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 dont reflect EPAs 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 EPAs 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 Im 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 theyd go into a little Turkish town somewhere and theyd find the first five guys they saw and theyd 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. Theres a deterrent effect there. And companies that are smart see that. They dont want to play that game and they decide at that point that its time to clean up. And that wont happen unless you have somebody out there making examples of people.
EPAs 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.
He’ll join Van Jones’ gang of community agitators and get a $100 million “green jobs” grant from the EPA to fund their activities.
“Yes, it’s true....this man has no d—k.”
Mormon I'd like to .......?
I think those views are held by many scum bags in the EPA.
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!
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!
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?
His remarks are an accurate statement of Obama's enforcement policy
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.
Hmmm; could we take his advice on how to handle out of control EPA agents? At least the first 5 or 6? ; )
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.
DING DING DING DING DING!!!
Post of the day award!!!
WINNER WINNER WINNER WINNER WINNER!!!
Is the problem some comments, or Obama Admin actions? /rhetorical
Which is, of course, crucifying people.
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?
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.
(KA-ching!)
Jus' getting campaign contributions the ol' fashioned way--extortion!
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