Joe Barton, Republican Representative from Texas, is doing the Texas two-step into deeper dung. In fact, Barton is twisting the truth more than Tony Hayward.
We all knew going in that Tony Hayward is no dummy. He has a PH.D. in geology and is the CEO of one of the largest companies in the world. We also knew that he had received legal advice before entering the hearing, although he did not request an attorney to sit at the table with him. After his testimony we know why he didn’t need one. He is a quick study! In fact, it is safe to say that Hayward is a defense attorney’s best dream and a prosecutor’s worst nightmare. He gave away nothing of value. NOTHING!
As a citizen I was dismayed. As a member of a family of attorneys I was pleased to see someone who actually could follow instructions for so many hours without becoming confused or frustrated.
We cannot say as much about Ol’ Joe. He opened his mouth and put his foot in the cow dung first thing out of the gate. Apparently, during the recess Joe was attacked by everyone with at least one eye and half sense. On his second go at Hayward, Barton tried to back step, saying we “miscontrued” what he said. Well — to quote Sarah Palin — “say it ain’t so, Joe.”
In a statement he made his apology more explicit.
“I apologize for using the term ‘shakedown’ with regard to yesterday’s actions at the White House in my opening statement this morning, and I retract my apology to BP,” he said. “…I regret the impact that my statement this morning implied that BP should not pay for the consequences of their decisions and actions in this incident.”
The bottomline is that Joe is about as dumb as they come — at least on this one. Joe was not kissing up to BP as much as he was trying to knock the POTUS. We all know that’s what the bulk of the Republicans do — not all, but many. And, in trying to slam POTUS he failed to realize that he was stepping on the toes of about as many Republicans as one can line up along the Gulf coast — as well as every Democrat.
So, there is no satisfactory explanation for Joe’s inappropriate comments. And, yes, we all got it right the first time as it came out of the mouth. And, no, we did not misconstrue anything. And, yes, we are still demanding that you step down as Ranking Member on the sub-committee holding hearings today.
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