1. BP is responsible for the gulf oil problem. No doubt.
2. The Constitution has something to say about wrongs and payment:
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
3. President Obama has demanded an advance payment of $20B from British Petroleum to compensate the injured for their losses.
4. There has been no court case, no legislation, nothing resembling due process and the rule of law in this situation. BP has been penalized without prosecution.
This is a shakedown. But it is much more. This amounts to an unconstitutional control of a company based in another nation.
Of course he has his apologists. Just as Barney Frank admitted that the nationalization of health care initiative did not consider jurisdiction, so also those defenders and protectors of political violence are also defenders of bypassing law. Kos & C&L. And the Jew-hating Arianna Huffington.
This is the thuggery of a nouveau communist who demands what he wants from private corporations. He stated his intentions to interfere directly into the BP’s retention procedures. He already hires and fires at will in the US. What will happen if churches, and Christiansm in general speak out against this radical behavior? Will he fine us? Will he come after our churches? Audit our taxes? What?
Or shall we just keep quiet?
Dear Reader,
Can I be direct with you?
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