Joseph Cao Tells BP Exec: In Samurai Days, You'd Kill Yourself

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Domestic Issues

BP America President Lamar McKay probably expected to hear some harsh words from lawmakers today during his congressional testimony about the Gulf oil spill, but he probably didn't expect to hear one congressman suggest that other cultures would ask him to kill himself.

Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) today called for McKay to resign. But during today's hearing before a subpanel of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, the Vietnamese-American Republican who represents New Orleans, suggested a harsher form of punishment.

"Mr. Stearns asked Mr. McKay to resign," Cao said. "Well, in the Asian culture we do things differently. During the Samurai days, we just give you a knife and ask you to commit harakiri."

Harakiri is a form of ritual suicide that was practiced by samurais who committed serious offenses.

Cao said that the oil spill has wreaked economic havoc in his district, closing hundreds of businesses and leaving thousands without work. He called the clean up process a "disgrace" and said the claims process has been "dismal."

President Obama and Democrats are asking BP to set up an escrow fund to efficiently pay out claims, and the company says it is committed to paying all legitimate claims. Cao said that he has been approached by hundreds of constituents whose claims have either been rejected or delayed.

"People, when their livelihoods on the line, they cannot be delayed," he said.

A poll released today showed most people want BP to pay for all costs associated with the oil spill, regardless of whether it runs the company out of business.

Lawmakers will likely have harsh words for BP again on Thursday, when BP CEO Tony Hayward testifies in another hearing. BP officials meet with Mr. Obama tomorrow night, after tonight's primetime address in which the president will address the oil spill.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Disaster in the Gulf

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by snguyen930 June 18, 2010 6:16 PM EDT: Well, Mr. Cao! you are the one should kill yourself, you are so stupid, as a law maker you should not say something violent like this. Besides, you are not even Japanese how the heck you know some about Samurai, you are just one of the boat people from Vietnam You are fool of craps I should said, don't know why you are elected as a politician. You should resign right now! or the US government get rid of your ass off that chair. Period.; Reply to this comment


by TelecomPhil June 18, 2010 9:12 AM EDT: Watching CNN all day on the 17th..

Why in the heck are they, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, even talking to the 28 year BP employee, CEO Tony Haywood who is normally up in his office.

He has no clue what the engineers or anyone under him are doing down on the rig or under it!

Every time they ask him a question, his replies are "I'm not aware of that" or "I'm not aware of the situation".

He is just a big shot paper pusher.

They are just wasting there time with him.; Reply to this comment


by wilmar12 June 16, 2010 9:48 PM EDT: Cao's comment, regardless of his party political affiliation, is symtomatic of the current absurdity of Congressional representation. We have an amoral Congress, without integrity or any ability to act responsibly. Cao, an American of Vietnameese heritage, displayed an unbeliveable ignorance of both history and heritage. 1/2 of my Pilot Training Class died in Vietnam, in a horrible war involving zero United States National Security Interests. Cao dishoners himself, all of my fallen comrades, the brave Vietnameese who fought for their freedom and the values of America with his inane, ignorant comments. I've flown out of and served in bases in Louisiana. The people of Louisiana deserve better than this sad Representative. But then, that's what Congress is, nowadays.; Reply to this comment


by laerydon June 16, 2010 1:11 PM EDT: Mr Cao shouldn't have said something like that which might provoke BP's pride and self-respect and lead to such bad a thing! On the other hand, Mr Cao wants much more than $25 million aid grant for the oil cleanup of his home state. The incident makes Louisiana even poorer state in many years.
If you were in his shoes, what'd you say? Will you, could you, should you... American politics is too much polite and cozy, which is sometimes unnecessary! Another way of saying the same thing!; Reply to this comment


by sevencoloriris June 16, 2010 9:57 AM EDT: Mr.Cao knows nothing about Asia and Asian culture...his first mistake is using Samurai age or Japan to represent for all Asia. His second mistake is he clamed that "killing oneself when he can't full-fill some duty is a common thing in Asian culture". We Asian are not that cruel. even Japanese nowaday do not approve that way to solve the problem. Mr.Cao should have said " in my own culture" instead of putting "Asian" in his sentence.

What a stupid saying whatever it means. he may want to emphasize the anger of people on the oil spill, but this is really a stupid. I expect a smart man who knows how to express his people willing in non-aggressive way.

Anyway, this man should not clame that he is Asian anymore because he knows nothing about Asia or our culture. just his looking is alike...We Asian love peace and never tell anybody killing himself for anything...; Reply to this comment


by tbern11 June 16, 2010 9:12 AM EDT: Given the context of political theater, and the numerous examples of similar attention-getting acts throughout ALL OF TIME, this isn't anything out of the ordinary. Those apologists for big business will turn up the outrage meter to 11 and do their best to direct attention to the comment, while burying the nugget of truth inside it. The executives can't be compared to those Samurai who appreciated honor because they don't know what honor is, and would squelch it to protect their short-sighted agenda.

Obama has been handed a turd and for every step forward, there's two steps backward. How can one man undo the damage that's been infecting our government for decades in such a short time and with captive leaders beholden to corporate interests? The legacy of thug-like capitalism remains in full strength, so expect more displays of remorse, more screw-ups, more clean-ups, but don't expect change.; Reply to this comment


by jackspratshats June 16, 2010 12:19 AM EDT: Joseph Cao, you need to resign.

You just don't suggest that people should do what other cultures would expect of them, i.e. suicide, it isn't what we do in *this* culture, it isn't polite or nice and I don't care how fake-angry you are. You're an idiot, so now you need to do the right thing. No, not kill yourself, RESIGN.; Reply to this comment


by Chuy_B June 15, 2010 9:49 PM EDT: This Joseph Cao is nuttier than squirrel ****!!; Reply to this comment


by larrylinn1 June 15, 2010 9:12 PM EDT: Seppuku is an action of Honor. Do not expect any of those that work for the OPEC pimps in the Gulf to have any honor.; Reply to this comment


by zener3 June 15, 2010 7:22 PM EDT: "Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, the Vietnamese-American Republican who represents New Orleans, suggested a harsher form of punishment."

Rep Cao - Perhaps you should demonstrate it first. What a stupid thing to say for a man in your position. Unbelievable! This man didn't order the problem to take place. Saying things like this won't fix anything. What? Do you think this will get you votes? If it does, then I'll be very surprised.; Reply to this comment