Friday, May 13, 2011

Thom Hartmann: Do we now have three co-equal branches of government - each owned by big oil?

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People who care about the environment are screwed. Republicans are handing our Gulf of Mexico over to oil corporations. A new bill entitled the "Putting the Gulf Back to Work Act" passed out of the House of Representatives on Wednesday ending the moratorium on drilling in the Gulf and giving his oil corporations free reign to explore for new wells as if the BP oil spill last year never happened. But a sneaky little provision in the bill makes sure oil corporations will have a favorable audience in the courtroom if they should screw up again.

The bill says that any lawsuits against oil corporations in the Gulf MUST be brought in front of the Fifth Circuit court. Why the fifth circuit court? Because it's bought off by big oil! Ten of the sixteen judges on the court have stakes in oil - including the Chief Judge who owns over $300,000 in oil investments. Other judges on that court have attended legal junkets sponsored by big oil companies.

Looks like we now have in America - three co-equal branches of government - each owned by big oil.

-Thom

(Do you think there should be any drilling in the Gulf? Tell us here.)

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