Thanks to a reader who sent in this one. This is "ridiculous" because it is ridiculously awesome. Who brings a guitar to a governmental commission hearing? This guy does.
Showing posts with label Gulf Coast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gulf Coast. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
In An Attempt To Sound As Off-Base As Possible...
By TIM KILLEEN
Kentucky Republican Senate candidate, Rand Paul, claimed that President Obama's remarks against BP could cause the oil giant to go out of business. Funny, I would've thought it would be the spewing of thousands of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, destroying economies and ecosystems and losing the nation's trust that would have done that. But, besides the obvious idiocy of the comment, there is an underlying premise to what Dr. Paul is saying.
He explained later that if BP were to go under, it would not be able to pay for the cleanup of the disaster it created. Either Paul is being as pro-business or as anti-business as any politician could be by making his statement. The likely scenario, judging from his small-government-is-best past, is that Dr. Paul really believes that the government is bullying BP and that a corporation can fix its mistakes best without an agency breathing down its neck. In that case, his "wouldn't be able to pay for the cleanup" clarifier would simply be a PR tactic to keep the media (who salivates for the chance to jump on him again) off his back.
However, if Paul really meant what he said as an explanation, he just may be the least business-friendly politician in the country. Essentially, he's saying that the only reason we need this company to continue to exist is so that we can squeeze out of it as much as possible, after which, it's of no use to us. With his quasi-defense (and subsequent backtrack) of southern restaurant owners who wanted to exclude black patrons, it can be assumed that Rand Paul is fairly pro-business. I doubt that he wants BP to stay around simply for its responsibility to the Gulf. In either event, the oil company has paid $3.12b so far on the cleanup- only a fraction of the $17b it made last year. I doubt BP will file for bankruptcy any time soon; but if it should, it would be disingenuous to lay it anyone's doorstep but its own.
Kentucky Republican Senate candidate, Rand Paul, claimed that President Obama's remarks against BP could cause the oil giant to go out of business. Funny, I would've thought it would be the spewing of thousands of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, destroying economies and ecosystems and losing the nation's trust that would have done that. But, besides the obvious idiocy of the comment, there is an underlying premise to what Dr. Paul is saying.
He explained later that if BP were to go under, it would not be able to pay for the cleanup of the disaster it created. Either Paul is being as pro-business or as anti-business as any politician could be by making his statement. The likely scenario, judging from his small-government-is-best past, is that Dr. Paul really believes that the government is bullying BP and that a corporation can fix its mistakes best without an agency breathing down its neck. In that case, his "wouldn't be able to pay for the cleanup" clarifier would simply be a PR tactic to keep the media (who salivates for the chance to jump on him again) off his back.
However, if Paul really meant what he said as an explanation, he just may be the least business-friendly politician in the country. Essentially, he's saying that the only reason we need this company to continue to exist is so that we can squeeze out of it as much as possible, after which, it's of no use to us. With his quasi-defense (and subsequent backtrack) of southern restaurant owners who wanted to exclude black patrons, it can be assumed that Rand Paul is fairly pro-business. I doubt that he wants BP to stay around simply for its responsibility to the Gulf. In either event, the oil company has paid $3.12b so far on the cleanup- only a fraction of the $17b it made last year. I doubt BP will file for bankruptcy any time soon; but if it should, it would be disingenuous to lay it anyone's doorstep but its own.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Gov. Jindal's Secret
By CHADWICK FLORES
In an interesting turn of events, for those looking for someone else to point fingers at for the BP oil spill, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has vetoed an amendment to release his office's records on their response to the disaster. As infuriating as this news may sound to citizens of the Gulf Coast region, to be completely honest there is no secret Jindal's administration set the table for this disaster of epic proportions. It does get the curious mind wondering just what kind of dangerously incriminating details will not see the light of day...for now. In a disaster of this magnitude - where its impact will be felt for years in the Gulf Coast economy, in the courts, and on the beaches - it seems likely that details of the relationship between BP and Governor's office will eventually come out. Regardless of Gov. Jindal's efforts to sequester administrative details, the jury may already be in on his leadership in the court of public opinion.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Drink Beer, Save the Gulf
By TIM KILLEEN
It's that easy. Abita Beer, a brewery just outside of New Orleans (and a staple of NOLA party culture and also a really good brewery) has teamed up with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board to create SOS- A Charitable Fund "that will assist with the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill." Abita's major contribution? Beer, of course. Abita has announced its newest special brew: SOS (Save Our Shore)- A Charitable Pilsner.
