The Bully's Pulpit

Thursday, June 17, 2010
William A. Jacobson

There is so much wrong with how Barack Obama has handled the Gulf oil spill, it's almost hard to know where to begin.

Put aside the ineptitude of the approval process and clean up response. For today, I'm focusing on the tentative settlement with BP. While many will cheer the fact that BP has committed $20 billion to compensate people in the Gulf region, no one should cheer very loudly.

Another Blow To The Due Process Clause

I am hard pressed to come up with a constitutionally more chilling presidential comment than the following statement made by Barack Obama Tuesday night (emphasis mine):

Tomorrow, I will meet with the chairman of BP and inform him that he is to set aside whatever resources are required to compensate the workers and business owners who have been harmed as a result of his company’s recklessness.

Since when is a President's wish our command? Under what legal authority did the "rule of law" President make the decision as to how much a private entity would pay and then "inform" the private party that it must obey or face the harsh retribution of the federal government.
the rest

As the Spill Expands, So Does Presidential Power
Lately, the administration seems more focused on meting out punishment than solving concrete problems in a measured way.

Cal Thomas: Follow Me Where?
The president doesn't know where he's going, but he assures us we'll get there. It sounds like a joy ride, but without the joy.