ABOUT TIME!!! - Yes, He Strong-Armed Them & Why Shouldn't He?

[kpete]

(found comment)

Obama has now done what most Americans wanted him to do - put pressure on BP to do the right thing. Yes, he strong armed them and why shouldn't he? They have done serious damage to our coastal waters and industries and experience tells us that corporations always look to taxpayers to clean up their messes. One need only recollect the Exxon Valdez disaster to know that the courts cannot be counted on for protection or remediation when one has been damaged seriously by the malfeasance of a business. It took years for the Exxon Valdez case to wend its way through the courts and then after a judgment of $5 billion was made, the federal appeals court cut it to $2.5 billion, after which the Supreme Court cut it down to $500 million. Now these same people who were foaming at the mouth about how Obama wasn't taking charge, wasn't doing anything or enough, are complaining that - what the f*** - it is xenophobia? it's too tough? he's a big meany to that poor little oil conglomerate?

As for Obama not acting in good faith or not being bipartisan, it is just another load of hogwash from the usual suspects. Obama has damaged his credibility with liberals and progressives precisely because he has gone too far to make nice with those conservative democrats and Republicans that were deemed potential allies. At the very outset of his administration, McConnell, Boehner, and Repugnant Party head, Rush Limbaugh made it clear that they had no intention of dealing honestly with the president and want him and the United States to fail. They don't give a damn about the country, for them, it is all about politics.

Most of us won't forget this any more than we will forget who put us in the mess that has been stewing for the past eight plus years - and it wasn't Obama.

more:
http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/06/quote-day-ease-bp

[havocmom]

1. Yep. Most Americans WANT the POTUS to be an advocate for them

The GOP seems to favor all 'leaders' remaining quiet lapdogs for corporations.

The bully pulpit is a wonderful tool and should be used well in defending AMERICA and Americans from global corporations who are fine with poisoning the world, killing us and other residents of the planet. We would like to see that bully pulpit used more often. The corporations are exploiting us to death.

[jenmito]

2. The old criticism of "He's not tough enough" is now "He's too tough."

He can't win. The Repubs. found a way to criticize him for being both a bully and an ineffective weakling. :eyes:

[bdamomma]

5. I like a President who wants to "kick ass"

this incident has nothing to do with Obama, think back to the oil boys Dick and George.

[Froward69]

3. The perpose OF our President

is to be our KING. to make the snap decisions needed in these circumstances. To "strong arm" FOR the American people. (and for American Business but that's different circumstances)

I for one Give High praises to President Obama for securing 20billion for the gulf coast victims. Thats far more than Exxon paid for what they did to prince William sound AK.

GOD SAVE THE PRESIDENT!!! ;)

[zippy890]

4. kick

damn right

[eallen]

6. Reminds me of a president past. Named Teddy.

:hippie: