Obama doubles down: Salazar to issue new order on drilling moratorium
posted at 9:35 pm on June 22, 2010 by Allahpundit
Commenters were yelling in the earlier thread about The One daring to shut down a private company’s operations for safety reasons, but if you read the court’s opinion, you’ll see that that point’s not at issue. It’s not a question of the feds having the power, it’s a question of them needing to provide a compelling reason to exercise that power in light of how much economic damage it’ll do. The judge said their explanation wasn’t good enough to justify a blanket moratorium. Salazar’s response: If it’s an explanation you want, an explanation you shall have.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he will issue a new order imposing a moratorium on deepwater drilling after a federal judge struck down the existing one.
Salazar said in a statement Tuesday evening that the new order will contain additional information making clear why the six-month drilling pause was necessary in the wake of the Gulf oil spill. The judge in New Orleans who struck down the moratorium earlier in the day complained there wasn’t enough justification for it.
Salazar pointed to indications of inadequate safety precautions by industry on deepwater wells. He said he would issue a new order in the coming days showing that a moratorium is needed…
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama believes that until investigations can determine why the spill happened, continued deepwater drilling exposes workers and the environment to “a danger that the president does not believe we can afford.”
There’s no limit, presumably, on how many orders he can continue to issue if the court keeps finding that his justifications for the moratorium are insufficient, but since he’s likely to kitchen-sink the next one, I doubt we have to worry about a third, fourth, or fifth go-round. Who knows? Maybe this time he’ll even cite some experts who agree with him.
While we await the new order, via the Right Scoop, enjoy Rahm revisiting one of his greatest hits while he and Charlie Rose entertain the tedious leftist pipe dream of “clean energy.”
Blowback
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The man-child is at war with America. Anyone need more proof?
katy on June 22, 2010 at 9:37 PM
Is Salazar going to find a new set of scientists and experts to misquote?
John the Libertarian on June 22, 2010 at 9:38 PM
Doubling down on stupid. I’m shocked.
txag92 on June 22, 2010 at 9:38 PM
Isn’t it strange that these new facts weren’t argued in the case yesterday? All the government had to do was to say, hey wait we have more facts, since you didn’t buy our lies about our experts.
I don’t buy it and I doubt the court will either.
tarpon on June 22, 2010 at 9:38 PM
He knows they are going down in November and he’s going to torch everything he can until then.
gophergirl on June 22, 2010 at 9:38 PM
It’s like they want to lose 50 seats.
Ted Torgerson on June 22, 2010 at 9:38 PM
This foolish behavior can’t continue.
Dire Straits on June 22, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Depending on what the order specifically says, I’d argue it might be contempt. And if they’re playing games about complying with an otherwise validly issued injunction, that might just screw the pooch for an appeal of the preliminary injunction.
ieplaya on June 22, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Doug Schoen just stated and I quoth “any outside observer of this administration would have to conclude that it is in freefall”
oil spill, Afghanistan, Rahm, Blago trial, economy, foreign policy, energy policy and so on….. freefall…
ted c on June 22, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Come on you guys. Ducks are more important than people.
Sharke on June 22, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Has he sued Mexico for continuing to drill? Oh, wait!
SouthernGent on June 22, 2010 at 9:39 PM
I’m waiting for the day when Obama starts ignoring court decisions entirely in the name of what’s best for the masses.
amerpundit on June 22, 2010 at 9:40 PM
Obama hates America.
BuckeyeSam on June 22, 2010 at 9:40 PM
Amnesty by decree?
Energy shortages by decree?
Taxes by decree?
This ain’t Venezuela, but it’s beginning to smell like it…
rightwingyahooo on June 22, 2010 at 9:40 PM
You just hide in the corner and watch. Fools will always act foolishly.
thomasaur on June 22, 2010 at 9:40 PM
The messiah hates America…HTH did America make such a mistake?
d1carter on June 22, 2010 at 9:41 PM
F-A-S-C-I-S-M
angryed on June 22, 2010 at 9:41 PM
If only this bunch of clowns would pursue the war in Afganistan and enforcing our borders with as much zeal as trying to kill our state and our oil and gas business. This insanity has got to stop.
lukespapa on June 22, 2010 at 9:41 PM
Well, what do they have on this Judge? I know it sounds like a conspiracy theory, but how on Gods green earth do they think they can win this argument legally?
sandee on June 22, 2010 at 9:42 PM
When gas gets to $4 or $5 a gallon and we have odd even purchase dates maybe they will be happy.
fourdeucer on June 22, 2010 at 9:42 PM
So who is going to pay all these workers during this six months?
