LSP-When the Oil Platform Exploded, Rick Perry Went to Work … Defending BP

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When the Oil Platform Exploded,
Rick Perry Went to Work … Defending BP

Rick Perry's first instinct after the oil rig explosion in the Gulf was not to express sympathy for the families who lost loved ones or work to find the cause of the disaster that threatens hundreds of miles of American coastline. Instead, Rick Perry defended the company responsible for the operation of the oil rig. First, Perry oddly invoked the term “act of God” to rhetorically and legally shield BP. Then, Perry praised the company’s safety record despite its many high profile safety failures.

Watch the Lone Star Project video below that details the close relationship between BP and Rick Perry.

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See the Video on YouTube

Why was Rick Perry’s first instinct to protect BP?
Some would question why Rick Perry would stick his neck out for a corporation instead of worrying about Texans and hundreds of miles of coastline. A closer look reveals that Perry and BP have had a cozy relationship for years.

BP donates $250,000 to the Governor's mansion
When Rick Perry needed to raise money to restore the Governor's Mansion after a major fire, he turned to his friends at BP. According to the Austin American-Statesman, "The largest donation is $250,000 from energy giant BP America." (Source: Austin American-Statesman, January 30, 2009)

Perry paid BP for jobs already in Texas
Perry gave BP $750,000 to create 150 jobs in League City, Texas. It was soon revealed that, "50 already work for BP and live in the area." One expert called it, "a classic case of getting paid for doing what you're going to do anyway." (The Houston Chronicle, January 13, 2005)

Perry has been widely criticized for his Texas Enterprise Fund after a report revealed that almost half of the companies that received taxpayer dollars have, "failed or struggled to meet job goals." The companies, including key player in the subprime mortgage market Countrywide Home Loans, have been given a total of $363 million taxpayer dollars. (Source: Austin American-Statesman, January 28, 2010)

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