»» Columnists

Paging Joe Barton: Robert Gibbs Won’t Apologize to Tony Hayward

by Tommy Christopher | 3:57 pm, August 4th, 2010

» 9 comments

At today’s White House briefing, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was generously given the opportunity to apologize to outgoing BP CEO Tony Hayward for criticism the administration leveled at Hayward’s May comments about the size of the spill relative to the ocean. While Republican Joe Barton was quick to volunteer an apology to Hayward for the $20 billion fund to compensate for oil spill damages, Gibbs wasn’t in such a contrite mood. In fact, he said “Nobody owes Tony Hayward an apology.”

The premise of the question, from ABC News’ Yunji De Nies, is that maybe Hayward was correct when he observed that “The Gulf of Mexico is a very big ocean. The amount of volume of oil and dispersant we are putting into it is tiny in relation to the total water volume,” and that “the environmental impact of this disaster is likely to be very, very modest.”

It’s important to note that Hayward made this statement in mid-May, when there was no end in sight to the spill. Whether his statement turns out to be true or not, it did not bespeak the sense of urgency and seriousness demanded at the time.

As Gibbs also points out, whatever the eventual impact to the environment is likely to be the result of measures that the government had to push BP to take. Finally, it is much too early to judge the eventual impact of the spill, and of the dispersants. Even if it does turn out to be “very, very modest,” it will still be Hayward, and his company, who owe the apology.

BP, BP Oil Disaster, BP Oil Spill, GOBP, Joe Barton, Robert Gibbs, Tony Hayward, Yunji de Nies

ChiliPeppersFan

i heard bp will have to pay over $17 billion in fines. does that get paid to the epa? and where would that money go?
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

First and foremost , when is the President’s Employee Robert supposed to apologize ? During his Cake Break ? At the Moonpie Hour ? During Snickers Time ? The man has a tight schedule . ..This snide character thinks the reporters are interested is HIS opinions .
BatBoy

Apologizing violates two of the 12 Rules for Radicals that Obama used to teach…

They are…
RULE 5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.”
RULE 12: “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.”
betweentwoevils

BatBoy said:
Apologizing violates two of the 12 Rules for Radicals that Obama used to teach…

They are…
RULE 5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.”
RULE 12: “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.”

You sure those are not Rovain?
BatBoy

betweentwoevils said:
You sure those are not Rovain?

http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/communism/alinsky.htm
Read the Tactics 7.5 & 7.12
betweentwoevils

Source that Obama subscribes to this?
More Liberty

Tommy wrote:
“As Gibbs also points out, whatever the eventual impact to the environment is likely to be the result of measures that the government had to push BP to take.”

I don’t know about that Mr. Christopher. One important point left out of this column, a usual occurrence for you, is that one part of the ineffectual government orders BP to stop using the dispersing chemical, then another part of the government turns around and gives them waivers to use it. I mean seriously, is the left hand of this monstrosity talking to the right hand. Who they hell is in charge of this disaster we call a federal government.
BatBoy

betweentwoevils said:
Source that Obama subscribes to this?

He used to teach it!
RichardBraincase

” Finally, it is much too early to judge the eventual impact of the spill, and of the dispersants. ”

Then why is everyone judging the impact of the spill and disperants? hmmmmmm? Tommy? Anyone?

“… it did not bespeak the sense of urgency and seriousness demanded at the time.”

Like the Golf outings and vacations and concerts? hmmmmmmm? Tommy? Anyone?

Same as it ever was.