Will Republicans Condemn Oil Execs for Lying to Congress?
Published November 16, 2005
"I move that we swear in witnesses," Cantwell persisted.
"I second the motion," said Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA, 9,450).
"That's the last we're going to hear about that, because it's out of order," a piqued Stevens replied. When the two women continued their protest, the chairman informed them that "I intend to be respectful of the position that these gentlemen hold."
CNN/Money reported, " Hawaii's Sen. Daniel Inouye, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said the CEOs should want to testify under oath. "If I were a witness, I would prefer to be sworn in so that the public knows what I was about to say is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth," he said. "If I were a witness, I would demand to take the oath."
Commerce Committee Republicans facilitated and assisted in the deception. For this, they should be held accountable. More importantly, this incident underscores the political influence of oil executives and the whorish nature of our politicians. (As the Post's Dana Milbank notes, "the companies summoned to testify have given about $400,000 in PAC money this year alone.")
The Beltway Boys fight for their subsidizers, not their constituents. So-called compassionate and moral values are abandoned in favor of personally profitable policies. And if the poor and middle class are left holding the bag, so be it.
From NBC News:
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) cited multimillion-dollar bonuses - atop multimillion-dollar salaries and stock options - the executives are getting while 'working people struggle' to pay for gasoline and face the specter of soaring home heating bills.
"People are concerned about fairness and justice at a time of sacrifice," Boxer told the executives. "Your sacrifice appears to be nothing." None of the executives responded.
Edited: nd
- Will Republicans Condemn Oil Execs for Lying to Congress?
- Published: November 16, 2005
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Politics
- Writer: Igor Volsky
- Igor Volsky's BC Writer page
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Comments on this articleComments
OMG the white house asked ENERGY COMPANY EXECUTIVES to participate in a task force on ENERGY POLICY! What's next, asking DOCTORS for input on HEALTH CARE. What are they, INSANE!
Dave
One may argue it takes a thief to catch a thief, but in this case, the thieves are all in it together to screw everyone else. Not insanity: connivance & collusion.
Dave: did any of the other stakeholders in the energy policy debate get invited to supply their input to the Vice-President of the United States? Nothing is ever said about that consideration.
OMG the White House is holding a task force meeting on fuel efficiency. Watch out, they're inviting car manufacturers. The Bastards!
Dave
Yes, but would they invite other stakeholders in the issue of fuel efficiency? Hmmm?
Once I knew that they testified NOT under oath, I disregarded the hearings entirely. Why would anyone give them any heed? Obviously, the hearings just become an opportunity for oil company propaganda and congressional posturing.
The problem isn't that oil companies met with Cheney. The problem is that they lied about it. Repeatedly. Lucky for them they weren't under oath, but the fact that they weren't just proves there is a connection between GOPsters and Big Oil. It all stinks.
Dave, r u serious? If it is not a big deal, why was it done in secrecy? If it is not a big deal, why did they lie and say they were not involved as recently as last week? If it is not a big deal, why lie about it in front of congress?
I mean come on. And if you think it is such a good idea to have energy executives involverd in energy policy then I am sure you would also think it is a good idea to have environmentalist and the like? Unfortunately they were not asked.
Maybe that's why our energy policy was such a joke and completely oil reliant.
It amazes me the length that defenders of this Administration will go to defend it. Didn't you ever play connect the dots growing up. It ain't that difficult.
And do you not find it particularly strange that the executives were not asked to take an oath before testifying? It is actually one of the funniest things I have seen/heard in a long while. Of course, you still can't lie in front of Congress so we shall see if charges are broght. I'm not holding my breath.
No, Nalle.
It is a problem because it's a continuation of the Bush administration's policy of having industry representatives set government policy for their industries.
Besides external control as in this instance, Bush has appointed over 100 lobbyists to oversee the industries they were lobbying for.
Government of business, by business, for ...
B U S I N E S S ! ! ! ! !
OMG the administration is forming a policy on fluffy bunnies and they only met with representatives of Ty, Gund and Stieff and didn't meet with one action figure manufacturer. It's a conspiracy!
Dave
BTW, I'm writing my own post on this subject. If you want to me to be serious, read that.
Dave
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/39617)
These are the kinds of corporate pigs - hogs, rather - who should be thrown to the mobs to be ripped apart, together with their congressional whores.