Republican Congressman Joe Barton is Truly an Aggie JokeIf anyone has heard a corny joke, it likely was an Aggie joke. Launched against those who hold Texas A&M University near and dear, likely by fans of our archrival, the University of Texas, some are pretty funny, such as this one: "Did you hear about the Aggie that drove his pickup into the lake? His dog drowned while he tried to get the tailgate down." After today's hearing, I'm confident a new one will become popular: "Did you hear that joke of a congressman who actually felt sorry for BP? Yea, he was that Aggie, Joe Barton." Anyone who has read or listened to me knows that I am proud of my native Texas, especially my alma mater, Texas A&M University. But clearly after listening to Barton apologize to BP officials for having to set aside $20 billion in an escrow fund to assist the victims of the biggest oil disaster in American history, I am ashamed that this poor excuse of an elected official has disgraced his Texas congressional district. It shouldn't matter that Barton is often representing the interests of the oil industry. Any sane person would be ashamed at the response thus far of BP, as well as the insensitive and asinine comments that have been spoken by company representatives. In his opening statement, Barton was so over the top that even his fellow Republicans must have thought he bumped his head on his way into today's hearing. "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." A shakedown? The federal government, the states of Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi have had to amass thousands of workers and have spent millions of dollars trying to do all they can to contain the oil gushing out of the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.
All of his because of the explosion on BP's oil platform more than 60 days ago, which killed 11 people and caused irreparable harm to the environment. But none of that means anything to Barton, who is truly carrying the oil of the industry. You would think that a man who is always talking about government spending and fiscal conservatism would want a private company to foot the bill for an oil spill. Why should the American taxpayer have to spend our precious dollars to clean up the massive mess? When the World Trade Center's twin towers were brought down on Sept. 11, 2001, the federal government created the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. Nearly $7 billion was awarded, and that wasn't the federal government's fault (although some would disagree). It is right, fair and just that the Obama administration force BP to fork over billions to assist those who have seen their way of life destroyed by the oil spill. And the American taxpayer, including those in Barton's district, should feel confident that BP will repay the federal government and the states every penny spent on cleaning up their mess. Any man or woman with a conscience should deplore Barton's comments, and no Republican should stand with him. Either you are on the side of BP or the American people, especially those in the Gulf region. Joe, shame on you. And when I bump into you in College Station at a Texas A&M football game, I'll tell you this personally. Roland S. Martin is an award-winning CNN analyst and the author of the forthcoming book "The First: President Barack Obama's Road to the White House as originally reported by Roland S. Martin." Please visit his website at www.RolandSMartin.com. To find out more about Roland S. Martin and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM
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