Brain Lemon

Before I write anything here, let me make one thing clear.  I have no illusions about the fact that there are some things that, even if they are right, cannot or should not be said for political reasons.  We live in the real world and public figures cannot always say what they honestly think because the political reality is what it is.  Numerous figures have learned this lesson the hard way, most recently Rand Paul who, after making what he viewed as valid comments on the Civil Rights Act, was blasted from all corners.  Paul got a very quick tutorial on what you can and cannot say, and that what you feel is not always appropriate for public viewing.

In this light, when we come today to Rep. Barton’s comments defending BP, I am fully aware that his comments are very likely stupid and damaging, from a political sense.  The media and the left are already using them as a platform to deride Republicans as friends to Big Oil, and other GOP members are making distance from Barton.  What I want to cover is, then, whether Barton’s comments, existing outside of a political spectrum, have any worth to them.  I think looking at this is a good lesson on our current realities and what it means for those who might believe things that are not popular or well-accepted.

To begin, I do think Barton, however inelegantly, may have a point.  The behavior of the Obama team regarding BP has been aggressive and often bullying.  By no means should BP be immune from being treated harshly – their mistakes are going to cause massive damage and cost to the Gulf region.  But doesn’t there come a point where things are pushed too far?  I know it may make political sense and be popular, but does the Obama administration have the right to force them to pay into a fund without any kind of legal backing to do so?  In short, can they essentially do whatever they feel like, given that the public accedes to it?

I realize this point is mainly theoretical, as reality is what it is, and as I said above, Rep. Barton’s comments may certainly be seen as stupid and foolish.  But given how the Obama administration has behaved, I think there is something to be said for standing up for BP a little, however hard it may be and however ignominious BP may be at this point.  We would be wise to understand that at some point, principles have to be worth something.  I don’t know if this is the best example, as BP is considered such a bad guy at this point, but I feel like the point has to be made that we should not let politics make us afraid to say what is true.  In this instance, if the Obama administration is indeed acting illegally, I think we should say so.  We can’t just let them do what they want out of fear of being attacked.

I say all of this because I feel we have a group in power now whose first instinct is to pounce and savage opponents.  They have shown no regard for law or process.  We need to at some point realize this and understand that their goal is in fact to terrify us into not stating the truth.  Regardless of the specific instance at hand, we must realize that these guys are essentially bullies, and mentally prepare for what will surely be many battles ahead.  By standing on principle we can show them to be what they are.