*slaps forehead*
Of course – the government will
gophergirl on June 22, 2010 at 9:42 PM
ever notice how quickly obie gets on something when someone tells him ‘no’?
Fighton03 on June 22, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Why can’t Exxon Mobile just sprinkle a million or so on The Won and drill away.
For a cool million or so Pinnochio will let em drill here there or everywhere. Hell oil dereks in Michelles garden and Comisky Park!
dhunter on June 22, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Really has nothing to do with ducks. If the administration cared about ducks, the necessary boom would have been in the Gulf just days after. Instead, Jindal is still looking under rocks for barriers.
This is about covering for incompetence while appeasing his liberal, green base. He can look like he’s finally taking decisive action while making greenies happy.
amerpundit on June 22, 2010 at 9:42 PM
I think in Obama parlance that first moratorium is considered a mulligan.
azkag on June 22, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Rahm’s Video: “It (the spill) is a lost opportunity if we don’t….”
WTF!!!
Where is the media!!!!
aquaviva on June 22, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Oh, he’s called an idiot in lots of places.
Jaibones on June 22, 2010 at 9:43 PM
. . .all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC
Wind Rider on June 22, 2010 at 9:43 PM
Where is the Media? You have to ask? They are up someones posterior…
sandee on June 22, 2010 at 9:44 PM
That won’t happen until Nov 3rd. He’s meeting with the Saudi king next week to seal the deal.
katy on June 22, 2010 at 9:44 PM
It’s coming.
Bugler on June 22, 2010 at 9:44 PM
I have a feeling that it is going to be quite a few more than 50.
Sporty1946 on June 22, 2010 at 9:44 PM
This stuff has got to stop. I check HA every few hours and each time this crap is getting worse. I haven’t even had my obama supporting in laws over for dinner in more than 6 months because I am afraid I will say or do something very bad and then be in trouble w/the wife.
arnold ziffel on June 22, 2010 at 9:46 PM
Totally OT, but just wow!
Check out this graph on performance vs cost in public ed, its jaw dropping.
http://ace.mu.nu/
H/T Ace.
Archimedes on June 22, 2010 at 9:46 PM
Pay attention silly hes’ joining Mexico in sueing Arizona for trying to secure its borders and stop drug smuggling killers from taking over a soveriegn state of these formerly great United States.
ViVa Obama!Jimmy Carter misery index is looking pretty ggod these days.
dhunter on June 22, 2010 at 9:47 PM
Well…
… I feel better!
/
Seven Percent Solution on June 22, 2010 at 9:48 PM
Clean energy is a lie perpetrated by dirty bastards.
hillbillyjim on June 22, 2010 at 9:49 PM
I’m beginning to think Obama has truly lost it.Does he listen to anything Americans think? Never mind I answered my own question.
sandee on June 22, 2010 at 9:49 PM
I know this has been addressed before but, first they drive drilling out of shallow waters, then they try to restrain drilling in deep waters because of safety reasons..
..one gets the impression that maybe they don’t like oil drilling.
I hate Obama and his clown troupe; I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them!
The War Planner on June 22, 2010 at 9:50 PM
Salazar — “If you don’t like this edict, I have others.”
“Damn the judges, full stop ahead!”
GnuBreed on June 22, 2010 at 9:50 PM
Never fear, there will be massive employment opportunities at ACORN over the next 5 months, and enough slush funds to support it. Anyone has some money to invest in buses?
neuquenguy on June 22, 2010 at 9:50 PM
The new brief: “We need the moratorium or we will blow up 10 more rigs. It’s for the children!”
PattyJ on June 22, 2010 at 9:50 PM
“Gird your loins”, as that famous intellect once said.
hillbillyjim on June 22, 2010 at 9:51 PM
Does the Mexican president agree with this new moratorium?
rogerb on June 22, 2010 at 9:51 PM
Okay I’m going to go run on the treadmill.
No more bad news tonight please.
OY!
gophergirl on June 22, 2010 at 9:52 PM
arnold ziffel on June 22, 2010 at 9:46 PM
Wuss! Man up and tell em like it is. They visit the man in his castle they honor your political whims and watch FOX NEWS (except OReally Huckeleberry or Whorealdo)!
Wife too tell her whats the damn truth else your helping her be ignorant.
Lay down the law man you da man. Aren’t ya?
dhunter on June 22, 2010 at 9:52 PM
Sporty, waddya say everyone here and across the nation work our asses off starting in August and go for the century in November?
