Props aplenty in show on big oil taxes

The hearing was for verbally flogging oil company CEOs, and no senator bothered to pretend it was about making gasoline prices more affordable or helping the economy recover. Utah Senator Orrin Hatch set the tone Thursday when he opened with a portrait of a dog sitting on a pony. Senator Charles Schumer countered with a reference to a unicorn. Senator Pat Roberts suggested a rhinoceros. It was a fit opening for a show where the oil executives served as props for politicians needing to show voters that they, too, are angry about $4 (Dh14.69) a gallon gasoline. "This is not going to change the price at the gas pump," Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus admitted as he gaveled the proceedings to a close. from / Gulf News