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EPA official resigns over ‘crucify’ comments
The Hill ^

Posted on 04/30/2012 10:00:20 AM PDT by Sub-Driver

EPA official resigns over ‘crucify’ comments By Ben Geman - 04/30/12 12:39 PM ET

Al Armendariz, the Environmental Protection Agency official under fire for comparing enforcement of environmental laws to crucifixion, has resigned.

“Over the weekend Dr. Armendariz offered his resignation, which I accepted. I respect the difficult decision he made and his wish to avoid distracting from the important work of the agency. We are all grateful for Dr. Armendariz's service to EPA and to our nation,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in a statement Monday.

The decision comes days after Armendariz – who oversaw oil-and-gas producing states including Texas and Louisiana – drew GOP attacks over 2010 comments that surfaced in which he compared his enforcement strategy to the way ancient Roman conquerors would use terror to keep order.

A number of GOP lawmakers, shortly after the 2010 comments surfaced last week, called for his ouster despite his apology for the remarks.

The White House and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson have distanced themselves from the comments, saying they don’t reflect EPA’s views. Jackson told reporters Friday that the remarks were “disappointing.”

The video, which Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) released last week, set off a firestorm at a time when Republicans are already alleging that EPA’s approach is overzealous.

“I was in a meeting once and I gave an analogy to my staff about my philosophy of enforcement. And I think it was probably a little crude, and maybe not appropriate for the meeting, but I’m going to tell you what I said,” Armendariz says in the video.

“It is kind of like how the Romans used to conquer the villages in the Mediterranean — they’d go into a little Turkish town somewhere and they’d find the first five guys they saw and they’d crucify them. Then that town was really easy to manage for the next few years.”

Armendariz continued: “And so, you make examples out of people who are, in this case, not complying with the law. You find people who are not complying with the law and you hit them as hard as you can and you make examples out of them. There’s a deterrent effect there. And companies that are smart see that. They don’t want to play that game and they decide at that point that it’s time to clean up. And that won’t happen unless you have somebody out there making examples of people.”

EPA’s enforcement division works with the Department of Justice and other agencies to bring civil and criminal legal actions against companies accused of violating environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.


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To: 353FMG

He’ll join Van Jones’ gang of community agitators and get a $100 million “green jobs” grant from the EPA to fund their activities.


21 posted on 04/30/2012 11:42:56 AM PDT by JediJones (From the makers of Romney, Bloomberg/Schwarzenegger 2016. Because the GOP can never go too far left.)
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To: Publius6961

This time they have gone TOO FAR!


22 posted on 04/30/2012 11:49:38 AM PDT by JediJones (From the makers of Romney, Bloomberg/Schwarzenegger 2016. Because the GOP can never go too far left.)
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To: JediJones

“Yes, it’s true....this man has no d—k.”


23 posted on 04/30/2012 11:53:20 AM PDT by dfwgator (Don't wake up in a roadside ditch. Get rid of Romney.)
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To: twister881
[...] if Milf Romney (RINO-MA) is up to the job [...]

Mormon I'd like to .......?

24 posted on 04/30/2012 11:55:53 AM PDT by Erasmus (BHO: New supreme leader of the homey rollin' empire.)
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To: Sub-Driver
The White House and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson have distanced themselves from the comments, saying they don’t reflect EPA’s views.

I think those views are held by many scum bags in the EPA.

25 posted on 04/30/2012 11:56:16 AM PDT by Mark17 (California, where English is a foreign language)
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To: JediJones

Sometime after the Gozer Incident, Peck was hired by the B.U.F.O. along with Jack Hardemeyer.

That is one great and coooooooool post! Thanks!


26 posted on 04/30/2012 12:02:21 PM PDT by GOYAKLA (Recall/ Impeachment Day, November 6, 2012. FUBO, same for RINOs)
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To: Publius6961
From "The Simpsons Movie"

EPA Soldier: I'm afraid we lost them, sir.

Russ Cargill: Damn it! Well, then you find 'em, and you get 'em back in the dome! And to make sure nobody else gets out, I want roving death squads around the perimeter 24-7! I want 10,000 tough guys, and I want 10,000 soft guys to make the tough guys look tougher! And here's how I want them arranged: tough, soft, tough, tough, soft, tough, soft, soft, tough, tough, soft, soft, tough, soft, tough, soft!

