Is A Shakedown Needed Sometimes To Shake Things Up?
Posted by Michelle Moquin on June 17th, 2010
Here’s the latest on BP and Obama’s demand that BP pay for the damage that the oil spill has caused to our environment and the livelihood of many:
Republicans on the Hill have calculated that President Obama’s successful demand that BP set up a $20 billion escrow account to pay out claims is ripe for political attack. In the wake of Wednesday’s White House announcement, a host of GOP officials are raising questions about both the process by which the deal was made and the deal itself — going so far as to apologize to BP on America’s behalf.
“I’m ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday,” said Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) during a hearing on Thursday morning with BP’s CEO Tony Hayward.” I think it is a tragedy in 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 — with the attorney general of the United States, who is legitimately conducting a criminal investigation and has every right to do so to protect the American people, participating in what amounts to a $20 billion slush fund that’s unprecedented in our nation’s history, which has no legal standing, which I think sets a terrible precedent for our nation’s future.”
“I’m only speaking for myself. I’m not speaking for anyone else, but I apologize,” Barton added. “I do not want to live in a county where anytime a citizen or a corporation does something that is legitimately wrong, [it is] subject to some sort of political pressure that, again, in my words, amounts to a shakedown.”
Airing criticisms against the notion of forcing BP to fork over $20 billion in liability revenue would seem like a fairly risky proposition considering just how reviled the oil giant is in the current political environment. And Democrats quickly jumped on the congressman’s remark, as well as those from other Republicans, as evidence of a lack of sensitivity for the victims of the spill.
“What is shameful is that Joe Barton seems to have more concern for big corporations that caused this disaster than the fishermen, small business owners and communities whose lives have been devastated by the destruction,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. “Congressman Barton may think that a fund to compensate these Americans is a ‘tragedy’, but most Americans know that the real tragedy is what the men and women of the Gulf Coast are going through right now. Members from both parties should repudiate his comments.”
“While the President has worked to ensure that BP is held fully accountable to the families and small businesses of the Gulf, Republicans and Joe Barton are proving that they are only accountable to BP and the oil industry,” added DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan. “While the President has secured a guarantee of at least $20 billion for Gulf Coast residents, Republicans and Joe Barton have lined their pockets with BP contributions and stock dividends. While the President has gotten BP to rightfully apologize to the American people for their reckless behavior, their inexcusable response and their insulting approach, Republicans are apologizing to BP. Republicans could not have this more backward, and it raises serious questions as to why they are on the side of BP and the oil companies instead of that of the American people.”
Readers: The republicans are once again sticking by them and theirs. Just in case BP survives this financially, the Republicans want Tony Hayward to know that they still have his back, that they still support him, and Big Oil. They want to ensure that they can continue to count on Hayward’s contributions to fill their pockets when needed. And they’re just a tad upset because right now they’re seeing their precious future BP contributions saved for the American people, where it should be.
Sometimes a Shakedown is needed to shake things up. Thoughts? blog me.
Are you kidding me: Hmm…your comments are so familiar – I know who you are. And it is obvious how very little you know about political tact and diplomacy. But yep, I agree with you, there are suckers born every minute…and waiting in the wings is are greedy, self-aggrandizing perpetrators ready to pounce. Which one are you? I get the feeling you’re probably the latter who sits around and does nothing until it affects your livelihood, and then all you do is bitch and blame someone else.
Zen Lill, Helena:To be fair, I do ask for money, but only in the form of donations to my blog, to which I have received to this day: NONE. I know donations are being sent, but I am not receiving them. That is a story in itself that I care not to discuss.
anon: Evidently you can eat that pork. :)
Nora: I thought your post was pretty darn funny.
Hi Mike: Thanks.
Pearl: My pleasure. Thanks for being a part of it.
Peace out…I’m off to take Lucy to the beach, and then work calls. Have a lovely day everyone!
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)
June 17th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Does Someone You Know Drink Too Much? Have a Drug Problem?
Lisa M. Najavits, PhD
Boston University School of Medicine
Is someone you know drinking too much or too reliant on drugs, legal or illegal? Or maybe you wonder if you yourself have a problem.
