“We’ve got a lot of rebuilding to do … The good news is — and it’s hard for some to see it now — that out of this chaos is going to come a fantastic Gulf Coast, like it was before. Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott’s house — he’s lost his entire house — there’s going to be a fantastic house. And I’m looking forward to sitting on the porch.” (Laughter) —President Bush, touring hurricane damage, Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2005
Coast Guard was on scene as soon as the helicopters could get there. Fish and Wildlife people were on site to look at protections and cleanup within 24 hours of knowing the spill was happening. BP had “proprietary information” the feds couldn’t legally reveal, but “whistleblower” photo of NOAA white board showed the agency immediately knew what was likely happening, but that little “proprietary information” law kept them from announcing it. The OIL COMPANIES, whether BP, Exxon/Mobil, Conoco-Philips, or anyone else ARE RESPONSIBLE for leaks, AND cleanups- totally. Violations of regulations and laws are supposed to be prosecuted by government agencies- if the inspectors hadn’t been reduced in number, and had their hands tied by the previous administration, it might have helped.
When both sides pile on and blame THE WRONG GUY, something other than “politics as usual” IS in play. The lack of finding WMDs was given much too big a “pass”, by BOTH SIDES. There should indeed have been impeachment, and BOTH SIDES failed in Congress.
Sorry, I’m more concerned about corpses than corporations.
There are more than enough a**es out there needing kicking, media, politicians, and ignorant “civilians” who don’t have a clue what the problem is, how to solve it, but have lots of blame to throw around, when they are totally clueless themselves.
Actually, the ONLY presidents to really try and do something about energy policy and pollution (both of which apply here) are:
Nixon (Clean Air Act, founded the EPA)
Carter (funded alternative energy, put solar panels on the White House, had alternative fuel vehicles - like gasohol - in his Inaugural Parade)
Their successors either cut stuff (Reagan, Bush) or did nothing to improve it (Clinton), or actively distorted reports that would encourage more sensible use, conservation, or control (Bush/Cheney).
Obama’s done relatively little so far, but at least he put some scientists into the place again.
church, with the flood of new stuff with the spill, can’t find the exact articles and stats- even MMS pages are changed, but as I recall there were something like 211 inspectors pre-Cheney. MMS has announced their difficulty in keeping folks on board. Current “News” articles show 50-65 inspectors in the Gulf. MMS is now trying to contract for more inspectors.
“More money” with inflation and budgetary diversions does NOT MEAN “more”. VA has gotten more for example, but it can’t keep up with the number of disabled coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, and more ‘Nam era and others filling or needing care.
For consideration. In the Gulf at the moment, at depths OVER 1,000 meters of water- 3,487 ACTIVE LEASES, 1,634 APPROVED TO DRILL, and 25 ACTIVE PLATFORMS. Yes, those are JUST the leases in over 3,000 feet of water!! You want to figure how 50-65 folks are going to inspect all those on the minimum of once a month? And that doesn’t include the additional over 3,000 active production wells that must be inspected.
Regulations also changed again in 2008. Having reviewed regulation changes for over 20 years, on various issues and departments, not in the mood at the moment to look this one up, but I can make some guesses on how “punishing” they were to industry.
Also interesting that Bruce’s citation notes one inspection annually, 50 inspectors 5 supervisory, when the regs say monthly.
cfimeiatpap almost 14 years ago
“We’ve got a lot of rebuilding to do … The good news is — and it’s hard for some to see it now — that out of this chaos is going to come a fantastic Gulf Coast, like it was before. Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott’s house — he’s lost his entire house — there’s going to be a fantastic house. And I’m looking forward to sitting on the porch.” (Laughter) —President Bush, touring hurricane damage, Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2005
SuperGriz almost 14 years ago
Priorities, priorities
halfabug almost 14 years ago
i say we outlaw telepromters and make him read from notes so he looks even more stupid.
rottenprat almost 14 years ago
If he gets one billion a minute I want him as my agent.
Jaedabee Premium Member almost 14 years ago
“i say we outlaw telepromters and make him read from notes so he looks even more stupid.”
Crib notes on his hand?PlainBill almost 14 years ago
Talk AND action.
http://tiny.cc/cksu8
Herbabee almost 14 years ago
prom? or prompt?
Choose wisely…
Dtroutma almost 14 years ago
Coast Guard was on scene as soon as the helicopters could get there. Fish and Wildlife people were on site to look at protections and cleanup within 24 hours of knowing the spill was happening. BP had “proprietary information” the feds couldn’t legally reveal, but “whistleblower” photo of NOAA white board showed the agency immediately knew what was likely happening, but that little “proprietary information” law kept them from announcing it. The OIL COMPANIES, whether BP, Exxon/Mobil, Conoco-Philips, or anyone else ARE RESPONSIBLE for leaks, AND cleanups- totally. Violations of regulations and laws are supposed to be prosecuted by government agencies- if the inspectors hadn’t been reduced in number, and had their hands tied by the previous administration, it might have helped.
When both sides pile on and blame THE WRONG GUY, something other than “politics as usual” IS in play. The lack of finding WMDs was given much too big a “pass”, by BOTH SIDES. There should indeed have been impeachment, and BOTH SIDES failed in Congress.
Sorry, I’m more concerned about corpses than corporations.
There are more than enough a**es out there needing kicking, media, politicians, and ignorant “civilians” who don’t have a clue what the problem is, how to solve it, but have lots of blame to throw around, when they are totally clueless themselves.
JoyceBV65 almost 14 years ago
Obama is god.
Motivemagus almost 14 years ago
Actually, the ONLY presidents to really try and do something about energy policy and pollution (both of which apply here) are:
Nixon (Clean Air Act, founded the EPA) Carter (funded alternative energy, put solar panels on the White House, had alternative fuel vehicles - like gasohol - in his Inaugural Parade) Their successors either cut stuff (Reagan, Bush) or did nothing to improve it (Clinton), or actively distorted reports that would encourage more sensible use, conservation, or control (Bush/Cheney). Obama’s done relatively little so far, but at least he put some scientists into the place again.Dtroutma almost 14 years ago
church, with the flood of new stuff with the spill, can’t find the exact articles and stats- even MMS pages are changed, but as I recall there were something like 211 inspectors pre-Cheney. MMS has announced their difficulty in keeping folks on board. Current “News” articles show 50-65 inspectors in the Gulf. MMS is now trying to contract for more inspectors.
“More money” with inflation and budgetary diversions does NOT MEAN “more”. VA has gotten more for example, but it can’t keep up with the number of disabled coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, and more ‘Nam era and others filling or needing care.
For consideration. In the Gulf at the moment, at depths OVER 1,000 meters of water- 3,487 ACTIVE LEASES, 1,634 APPROVED TO DRILL, and 25 ACTIVE PLATFORMS. Yes, those are JUST the leases in over 3,000 feet of water!! You want to figure how 50-65 folks are going to inspect all those on the minimum of once a month? And that doesn’t include the additional over 3,000 active production wells that must be inspected.
Regulations also changed again in 2008. Having reviewed regulation changes for over 20 years, on various issues and departments, not in the mood at the moment to look this one up, but I can make some guesses on how “punishing” they were to industry.
Also interesting that Bruce’s citation notes one inspection annually, 50 inspectors 5 supervisory, when the regs say monthly.