The War Planner on June 22, 2010 at 9:52 PM
Forget the treadmill, I’m gonna eat fatty food and drink wine!
sandee on June 22, 2010 at 9:53 PM
Drill, baby, drill.
Second look at lobotomies?
hillbillyjim on June 22, 2010 at 9:54 PM
Don’t think that will fly as it’s the government regulators who didn’t regulate or oversee.
marinetbryant on June 22, 2010 at 9:55 PM
Getting talking points from the White House, right, Mika?
SouthernGent on June 22, 2010 at 9:55 PM
Obowbow’s problem is that Fundamental Change is very messy when you don’t understand the fundamentals of democracy.
Making things worse is only sound strategy for community organizin’.
ontherocks on June 22, 2010 at 9:56 PM
Si, por supuesto! Mexico will pick up the slack and sell us our oil from the gulf (knowing Obama I assume this moratorium applies only to American companies, and maybe British)
neuquenguy on June 22, 2010 at 9:57 PM
Did Zero pitch a fit in the White (powder) House when the court order was granted against his inept administration.
That opinion really showed the ineptitude or corruption of the DOI. Judge’s words not mine.
Kermit on June 22, 2010 at 9:57 PM
So, anyone have any questions why I keep calling it the Obamanation Administration?
doriangrey on June 22, 2010 at 9:57 PM
..Glennfiddich! Cheaper than a gym membership (even by the case) and guaranteed to relieve the stress brought on by this hatchet-assed, incompetent, t*rd-sucking, d*ckless, sniveling, metro-sexual pantload POSOTUS.
The War Planner on June 22, 2010 at 9:59 PM
Yes. The vigor of his responses when someone tells him FUBO is telling.
He almost cuts short his golf games.
But, I note with interest, he’s NEVER canceled a WH ‘fancy party’.
The show must go on.
CPT. Charles on June 22, 2010 at 9:59 PM
…it’ll take giant, Wallenda-like leaps of pretzel logic for Mr. Salazar to pass muster with this one…but when you work for The One, who can be forgiven his political tin-ear in light of his unwavering and unalloyed coolness, I’m sure that a burst of near-evangelical furvor will see him over the top…dotting all the “I’s” and watching all the jots and tittles….
…after all, when your inborn righteousness and life of being right on any and all issues of the day kick into high gear in the service of a “good cause” — say, like impoverishing coastal Louisiana — what the heck!
Go for broke, minions of the Obtuse-One! What’ve you got to lose?
In fact, I’m rather surprise that Our O hasn’t simply flitted to the Gulf like Tinkerbell and parted the waters to the gushing heart of the mess, a’ la Moses. It would save a lot of paper, and that would make Al Gore and all the rest of the world’s trees bow gratefully.
If you’ve got yourself a workable agenda, running though it does to common sense and common decency, stick with it, I say. Don’t be a quitter!
…furtermore, I’m astonished that McChrystal wasn’t incinerated by a blast from Mr. O’s heat-vision….
Puritan1648 on June 22, 2010 at 9:59 PM
They are on double secret probation for their outburst after the Oval Office address.
Joe Caps on June 22, 2010 at 10:00 PM
Actually in a few years, this moratorium is going to have a disastrous effect on the industrial base as well. Most of the petrochemical industry (concentrated on the Gulf Coast) is going to starve to death for lack of feedstock and fuel (natural gas). Where do you think that the really big gas fields are? They ain’t anywhere else but offshore the Gulf Coast. Alaska pales in comparison. Louisiana beats the dogdoo out of that argument over and over and over again.
Kermit on June 22, 2010 at 10:01 PM
Complained? That’s not exactly an objective way of explaining the judge’s point of view. Shame on AP for not editing that.
Scranton on June 22, 2010 at 10:01 PM
US Circuit Court Judge issues injunction against the Executive branch; prevents moratoriums on off-shore drilling.
This would be the trump card. In fact, the Ace of spades.
BobMbx on June 22, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Show of hands if you still believe they’re “not evil, just wrong.”
splink on June 22, 2010 at 10:03 PM
Talking to a business friend of mine in Corpus Christi that this moratorium has already laid off a lot of folks over there as well. That is where the largest shipyard where fitting out these mega offshore production platforms occurs. Up to 75,000 tons of steel for each.
Kermit on June 22, 2010 at 10:03 PM
Maybe he really does want to kill the economy.