About 15% of the population develops a substance-abuse problem at some point in their lives, and even people who do not have a serious issue may find that stress tips them into consuming more than is healthy.
Whether they turn to alcohol, prescription narcotics or street drugs, substance abuse can become a coping strategy.
One key to recovery is to learn other coping strategies. The warning signs and what to do next…
QUESTIONS TO ASK
Has the following happened more than once in the last 12 months…
1. Has drinking or drug use caused you to fail to meet an obligation, such as a deadline at work or picking up a child from school?
2. Have you been under the influence of alcohol or drugs when driving or in any other circumstance where you need to be fully alert? Examples: While operating machinery, riding a bike or when alone in an unfamiliar place.
3. Has your drinking or drug use hurt your relationships? Examples: Losing a friendship or triggering arguments with your spouse.
4. Has drinking or drug use caused you a legal problem, such as an arrest for drinking and driving?
Answering “yes” to one or more of these indicates substance abuse.
Substance abuse can lead to dependence — a more severe problem. You may be dependent if you answer “yes” to three or more of the following…
1. Are you using the substance more often or in greater amounts?
2. Are you spending more and more time thinking about the substance, obtaining it and using it?
3. Do you have physical symptoms when you stop, such as feeling “hung over” or agitated?
4. Does it take more of the substance than before to give you the desired effect, so if you stick to the previous amounts, you feel dissatisfied?
5. Do you wish you could cut back or stop, or have you tried and failed?
6. Have you dropped or cut back on “good” activities, such as exercise or making an extra effort at work?
7. Have you continued with the substance even though it is hurting your health, such as aggravating depression or causing stomach problems?
HEAVY DRINKING
People often are surprised to realize that they drink more than is safe. “Low-risk” drinking is no more than seven drinks a week (no more than three on any given day) for most women, and no more than 14 a week (no more than four on any day) for men.
Also, most people find it surprising that “one drink” is smaller than they think — five ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor or 12 ounces of beer. For some people, such as those with a family history of alcoholism, the only safe limit is no drinking.
About 30% of Americans drink more than the low-risk limits and are considered “at risk.” This means that they are likely to develop a substance-abuse problem or may already have one. Heavy drinking also increases the risk for many health problems, including liver disease and cancer, as well as car accidents.
QUITTING
If you think you have a problem, there are several ways of reducing your use or quitting. Some people quit all at once…
others cut down gradually. However, if you suspect that you have a severe substance-abuse problem, it is important to see a medical doctor before stopping. Quitting can be dangerous.
Example: If you are dependent on alcohol, within a few hours after your last drink, you may experience shakes, sweats, nausea and headaches
. After six to eight hours, you may experience hallucinations, as well as convulsions, which can trigger a fatal heart attack or stroke.
A doctor may recommend that you enter a hospital. Go to http://www.samhsa.gov for a government listing of facilities, or call 800-662-4357.
NEW WAYS TO COPE
Once you have decided to address a substance-abuse problem, it’s helpful to adopt new coping methods…
Identify your “substance-use thoughts,” and plan a rebuttal. What is going through your mind before you down the extra martini or take one more pill than prescribed? Come up with an effective counterresponse.
Examples: Instead of, “I can do what I want,” tell yourself, “My drinking hurts the people in my life.”
Instead of, “This feeling will never go away unless I have a drink,” tell yourself, “It’ll pass.” Instead of, “I don’t care about the future,” ask yourself, “How will I feel later?”
Practice grounding, the technique of focusing outward when you are hit by strong emotions or cravings. This minimizes the pull of your inner state, keeping you from feeling overwhelmed and helpless.
Grounding can be mental or physical. Experiment with different strategies until you find those that work for you. Try reading aloud, counting to 10 or repeating a phrase to yourself.
Run cold water over your hands, or clench and release your fists. If you need physical grounding in public situations, carry an object, such as a piece of yarn or a stone, in your pocket and touch it when you’re stressed
. Soothe yourself by recalling a peaceful place or thinking of favorite things (animals, songs, people).
Talk to yourself compassionately. Many people are harshly critical of themselves. Strive to coach yourself through challenges with kindness and understanding.
Example: Say to yourself, “I didn’t do well on that job interview, because I need to practice interviewing.” Don’t say, “You idiot, you’ll never get a job.” You might also write down some compassionate statements and read them regularly.
