Oil Disaster in the Gulf

[Easy Drifter]

A real mess threatening miles and miles of shoreline and wildlife.
If Bush had been in charge the press would have been all over him for slow and inadequate reaction.
Obama not a peep and he really still has done nothing. :(

[gloomyDAY]

Please! There is no comparison.

This isn't a natural disaster that leveled a whole city, just an irresponsible oil company that got pinched. There isn't much you can do when there's an oil slick headed towards the shore. Last time I checked the President didn't control the ocean currents and tides.

[Easy Drifter]

My main point is the press would have been all over Bush.

[gloomyDAY]

My main point is the press would have been all over Bush.Sure it was. :dozey:

If you want to point fingers, then blame BP.

[Bob Riebe]

Please! There is no comparison.

This isn't a natural disaster that leveled a whole city, just an irresponsible oil company that got pinched. There isn't much you can do when there's an oil slick headed towards the shore. Last time I checked the President didn't control the ocean currents and tides.
Pres. Bush did not control weather patterns for Katrina so what is your point?

Local and State agancies ALWAYS have number one responsibilties concerning "natural" disasters, which are not a human disaster unless the responsible agencies screw up.

The Obama could have had Fed. people out there making sure the oil was controlled within a day after it happened, so it IS his fault for letting it get as bad as it is.
There are NO other government agencies with any responsibility for this; all Obama is doing is pointing fingers and blaming others, of course that is all he ever does.
Talk is cheap and Obama is a garbage sale bargain.

[Jag_Warrior]

http://obamaisabitch.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/sarah-palin-drill-baby-drill.jpg

[Tomi]

Interesting to see how badly prepaired you are for thiskind of things, one would think that after Exon Valdez something would have been done.

[gloomyDAY]

Pres. Bush did not control weather patterns for Katrina so what is your point?My goodness this is rich! I never mentioned that any President had control over weather phenomena.

My point: I am stating that BP is to blame for this disaster, which in case you haven't heard is an oil spill, because it's their mess and American taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill. Since BP didn't have any contigency plans for an environmental disaster the Federal government has to step in and take care of BP's job. Also, the U.S.A.F. is over the air right now treating the spill with oil-dispersing chemicals. Commander-in-Chief is doing some corrective action.

Bush after Katrina just stayed mute and rolled over onto some nobody running FEMA. Bush was the biggest coward when it came to the role of Presidency. Truman once said, "The buck stops here." That doesn't apply to yellow-belly punks. Now put your dunce cap back on and stay in the corner.

[anthonyvop]

First of the Blame for the Katrina disaster sits squarely on the Shoulder of New Orleans Mayor Nagin and the rest of the Local government. Their total lack of Hurricane preparation and planning was criminal.

Now. Nobody Knows what happened on the Oil Rig so any blame now is just pushing an agenda.

What is sick is how the left is continuing their practice of not letting a good disaster go un-exploited. Why did he send the attorney general to start a criminal investigation when their is no reason to even believe their was a crime.

As for Off-shore drilling........Drill, baby drill. This is the first accident in US waters since the 1960's. Any damage will be short term...if their is any seeing as Crude Oil is a 100% natural substance and in many places it oozes out by the ton daily.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513130944.htm

[anthonyvop]

My point: I am stating that BP is to blame for this disaster,

Really? How do you know that? Where you on the rig?
Do you even know that BP didn't even own the rig? Did you know it was owned and run by another company under contract?


because it's their mess and American taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill. Since BP didn't have any contigency plans for an environmental disaster the Federal government has to step in and take care of BP's job. Also, the U.S.A.F. is over the air right now treating the spill with oil-dispersing chemicals. Commander-in-Chief is doing some corrective action.

Ignorance is bliss.
BP has already spent millions of $$$ on the clean-up as started almost immediatly after the accident.
Also under Federal law any oil company that causes a spill is obligated to reimburse the Government agencies the cost of the clean-up.
And all that equipment being used by the Coast Guard and the EPA was developed, provided and purchased by the oil companies.


Bush after Katrina just stayed mute and rolled over onto some nobody running FEMA. Bush was the biggest coward when it came to the role of Presidency. Truman once said, "The buck stops here." That doesn't apply to yellow-belly punks. Now put your dunce cap back on and stay in the corner.

As I stated before Katrina was only a major disaster due to the criminal incompetence of the Mayor Nagin. Other areas that were actually directly hit by Katrina did not suffered the same damage as N.O.
As for your Bush is a coward comment.....that comes from a faceless person on an internet message board from a country famous for being a failed state. You have no right to question his leadership until your country joins the 1st world.

[Bob Riebe]

My goodness this is rich! I never mentioned that any President had control over weather phenomena.

