Asbestos Bill Sets Off Partisan Attacks

[deminks]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1586965&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

WASHINGTON Feb 6, 2006 (AP)— The subject was a sober one, and new to the Senate floor: Should the Senate vote on a bill that would set up a $140 billion fund for people sickened by asbestos exposure?

Within minutes, the exchange spiraled into familiar election-year territory with Democrats calling the legislation Republican payback to corporate lobbyists and GOP senators accusing the Democrats of obstructionism.

"Slander!" responded Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the bill's sponsor, whose stewardship of the bill for more than two years helped it survive the committee process to become the first new legislation considered by the Senate this year.

"To accuse us of being the pawns of the lobbyists is is is beyond slander, beyond insult," Specter stammered. "It's beyond outrage."

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

1. Truth hurts, eh? Arlen?

What a pompous ass.

Helping the Haliburton's of the world.

[DBoon]

2. the truth is beyond outrage

and your behavior (and that of your colleagues) has made it so

[Botany]

3. Too Funny

"To accuse us of being the pawns of the lobbyists is is is beyond slander, beyond insult," Specter stammered. "It's beyond outrage."





Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds?
Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!

Croupier: Your winnings, sir.
Captain Renault: Oh, thank you very much.



Halliburton bribes & pay offs just the thought of it .... my stars.

[baby_bear]

5. Thank you, Botany!!!

Your post made my day!

b_b

[Gman]

4. That's funny!

I wonder if Specter said it with a straight face.

[stillcool]

6. Check this out......

W.R. Grace files for bankruptcy
Taxpayers may get cleanup bill for asbestos contamination
Tuesday, April 3, 2001
By ANDREW SCHNEIDER
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT
Saying it can't handle the flood of asbestos personal-injury lawsuits, W.R. Grace & Co. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Because of the filing, taxpayers may get stuck with millions of dollars for cleaning up sites contaminated by the 150-year-old company.
Nowhere was the announcement more strongly felt then the tiny northwestern village of Libby, Mont.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/70649_libby16.shtml
....a little more backround....blaze through....

Edna, her grandmotherly face framed in silver curls, is tethered to an oxygen tank the size of a small oil drum.
Jerry, his head bald from chemotherapy, wears a paper mask to prevent his cancer-riddled body from succumbing to a respiratory infection.
Both suffer from illnesses triggered by asbestos from years of living in Libby, Mont., where W.R. Grace & Co. operated a vermiculite mine that spewed contaminated dust over an unsuspecting town for decades. Now they're concerned that Grace, which had promised to pay the medical expenses of those who got sick, may not pay for Edna's care.
Since January, the company administering Grace's medical plan has turned away at least 17 people who, according to their doctors, are suffering from asbestos disease. And the company is reviewing the records of those already receiving benefits to determine whether some may no longer be eligible to receive them.

Now check out this family....
http://www.grace.com/html/history.html

[rodeodance]

9. thanks, good context

[rodeodance]

7. talk about an emotional outburst!

."To accuse us of being the pawns of the lobbyists is is is beyond slander, beyond insult," Specter stammered. "It's beyond outrage."

[rodeodance]

8. kand rec.

[rodeodance]

10. it will halt court cases!!

But the bill is off to a troubled start, even with backing from President Bush, Republican leaders, and Specter's personal appeal to more than 60 senators.

Under the measure, defendant companies and their insurers would contribute $140 billion to a trust fund that would compensate victims of asbestos exposure. A high priority of Bush's business allies, the measure also would halt all asbestos-related court cases and spare defendants crippling jury awards.

[Laelth]

11. The truth is a complete defense to a charge ...

... of slander. It's not slander if it's true, and that's why you won't see any Repukes filing lawsuits over this.

Indeed, Haliburton is on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in asbestos claims. The R's want the people of the United States to foot the bill. What's new?

:puke:

-Laelth


Edit:Laelth--clarity.

[tecelote]

12. Profits Before People!

[Judi Lynn]

13. White House Has Concerns on Asbestos Bill

White House Has Concerns on Asbestos Bill
Wednesday February 8, 2006 11:16 PM

By LAURIE KELLMAN
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House gave a lukewarm endorsement Wednesday to an asbestos bill in the Senate, saying it has serious concerns about some parts of the legislation to establish a $140 billion fund for paying victims and ending their lawsuits.

The bill's sponsor, Judiciary Committee Arlen Specter, R-Pa., acknowledged there are unresolved problems.

The White House said in a written statement that it looks forward to working with Congress ``to strengthen and improve this important legislation.''

Topping the list of issues is whether the trust fund financed by asbestos manufacturers, users and their insurers would be drained by claims.

Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee estimated the fund would fall short by $150 billion.
(snip)

Dana Perino, a White House spokeswoman, also would not specify the administration's concerns.
(snip/...)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-5603625,00.html