That Sound You Hear is Joe Barton Getting Tossed Under a Bus

Except no one tossed him under a bus. He happily jumped under it on his own. But he is also saying that everyone just misunderstood what he said. So is all good.

So does this mean that Rush Limbaugh loses his position as the de facto head of the “conservative” movement and Republican Party if he doesn’t apologize immediately?

The amazing part is that he wrote this apology down on paper. Meaning, he had to have read it at least twice. Once to put thoughts to paper and twice to refine it. A cynic would think that the Reps DON’T want to take control of congress. .

You will note in the first line of the statement from Pence and Boehner they say –

The oil spill in the Gulf is this nation’s largest natural disaster and stopping the leak and cleaning up the region is our top priority.

Want to take any bets on their being called on that by anyone in the media?

Zip.

No doubt about it, some Repugs are so stone-cold stupid that even the other Repugs notice it.

Digby has a post up linking to to this:

“Rep. Joe Barton has earned nearly $100,000 from an interest in natural gas wells that he purchased from a longtime campaign donor who also advised the congressman on energy policy, according to interviews and records.”

You’ll have to go find it yourself since WordPress won’t allow multiple links. Do I have to email you Adam to get you smack the High Sheriffs?

I don’t thank you for sending me to Digby. Her top post right now is about the Big Money Boyz and their Demo robots. It’s the most depressing thing I’ve read today. Time for a scotch.

Why is Barton the only one apologizing when the 115-member Caucus of House Conservatives released a letter yesterday accusing Obama of a “shakedown” of BP?

http://rsc.tomprice.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=191125

Frankly, I’m outraged at the way Boehner and Cantor are abusing Barton’s right to free speech. I just wish more real Americans like Barton and Price had the courage of their convictions. Perhaps they can relieve Boehner and Cantor of their leadership positions in the House.

Seems like Barton is reflecting the true sentiment of Republicans and the Tea Party, which is that government has zero right to interfere with anything that a business wants to do. That is what the Tea Party is saying, right? After all, even without the government the free market would have punished BP because the oil they have spilled can’t be sold. Isn’t that punishment enough?

Furthermore, why should BP have to pay anything to the fishermen, homeowners, and business owners in the Gulf when those people have plenty of options.

For example, the fishermen who can’t sell catch shrimp, crabs, or fish in the Gulf, can’t they just sail their boats someplace else and fish there? Seems like the decline in seafood from the Gulf will push prices up for those who CAN catch non-poisoned seafood. (Once again the Free Market will work its magic.)

Rather than belly-aching about what they’ve lost, those lazy SOBs need to show a tiny bit of work effort and SAIL THEIR BOATS TO WHERE THEY CAN FISH.

And while we are on the subject of what the people in the Gulf can do besides ask for handouts from the rest of us, let’s be honest about the homeowners and the people who have businesses that depend on tourism. The truth is that they can’t pick up and move like the fishermen can. I recognize that. But, the facts are that sometime over the next 5 years a hurricane was going blow their homes and businesses apart anyway.

Rather than focusing on a door closing, they need to think about this as a door opening. Time to pack up the truck Joad-style and hit road and look for work. America is a great country with lot of opportunity. They just need to stop complaining and go look for it.

True, it will be hard, but just remember what Steinbeck said in the Grapes of Wrath, “They’s a time of change, an’ when that comes, dyin’ is a piece of all dyin’, and bearin’ is a piece of all bearin’, an’ bearin’ an’ dyin’ is two pieces of the same thing. An’ then things ain’t so lonely anymore. An’ then a hurt don’t hurt so bad.”

In other words, people of the Gulf, it might be painful now but you’ll be dead soon anyway. (And if I have to listen to anymore sob-stories about somone’s popsicle stand shutting down I may just kill myself.) So get over it and stop asking for money or help from your fellow taxpayers or from the BP. You are not getting any.

You drew a short straw. And in the America of Barton and Price, the America that we created over the past 40 years through consistent votes for right-thinking leaders, drawing the short straw is just the free market at work. And as we all know, the invisible hand of the free market MUST be obeyed.

Sorry for the downer, Ivy. But, hey, at least you can grab for the liquor. It’s 7am here, so that’s not an option. I have to face this sh!t clean and sober.

The sound I’d like to hear is the wheels bumping over his sorry carcass and of him wailing because he lost his committee position.

No more having to walk them into walls.
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They do it themselves!

This is priceless.

Putting his foot in elephant dung: a new experience for Barton. Notice how arrogant he was when he made his pitch suppoting BP and how evasive he was when confronted by a reporter. Must have given the runs to Boehner and Cantor.

“That Sound You Hear is Joe Barton Getting Tossed Under a Bus”
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Don’t you mean:
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“Dozens flee as trash talker steps on a land mine”?

Lewis Black, take note.
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Bravo!