My point: I am stating that BP is to blame for this disaster, which in case you haven't heard is an oil spill, because it's their mess and American taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill. Since BP didn't have any contigency plans for an environmental disaster the Federal government has to step in and take care of BP's job. Also, the U.S.A.F. is over the air right now treating the spill with oil-dispersing chemicals. Commander-in-Chief is doing some corrective action.

Bush after Katrina just stayed mute and rolled over onto some nobody running FEMA. Bush was the biggest coward when it came to the role of Presidency. Truman once said, "The buck stops here." That doesn't apply to yellow-belly punks. Now put your dunce cap back on and stay in the corner.

Let's see-- you stated " Last time I checked the President didn't control the ocean currents and tides."-- I said neither did Pres. Bush whilst the local and state agencies on whom responsibilities did lie, not FEMA, did less than nothing.
There were dozens of buses there, that were supposed to evacuate people that wanted to go, and they NEVER turned a wheel.

Bush did exactly what he should have done by law, as it is the LOCALS obligation to do the work.

FEMA only comes in when the local and state are overwhelmed, and they never sent out a call for help, they sat on their asses and went the sh-- hit the fan, they still nothing.

This is the FEMA sites OFFICIAL statement of their purpose FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

There is NO state or local agency that exits for this.
It has been HOW MANY days since the accident?

Burning off the leak which it was said was one of the better methods to control the slick was done when? -- OH wait NEVER because Obama was sitting on his brain doing and saying nothing, because he prefers to blame big oil, and that might have reduced the impact.
Of course this was by the man who babbles so loudly about how the Feds, supposedly screwed up with Katrina, and under NO disaster would not be dealt with quickly.
Half-white man speaks with forked tongue.

Maybe he thinks he will get more press if he screws up even worse.
BRILLIANT!

[Sonic]

The blame game is all very interesting, but whoever ends up taking the blame, the fact remains that this slick is going to get worse before anyone can do anything. All of the cantaining methods used are (largely) useless until the leak(s) are plugged - which from what I've heard could takes days/weeks.

Does anyone here live in the area? Has the oil made shore yet?

[gloomyDAY]

There is an oil spill and the President gets blamed for the outcome. :rolleyes:

I bet if someone lays a fart on the subway that Obama will get blamed too!

Keep reading those skewed articles. They only make you angrier and have a shorter life expectancy.

[Eki]

My main point is the press would have been all over Bush.
What would you like Obama to do? Nationalize the oil industry so that the mess would be his responsibility?

[Eki]

Interesting. When a private company screws up, you expect the government to help them out. Do you also expect private companies to help out, if the government screws up?

[gloomyDAY]

Interesting. When a private company screws up, you expect the government to help them out. Do you also expect private companies to help out, if the government screws up?No. That's socialism or some other right-wing diatribe. ;)

The same can be said over bailing out the banking industry. When Bush crapped out cash for banks it was "stabilizing our economy". When Obama did the same a few months later it was called "socialism". Double standard my friend.

[anthonyvop]

There is an oil spill and the President gets blamed for the outcome. :rolleyes:

I bet if someone lays a fart on the subway that Obama will get blamed too!

Keep reading those skewed articles. They only make you angrier and have a shorter life expectancy.

Says the most blissful man on the planet.


Ahhh But you are so quick to Blame President Bush for a Hurricane and the subsequent response that was in no way under his control?

[Easy Drifter]

I did not blame Obama.
I did not blame anyone.
If people actually read what I wrote (Eki) I pointed out that the reaction of the media is different with Obama as President than they were with Bush.
It was strictly the media I was talking about.

[Bob Riebe]

There is an oil spill and the President gets blamed for the outcome. :rolleyes:

I bet if someone lays a fart on the subway that Obama will get blamed too!

Keep reading those skewed articles. They only make you angrier and have a shorter life expectancy.

Says the most blissful man on the planet.

I bet those chubby fingers got a good workout.
Your rhetoric reflects your intellect.

[Bob Riebe]

Interesting. When a private company screws up, you expect the government to help them out. Do you also expect private companies to help out, if the government screws up?
It is the Feds. job to protect the shoreline to the best of their ability, Obama can charge them for it later.

[Easy Drifter]

With Katrina hundreds of private companies and individuals helped out and sent supplies.
Same with Haiti and every other disaster.
Govts. from all over help and so do individuals.
Despite the cause here being man made, although we don't know the exact cause, it is now a natural disaster.
Right now every effort needs to be made to contain the oil and to stop the flow from the well.
It doesn't matter if it is Govt. or private or a joint effort, it just needs to be done.
Costs and blame can be figured out and dealt with later.