Examples: “You have suffered a lot and have overcome many challenges.” “Even when you were drinking heavily, you always supported your family and showed your children that you loved them.”
Be honest. Secrecy and lies are part of the problem. Honesty can be liberating. Choose the truth — within yourself and to people you can trust. Be aware that sometimes honesty can get a negative reaction.
Example: A drinking buddy feels that you have deserted him because you can no longer meet him in bars. But being honest gives you a chance to form supportive new relationships.
Ask for help. Some people take on too much, adding to their stress. Make reasonable requests of friends and family, staying specific and tailoring requests to their abilities. The help can be either emotional or practical.
Examples: Ask a friend to call or visit. Ask a family member to babysit your children once a week. Asking for help makes you stronger because it increases your resources and allows you to address your needs.
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Lisa M. Najavits, PhD, professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and lecturer at Harvard Medical School, Boston. She is president-elect of the Division on Addictions of the American Psychological Association and author of Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse (Guilford) and A Woman’s Addiction Workbook (New Harbinger). http://www.seekingsafety.org
June 17th, 2010 at 11:42 am
Hi Mischa, if that’s a shakedown (as opposed to taking responsibilty) then call it what you will, I think it’s totally justified and I think Barton shiould play ‘trading places’ for a week before he speaks out with utter nonsense designed to keep his pockets (and hid reghugs Inc BP) filled with green.
Larry, you’re on, will get out the top and take a pic, will that win you the bet? I’m still working on the pic for the peepers, my eyes are itchy and red for a week now but some med drops are providing relief – soon as they clear you’ll get see the mirrors oft soul also but methinks you’d rather see my ta’s anyway. It’s cool…most men fluctuate between the two : )
Nora, that was so funny, thank you for the comic relief!
Pearl, wow 41 lbs, good for you, that made my day : ) and I mustve missed the write a book comment but I’m ahead of my own game, I’ve been jotting heading outlines fir awhile now and retracing my emotions behind what I write bc it is about living this life your way on your terms and mine may be different do I must leave the space for personal interpretation although if I can inspire anyone to do anything I have to admit I feel complete (some cash for it might be nice also though)
caio for now, luv, Zen Lill
ps I ran into my old ‘guru’ yesterday under odd circumstances, I’m thinking he’s an alien, but he called me Zen, no Lill…I asked him why and he said you know why…hmmm…Roy, do I have an alien or two in my immediate vicinity? A simple yes/no will do, but feel free to elaborate if it pleases you. Thanks.
June 18th, 2010 at 7:19 am
I arrived at work today with the usual office chatter in full meanness about how Obama is handling the oil crisis. Considering he is dealing with another crisis caused by the hands-off business republican policy, the should be ranting at what the republican party has done to the country with their sell out to big business.
Ashley
June 18th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Oh, I’m getting very hot for you, my charming Mrs. Bond.
And though you will not smile, on me, I never will despond.
This moment when I write to you, indeed, quite still I stand,
With my proudest prized possession asweating in my hand,.
Some randy little sweet things have lured me to their arms.
And a few really horny Cougars have yielded me their charms.
So only give me leave to go afishing in your pond.
And I’ll bring my rod and reel, oh sporting Mrs. Bond.
From my window, I can view you each morning when you rise.
And watch the foamy motion as you wash your lovely thighs.
Then I pray for some enchantress to transform me with her wand.
I long to be the towel you dry your belly with, my darling Mrs. Bond.
If some god would grant my wises and accomplish my request,
I’d ask to be the little breeze that skips across your breast.
Or I’d pray to be that teddy of which you are so very fond.
Then I could caress your bubbies and tender ass my gorgeous Mrs. Bond.
Mrs. Bond, you must forgive me, but, indeed, I cannot wait.
So open up your pretty mouth and swallow all my bait.
There’s one reflection left to solace me beyond.
I’ll never go afishing unless it’s in your neatly coiffed pond.
Jeff
June 18th, 2010 at 7:54 am
Beware of New Drugs
Jan Garavaglia, MD
The FDA has taken about a dozen drugs off the market in just the last 10 years. Medications that appear to be safe during the approval process can later turn out to have dangerous effects.
