(Rand Paul) Senator blocks pipeline safety bill on principle

[alp227]

Source: Associated Press

(09-27) 00:21 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --

A senator who opposes federal regulation on philosophical grounds is single-handedly blocking legislation that would strengthen safety rules for oil and gas pipelines, legislation that even the pipeline industry and companies in his own state support.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul's opposition to the bill hasn't wavered even after a gas pipeline rupture last week shook people awake in three counties in his home state of Kentucky.

Paul, who like his father, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, is a Libertarian and ally of tea party groups, won't discuss his role in stymieing the bill. But industry lobbyists, safety advocates and Senate aides said he is the only senator who is refusing to agree to procedures that would permit swift passage of the measure.

A deadly gas pipeline explosion near San Francisco last year — along with other recent gas explosions and oil pipeline spills — has created consensus in Congress, as well as in the industry, that there are gaps in federal safety regulations.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/09/27/national/w000724D06.DTL

[arcane1]

1. "won't discuss his role"

So I guess he doesn't think Senators should be held accountable for their actions on behalf of the American people?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. An 100 little kings.

The Senate is an anachronistic roadblock.

[Hubert Flottz]

3. He hates abortion but he could care less how many children are

blown to hell...

[DesertFlower]

5. what if it were one of his own?

[bongbong]

4. The Free Market works great!

When (not if) workers die because of the lack of safety standards, they'll never buy gas again from companies that use that pipeline.

It's the Free Market working just as it's designed to!

[gratuitous]

6. All of which begs the question

Since the Paul family seems so dead set against government carrying out its natural function of, you know, governing, why are they so anxious to draw a paycheck and benefits from government and participate in its actions? Unless they're flaming hypocrites who, in a more just world, would be pilloried and made the target of rotten fruit and vegetables aimed by a righteously angry populace.

[Thav]

9. They're the definition of "leech"

They get a hefty salary and golden benefits for getting nothing accomplished.

[Blue_Tires]

14. that's been my point as well

another apple from that rotten tree was interviewed a few months back...(In Texas? iirc) he can't WAIT to test the political waters...

[izquierdista]

7. Only three counties....

Going to take a lot more pipelines blowing up to wake these yokels out of voting for Libertarians.

[Evasporque]

8. bat shit will be the smell after America's downfall into chaos....nt

[FreeBillClinton]

10. Libertarian Principle: freedom to have taxpayers clean up the mess.

[Ratty]

11. My hero. He's so consistent. I just admire him to death

A consistent nut bag that is.

[struggle4progress]

12. Don't let big government take away your right to be injured by unsafe pipelines!

[Angry Dragon]

13. Is Sen Rand Paul a terrorist??

Is he putting his narrow mind thinking above the needs of the American people??
Would he be breaking his Oath of Office??

Is one man more important than over 311 million people??
Is he man enough to put his life where his mouth is??
Let him be held responsible if one more person is hurt or killed and then he can stand trial......
I he man enough??

[left on green only]

15. You know, I've said it before.......

Never trust a politician with two first names. Just look at the dudes' doo. Perm'd curly que barbed wire that is glued to his scalp like a lethal weapon. Is that the look of a clear, straight thinking individual? Would you ever buy a used car from that dude, let alone allow him to ever put his filthy hands inside of your mouth? He must have been a dream to try an potty train. "No, I won't do it and your can't make me!!" "I won't because I said I won't, and that's the reason why" And now in his adult life he is a pillar of reason and logic in the foundation of our dysfunctional federal government. The only people in Kentucky who voted for him that can ever be excused, are all the ones who have single digit IQ's.

[left on green only]

16. Sorry for allowing so much of my fondness for the man show through