The WH didn't "get" that $20B out of BP. Obama facilitated the claims process by getting a Special Master to dole it out. BP voluntarily put up the money and will put up a lot more before this is done, but the Feds need to tone down their attacks on BP or they could fly the coop leaving Joe Taxpayer to foot the bill.
Bullsh!t. He inserted himself into BP's voluntary payments and the meeting was about Obama trying to save his political azz. Look it up yourself.
It was a shakedown, but only for political purposes on behalf of the White House. Despite Obama's idea that he can do whatever the fk he wants to with other peoples' money, the fact is that he cannot "make" BP do anything.
By the way, I have a solution to plugging the leak. Drop a wedding band around it and it'll stop putting out immediately.
I tend to agree, but it is only a Kabuki dance. Obama has been criticized heavily for not making BP more accountable, even though they did. And BP has been criticized heavily for insensitivity and irresponsibility when it has acted fairly responsibly. So Obama has to do the Dance of Holding BP Accountable for its debts and BP has to do the Dance of Contrition and Compensation. Everybody makes stern face for the cameras. Then they get back to business. Both parties understand that certain tribal rituals have to be observed. Fixing the mess is in everyone's interest, but the voracious press must be thrown bones. BP makes out like a bandit here. As has been pointed out, litigation for this will drag on for decades and now the delays will all be on the Special Master, not honest, forthright BP which paid right up front, don't you know, old fellow. :rolleye33:
I think BP has been extremely forthright, considering they may not be the(only)culprit here. There are a lot of legitimate claims that need to be paid now but don't think for a minute that there aren't an equal number of shills out there looking to capitalize. Like it or not, all claims must be vetted.