[gloomyDAY]

I agree with you Easy. Get the job done first.
Thankfully the wheels have started turning.


HYPOCRITE.Coming from you it doesn't carry much weight.


Your rhetoric reflects your intellect.Thanks for the compliment.

[Sonic]

With Katrina hundreds of private companies and individuals helped out and sent supplies.
Same with Haiti and every other disaster.
Govts. from all over help and so do individuals.
Despite the cause here being man made, although we don't know the exact cause, it is now a natural disaster.
Right now every effort needs to be made to contain the oil and to stop the flow from the well.
It doesn't matter if it is Govt. or private or a joint effort, it just needs to be done.
Costs and blame can be figured out and dealt with later.

Here, here! This is already the worst slick in 20 years and its still growing. The cost to the ecosystem far outweights any financial outlay to clean this mess up.

[Bob Riebe]

Coming from you it doesn't carry much weight.

Thanks for the compliment.
Neither does your intellect.

[gloomyDAY]

Neither does your intellect.I read what you posted originally, so ditto.

[Easy Drifter]

I would suggest you both knock it off with the personal insults before a mod jumps on both of you.

[Bob Riebe]

I would suggest you both knock it off with the personal insults before a mod jumps on both of you.
Probably a good idea, as gloomy is a legend in his own mind, so I defer to your point.

[Daniel]

Bob, who died and made you chief ass?

[Fred Basset]

Bob, who died and made you chief ass?

Rumours of your death have been greatly exagerated, you appear very much alive :laugh:

[Daniel]

Ooh it's the lurking ex-banned ex-Brit who doesn't like Britain. You're a sad sad LITTLE person Fred.

[Fred Basset]

Ooh it's the lurking ex-banned ex-Brit who doesn't like Britain. You're a sad sad LITTLE person Fred.

At least i don't start threads crying for fellow posters to get banned hey Danny boy.. talk about attention seeker :laugh:

[BDunnell]

What a well-written delight this thread is, with typically pertinent, eloquent contributions from some of the forum members whose contributions it is always a pleasure to read.

Exactly how many of the posts are on topic?

[Sonic]

What a well-written delight this thread is, with typically pertinent, eloquent contributions from some of the forum members whose contributions it is always a pleasure to read.

Exactly how many of the posts are on topic?

Quite. A slick bigger than any in a generation and we have a p*ssing contest! :rolleyes:

[anthonyvop]

Exactly how many of the posts are on topic?

Here is one


Critics Saluted Media Slams on Bush During Katrina Crisis; What About Obama’s Oil Mess?
Photo of Rich Noyes.
By Rich Noyes (Bio | Archive)
Sat, 05/01/2010 - 11:11 ET

The last time a major disaster threatened the U.S. Gulf Coast, journalists dropped any pretense of objectivity and openly scorned what they saw as the ineffective response of the Bush administration to Hurricane Katrina. And top media writers found it just wonderful that the press was taking a side, with New York Times’ critic Alessandra Stanley saluting “a rare sense of righteous indignation by a news media that is usually on the defensive.”

Now, there are gentle suggestions that the Obama administration dropped the ball in the days after the oil rig explosion that triggered a 5,000 barrel per day leak that threatens to eclipse the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill as the worst in U.S. history. Today’s lead story in the New York Times determined that “a review of the response suggests it may be too simplistic to place all the blame for the unfolding environmental catastrophe on the oil company. The federal government also had opportunities to move more quickly, but did not do so while it waited for a resolution to the spreading spill from BP,” a theme echoed in an editorial, as Noel Sheppard notes below.

Not exactly “righteous indignation,” but the story isn’t over, yet.

In contrast, here’s some of what the critics had to say about the media’s adversarial approach when George W. Bush was in the White House:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓

Howard Kurtz in the Washington Post, September 5, 2005:

Journalism seems to have recovered its reason for being....For once, reporters were acting like concerned citizens, not passive observers. And they were letting their emotions show, whether it was ABC's Robin Roberts choking up while recalling a visit to her mother on the Gulf Coast or CNN's Jeanne Meserve crying as she described the dead and injured she had seen.

Maybe, just maybe, journalism needs to bring more passion to the table....

Alessandra Stanely in the New York Times, September 5, 2005:

The last time reporters and anchors were so personally and passionately involved in a story was early in the Iraq war, when journalists who accompanied troops for weeks at a time became bullish supporters of the soldiers and their mission.

Hurricane Katrina has had a similar but opposite effect: after spending time with the storm refugees in the Superdome and the convention center in New Orleans, normally poised, placid TV reporters now openly deplore the government's failure to help the victims adequately. And their outrage, illustrated with hauntingly edited montages of weeping mothers, sickly children and dead bodies rotting on the street, traveled up the news division chain of command, from camera operators to anchors and across the spectrum from CNN to Fox....

