“Jones Act” Red Herring (Updated) 0
Steve Benen explains why right wing claims that President Obama is refusing foreign help in dealing with BP’s wild well goes beyond baseless into the well-known territory of being another Republican lie. A nugget:
The second point to keep in mind is that the White House hasn’t granted a waiver for the Jones Act because there’s been no need to. There have been “15 foreign-flagged vessels” involved in the response. How many needed a waiver to participate? None. How many vessels have been turned away because of the Jones Act? None.
I have heard this particular lie repeated unchallenged several times in the past week at respected news outlets. I respect them a little less now.
Addendum, Later That Same Day:
Criswell Cesca predicts.
