader of the committee "apologizes" to them!! If it wasn't so sad it would be funny. Let's just get the mess cleaned up, now!! We can do the politic crap later.