It's the kind of combative coverage that Richard M. Nixon faced during Watergate, that Bill Clinton faced during his impeachment trial and that most presidents have endured sometime in their tenures. But ever since the Sept. 11 attacks, this president had been spared the harshest questioning -- even with troops bogged down in Iraq, his White House news conferences have been so tame they are parodied by "Saturday Night Live" and Jon Stewart....

The switch mirrors public outrage, but it is buoyed by a rare sense of righteous indignation by a news media that is usually on the defensive.

—Rich Noyes is Research Director at the Media Research Center.

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/rich-noyes/2010/05/01/critics-saluted-media-slams-bush-during-katrina-crisis-what-about-obama-

[anthonyvop]

Exactly how many of the posts are on topic?

And another:



May 2, 2010
Criticism mounts against Obama for government’s handling of the Gulf oil spill
By Pat McMahon - The Daily Caller | Published: 05/01/10 at 1:36 PM | Updated: 05/02/10 at 2:29 PM

The massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is slowly shaping up to be one of the worst environmental disasters in American history, as well as something of a political disaster for President Obama.

Since April 20, hundreds of thousands of gallons of crude oil have been released into the Gulf, with little response from the federal government until recently. British Petroleum has been leading the cleanup efforts and attempting to halt the seepage of oil from the bottom of the ocean, but recently revealed that they are unable to complete the task themselves.

As calls for the government to respond to the disaster have grown, President Obama announced today that he would be touring the Gulf Coast region within the next two days.

The New York Times today took aim at the administration’s response to the spill:

“The federal government also had opportunities to move more quickly, but did not do so while it waited for a resolution to the spreading spill from BP. The Department of Homeland Security waited until Thursday to declare that the incident was “a spill of national significance,” and then set up a second command center in Mobile, Ala. The actions came only after the estimate of the size of the spill was increased fivefold to 5,000 barrels a day. The delay meant that the Homeland Security Department waited until late this week to formally request a more robust response from the Department of Defense, with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano acknowledging even as late as Thursday afternoon that she did not know if the Defense Department even had equipment that might be helpful.”

The Washington Times took a more direct shot at President Obama and the peril that he faces:

“The rapidly expanding environmental catastrophe caused by the oil spill off the coast of Louisiana is presenting a growing political challenge to the Obama White House, with Mr. Obama and his aides at pains to defend the response and forestall comparisons to the Hurricane Katrina crisis.”

…….

“Failure to get control of the relief effort and contain the environmental challenge could pose the same kind of political threat to Mr. Obama’s popular standing that the much-criticized handling of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina did for former President George W. Bush. And unlike Katrina, it is likely the federal government will be the clear lead authority in dealing with the BP spill.”

Even liberal stalwarts, like Bill Maher, are unhappy with President Obama’s handling of the oil spill:

“Okay, so I mentioned in the monologue I’m a little mad this week,” Maher began after introducing his guests.

“I’m mad at the oil company who didn’t obviously build their rig well enough,” he continued. “I’m mad at America in general because we should have gotten off the oil tit starting in the ’70s.”

Hold on to you seats: “But I’ll tell you who I’m really mad at which is Barack Obama…So, why isn’t Barack Obama getting more s–t for this?”

Remarkably, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the situation was nothing out of the ordinary:

“I think that given the serious nature of the problems that we face as a country, you could say that about any event on any day,” Mr. Gibbs said in an interview, responding to suggestions that the president’s attendance at the correspondents dinner might look unseemly while an environmental calamity was under way.

http://dailycaller.com/2010/05/01/criticism-mounts-against-obama-for-governments-handling-of-the-gulf-oil-spill/

[Daniel]

At least i don't start threads crying for fellow posters to get banned hey Danny boy.. talk about attention seeker :laugh:

Dude, I know you come on here to stalk Ben, Eki and myself but this has to stop. You've got a wife, you've got your training as a urinal cake salesman and we've all got lives to live. Perhaps you should move on and give up on being such a bitter crusty little person who comes on here purely to disagree with people you don't like.

[donKey jote]

:dozey:

[gloomyDAY]

Probably a good idea, as gloomy is a legend in his own mind, so I defer to your point.Stop being so sensitive.


What a well-written delight this thread is, with typically pertinent, eloquent contributions from some of the forum members whose contributions it is always a pleasure to read.

Exactly how many of the posts are on topic? :D Yes, we made a mess of this entire thread.

I agree with Easy Drifter when he stated that the job should get done first and then we can squabble over blame. I just had to smirk over some of the articles posted by Tony. Anything for a cheap shot even though the clean-up efforts are underway. Typical.

