Stupak: How did oil spill companies get permits?

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – The chairman of a subcommittee delving into what happened at BP's blown-out oil well says he wants to talk with the federal service that is supposed to oversee drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

Rep. Bart Stupak, a Michigan Democrat, told CBS' "Early Show" he wants to know why the Mining and Minerals Service gave permits to BP and the companies involved in various aspects of the well and rig. The service enforces drilling regulations and collects the royalties oil companies pay to the government.

Stupak said Thursday that once permits to drill are issued, the federal government's role is to make sure the companies are drilling properly, to protect the environment. But investigators found evidence of equipment failures in aspects of the well's safety that weren't monitored.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100513/ap_on_go_co/us_gulf_oil_spill_stupak

Its our "special relationship" with England.

We get their support in our mideast wars and they get to drill in U.S. Economic Zone.

"The answer to this question should be painfully obvious. Bush and Cheney. Cheny had a CLOSED DOOR energy meeting with all of the big players and put two ex Halliburton employees in the MMA to be the watchdogs. That, as it turns out, proved to be a disaster, as they turned their heads to let the industry regulate itself.

Cheney got $ 44M from Haliburton just before he took office while Bush was taking care of his old oil buddies and the Saudis.

Now, the Republican Party takes no responsibility for any of this because they now have Obama to bash.

And we have the leader of the Republican Party, Rush Slimebaugh, spewing daily rant and lie broadcasts about anything and everything that he can blame on the Democrats.

How convenient that the right wing nutbags can ignore the previous 8 years of criminal activity by the Bush Administration and blame it all on the Democrats.

How wonderful it must be to be that perfect, or that pathetic, depending on your reality meter".
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100513/ap_on_go_co/us_gulf...

"I've got an answer for all you citizens: go f*ck yourselves. We are republicons, and we are special. Sneer."

- Dickie 'Five-Military-Deferments' Cheney (R - Oil Crony - Halliburton)

Those of us who have looked to the self-interest of oil companies to protect the environment are in a state of shocked disbelief.

Remember the Dick saying that China in coordination with Cuba was drilling 60 miles off Florida's coast. He got it from George Will. Cheney had to recant because it was a lie of course. Florida Senator Mel Martinez repudiated it. Who gave BP permission to drill in our waters? And the Haliburtion connection is pretty obvious.

Chris Mathews said yesterday that Cheney should be brought before the committee investigating BP, Halibut and Transocean.
Wouldn't I love to see that :-)