Democrats Considering Unlimited Oil Spill Liability

May 18, 2010

  • May 18, 2010 at 10:30 am
    Joe says:
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    there’s a cap on punitive damages, then what’s proposed by the DemonRats is okay. But it will disadvantage small drillers. On the other hand, limiting liability would favor small drillers, b/c they have fewer assets that could be seized by plaintiffs attys. who won a verdict and would cut corners, whereas, financially large drillers would have more lose and so, they’d buy more insurance and have to price accordingly.

  • May 18, 2010 at 1:57 am
    Ha! says:
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    Never let a good crisis go to waste.

  • May 18, 2010 at 2:02 am
    Darren says:
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    Everyone should be responsible for their actions. There is no reason why the oil companies should get special treatment.

  • May 18, 2010 at 2:04 am
    Fred says:
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    After how GW and Cheney misused 9/11, I’d never talk about using a crisis for anything.

  • May 18, 2010 at 2:07 am
    Joe says:
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    I don’t see a problem with it either, b/c by removing a limitation on damages, Congress actually would be limiting gov’t. interference. Plus, this would require oil companies to buy more insurance.

    Having written that, I do agree with gov’t-imposed limits on non-economic damages, b/c most juries are composed of yahoos, most of whom hope that when they get some minor injury that a jury will reward them with big lottery-sized verdict.

    Also, courts need to be more diligent with jury awards of punitive damages, because many such awards violate the 8th amendments equal protection rights.

  • May 18, 2010 at 2:09 am
    joe says:
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    Yeah, GW and Cheney really abused 9/11. They used it to go after the murderers the who committed the acts of war and the fellow-travelers and supporters of the murderers.

    Sheesh, get a brain, Mr. Bozo.

  • May 18, 2010 at 2:25 am
    HA! says:
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    My comment was neither a slam on the Democrats or the Republicans, rather a slam on all politicians who fail to do anything proactive in preventing a crisis like this especially after the Valdez incident and numerous other oil spills.

    In fact if I remember correctly, legislation was introduced after Valdez that specifically limited the oil company’s liability in spills.

    The clamour in Washington right now is nothing more than an attempt to say to the public “look at how much we care!!! (now) and to avoid criticism of the government itself in relaxing safety standards and issuing drilling permits while waiving EIR’s.

    Interesting how in the weeks following the Horizon incident the Gov’t was still issuing drill permits and still waiving the full EIR’s.

  • May 18, 2010 at 2:33 am
    Roger says:
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    Legislating for an unlimited or an unrealistically high compensation cap would mean that small/medium sized oil exploration and production companies could not compete. This would limit the industry to just the few global giants. This does not bode well for competition. The insurance premiums would massively increase operating costs, leading to US oil being too expensive to produce (assuming it was possible to find enough insurance capacity in the first place). Does the US government want an oil industry?

  • May 18, 2010 at 2:36 am
    Doug in Oregon says:
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    Darren nailed it. A simple matter of being responsible for what you do.

  • May 18, 2010 at 2:37 am
    JP Jones says:
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    Oh, grow up! What’s with the name-calling?

    * On 9/11, the Russians immediately responded by saying “We’re standing down; it wasn’t us!” Especially since it could’ve started WWIII.

    * There were many anomalies that occured on 9/11; many unanswered questions, and if you REALLY believe that bin Laden had the resources to do what the Russians do not, then there’s a bridge in Brooklyn that I’ll sell you

    * there never were WMD in Iraq

    * anyone who knows anything about the Middle East region, knows that AlQaeda & Iraq were mortal enemies

    You may know insurance, but you know very little about issues of international security and intelligence matters.

    True patriots care about the Truth.

    My family has proudly served and defended America since she was founded. Thanks to us, and the millions that have served, you have a right to express your opinion.



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