Oil Spill

[srkruzich]

why would they need the courts when they agreed on a settlement? 

Damn how dumb can ya be!  They agreed cause they were forced into it by the Executive branch. AND if you don't know why that is wrong, then you really need to go back and learn and understand our Government system of rules and laws.
The executive branch does not set up penalties and execute them.  Setting up fines and penalties is based on law.  THe administration of law is done through the judicial system. The executive branch has NO AUTHORITY to do that.

[Wilma]

I thought the judicial system was for settling disputes.  Law Enforcement is the branch that makes the arrests and complaints.  Until the complaint has been made and the accused has been brought to trial the judicial system doesn't have anything to do with it.  In the case of an International Incident such as this, there must be another procedure, but I am sure that the judicial system doesn't get into it unless it goes to court.

[srkruzich]

I thought the judicial system was for settling disputes.  Law Enforcement is the branch that makes the arrests and complaints.  Until the complaint has been made and the accused has been brought to trial the judicial system doesn't have anything to do with it.  In the case of an International Incident such as this, there must be another procedure, but I am sure that the judicial system doesn't get into it unless it goes to court.

Your right.  Obama bypassed the process. He acted as judge jury and executioner without a trial.  And no there isn't another proceedure to handle international companies. 

[Diane Amberg]

Hey Steve, you be sure and call Washington and tell them they've got it all wrong.    1- 202-456-1414 or 1-202-456-1111

[Wilma]

Steve, of course I am right.  This case has not gone to court so why would the judicial system be involved in it.  And how does one country go about accusing another country of misconduct and taking them to court?  This was a case of negotiation, with both parties agreeing on a settlement.  Nothing to do with judicial.  It happens all the time to avoid the lenghty, costly process of court proceedings.  Negotiation is the fastest way to settle a situation.  Now if one party fails to live up to the agreement, perhaps court proceedings will be necessary.  In this case nobody, not even Obama, did anything that wasn't legal or above board.  The United States asked for reparation and BP agreed.  Case settled.

Why do you think it should have gone to court?  Why do you think that the Judicial system should have been the one to take action?  The Judicial system doesn't handle anything except things that are in dispute.  There has been no dispute in this case.  As far as I can tell, BP has agreed to everything that has been asked of them.

[Anmar]

Steve,

Before you start calling people dumb, take a look in the mirror.  Here's how the process works.  Party A (BP in this case) takes actions that infringe upon Party B (the government) and party C (The people).  Before a lawsuit is even filed, Party A admits liability, claims responsibility, and publicly promises to pay all legitimate claims.  This was stated May 3.  (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0319032520100503)

More than a month later, On June 13, Congress sends a letter to BP asking for the creation of a 20 billion fund to pay for the damages that BP HAS ALREADY ADMITTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR.  (http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/06/dems-want-20-billion-bp-fund)


A few days later, BP agrees to set up the fund.  (http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=2012968&contentId=7062966)

If BP were to dispute the claim of either party B or party C, then said parties can take BP to Civil court.  Usually, a class action lawsuit is filed by people who are damaged, but they also have the option to sue individually.  However, if an agreement is made before the lawsuit takes place, there is no need for civil court.  This is what some people call, a settlement.  (http://www.yourdictionary.com/law/settlement)

You are bringing up law, and law breaking.  This isn't an issue of the penal code, this is Civil.  Learn the difference.  The people that were affected by the oil spill have rights under the civil law to collect damages from BP.  The 20 billion is not going to the government, Obama will send a bill for cleanup and will collect fines and punitive damages in addition to the 20 billion later.  This money is to SETTLE claims of individuals and small business that were damaged by the Oil spill.

For those of you intelligent enough to determine the difference between civil and penal codes, this article may be interesting.  If you still believe the government is stealing money from BP (because you can't read?) then don't bother clicking the link
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/is-the-20-billion-fund-actually-a-victory-for-bp/

[pamagain]

 When do you reckon they might get around to shuttin this thing down? Some time this century maybe?

  Yeah one so-called "expert" trotted out the nuke idea about a month ago................couldn't believe anybody would be that stupid when I heard it the first time...much less that it's still being considered as a viable option, last resort or not.

[Catwoman]

You go, Anmar!!!!!!!      I'd give all that research an A+++...!!!!!!

[pamagain]

 I second that Cat.

[Varmit]

When do you reckon they might get around to shuttin this thing down? Some time this century maybe?

  Yeah one so-called "expert" trotted out the nuke idea about a month ago................couldn't believe anybody would be that stupid when I heard it the first time...much less that it's still being considered as a viable option, last resort or not.

The nuke idea really isn't that bad of one.