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.
Another Marxist out of govt... “But Shane, there’s too many...there’s too many of them, Shane.”
Gonna take Nov 6th and then Jan 20th to start addressing the problem...if Milf Romney (RINO-MA) is up to the job...which he may not be.
Lol...”Milf Romney”
That Sir, is outstanding.
I am voting for him — he wasn’t my first (Perry), second (Cain), or third (Anyone) choice...It will make it easier knowing I will be voting for Milf. :)
You wouldn’t want me to run away, would you Joey?
...will be reassigned to the re-election committee of Barack Hussein Obama (mmm mmm mmm). Probably as an advisor on environmental issues.
You seem to know all the "right" things to say, Ms Jackson, but the underlying culture of heavyhandedness and arbitrary and capricious misadministration of an unnecessary federal agency continues to hobble and cripple many segments of our economy.
Ever consider doing away with the EPA altogether?
Or, heaven forbid, return it to its apolitical original purpose: Simply as a fact finding advisory agency, with NO rule-making and political functions whatsoever.
Oh, and make sure that you pay adequate damages to the citizens that you have economically crucified, brutalized and bankrupted.
One of all the morons that have to go, stop funding the EPA.
Almost seems like the (D)istrict of (C)riminals is beyond repair. This country is toast.
$20 says he still collects a nice pension.
You only bet on a sure thing, don't you?
Al Armendariz will probably get a promotion and a pay raise in some other department.
Good. Now, he should be prosecuted under 18 USC § 242, deprivation of rights under color of law. The rights of those companies to participate in interstate commerce were damages by this administration under color of law, specifically, the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Air Acts.
DemoRat scumbag kicked to the curb. Good on him.
FUBO
“Another Marxist out of govt...”
For some reason this doesn’t put me in a celebratory mood - I’m sure another marxist will replace him.
Until the marxist-in-chief goes there will be little to celebrate.
They should have also gotten rid of Lisa Jackson, but then she’s “one of Holder’s People,” so she’s “special!”
Anuda enviro Nazi unda da buss.
$20 says he still collects a nice pension.
You only bet on a sure thing, don’t you?
What makes you guys think he’s retiring now? He’s going to be shifted to another agency, just wait.
He had to go - he told the truth.
Other than violating mindless loyalty, telling the truth in public is the next worst thing a Leftist can possibly do.
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