“Independent claims czar” on BP payroll

[blindpig]

Gulf disaster “independent claims czar” Kenneth Feinberg is on the payroll of BP, he has admitted. The administrator of the escrow account set up by the Obama administration to compensate victims of the BP blowout has so far refused to reveal how much the oil giant pays him.

Nothing could more clearly expose Feinberg’s pretensions of neutrality and objectivity in the distribution of funds from the $20 billion Independent Claims Facility (ICF) established by the Obama administration on June 16. Feinberg is in fact an attorney in the employ of BP. He cannot, by definition, be a neutral arbiter.

In a July 19 web chat, Feinberg said he would not say how much BP pays him, declaring “that’s between me and BP.” Last week he backtracked somewhat, saying he would reveal his pay package within “weeks.” “I don’t want to just announce what my estimated salary is for the next few months, I want to give a budget that will include that salary,” he said in explaining the delay.

When a writer on the web discussion asked why he did not work pro bono, Feinberg flippantly replied, “I’ve spent my career doing pro bono, thank you very much.” Feinberg is in fact a multimillionaire who has for decades negotiated legal settlements beneficial to powerful corporate and government interests. As one commentator notes, “his firm has grown rich processing claims for asbestos and other mass torts.” (See “Who is Kenneth Feinberg?”)

more: http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/aug2010/fein-a03.shtml

[dipsydoodle]

1. But who appointed him

Someone has to pay him.

[blindpig]

2. Certainly shouldn't be BP.

At the least not directly, though of course the cost should come out of their hide. This arrangement makes a mockery of 'independent'. Those fuckers are going to redefine 'reasonable' to where the sane will not recognize it.

[dipsydoodle]

3. If not BP

that really only leaves US taxpayers. Don't really matter what back door route could be used - if its recovered from BP then BP paid him anyway. Only other way would be commission direct from the escrow a/c. Best just deal with it.

[blindpig]

4. The paymaster is the boss.

Expropriate the money from BP, the citizens should be in charge of this.

This arrangement guarantees that the people, the environment and posterity get screwed while BP skates.

[Dhalgren]

5. This "czar" has already scored for BP.

He has ruled that all of the workers, working to clean up BP's mess will have their salaries deducted from any BP settlement with them as individuals. That is just a fucking crime in and of itself! People are working their asses off, in toxic conditions, to try and save as much of the Gulf as possible from BP's incompetence and greed and capitalist inhumanity and their goddamn slave wages will be deducted form any settlement? "Czar" is fucking right!

Sorry for the language, but this just pisses me off no end...

[blindpig]

6. Same old, same old...

stealing labor from the workers, I'm shocked I tell you. And when the workers die from exposure to that shit score again! One more pesky liability disposed of.

This is how Capitalism works, how it is supposed to work, for the benefit of the owners. We really need to do something about it....

[Igel]

11. Hardly.

The paymaster is the boss only if the contract says that the paymaster is the boss.

Not all contracts or job agreements require servility and obsequiousness.

Moreover, it's not like his job is to be nasty to BP, either. It's to administer an escrow account.

[blindpig]

13. Gee, I am so reassured.

Do you really believe that?

Wanna buy a bridge?

[TBF]

9. "Best just deal with it"

Unfortunately that seems to be what we are being told on a lot of things lately... sad to see so many feeling so powerless.

[Dhalgren]

14. That's just another way of saying, "Get over it."

We've heard that before...

[maryf]

16. What about conflict of interests? nt

[Starry Messenger]

7. k & r

[blindpig]

8. No compensation for most victims of oil spill

BP “claims czar”: No compensation for most victims of oil spill

Kenneth Feinberg, appointed by the Obama administration to oversee distribution of a BP-financed escrow account for victims of the Gulf oil spill, has made clear that there will be sharp limitations on those who can receive compensation.

Among those not entitled to compensation from the $20 billion fund, according to Feinberg, are fishermen who operated on a cash basis and tourism and home owners “not directly affected” by the oil spill. These sweeping exclusions will likely bar the majority of the spill’s victims from any compensation.

These statements confirm that the main purpose of the escrow fund, known as the Independent Claims Facility, is to shield BP from costs associated with the spill, protect it from lawsuits, and guarantee its continued profitability. Feinberg, who was appointed to his new post with the support of BP, noted in a recent interview that the fund was a “really helpful sign if you’re an investor.”

Feinberg’s statements also concretize the meaning of repeated references by BP and Obama that all “legitimate” claims will be met by the fund. The aim is to restrict as much as possible the definition of “legitimate,” while placing the burden of proof on the victims of the spill.

more: http://socialequality.com/content/bp-%E2%80%9Cclaims-czar%E2%80%9D-no-compensation-most-victims-oil-spill

[Starry Messenger]

12. Of course

I'm sure that's all going into the hands of chain hotels and other corporate businesses that don't really need the money. The fishermen are fucked. Destroyed.

[Chimichurri]

10. Ugh. When will the powerless finally catch a break. I hoped this

wouldn't happen but kinda thought it would.

[maryf]

15. K&R

sorry it took me so long to get here!! I can't believe this isn't on the greatest page???