Example: The antibiotic gatifloxacin (Tequin), originally approved for respiratory infections, was later found to cause dangerous changes in blood sugar levels, resulting in the deaths of some patients.
The deaths were especially tragic because most patients would have done just as well with older — and safer — drugs.
Most new drugs are tested on only a few thousand patients at most. If a drug causes a deadly reaction in, say, one in 20,000 patients, it might be years before the dangers become apparent.
Avoid any drug until it has been on the market for at least two years. That’s long enough for serious dangers to surface. (Of course, some patients benefit greatly from new, breakthrough drugs, but for most conditions, older drugs with proven safety profiles are equally effective.)
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Jan Garavaglia, MD, chief medical examiner for the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Garavaglia is host of Discovery Health channel’s top-rated series Dr. G: Medical Examiner and is author of How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America’s Favorite Medical Examiner (Crown). http://www.hownottodie.com.
June 18th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Hafa adai
Michelle, I know it is not your fault, but it certainly has been difficult getting in these last two weeks.
Guys there is a big bomb that was discovered on Guam, here’s the scoop.
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Guam – In July 1944, bombs fell from the sky as American forces prepared to invade a Japanese occupied Guam.
Dim lights Embed
Part of the Allied plan for the invasion was to conduct heavy preliminary bombardment missions. These missions lasted for 13 straight days.
This set up air superiority and allowed battleships to bombard the island at a closer range which lead to the infiltration of ground forces on July 21st.
Almost Sixty six years to the day, on Monday, a one thousand pound bomb was unearthed during the construction of a parking lot behind the new Fitness Center on the Naval Base.
According to Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer, Lieutenant Brent Wadsworth, construction of the parking lot has been put on hold until the bomb is removed on Saturday. He says there is a 40 % chance that this bomb might be dangerous.
According to Wadsworth, the blast radius for this bomb is between 3000 to 5000 feet. He says before they defuse the bomb on Saturday, they will have everything in place. In case of an accidental detonation, EOD constructed mounds of dirt to block bomb fragments and are the sea bees are digging trenches so potential blast waves won’t travel underground and crack the foundation of their new multi million dollar gym and other buildings in the surrounding area.
Wadsworth says it’s not uncommon to find ordnance on Guam. They receives approximately 100 to 120 calls every year to recovered and remove ordnance from the rest of the island. If you come across ordnance around the island, never touch it.
Wadsworth points out, with the ongoing construction on the base, about 30 to 50 items are found each year. According to Wadsworth, EOD keeps real busy removing and diffusing bombs… like this one.
___________________________________________
I’m excited.
Peter
June 18th, 2010 at 8:07 am
I usually love the advice that “Health Info” gives. But that last one warning about the dangers of trying new drugs didn’t go far enough. I think this article with make my point.
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The scientific spin cycle
Politicians and talking heads aren’t the only ones playing the spin game–researchers are fiendishly good at it, too.
Science is supposed to be impartial, but a new analysis reveals the sad and frightening truth: Studies published in some of the world’s leading medical journals often reach conclusions that are completely at odds with the actual data.
British and French researchers looked at 72 recent studies, and found that half of them reached conclusions that made the treatments look good, even when a closer look at the results in the study itself revealed otherwise, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
That’s assuming they didn’t fudge their own conclusions, of course.
Even worse, the peer-review process in place at these journals often fails to pick up on the biases, false conclusions and outright lies, according to the new study.
Take a 2000 study on Vioxx, which found the drug had a fivefold increase in heart risk when compared to an older med.
Should be pretty clear, right?
It would have been–if the researchers behind that study came out and put it that way.
But they didn’t.
Instead, those researchers declared that the other drug in their study simply prevented those extra heart attacks, according to the new analysis. It wasn’t a weakness in Vioxx–just extra protection from the other drug, they claimed.
Well, we all know what happened after that… Vioxx was ultimately pulled from the market over that very same heart risk these earlier researchers hid.
That’s some pretty deadly spin.
Another common trick is to hide or completely ignore the placebo, making antidepressants and other psychiatric meds look much more effective than they really are, since these meds are often put to shame by simple sugar pills.
