GOP Rep. Joe Barton of Texas — the ranking member on the House Energy Committee — made a decisive splash in his opening remarks. A staunch conservative who has a long record of backing oil industry interests, Barton apologized to BP CEO Tony Hayward for the "shakedown" the Obama White House pulled on the company. (Barton has received more than $1.5 million in campaign donations from the oil industry, according to Open Secrets, a nonpartisan watchdog group.) You can watch the video here—the apology occurs at the 1:45 mark:
"I'm not speaking for anybody in the House of Representatives but myself," Barton explained, "but I'm ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday. I think it is a tragedy of the first proportion that a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown. In this case a $20 billion shakedown."
Wrapping up, Barton said: "I apologize. I do not want to live in a country where any time a citizen or a corporation does something that is legitimately wrong, is subject to some sort of political pressure that is, again, in my words — amounts to a shakedown, so I apologize."
Yo Joe...do us a favor and get on a plane or a boat and get the flock out of here if you don't want to live here...
Each week TRAVIS from "Trav's Thoughts" hosts Five On Friday where we get to select five songs of any mix we care....
Check out the other participants by clicking on his link above...and join in!
You can register for free at playlist.com and type in a band name and BAM the song will be there to assist in building your playlist.
Travis lays out some guidelines for this meme and they go like this:
1. Grab the banner, make your post title Five on Friday, and be sure to link back here.
2. Go to Playlist.com to make your play list of five songs. Choose a particular theme to share with us. You can simply post the play list, or you can add a little summary about what you are sharing.
3. I don't know how to make a specific linky, so be sure to leave me a comment to let me know that you participated.
4. No tags, but feel free to invite your friends to play along if they need a post topic on a Friday.
This week...BLUES HARMONICA is the subject of our five songs.
The descriptions of each artist comes from the website Harmonica Links
LITTLE WALTER: Little Walter could make his harp sound like a tenor sax, he was instrumental in defining the sound that is now known as Chicago blues harp. Singer, composer, bandleader and peerless harmonica virtuoso, Little Walter was unquestionably the single finest blues artist to have been produced by the post war Chicago blues movement.
SONNY TERRY: Whooping and wailing like a man possessed, Sonny Terry drew listeners into a sultry musical world populated with hot headed women and worried men. Though he often employed an ethereal falsetto voice, he was also capable of unleashing hair-raising hollers. His harmonica style was similarly compelling. The North Carolina-born legend would vocalize through his harp, thus intensifying the plaintive moan of the instrument. (Playing with Brownie Mcghee)
JIMMY REED: Jimmy Reed was born September 26, 1925 in Dunleith, Mississippi. It is this beginning that provided the exposure to the Blues. His tools for the blues were a Harmonica, Guitar and his pleading, boasting, chuckling or threatening voice. Reed's simple but evocative sound of walking bass lines mixed with high and slow harp did develop that unique, stacatto style, a blowing style with a lot less suck than someone such as Little Walter or Sonny Boy Williamson.
JAMES COTTON: James Cotton is one of the best-known blues harmonica musicians in the world, and certainly one of the best of the modern Chicago blues stylists, recognized for the power and precision of his playing. (Playing with Kenny Wayne Shepard)
CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE: Musselwhite masters the old Chicago tradition and at the same time experiments like no one else does. Understanding what position he plays on certain tunes is an interesting challenge!
Hope you enjoyed...Have a GRAND WEEKEND!
Hey Joe..."BITE ME!"
EXCELLENT list =)
Barton is a jackass. And apparently he got called on the carpet by the GOP leaders and told to apologize for his apology or lose his seat on that committee. But the cat's out of the bag. This man thinks BP does not have to be responsible for their actions. I guess all those "small people" should pay.
I guess he just doesn't want to be one of the "small people" anymore.
Unfortunately, 90% of politicians are just like Joe, regardless of party. The only difference is the source of their campaign funds! Most of our legislators couldn't find their butts with both hands if heads weren't already stuck there.
On a brighter note, some of the best 5 on Friday music I have ever heard. Outstanding selections.
...one time at a blues festival in Washington I stood on the stage with War, behind Lee Oscar...
...stellar tuneage, Maestro!...
JEFFB: You really want him to? I think he has rabies
STARR: Thanks on the list and I did see where he got called out...freakin idjit
LIZ: LOL yup probably...but now he is not even a people...he is an a**hat
DRILLER: Very true indeed..and thanks so much
PHFRANKIE: You are my hero...and thanks
MICKEY-T: bwahahahahaahahah ...perfectly said
Barton should take a swim in the spew until he looks like an oiled pelican gasping for air.
Love the harmonica. It always amazes me what great music can come from such a simple instrument.
I found the use of the word "shakedown" to be especially offensive
it's so indicative of their lack of respect for President Obama and I will always believe it is rooted in racism
I did a whole lot of commenting on Bush but never did I once lose respect for the office of President of the US, and neither did many of his detractors
the apology for the apology was pathetic
apologies don't even mean anything any more, every asshat has one
Are the A**hats breeding?
Hey Joe,Up Yours,Oh I forgot you already have done that.
Ummm ... at the risk of being tarred, feathered and run out on a rail ... I understand where Barton is coming from.
Seriously people, at what point do we suggest the President run the country instead of trying to run corporate America?? 'Cause I've certainly been seeing a LOT of that this Presidential term.
BP needs to pay, but *let* BP pay! It was a shakedown ... Barton was right, he just needs to learn to hold his tongue!
JAMIE: I think he is slimier than the sludge
DIANNE: I totally agree here
MIMI: Yes it seems as if they are
MIKE: LOL true
DANA: No, President Obama is running the country. This continuing spill and BPs lack of a timely response has put the country in a bad place. The money is there for US Citizens and for the US environment to be compensated. President is ensuring our citizens and our property is taken care of, which is the job of the US President.
BP would put a small amount out there without OUR President holding them accountable.
Barton only gives a crap about his wallet..how is that doing for the USA?
DSNA: Never any tar and feathering here...I respect all opinion and would never ask someone to not state them here.
It's just so outrageous when a corporation is being forced to be accountable for the messes it makes.
JAY: I am flabbergasted at the whole situation!
Just listened to the Set...awesome!
Tony Hayward was well on his way to being the "asshat" of those hearings - until Joe Barton opened his mouth.
After his performance, BP has stated Hayward will no longer be overseeing anything related to the oil spill. Have to give them credit for that, at least.
Whew! Finally got here to check out your Five on Friday set even though it's Tuesday! I'm with Jamie in that I have always been amazed at the music that can come out of a harmonica. I've tried a few times to figure out how to play one but I am completely and totally lost; my grandfather played one very well but alas, I didn't inherit the trait.
I honestly don't think there is anything that says "blues" like a harmonica!