Lee Fang at Think Progress offers devastating coverage in response to Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)’s recent claim to The Street’s Mallory Factor (video here) that those who pollute streams with benzene should be thrown in jail.
“I don’t want to pollute the water. I don’t want to pollute streams,” said Paul, “If you dump benzene in the stream, I want you to go to jail.”
Really, Senator? Are you calling for the billionaire Koch brothers — likely two of your biggest and wealthiest fans — to be thrown in jail then?
As Fang details, Koch Industries was indicted by the DoJ in 2000 for knowingly dumping “at least 91 metric tons of uncontrolled benzene in its liquid waste streams” at its Corpus Christi refinery, and for conspiring to cover it up in an attempt to deceive regulators.
After George W. Bush took office in 2001, however, “his Attorney General John Ashcroft dropped 88 counts against Koch for the benzene spill and cover-up” in exchange for a guilty plea to falsifying documents and a $20 million fine (a settlement from $350 million in potential fines.)
The Kochs made out pretty well in exchange for their $32,200 contribution to the 2000 Bush campaign. The job killing Koch brothers are making out even better under Barack Obama. But more on that later. [UPDATE: Those thoughts now here.]
Suffice to say, neither the Kochs, nor anybody who works for them, went to jail for “dump[ing] benzene in the stream,” as Paul is calling for, even as he calls for doing away with even more environmental regulations in his remarks to The Street.
As we’ve been highlighting of late, the Republicans have been on a tear against clean air and water regulation by the EPA recently, and have shown themselves willing to partner with their various front groups in the media, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and with folks like the Koch brothers to simply make stuff up about such regulations “killing jobs”, in their 2012 “mother of all wars” to retake the White House.
No he does not want his masters in jail, however, he wants us to think he does.
He couldn’t get them in jail anyway, what with the Department of Just Us going in the W direction anyway.
Lean forward already, it is the little people thing to do.
Little people, big people feel alright on a warm Washington DC night.
Look for a quick walk back from brother Rand when he finds out his sponsors dumped benzene.
Koch brothers supported Rand Paul’s opponent Trey Grayson.
Not sure why, but Koch guys seem to avoid supporting Rand or Ron Paul.
Correct Vlad, they supported his opponent but Halliburton did support Rand. Its not about right or wrong its about money IMHO.
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00035691&cycle=2010
just an FYI, but the Koch brothers hate the Paul family and have been enemies of the Paul family since 1983. The Koch’s funded Rand Paul’s GOP opponent in the 2010 GOP primary, and then even funded the democrat against Paul in the general election! Remember, don’t assume; when you assume you make an ass out of u and me. This is one effin’ stupid article.
Obviously, James Madison #5, you can’t recognize a spook article even when it smacks you upside the head.
Rand Paul is no friend of the environment. In fact, he’s the guy who suggested that the coal industry should be permitted to police itself.
The job killing Koch brothers are making out even better under Barack Obama. But more on that later.
So when is later?
James Madison @ 5 (also likely of note to Vlad Dovlatov @ 3):
I’m not sure where you’re getting your information from, since you didn’t offer links. And yes, the Kochs reportedly gave money to Rand’s GOP opponent in the primary. However, they also gave a lot of money to Rand Paul.
According to OpenSecrets.org, Koch Industries is the 3rd largest contributor to Rand Paul’s campaign committee to date, having given $17,000 directly to the committee. (That does not include outside spending by their various front groups, etc.)
Additionally, in 2010 both Charles and David Koch each gave $2,400 personally to Rand Paul, again according to OpenSecrets.
Plus, four other Kochs from Wichita, KS (wives, other family members of the brothers), Anna, Chase, Elizabeth and Julie, all gave $2,400 each as well. So that’s $14,400 from the Kochs to Rand Paul just in personal money during the 2010 election cycle for a combined $31,400 total to Rand Paul in donations under the name Koch.
There may be additional data available out there, but I didn’t take a whole lot of time to look. Just enough to disabuse you of your proffered notion that the Kochs and the Paul’s are “enemies”. I wish they hated me as much as they hate Rand Paul!
Perhaps you assumed because the Kochs’ may have contributed to Paul’s GOP primary rival (Trey Grayson) that they “hate the Paul family”, but, ya know, it probably not safe to assume; “when you assume you make an ass out of u and me.”
I might also add, that was “one effin’ stupid” comment you made.
Lincoln @ 7 asked:
Had planned to get it out yesterday, until the DoJ’s findings of discrimination in new TX voting laws came in late in the day.
So now “later” is “soon”. It’ll be a quickie piece in any case. Is mostly wrapped up as of now, just need a few additional links, fact checks, graphics etc.