[anthonyvop]

Stop being so sensitive.

:D Yes, we made a mess of this entire thread.

I agree with Easy Drifter when he stated that the job should get done first and then we can squabble over blame. I just had to smirk over some of the articles posted by Tony. Anything for a cheap shot even though the clean-up efforts are underway. Typical.

Wow! How typical....Did you even bother to see what this thread really is about?

Why don't you take some time and check it out.....That way your agenda won't be so obvious.

[gloomyDAY]

Wow! How typical....Did you even bother to see what this thread really is about?

Why don't you take some time and check it out.....That way your agenda won't be so obvious.Yes, of course I know what this thread is about. I'm not sure if you read that I agreed with Easy Drifter. Just get on with it and then we can sort out the blame later. You just have a hard time acknowledging that the President is working diligently to avoid an environmental disaster from getting worse.


A real mess threatening miles and miles of shoreline and wildlife.
If Bush had been in charge the press would have been all over him for slow and inadequate reaction.
Obama not a peep and he really still has done nothing. :( The original post is what set this thread off course. I just don't see how you can draw parallels from two completely different events. Also, Obama visited the mess left on the Louisiana shore. I think his statement at the press conference was adequate to dealing with the situation.

No magic pill, just plain work ahead. Those little of the Federal government are turning.

[Easy Drifter]

Remember I started the thread before Obama had done anything. My main point was he was getting an easy ride from the media.
Both have now changed. He is now acting and he is getting blasted for being slow off the mark.
What is now needed is one person or team in total charge and co-ordinating all efforts, both the capping and the clean up, not a half dozen different groups all doing their own thing.
Hopefully Obama can ensure that happens.
I wish I had never started this thread!

[pino]

Guys...quit personal comments/insults and keep it on topic !

[ioan]

Please! There is no comparison.

This isn't a natural disaster that leveled a whole city, just an irresponsible oil company that got pinched. There isn't much you can do when there's an oil slick headed towards the shore. Last time I checked the President didn't control the ocean currents and tides.

:eek:
You make me laugh.
This accident is a consequence of human mistakes while Katrina was a natural disaster that no one could control no matter how much would have tried. Still you somehow come to the conclusion that Bush has done worse than Obama.

[ioan]

Sure it was. :dozey:

If you want to point fingers, then blame BP.

What did the US government to minimize or even contain the oil that is flowing into the ocean? Nothing.

FYI once the situation degrades behind a certain limit and starts threatening like in this case the problem needs to be handled by the government in the best interest of everyone.
I am not a republican, nor a democrat but I have to say that the way you see things is unacceptable and irresponsible.

[ioan]

My goodness this is rich! I never mentioned that any President had control over weather phenomena.

My point: I am stating that BP is to blame for this disaster, which in case you haven't heard is an oil spill, because it's their mess and American taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill. Since BP didn't have any contigency plans for an environmental disaster the Federal government has to step in and take care of BP's job. Also, the U.S.A.F. is over the air right now treating the spill with oil-dispersing chemicals. Commander-in-Chief is doing some corrective action.

Bush after Katrina just stayed mute and rolled over onto some nobody running FEMA. Bush was the biggest coward when it came to the role of Presidency. Truman once said, "The buck stops here." That doesn't apply to yellow-belly punks. Now put your dunce cap back on and stay in the corner.

So Bush stayed mute after a natural disaster that no one could control, Obama is making a lot of noise about the scale of a man provoked disaster that could be contained if only he would stop talking and start thinking.

Tell me again how on Earth can you be so blind and deaf, and devoid of any logic and common sense?

[ioan]

What would you like Obama to do? Nationalize the oil industry so that the mess would be his responsibility?

Any catastrophe of this scale is already his responsibility, no matter how you look at it. The worst part is that he goes on to lay the blame to others feet but then that's it, game over, a total lack of leadership.

[Mark in Oshawa]

This is a very interesting subject. Drifter, you created a great thread my friend, because it involves debate, which is always interesting.

The reality of it is...Sh!t happens. Even with all the strigent safety regs and procedures the government mandates the oil companies to have, on occasion things happen. We don't know what exactly happened yet, and why the blowout preventer didn't hold the oil but we have a disaster on our hands.

It isn't Obama's job to yell at BP, point fingers, or use this as a platform to demonize big oil, but I suspect that is coming in a round a bout fashion.

IT is BP's job to do whatever they can while asking for help. The US Army Corp of Engineers and the Coast Guard, along with FEMA would be the gov't agencies involved, but unlike the quiet waters of the sound outside of Valdez, waves and currents here are really making a mess that no boom or effort could really contain.

