rep. anh "joseph" cao suggests samurai suicide for bp exec

Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao had some harsh words for BP America President Lamar McKay, who testified before lawmakers yesterday. Really harsh words. Some called for McKay's resignation. Cao, however, went samurai on him, suggesting in a different era, they'd ask McKay to kill himself: Joseph Cao Tells BP Exec: In Samurai Days, You'd Kill Yourself.

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."

Tell us how you really feel, Rep. Cao. The congressman, who represents New Orleans, is justifiably pissed off about what the oil spill has done to the people and businesses in his district. It's been devastating. I don't think Joseph's going to lose any sleep if a few BP execs jumped off a bridge.

But really... Samurai? Harikiri? Come on, Joseph. A) We're not in "the Asian culture." B) These aren't "the Samurai days." C) You're not even Japanese. D) Congressman telling execs to commit suicide is so last year.