The new brew is available in 41 states across the country and $.75 of every $1.00 of SOS goes straight to the charity (as well as 100% of all merchandise). You'll recognize the bottle as the one that has pelicans and fish arranged to spell out S.O.S. on the label. Abita's SOS site also has a number of other practical tips on how you can help the Gulf Coast and those economically (and otherwise) injured. With summer in full swing and fall to follow- two great times to be drinking a pilsner- you'll probably be asked to bring a six-pack to a BBQ, party or beach picnic. Why not pick up some SOS and pass on the word? There's certainly worse choices at your local store.
It's that easy. Abita Beer, a brewery just outside of New Orleans (and a staple of NOLA party culture and also a really good brewery) has teamed up with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board to create SOS- A Charitable Fund "that will assist with the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill." Abita's major contribution? Beer, of course. Abita has announced its newest special brew: SOS (Save Our Shore)- A Charitable Pilsner.
The new brew is available in 41 states across the country and $.75 of every $1.00 of SOS goes straight to the charity (as well as 100% of all merchandise). You'll recognize the bottle as the one that has pelicans and fish arranged to spell out S.O.S. on the label. Abita's SOS site also has a number of other practical tips on how you can help the Gulf Coast and those economically (and otherwise) injured. With summer in full swing and fall to follow- two great times to be drinking a pilsner- you'll probably be asked to bring a six-pack to a BBQ, party or beach picnic. Why not pick up some SOS and pass on the word? There's certainly worse choices at your local store.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Get Real, Britain
Clive Crook does well to note Britain's "whining" over what they perceive to be "anti-British" sentiment over the BP disaster. Similar pieces have been written on other sites and many British are defending the oil company, claiming that that their pensions depend upon its success. This all begs the question: How do the British possibly have any right to get angry over this?
As Crook points out, anti-British sentiment has been almost non-existent in the whole deal and if the situation were reversed we'd be hearing about how unbelievable it was that the "competent and confident" Americans couldn't fix the problem. Americans are mad at BP because they continue to destroy an important ecosystem in our country, not because they're British. We'd be mad if it was Shell or Exxon or whomever else. British pride and sense of honor may be even higher than its American counterpart, but on this one, all they can rightfully do is admit that one of their companies made a (huge) mistake and hope things get better in the Gulf.
As Crook points out, anti-British sentiment has been almost non-existent in the whole deal and if the situation were reversed we'd be hearing about how unbelievable it was that the "competent and confident" Americans couldn't fix the problem. Americans are mad at BP because they continue to destroy an important ecosystem in our country, not because they're British. We'd be mad if it was Shell or Exxon or whomever else. British pride and sense of honor may be even higher than its American counterpart, but on this one, all they can rightfully do is admit that one of their companies made a (huge) mistake and hope things get better in the Gulf.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Ridiculous Video of the Day
Today's RVOTD is a tribute to BP's Tony Hayward and has terrible gaffes. Sure, we've heard them a hundred times before, but that doesn't make them any less ridiculous.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Ridiculous Video of the Day: Really?
Forgive me, Tony Hayward, if you aren't first and foremost in the people whose lives are in my thoughts and prayers in the gulf right now. I'm sure it's ripped your life apart by having to work non-stop to clean up the worst man-made environmental disaster in American history, but I think most people's sympathies lie elsewhere.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)