EPA Soldier: Sir, I'm afraid you've gone mad with power.

Russ Cargill: Of course I have! Have you ever tried going mad without power? It's boring, no one listens to you!

27 posted on 04/30/2012 12:05:23 PM PDT by dfwgator (Don't wake up in a roadside ditch. Get rid of Romney.)
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To: Erasmus

28 posted on 04/30/2012 12:05:43 PM PDT by JediJones (From the makers of Romney, Bloomberg/Schwarzenegger 2016. Because the GOP can never go too far left.)
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To: Sub-Driver

Another Obama minion has been thrown under the bus for doing precisely what he was told to do—use whatever means you deem appropriate to prevent the exploitation of our domestic oil and gas resources. Is there no justice left in the world?


29 posted on 04/30/2012 12:28:06 PM PDT by Saltmeat
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To: Sub-Driver
The sad part of the whole story is that the “Roman crucifying Turks” example is historically inaccurate and this guy is supposed to be an educated PhD.

His remarks are an accurate statement of Obama's enforcement policy

30 posted on 04/30/2012 12:54:46 PM PDT by rdcbn
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To: Sub-Driver

Is Armendarez still going to be getting paid?

What will be his next government job/position.

We all know people, sometimes whole families that move from one government job to another. They NEVER work in the private sector.

It’s a lifestyle.


31 posted on 04/30/2012 1:12:39 PM PDT by reaganator
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To: Sub-Driver

Hmmm; could we take his advice on how to handle out of control EPA agents? At least the first 5 or 6? ; )


32 posted on 04/30/2012 1:12:58 PM PDT by jdsteel (Give me freedom, not more government.)
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To: jdsteel

This guy had quite the history of extremism down here prior to being hired at the EPA. They knew exactly what he was, and where he stood, which means they embraced his stance. They just wished they had more of him.


33 posted on 04/30/2012 2:03:04 PM PDT by rstrahan
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To: jdsteel; All

DING DING DING DING DING!!!

Post of the day award!!!

WINNER WINNER WINNER WINNER WINNER!!!


34 posted on 04/30/2012 2:09:41 PM PDT by stevie_d_64 (Occupy the Gun Range!!!)
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To: Sub-Driver

Is the problem some comments, or Obama Admin actions? /rhetorical


35 posted on 04/30/2012 4:14:24 PM PDT by PghBaldy
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To: Sub-Driver
I respect the difficult decision he made and his wish to avoid distracting from the important work of the agency.

Which is, of course, crucifying people.

36 posted on 04/30/2012 5:17:55 PM PDT by bigheadfred (MY PET TAPEWORM (OBIWAN) IS AN INSANE MILITARY HATING LEFTIST)
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To: twister881

The horrible shame is that they are throwing him out for speaking the truth about what he was doing rather than for what he was doing.

This man’s enforcement philosophy was to terrorize the people of our states into compliance with his lawless edicts!

Doesn’t anyone else have a problem with that? doesn’t anyone else find the parallel with the brutal conquering Roman EMPIRE he himself drew shockingly Ironic?


37 posted on 04/30/2012 9:49:00 PM PDT by Monorprise
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To: Monorprise; All
Obama's enforcement philosophy was to terrorize the people of our states into compliance with the President's lawless edicts!

CORRECTED!

You do realize that this clown wasn't just out trying to destroy American businesses, he was directed by Obama himself.

There are Americans foolish enough to believe Holder should be proscecuted for FAST AND FURIOUS. The correct statement is HOLDER AND OBAMA should both be tried and convicted for this act of treason. Similarily, Obama and the EPA clowns should be prosecuted for criminal activity against American businesses.

38 posted on 05/01/2012 7:08:59 AM PDT by politicianslie (Obama: Our first Muslim PRESIDENT,destroying America $1 Trillion at a time! And America sleeps)
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To: politicianslie
Dat's a nice factory you got there. Be a real shame if someone found a violation...

(KA-ching!)

Jus' getting campaign contributions the ol' fashioned way--extortion!

39 posted on 05/01/2012 9:40:20 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing)
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