| Joe Barton represents Texas' 6th district, Arlington, Ft Worth and some of the countryside running southeast of Dallas, much connected to the exploration and production portion of the oil and gas industry in the US. He makes some very stupid statements, including apologizing to BP executives for the US government's instance on paying for some of the damage its management caused with its "industrial accident" in the Gulf of Mexico.
Today, Vice President Joe Biden was asked about this Congressman's statement. This is what he said.
Among other things, VP Biden noted that a way of life in Louisiana has been severely damaged, and this $20 billion is to be used to pay some of those who are badly harmed through no fault of their own, something of the losses they have experienced.
[added]In his own words:
"I find it incredibly insensitive, incredibly out of touch."
"There's no shakedown," he says. "I find it outrageous to suggest that if in fact we insisted that BP demonstrate their preparedness to put aside billions of dollars ... to take care of the immediate needs of people who are drowning."
Speaking of Gulf residents, he says, "these guys don't have deep pockets." He adds that Barton's comment was "astounding."
One of the reasons we need to elect Democrats up and down ballot in this upcoming lection cycle is to prevent the Joe Barton's from again gaining power over the rest of us. |