Choska: Are you for real? Do you know anything about commercial fishing? Do you know anything about licensing and quotas? Did you know that oysters are havested from beds that take years to produce? Do you know the difference between Gulf fishing and ocean fishing?
Why don’t you get your lazy a$$ in gear and go to the Gulf coast and tell them your theories? Let’s see how long before you are taken for a long boat ride.

This thread’s on fire!

apr . . . choska’s engaging in the dark art of satire.

So getting reprimanded and told to apologize means getting thrown under a bus? Thousands of parents all over America are throwing their children under buses every day! Call Social Services!

Satire is a dark art, indeed. My day job is Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts.

For the record, apr. I grew up in Southern Alabama and spent many summers in Destin, Pensacola, Mobile and over in New Orleans. My Dad and I spent days and days fishing in the Gulf. So, yeah, I know how fishing in the Gulf. (And when I got old enough to drink I joined the long line of people to get sauced at Flora-Bama.)

On top of that I now live in Seattle, just up the road from where the fishing fleet docks in Ballard. I’ve fished for salmon in Alaska, pulled crab in the Nehalem Bay in Oregon, and gotten my line wet all over the Puget Sound.

So, to answer your question, yes, I know the difference between fishing in the Gulf and open ocean fishing. In fact, I’ve done it. Have you?

A good hunter should always I.D. his target before pulling the trigger.

Just like dozens of DAs are shaking down inmates every day

Of course it was a natural disaster. That oil rig was made of coral, right?

“Seems like Barton is reflecting the true sentiment of Republicans and the Tea Party, which is that government has zero right to interfere with anything that a business wants to do.”
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A few months ago I would have bet money that the Wall Street meltdown would be the poster child for the “conservative” movement’s “small government/free market” dogma, for at least a generation. This is why I don’t gamble.
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Excellent snark, BTW.

“In other words, people of the Gulf, it might be painful now but you’ll be dead soon anyway. (And if I have to listen to anymore sob-stories about somone’s popsicle stand shutting down I may just kill myself.)”
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Some priceless sh!t there Chos. And bonus pts. for quoting GOW!

Excellent catch, Ivy!

This is the best piece of writing I’ve ever seen from you, choksa.
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Thank you.

Personally I don’t care what ANYONE says I have made up my mind on WHO I will be voting for in NOVEMBER by the inept way this country has run since 2006 and the DEMOCRATS took over the house and senate.. Gibbs is like Mayor Daley in Chicago a fat little mouth piece that makes no difference nor uses common sense.. and no one pay attention to.. only difference is in Chicago the MAYOR has the illegal vote and Gibbs doesn’t..

I think the original “misconstruction” (I can’t help it. I giggle every time I think of that word) was also written on paper. That’s why the apologies are so sad. It is not like he “misspoke” reading it off the paper. Emphatically. With themes repeated.

As people say FTW. Of. All. Time.

Uh.er….good for you. That means you don’t have to waste all that time debating with people on threads. Follow your heart and all that. Carry on.

@choska: This month, it’s FTG (For The Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal!)
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@Friar: I read your “Lewis Black” comment before I read all of choska’s post…now I hear Lewis Black channeling choska (or is it the other way around?). Either way, it’s priceless!!1!

So let me get this straight. A congressman argues for due process — does not criticize the criminal probe, does not actually defend BP, just argues that they deserve a process before we force them to pay out and everybody jumps on this guy like he personally sank the oil rig and his own party abandons him

That pretty much sums up what is wrong with debate in this country.

I’m a Democrat and I basically disagree with Joe Barton, but his statement was thoughtful and principled. Better than most. A person can be wrong without being evil or stupid.

Everyone who has cared to read about it has known that Barton is a paid shill for oil companies for years, maybe decades. See, e.g., http://books.google.com/books?id=ektD4t1U_psC&pg=PA53&lpg=PA53&dq=%22one+thing+not+%3D+exploiter#v=onepage&q=%22one%20thing%20not%20%3D%20exploiter&f=false
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But it takes a silly 10 second-long clip for anyone to report on it.
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This is because the media is terrible at informing people about the news.

Thanks for the compliments, folks. Tell your friends. I’m here all week.

No, sorry, Barton’s statement was absolutely ridiculous. BP made this decision. They decided to comply with the request from the WH to put money into a escrow account to be administered by a third party. Apparently Joe Barton would prefer that all of the harmed parties wait 20 years to receive their due as happened with the Exxon Valdez case. It would appear that BP decided that it was not in their interest, short or long term, to follow the example of Exxon. Given that this was BP’s decision, there was no violation of due process.

Yes, my ex was a commercial fisherman. I grew up in Seattle, lived for years in Westport, once the “Salmon Capitol of the World”. Fished with my husband on the Washington coast and the inland waters of Alaska. Also, managed a charter fisheries office in Westport.
My knowledge about oysters comes from my son working and harvesting the oyster beds.
Sounds like we might have somethings in common.
Perhaps I took your Ayn Rand rant too seriously.