CWforFreedom on June 22, 2010 at 10:04 PM
All in with the 3 of clubs and the ‘how to play poker card’
TheVer on June 22, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Unless they’ve evidence that all the other oil drilling operations are posing a clear and present danger to national security, I really don’t see how that’s going to work. Bob Dutko (http://www.crawfordbroadcasting.com/~wmuz/bob_dutko.htm) made a pretty good point: now is the time that the oil rigs are the safest, now that they’ve just seen what happened to BP’s. He said it’s like air travel: the safest time is when there’s been a crash. Every airline that has any common sense is going to double-down on inspections and safety regulations, just to make sure they’re not the next plane crash waiting to happen. The other rigs must be inspecting every nut, bolt and shim, even now. I really hope this turns into another failure for the Dalai Obama; he needs to be taken down several pegs, every day, for as long as we suffer him to be in office.
Now, this judge appointed by Ronaldus Magnus, if he rules in the Obama Regime’s favor, I’d like to know exactly where he found in the Constitution of the United States that the Executive Branch (and Legislative Branch) have the power to shut down private enterprise, just with a few words. I’ve looked; I can’t find it.
Virus-X on June 22, 2010 at 10:05 PM
I was going to ask this same thing. If they have evidence of safety violations in other rigs, why are they not enforcing current laws?
Nevermind.
cobrakai99 on June 22, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Wuss! Man up and tell em like it is. They visit the man in his castle they honor your political whims and watch FOX NEWS (except OReally Huckeleberry or Whorealdo)!
Wife too tell her whats the damn truth else your helping her be ignorant.
Lay down the law man you da man. Aren’t ya?
dhunter on June 22, 2010 at 9:52 PM
LOL I do but they are 80 years old. My wife is very conservative. FOX is on so they can like it or lump it. But this stuff is not funny anymore and people who think like they do are making me angry. Not much love/understanding for dip sh*ts anymore.
arnold ziffel on June 22, 2010 at 10:05 PM
…come, come…it’s talk like that which’ll nudge him into taking that wand out of his coat pocket and harrypottering the Constitution into a toad…push this too far and it’ll be a kurt “Avada Kedavra”!, and it’s the way of Sirius Black for the work of Mr. Madison, I’m afraid….
…after all…this guy used to teach constitutional law…those who don’t know, and all that….
Puritan1648 on June 22, 2010 at 10:06 PM
Bingo. I’ve nothing to add, except that is an example of how the media’s fawning has debilitated the people’s right to know just what the heck is happening in our nation (and to our nation).
hillbillyjim on June 22, 2010 at 10:07 PM
Let all the poisons come out. See them for who they are. Can’t wait for Nov.
Randy
williars on June 22, 2010 at 10:07 PM
It’s what Husseins do…
Skywise on June 22, 2010 at 10:08 PM
…you know what Daddy Marx said…capitalism’s gotta die first…it doesn’t have to be a natural death….
…after all, physics tells us that no two things can occupy the same space at the same time…so, either capitalism or chablis socialist revenge against the racist nation of America with bells on…one or the other has to take an historical dirt nap….
…for my money…well…I’d tend to choose the one that works….
Puritan1648 on June 22, 2010 at 10:10 PM
Salaczar is a snake.
He brought in a panel of experts and misquoted them and ruled the opposite of their recommendation.
Salaczar is publicly saying he will defy the order.
Where is the public comment period required by law? Ooops.
Salaczar is itching for a contempt charge.
seven on June 22, 2010 at 10:11 PM
Perhaps the
constitutionalconstipated lawyer-in-chief could use a lesson in the fundamentals. Just a thought in passing (gas).hillbillyjim on June 22, 2010 at 10:11 PM
7 foreign countries have drilling activities in the Golf of mexico and they are not under this ruling. They have not stopped.
seven on June 22, 2010 at 10:12 PM
Good move. Appealing the decision would be pointless, considering that post-hoc explanations aren’t considered, and there isn’t enough in the administrative record as of now to sustain the moratorium. Really the only thing to do is issue an new order with an extensive factual basis justifying the moratorium.