I just know it is a bit of a stretch to think Obama COULD have done really that much other than order agencies of the Federal Gov't in. The thing is, this mess started on the 23rd of April. It is only NOW the press is getting on Obama's case. about 12 hours after Katrina the press was all over Bush because New Orleans wasn't prepared. Then they were all over him for not going right down there to survey the situation, but rather viewing from the air as he flew over on his way to San Diego. Then they were all over him when he DID get there. Then they were all over him for weeks after. In short....he could do no right in those weeks...and the sad reality of it was, he is the last link in the chain. Everyone else had to drop the ball first to make the mess that was the aftermath of Katrina, and the other states have pretty much fixed everything up and moved on. It is still only New Orleans that bears the scars and THAT is because of the local gov't and how dysfunctional they still are.

In direct comparision to Katrina, Obama has no state or local gov't he can really blame, just BP. That said, pointing fingers wont clean this up. Sometimes, there is no bad guy..and I think this is one of those cases, but the way the press and (Bill Maher was right for a change) the world has kind of given Obama a free pass from criticism is a contrast to the heat Dubya took for Katrina. Neither disaster was their doing, and neither one can be solved by the President, but is is a curious thing to see how the world reacts.

[Bob Riebe]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/36722.html

[Sonic]

I understand that the "funnels" are nearly complete and should be lowered to the leak by the weekend so at least the flow of new oil might be halted.

[gloomyDAY]

:eek:
You make me laugh.
This accident is a consequence of human mistakes while Katrina was a natural disaster that no one could control no matter how much would have tried. Still you somehow come to the conclusion that Bush has done worse than Obama.I don't think you read my response well at all. People were starting to draw parallels between the matters of Katrina and the BP disaster. I just thought it was a bit of a stretch trying to compare two events that were mutually exclusive.


What did the US government to minimize or even contain the oil that is flowing into the ocean? Nothing.

FYI once the situation degrades behind a certain limit and starts threatening like in this case the problem needs to be handled by the government in the best interest of everyone.
I am not a republican, nor a democrat but I have to say that the way you see things is unacceptable and irresponsible.The Federal government has stepped in and is doing its share, along with BP, to contain the oil hazard. The actions being taken would fall under your category of "responsible". I doubt you've read the news lately (and are now opening Google to see the latest news on the spill) because then you would know that the oil spill coming from the sunken rig has 1 of 3 leaks clamped shut.


So Bush stayed mute after a natural disaster that no one could control, Obama is making a lot of noise about the scale of a man provoked disaster that could be contained if only he would stop talking and start thinking.

Tell me again how on Earth can you be so blind and deaf, and devoid of any logic and common sense?I'm not blind, deaf, devoid of logic and have plenty of common sense. As I mentioned earlier there isn't any magical trick that's going to solve this disaster, only sheer grit. An oil spill may not be unprecedented, but one of this magnitude is.


http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/36722.htmlIf you can't take the heat....

Great article. Also demonstrates how difficult and unique the BP oil spill is in comparison to other oil spills.
We are dealing in a battle space with no human access. In fact, I call it ‘inner space.’ It’s more like Apollo 13 than the Exxon Valdez because we’re seeing everything with remotely operated vehicles.

[ioan]

The Federal government has stepped in and is doing its share to contain the oil hazard.

They did so, but 10 days too late when it was obvious from day one that this is turning into a huge ecological catastrophe.

[anthonyvop]

it was obvious from day one that this is turning into a huge ecological catastrophe.

It is?

[ioan]

It is?

Yes it is.

[anthonyvop]

Yes it is.

How can a 100% naturally occurring product which causes no long term damage be an ecological disaster?

[Mark in Oshawa]

How can a 100% naturally occurring product which causes no long term damage be an ecological disaster?

Ummm It is naturally occuring in little seeps into the ocean....not at this rate. So yes you are correct it is a natural product, but it still is a disaster....nature doesn't push that many barrels of oil out that fast on her own...

[anthonyvop]

Ummm It is naturally occuring in little seeps into the ocean....not at this rate. So yes you are correct it is a natural product, but it still is a disaster....nature doesn't push that many barrels of oil out that fast on her own...
http://www.mms.gov/omm/pacific/enviro/seeps1.htm

[gloomyDAY]

They did so, but 10 days too late when it was obvious from day one that this is turning into a huge ecological catastrophe.Funny how you omit part of my statement to twist my words. BP have openly stated that they are to blame for the oil spill. The Federal government is doing its part from having this problem become any worse. BP is taking care of the leaks (with really ingenious methods I've never heard of prior to this incident) and the Fed is trying to save the coast.

[Bob Riebe]

Funny how you omit part of my statement to twist my words. BP have openly stated that they are to blame for the oil spill. The Federal government is doing its part from having this problem become any worse. BP is taking care of the leaks (with really ingenious methods I've never heard of prior to this incident) and the Fed is trying to save the coast.

