Very few people actually consider how the environmentalists work the system to fund their multi-million dollar political agendas …

A teachable moment is now presented by the Los Angeles Times …

“Tests warned of cement problems before well's blowout” 

“Weeks before the Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil company BP and subcontractor Halliburton were aware of test results showing that the cement mixture designed to seal the well was unstable — but they used it anyway, President Obama's special commission investigating the environmental disaster reported Thursday.”

“The findings shed new light on troubles with the cement job on BP's Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico, which exploded April 20, killing 11 workers and causing the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. The cement is supposed to secure the well pipes and keeps oil and gas from flowing up the well.”

So now we have a genuine disaster with media-worthy headlines, loss of life and provable damages. And we also have a governmental panel who has preliminarily explained what happened and pointed to who might be responsible. Which is great for those who were actually damaged by this disaster of unprecedented proportions. And for those seeking to prevent a reoccurrence of the tragedy.

“Legal experts said the information could bolster plaintiffs' cases in the multitude of spill-related lawsuits by helping to show that BP acted with gross negligence leading up to the spill. This could, among other issues, greatly increase the multibillion-dollar penalties BP might have to pay for violation of the Clean Water Act.”

Enter the environmentalists …

So now the environmentalist swoop in and sue on behalf of the United States or some designated plaintiffs and possibly seek certification as a class action. The rewards and the fees will be tremendous given the billions of dollars in play.

"There's no question that it's important evidence," said Charlie Tebbutt, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, which has filed a lawsuit seeking $19 billion under the Clean Water Act. "It serves to confirm the previous reports of significant problems with the exploration and production of the well."
The information was included in a letter to Obama's commission by Fred. H. Bartlit Jr., its chief counsel.”

The lawsuit … 

“Lawsuit Seeks $19 billion in Clean Water Act Penalties from BP”

“In the largest citizen enforcement action ever taken under the Clean Water Act, the Center for Biological Diversity today sued BP and Transocean Ltd., for illegally spewing more than 100 million gallons of oil and other toxic pollutants into the Gulf of Mexico. The suit was filed in federal court in New Orleans.”

“The Center is seeking the maximum possibly penalty against BP. If BP's violations are found to have been the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct, the maximum fine is $4,300 per barrel spilled. At this rate, the company is already liable for approximately $11 billion in Clean Water Act penalties. If the spill continues through August 1, 2010, BP's liability will be approximately $19 billion.”

“The penalties will be paid to the U.S. treasury and will be available for Gulf Coast restoration efforts.” <Source>

And millions of dollars in fees and expenses will flow directly to the lawyers and organization who brought the suit.

What is the Center for Biological Diversity?

From the CBD’s web site …

“At the Center for Biological Diversity, we believe that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters, and climate that species need to survive.”

Which often totally ignores the subject of man’s natural and God-given supremacy over his environment.

Is there a political agenda?

We will let you decide …

“The recent gathering at the Lincoln Memorial was nothing less than an enormous, nationally televised coming-out party for closet Marxists.  Washington watchers have long known about the love affair between the Marxists in America and other major political forces.”

“Here are a few of the organizations that are marching, lock-step, in support of the Democratic majority that is advancing a Marxist agenda:

Communist Party USA (CPUSA)
Democratic Socialists of America
Committee of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism
Sierra Club
National Wildlife Federation
Friends of the Earth
Center for Biological Diversity
NAACP
Rainbow PUSH Coalition
AFL-CIO
UAW, International Union
SEIU: Service Employees International Union
American Federation of Teachers
American Association of University Professors
AFGE: American Federation of Government Employees” <Source>

It appears that a number of environmental organizations  have moved from the promotion of conservation to more radical political action -- many having associations with a coalition of democrats, Marxists and Communists. All fellow travelers using our own environmental laws against us and earning significant amounts of money in the process. Engaging in lawsuits whose ultimate costs are borne by “We the People.”

Add the weight of the Obama Administration and winning the lawsuit might be like shooting fish in a barrel …

“David Uhlmann, a law professor at the University of Michigan who formerly headed the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section, said the findings make it appear more likely that Justice officials will file criminal charges not only against BP and Transocean Ltd., the rig's owner, but also against Halliburton, the Texas oilfield services giant once headed by former Vice President Dick Cheney.”

I can’t help by notice that gratuitous swipe at the former Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney who served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Halliburton from 1995 until 2000 and had absolutely nothing to do with the disaster. Another example of the far-left attempting to smear an honorable and patriotic man who served his country to the best of his ability.

Bottom line …

It should be enough for the United States Department of Justice charge BP and others with both civil and criminal actions. There is little or need for any citizens group to muddy the waters, so to speak, by filing additional lawsuits and carving out large fees.

In most cases, the errant corporation’s executives face little or no real jeopardy as the corporation often accepts a settlement with a “record fine” without “admitting or denying the allegations” in the complaint.

However, truth-be-told, corporations cannot be fined and more than they can be taxed.  They are artificial constructs of law and cannot be sanctioned with anything other than monetary damages and possible dissolution.

Whatever fines, penalties and legal expenses that accrue, the cost is simply added to the product line and ultimately paid by taxpayers and users who are charged higher rates. Including the cost of funding environmental organizations which do not wish the United States well and who want to curtail population growth, further industrialization and engage in wealth re-distribution after feathering their own nests.

Remember this when donating to a so-called environmental organization.

-- steve

Reference Links …

Gulf oil spill: Tests warned of cement problems at BP well - latimes.com