23rd June 2010, 12:27 AM
That's a stupid position, but to be "fair" (not really), he was basically using a talking point from the republican playbook. He wasn't actually thinking, he was just doing the whole "support business against government interference" thing. You know, an idea based on some originally good principles twisted so out of any relation to what's good for actual people that it's just pointless (and harmful) rhetoric at this point.
I would like to make clear that due process is still the law in this country, and "stealing" money from BP here without a trial would certainly be wrong. However, BP has already admitted fault and is offering the money themselves. There's no extortion here, just the government telling them that they need to stick to their promises.
I still think a good round of humiliation in the courts is in order, though honestly I'm not sure exactly what the laws are regarding legal process against a foreign company. Eh, skewer them in both countries.
I would like to make clear that due process is still the law in this country, and "stealing" money from BP here without a trial would certainly be wrong. However, BP has already admitted fault and is offering the money themselves. There's no extortion here, just the government telling them that they need to stick to their promises.
I still think a good round of humiliation in the courts is in order, though honestly I'm not sure exactly what the laws are regarding legal process against a foreign company. Eh, skewer them in both countries.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)