I’ve warned you about shady research before… and this study just scratches the surface. Some studies are designed from the beginning to favor the drug, so they don’t even have to hide the real conclusion.
In other cases, they simply cut a study short as soon as they get the results they want. An analysis published earlier this year found that shortened trials almost always make a drug look more effective than it really is.
And if all that smoke and all those mirrors still can’t make a drug look good, they still have one other option: Sweep the whole thing under the rug, and make sure the study never gets published.
One 2008 analysis looked at 71 trials on antidepressant meds. Of 38 positive studies, 37 were published. Most of those remaining studies–the negative ones–never saw the light of day, and the ones that did were published with positive spin.
The researchers behind the new analysis say they believe their fellow researchers aren’t out to cheat–they’re merely “enthusiastic.”
But you and I know better than that.
These people know exactly what they’re doing–and they should be ashamed of themselves.
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If the drug companies are forced to pay bigger penalties to those who are harmed by their faulty products, they will be more careful about what they put on the market.
Ruth
June 18th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Those of you wishing for a woman to get the nod(me included) will have to wait until the general election.
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GUAM – Guam will have an acting Attorney General after Alicia Limtiaco is sworn in as US Attorney for Guam and the CNMI on Monday.
Governor Felix Camacho has appointed longtime Guam attorney John Weisenberger as Acting Attorney General until a new Attorney General is sworn into office in January after this November’s general election.
Weisenberger will serve the final six months of the four year term vacated by Limtiaco. He has served the AG’s Office in various roles on and off since the 70′s.
In 2001 he was appointed by the local Supreme Court Chief Justice as Public Guardian of Guam.
Weisenberger is a 34-year member of the Guam Bar Association.
==============================
I know that I will be looking for a woman that I can support.
Girlz rule Michele
Hafa adai
Anna
June 18th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Hafa adai, Peter
Here’s the real BOMB. Legal weed may be coming to Guam.
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GUAM- Medicinal marijuana has been a hot topic for some time. While many people feel it has legitimate benefits, others feel that its supporters are simply blowing smoke.
Although a good number of people use marijuana for recreational purposes, there are also many others who use it strictly for its medicinal purposes.
Senator Rory Respicio is introducing a new bill to allow doctors to prescribe medicinal marijuana to patients with debilitating conditions.
The bill’s author, Senator Rory Respicio, explains, “We need to focus on allowing for cannabis to be available for medicinal purposes. When you look at people who need this because they’re on their death bed because they have cancer or debilitating illness.
Or people who don’t have access to health care and medication is so expensive. People talk about marinol. Why legalize marijuana for medical reasons when you have marinol available. But go ask those same people how much marinol costs without insurance.”
Despite all of the benefits of marijuana, Respicio stresses that he is advocating it for medicinal use only. In order to ensure this, the use of medical marijuana must be regulated.
Respicio adds, “The other thing that we did is we are going to call for a policy or commission to review this. This is new territory on Guam so we have to look at what they do in the states and how they regulate this so this commission will do that. We also had to take out that section that would’ve removed the $100 penalty for one ounce or less. We felt after much consideration that that would’ve been a backdoor way to legalize marijuana.”
As it stands now, Senator Adolfo Palacios does not support the bill. Palacios comments, “there’s going to be some difficulty in the enforcement of it, the monitoring of it and for what purpose? If it’s for medicinal, there are other medicines that can do that.”
While everyone seems to have strong positions on medicinal marijuana, Bill 423 will ultimately be decided here on the legislature floor. However, There is still time to speak up and voice your opinion on the matter.
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My speak says bring it on.
Wayne
June 18th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Subject: Take two aspirin…
Every year, English teachers from across the country can submit their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays.
These excerpts are published each year for their amusement.
Here are last year’s winners…
20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this
plan just might work.
June 18th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Zen Lill
You give so much to women and men too(if they take the time to listen). So I can’t understand why someone would begrudge you the occasional “happy to be me” comments that you make.
If more women would see themselves in the light you see yourself that would make the world a much much better place. Women should be proud of themselves: the way they look, the way they walk, the way they talk and to hell with men who are uneasy with a woman feeling good about who she is and what she looks like.
Debra
June 18th, 2010 at 9:55 am
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