Washington, D.C. -- Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski moved today to guarantee a bailout of BP and other parties responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil catastrophe. Senator Robert Menendez had introduced legislation, (The Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act) that would have ensured BP can't hide behind the $75 million liability cap that the oil industry had previously lobbied and obtained from Congress for damages from an oil spill.
But Murkowski, once again using the Senate's "Polish rules" by which a single senator can prevent the majority from legislating in a crisis, blocked consideration of the bill. By objecting to proceeding with the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act, Murkowski did a huge favor for her allies and financial supporters in the oil industry. That's because Menendez's bill not only would have protected fishermen and communities in the Gulf of Mexico from being stuck with the bill for Big Oil's recklessness at Deepwater Horizon -- it would also have ensured that, as the oil industry moves into even more-dangerous Arctic waters of the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, it would be held accountable for future catastrophes.
BP itself had earlier promised not to hide behind the $75 million liability shield, and claimed that it would pay any legitimate claims.
In cosponsoring Menendez's bill, Florida Senator Bill Nelson expressed his disbelief of this promise:
"BP says it'll pay for this mess. Baloney. They're not going to want to pay any more than what the law says they have to, which is why we can't let them off the hook."
And sure enough, just a few hours before Murkowski bailed out Big Oil, Transocean, BP's partner in Deepwater Horizon, filed a motion in federal court not only to hide behind the $75 million liability limit, but to use an antiquated 1851 maritime law to limit its liability to only $27 million. Maritime law was the basis for Exxon's dodging most of its liability for the Valdez oil spill, and now Transocean plans to use the same standards -- written for merchant ships but now being applied to enormous oil platforms on the reasoning that, if it floats, it must be a "vessel."
Murkowski's Polish veto won't be the end of this battle. Menendez will try to attach his bill to other energy legislation as it comes to the Senate floor. But her action today makes it clear that she is not just the Senior Senator from Alaska -- she's also the Senator from Big Oil.
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Her Democrat opponent has raised a little over $300. Not much chance, but I would say she's one of those who should be kicked out of office.
"...Today, an historic bill was passed. Commonly referred to as the "We the People BailOut," this unique bill will provide U.S. citizens who earn between $30,000 and $100,000, adjusted for family size and number of dependents, amnesty of all and any debt incurred prior to 2010, including IRS debt and penalties. U.S. citizens were instructed to forward all bills to a special commission charged with validating citizenship, actual debt, etc. Angry Republican leadership "opted out" of this amnesty and also "opted out" any voters who have registered as Republicans or libertarians over the past 10 years. Outraged Republican voters stormed voter registration depts all over the country to burn the records that would have proved their voting status."
Hemp seeds could be used for pig,chicken and turkey feed.(complete protein makes them grow twice as fast)
Use the leaves for hemp diesel and the fiber for ethanoil.
Hemp 6X the Btus of corn
8X the oil of canola.
Aerosol Crimes Slideshow here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=61181&l=727430de4b&id=100001039804456
The Green Peace "Polluters Harmony" ads - "Jeff's Story" at the top directly relates to this discussion.
We may very well have the the most corrupt political system on the planet.The sheer, brazen arrogance of these politicians and corporate goons is breathtaking.
And watch as the White House meets this latest slap in our faces with bellicose rhetoric that soon melts into tacit approval.
The American tax-payer is sure to foot this bill.
Hey Murkowski!!!!
Remember the Valdez? Remember that half-assed "cleanup" Exxon did? Remember what your state's greasy coastline used to look like????
Wake up Murkowski!!!!
I hate to do this to everyone, but I'm sure after reading the email forward below you'll forgive me, as it is pertinent in the most acute fashion:
Dear Friends,
The Belgrade High School Renewable Energy Club is competing for a grant to install a Solar Photovoltaic system and implement a number of renewable energy curricula on/in Belgrade High School, and the receipt of the grant is decided exclusively by popular, online vote. Thus, we're rallying now for all the votes we can manage. Voting is only open until tomorrow (Saturday, May 15th) night at 11:59, eastern time! Detailed below is the voting process-- if you would firstly vote, and then forward this message to virtually everyone you know, it would be deeply appreciated.
To vote:
Go to brighterplanet.com, and sign up for an account.
Select the "Project Fund" tab, select the "Belgrade High CARE Project", and cast your three votes!
Simple.
The mass, grass-roots effort being put into this grant represents the larger, over-arching goal of "greening" Montana's schools, and, as the only Montanan project in the running, we are working to form a communal base of support amongst as many schools, organizations, and individuals in Montana as possible.
It all starts with this round of voting, which is why every vote counts.
My thanks, and please spread the word,
Matt Powell-Palm
President,
Belgrade High School Renewable Energy Club
matt.the.funk.machine@gmail.com
And while Big Oil, Big Banks, and the insurance companies were supplying the Republicans with their campaign cash, the right wing chorus was busy singing "They both do it, they both do it".
My 80 year old mother-in-law thinks that Obama has cut her social security and is going to cut her Medicare. Part of that is confusion but a significant part is the Republicans use of the Big Lie.
Sorry dude blaming Republican's ain't gonna work anymore.. I'm as sick of people pointing the finger at each party as I am of the government itself. Make no mistake it is both democrats and republicans that are ruining this country. Both of them.. All of them..
And the saddest thing about it is that they can somehow still convince so many to buy into their twisted rationale. Of course, their main tactic is fear mongering, and they're damn good at it: http://www.thinkersjam.com/fear-the-evil-left/.
BTW, when it comes to Big Oil, the Dems don't even come close to the Repubs. Check out the campaign contributions: http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/summary.php?ind=E01&cycle=All&recipdetail=M&sortorder=U. Does it seem a little slanted to the right to you?