That Sound You Hear is the sound of silence (for once) from the swampnuts – NewRustybog, Freeper, Earljar and 3x.
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ROFL

I’m not certain whether we should rejoice at the absence or be perplexed at how they have avoided commenting, and the almost inevitable tossing of themselves under the same bus as the afore mentioned Barton.
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Perhaps they will surprise us in the end with something constructive.

Naw, they’re just figuring out how to incorporate this into their scheme of things.
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By tomorrow they’ll either be uttering full throated (ha! get it?) defenses of Barton or else a new shiny object will come along for them to obsess about.

oh hey look at that lcky9 isn’t going to vote for a Democrat that’s a real surprise I bet everyone’s shocked at that

And in the America of Barton and Price, the America that we created over the past 40 years through consistent votes for right-thinking leaders, drawing the short straw is just the free market at work.
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This.
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We’ve made our bed, as a nation, and now we’re going to get to sleep in it.

The downside of course, although Barton would never see it, is that there are plenty of other wannabe populists around the world who see the interaction between the White House and BP and the outcome thereof as a precedent.

Barton will be quoted throughout the campaign as a reminder of what Tea Party views must lead to. And yes, he has been big with the Tea Party. This is exactly the problem with their ideology. They turn business into sovereigns which cannot be disputed.

Oh, it’s a mystery to me
We have a greed with which we have agreed
And you think you have to want more than you need
Until you have it all you won’t be free

GOOD luck getting THE caps-lock BUTTON on your COMPUTER fixed.

When it is all said and done Barton will be reelected. There are no consequences for the GOP, only for the public they represent.

How was due process violated?

It would be too sublime to think that the PONers staged this to take the heat off BP’s CEO.
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Barton simply reiterated the daily PONer talking point – on Wednesday it was ‘support BP.’ Newly-Remarried Flush gets PAID to entertain [interpreted: lie]. Among others, Bachmann wallows in the swill of the uninformed. So Barton’s not the only one who should get pummeled.

Nuther ringer…

I was asleep. Icky9 shocked me awake too.
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Now I’m good for at least another 5 hours of work…

I know you think Sarah Palin is beautiful, but this is 2010.
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Oh, hell!
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Nevermind…

Barton’s initial comments typify in general the Republican party mindset toward the average American (corporations 1st, people 2nd or maybe a distant 4th behind dogs and cats). Think about it next time you vote.

The “thrown under a bus” meme was already past its prime when it was in its prime.

Actually Barton has received over 1.4 Million in campaign contributions from many oil companies. BP was one of the lower contributors. Perhpas, he was trying to play his cards to increase his future campaign funds. Me thinks I smell a rat. It’s really disgraceful of the repugs.

On the one hand they want smaller government, yet when it comes to the wars, they want to spend, spend, spend.

The only issue is HOW MANY TIMES the bus goes backwards and forwards in the same location making sure that Barton is ground into the dust…for good.

What a buffoon.

Think of this escrow in terms of car accident insurance. Many times, your insurer will pay your
repair costs immediately after the accident, and then settle the claim with the other party’s insurer after all the costs and liabilities have been assessed.

BP will have many days in court, and in fact may even avoid some legal costs, by having made
this payment in advance.

All Joe did was let Hayward know he was still an oil bought politician.

The 20bln is not a shakedown or slushfund, contrary to what Limbaugh says. It is to prevent the 20 year litigation that Exxon did after the Valdez spill. It is to guarantee that BP cleans this mess up, because Exxon did not clean up the spill in Alaska.

Yes, Nature will take care of it… in Her time frame, not ours. No where is it written that Nature responsible for taking care of man-made disasters, because we are charged as homo sapians (wise man; knowing man) to be stewards of the earth. Stewardship does not mean to rape, pillage, pollute or destroy the environment. Nor does it mean to hunt-fish to the point of extinction.

Any moron like Limbaugh who scoffs at pollution and the need to take care of the earth… well, let me ask you … where are you going to live if the earth becomes uninhabitable because of the pollution? if the water is too polluted to drink, how long can you live without water?

If you don’t think pollution is a problem, you haven’t seen the black skies above Los Angeles. If you live in the Dallas-Ft Worth area… go out I-30 in Arlington and look at the yellow domes covering each city. At least in Los Angeles, they have an excuse, Los angeles is in a basin. But Dallas and Ft. Worth are in wide open country, prairie land.. not surrounded by mountains, but why are there yellow domes covering the cities?

choska, that was great. I’m clapping with one hand because the other hand is holding a sharp stick to keep Barton from crawling out from under the bus. Back er’ up and squeal the tires.

“This month, it’s FTG (For The Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal!)”
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I second this!!!
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But. But!
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If I hear even one more of those damned buzzhorns I am posilutly coming after you with the biggest flyswatter I can find!

Thank you! I’ve heard the oil spill called a “natural disaster” more than once. When are reporters or even Democrats going to call them on it?

It’s nothing more than an effort on the part of the GOP to brand the spill Obama’s Katrina. Which is laughable in itself as they still defend Bush and see nothing wrong with his response.