The judge essentially applied a type of rational-basis review and found the administrative record was virtually bereft of supporting facts and analysis. Filing a new order isn’t sinister. The judge was basically asking for it. He wanted more substance to support the moratorium and the administration will give it to him.
crr6 on June 22, 2010 at 10:13 PM
Well the Book of Revelations speaks of the Abomination that makes desolate. Perhaps what it really meant to say and we just mistranslated it was, Obama makes a nation desolate.
doriangrey on June 22, 2010 at 10:13 PM
LOOK WHO CRAWLED OUT FROM UNDER A ROCK
angryed on June 22, 2010 at 10:16 PM
arnold ziffel on June 22, 2010 at 10:05 PM
they obviously are old and need help fillin out those absentee ballots. Just tell em the wife ordered a couple for em or in fact order three each since their Dems they’ll get em and “help” em fill em out! Its your and their patriotic doody.
dhunter on June 22, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Where does the 6 months come from anyhow? Obama has already tried to undermine the supreme court over campaign contributions now he seems to think he can overrule a federal judge. I bet he will get his moratorium and extend it one way or the other even if we never find out what caused the catastrophic failure of the Deepwater Horizon.
fourdeucer on June 22, 2010 at 10:17 PM
MONORAIL!
The Ugly American on June 22, 2010 at 10:19 PM
Well you can add three more A$$clowns to the mix: Salazar, Rahm, and Charlie Rose. It should start to get crowded in there soon.
Dire Straits on June 22, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Well the Hot Air legal eagle has spoken.
Dire Straits on June 22, 2010 at 10:23 PM
So, can we still not discuss what it’s actually going to take to prevent this tyrant from destroying our country for good?
Midas on June 22, 2010 at 10:24 PM
Obama’s not concerned with a) actual drilling/environmental safety in the gulf, nor b) destroying *their* economies/countries.
His focus is upon destroying *ours*.
Midas on June 22, 2010 at 10:25 PM
Obama did not call for a 6 month moratorium on international flights when the underware bomber almost blew up a plane full of people over Detroit nor has he called for a moratorium on illegals.
TN Mom on June 22, 2010 at 10:25 PM
No, now be a good little prole and go back to sleep…
doriangrey on June 22, 2010 at 10:25 PM
I love this inside baseball shit. You are Secretary of What?
hillbillyjim on June 22, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Think it’s time Sir Golfsalot issues a 6 month moratorium on Golfing…
WhoU4 on June 22, 2010 at 10:27 PM
Impeach the bastard child
MCW on June 22, 2010 at 10:27 PM
hillbillyjim on June 22, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Secretary of Procurement of Ten Thousand Dollar Toilet Seats.
kingsjester on June 22, 2010 at 10:28 PM
We’ve had stand-downs at work. Usually they last 3 days or so… The drilling could even keep going and ‘real’ inspection take place at the same time.
-
Obama is now daring the country to stand up to him. ObamaCare, Arizona, drilling moratorium, obviously pushing into Thuggery.gov with the 20B BP escrow deal… He is pushing as hard as he can to get a reaction. I think he wants one… Before November.
-
RalphyBoy on June 22, 2010 at 10:28 PM
It’s not “inside baseball” sh*t. It’s “I read the actual legal opinion rather than making trite, knee-jerk, reactionary comments” sh*t.
crr6 on June 22, 2010 at 10:29 PM
This stuff has got to stop. I check HA every few hours and each time this crap is getting worse. I haven’t even had my obama supporting in laws over for dinner in more than 6 months because I am afraid I will say or do something very bad and then be in trouble w/the wife.
arnold ziffel on June 22, 2010 at 9:46 PM
I know how you feel, since the election I have tried to enlighten my brother and his family with youtube vids showing admin officials saying in their own words what they refuse to belaive is possible, they seek to maintain their blissful ignorance by refusal to even watch. I have given up on them entirely (yours are inlaws so no such option available) so I have disowned he and his as I no longer care for their company.
My bro and I were very close when young, but for me this blind ideological fealty in the face of all reality is just a bridge too far, I find that I truly do not not even remotely care if I speak to my brother again. The events of
April 12, 1861 led to the sad circumstance of brother against brother in a bloodbath like this nation has never seen since, I truly hope to not see a repeat of that, but I become less convinced we will avoid doing so with each day.
God help us all.
Archimedes on June 22, 2010 at 10:29 PM
Does he agree with the US stopping all drilling in the gulf? Betcha $20 he does.
Midas on June 22, 2010 at 10:30 PM
How come Deepwater Drilling is safe in Brazil (Obama pledged a couple of Billions to Brazil’s Deepwater Activities) and not in the Gulf of Mexico?
Maybe for the same reason that Nuclear Power and Research is safe in Iran but not in the U.S.???
gullxn on June 22, 2010 at 10:30 PM
Collective Punishment.
Isn’t that what that guy with the little mustache and fancy arm band also did?
Tav on June 22, 2010 at 10:31 PM
I’m sure someone has already noticed that this judge and his ruling are RACIST!
dhunter on June 22, 2010 at 10:31 PM
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