Usually not mentioned, is that the Obama administration gave British Petroleum the waver, to a law, that allowed them to not install the remotely controlled shut-off valve that would have stopped this a long time ago, aong with the fact that BP was one of Obama's major campaign contributors.

Now had this been Pres. Bush, both would have been plastered all over print pages, and on the air 24 hrs. a day.

[gloomyDAY]

Usually not mentioned, is that the Obama administration gave British Petroleum the waver, to a law, that allowed them to not install the remotely controlled shut-off valve that would have stopped this a long time ago, aong with the fact that BP was one of Obama's major campaign contributors.

Now had this been Pres. Bush, both would have been plastered all over print pages, and on the air 24 hrs. a day.Yeah, I've heard of this since BP did contribute a lot of cash to Obama. I'm still trying to find some kind of paper trail because most of what I've read is just hearsay. Wouldn't be surprised if it was true and maybe it's the reason why the Obama administration started cranking up the spin machine.

[Mark in Oshawa]

http://www.mms.gov/omm/pacific/enviro/seeps1.htm

I read it Tony, still doesn't change the fact this mess was created through someone's screw up. You cant just ignore it if you want a commercial fishery in Lousiana if the shrimp grounds are ruined by this.

I think you keep forgetting that regardless of whose "fault" it is...it is a mess that that part of the world doesn't need. This isnt' some naturally occuring seep, but if it was, the government would still be trying to do something about it.

[anthonyvop]

I read it Tony, still doesn't change the fact this mess was created through someone's screw up. You cant just ignore it if you want a commercial fishery in Lousiana if the shrimp grounds are ruined by this.

I think you keep forgetting that regardless of whose "fault" it is...it is a mess that that part of the world doesn't need. This isnt' some naturally occuring seep, but if it was, the government would still be trying to do something about it.

Look at the big picture.
We need oil. We will continue to need oil for the foreseeable future.
The Oil Industry in Louisiana is worth TRILLIONS of DOLLARS. The Shrimping industry is worth a few million.
The Oil Industry employs tens of thousands and pays huge amounts of Taxes.
The Shrimping industry is collapsing even before the spill do to market factors.
Any damage caused by the spill will be temporary.

Yes it sucks to be a shrimper in Louisiana right now but Sh*t happens and they will be compensated by BP.

Even though this was a freak accident We just need to be even more diligent with drilling safety.

[Mark in Oshawa]

Look at the big picture.
We need oil. We will continue to need oil for the foreseeable future.
The Oil Industry in Louisiana is worth TRILLIONS of DOLLARS. The Shrimping industry is worth a few million.
The Oil Industry employs tens of thousands and pays huge amounts of Taxes.
The Shrimping industry is collapsing even before the spill do to market factors.
Any damage caused by the spill will be temporary.

Yes it sucks to be a shrimper in Louisiana right now but Sh*t happens and they will be compensated by BP.

Even though this was a freak accident We just need to be even more diligent with drilling safety.

I didn't say we didn't need oil. I am just not ready to adapt the attitude this isn't a big deal and BP should have more than a handslap for it. This is their operation, and they now have a well that has put crude over a large segement of the Gulf. Ya, they will pay restitution for this and that is all well and good, but this isn't some oops...this is a major screw up.

[Daniel]

Look at the big picture.
We need oil. We will continue to need oil for the foreseeable future.
The Oil Industry in Louisiana is worth TRILLIONS of DOLLARS. The Shrimping industry is worth a few million.
The Oil Industry employs tens of thousands and pays huge amounts of Taxes.
The Shrimping industry is collapsing even before the spill do to market factors.
Any damage caused by the spill will be temporary.

Yes it sucks to be a shrimper in Louisiana right now but Sh*t happens and they will be compensated by BP.

Even though this was a freak accident We just need to be even more diligent with drilling safety.

I tend to agree Tony. We need oil, it's as simple as that and accidents will happen and even with the best of safety practice accidents will still happen.

Lets just hope that this is the last time a big incident like this occurs

There is no excuse for stuff like this though..... -> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8616880.stm I hope they get the crap prosecuted out of them.

[ioan]

Funny how you omit part of my statement to twist my words.

Quoting or not your whole statement wouldn't have changed my answer, I hope this satisfies you, but most probably it doesn't.

[ioan]

Lets just hope that this is the last time a big incident like this occurs


History says that humanity can't learn from it.

[Daniel]

History says that humanity can't learn from it.
Big business doesn't want to make these sort of mistakes twice though.......

[Mark in Oshawa]

There is no excuse for stuff like this though..... -> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8616880.stm I hope they get the crap prosecuted out of them.

This is what happens when a nation state pays lip service to safety and enviromental controls. The Chinese didn't care about this sort of thing and don't. The fact the reef was there is a just something they shrug their shoulders about. In the end, their government will shrug their shoulders, and I cannot see the Australian government getting any money out of the company for the clean up or ramifications.

Chinese industry is rife with corners being cut, poor working conditions and the like. What would the workers do? Complain to the Government? When you have that mentality running businesses, you can see why maybe the crew of the freighter would be also run by a captain who wasn't too competant or paying attention.

[ioan]

Big business doesn't want to make these sort of mistakes twice though.......

Sure, but if each big business does it once it's more than enough to destroy Earth a dozen times.

[Mark in Oshawa]

Sure, but if each big business does it once it's more than enough to destroy Earth a dozen times.
Hyperbole..and BS. The only thing that can destroy the earth a dozen times in one go is nuclear weapons, which the last time I checked, were controlled by governments. In the case of Pakistan, a very shaky one who might be controlled tomorrow by a religious zealot. Like the one in Iran who is working on a nuke.

Big business has it in their interest to protect their world and their clientle and customers. You make more money by doing things right, than by screwing the people you sell to and the planet they live on. Of course...some people don't get that..but for the most part, business does get that...

[dunes]

Now according to the usa today the whole cleanup has had no long term effects on the spill and are seeking other measures to mget things under control.A waste of time and money not to mention the loss of life to the minrine life affected.The bouys just aren't doing what they had hoped thet'd do.

[anthonyvop]

Now according to the usa today the whole cleanup has had no long term effects on the spill and are seeking other measures to mget things under control.A waste of time and money not to mention the loss of life to the minrine life affected.The bouys just aren't doing what they had hoped thet'd do.

Funny.
More reliable sources(Even the national Enquirer is more reliable than USA Today) have pointed out how the dispersant have worked. especially the dispersant being used by an ROV at the point of the leak

Last week it was suppose to have been covering the shoreline from Louisiana to Florida. As of today it has barely touched land.

[dunes]

Funny.
More reliable sources(Even the national Enquirer is more reliable than USA Today)

I realize that being on the road all the time one doesn't get to a newsstand much.So this is the the I read. besides other than late games the sports and puzzels are always there.I have my laptop for anything I really am interested in checking out.

[ioan]

Hyperbole..and BS.

Prove it. Just claiming it means nothing.

[AAReagles]

Remember I started the thread before Obama had done anything. My main point was he was getting an easy ride from the media.... He is now acting and he is getting blasted for being slow off the mark.
... Hopefully Obama can ensure that happens.

I wish I had never started this thread!

No, it is indeed good that you started this thread, if you didn't, someone else would have, possibly with more agenda-biased diatribe.

And yes, I think Obama was let off easy from the mainstream media, with exception to Bill Maher (as Mark In Oshawa pointed out). Sooner or later folks, particularly Hollyweird types and Left-friendly media are going to have to accept the fact that Obama doesn't walk on water, much less oil for that matter.

Bush wasn't without flaws either during his tenure, nevertheless the press could do itself a favor and not get caught up on one-sided issues so much that they alienate the public's respect as a result.

Anyways, as I believe ioan mentioned earlier, it is a environmental/ecological disaster with ramifications to come. If anyone doubts that then I would suggest that they follow up on how folks in Alaska were affected by the Exxon-Valdez disaster. Yes, some natural wildlife has returned, but others have vanished from the area since then.





History says that humanity can't learn from it.
Exactly. Human nature is too predictable with its' flaws.

As indicated by BP's history:

http://www.propublica.org/article/bp-had-other-problems-in-years-leading-to-gulf-spill

[Mark in Oshawa]

Prove it. Just claiming it means nothing.

You prove it.. you made the ridiculous assertion. You assert that Big Business could destroy the world 8 times over. I can prove nukes can do so....I think only an idiot would deny that, but I am waiting to see how General Motors, Airbus Industrie and Tata are going to make the world a barren wasteland in the next 10 years...

[ioan]

You prove it.. you made the ridiculous assertion. You assert that Big Business could destroy the world 8 times over. I can prove nukes can do so....I think only an idiot would deny that, but I am waiting to see how General Motors, Airbus Industrie and Tata are going to make the world a barren wasteland in the next 10 years...

First of all I said it can do it more than a dozen of time, not eight times and it was a hyperbole as you yourself mentioned, so I am having a hard time to understand how you can prove a hyperbole right or wrong given that it is a figure of style, that's why I asked you to prove it. And if you don't believe that big business are destroying life on Earth than you needn't look further than the Gulf of Mexico.