Gulf Oil Spill thoughts

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

I find myself giving serious thought to something Sarah Palin has said for the first time in my life as my anger over the oil spill in the Gulf turns to despair:

Image not recoveredpalin.jpg

Wouldn’t it be nice if Mrs. Drill, Baby Drill was right? Wouldn’t it be nice if God would come in and rescue us from our own stupidity? If enough of us prayed, maybe the Alpha and Omega, the Creator of the Universe and all that is within it might somehow come down and miraculously cap the well, clean up the Gulf and create a rainbow to promise us that this would never happen again?

It sure would be nice.

But in another sense, isn’t praying for a miracle in the Gulf just another easy cop out for Americans? Another quick-fix to a difficult and inconvenient reality; a divine accounting trick or bailout that would balance our books and make us not have to face reality?

“Here God, we’ve done all we can. You fix it!”

The reality is that we are the ones consuming all this oil…the reality is that if that oil wasn’t spilled in the gulf right now, it’d probably be in our gas tanks, waiting to be burned off into our atmosphere, and we’d think everything was kosher.

But we don’t want to face that reality, so we’re asked to pray to God to treat the symptom (the spill) rather than the disease (oil addiction). Indeed, Palin doesn’t even advise us to pray that we cure ourselves of oil addiction; she just wants God to cap the well so that things can go back to normal.

Inasmuch as a sincere and heart-felt prayer to the Almighty might make me feel good, might make me think I’m doing something positive to stop the spill, I think I’ll keep on singing the same tune I have on this blog: we, right here in Santa Clarita, you and I, should reduce our oil consumption as much as possible until a better solution comes along. We are the solution to our problem!

Comments (44)

John AdamsJune 21, 2010 at 11:27 am

I believe God asked The Kenyan Wonder Boy if he needed help and like everyone else that volunteered their services he told them NO!!

NateJune 21, 2010 at 11:34 am

You are such an idiot and birther to boot. Shouldn’t you be on infowars.com learning about the newest conspiracy theories.

John AdamsJune 21, 2010 at 11:48 am

Oooo! Back to the name calling. LOL Bring it on son

John AdamsJune 21, 2010 at 11:51 am

Obama is of Kenyan descent ? Unless he has changed that part of his campaign too?

NateJune 21, 2010 at 11:28 am

The whole thing makes me sick. What happen to the dutch?

PetzJune 21, 2010 at 11:32 am

Care to guess the number of times that Obama made reference to the Almighty in his Gulf speech?

NateJune 21, 2010 at 11:34 am

Same number of references to Santa Claus.

PetzJune 21, 2010 at 11:37 am

Each year, at the beginning of shrimping season, the region’s fishermen take part in a tradition that was brought to America long ago by fishing immigrants from Europe. It’s called “The Blessing of the Fleet,” and today it’s a celebration where clergy from different religions gather to say a prayer for the safety and success of the men and women who will soon head out to sea – some for weeks at a time. The ceremony goes on in good times and in bad. It took place after Katrina, and it took place a few weeks ago – at the beginning of the most difficult season these fishermen have ever faced. And still, they came and they prayed. For as a priest and former fisherman once said of the tradition, “The blessing is not that God has promised to remove all obstacles and dangers. The blessing is that He is with us always,” a blessing that’s granted “…even in the midst of the storm.” Obama is a callous manipulator who believes that the people of the Gulf are the “simple people ” hanging on to their God and guns. Completely out of touch with real Americans and a danger to the nation.

NateJune 21, 2010 at 11:46 am

Liberals said “W” was callous when it took him 5 day to response to Katrina. They accused him of not liking black people and Conservatives were outraged… How does not making reference to an imaginary “god” in a speech makes someone a callous manipulator? Then you go further to arrogantly know what a person believes? I could keep going… you are out of touch with reality. Party politics knows no boundaries.

lvogelJune 22, 2010 at 8:01 am

Could you provide where Obama referred to the people of the Gulf as “simple people”.

townbeetJune 22, 2010 at 1:26 pm

I thought Jeff was commenting about the insincere content of Palin’ s prayer not about the fact that Palin or anybody else prays at all.

PetzJune 21, 2010 at 11:53 am

Nate – You’re the same guy that took the words of Hamas leaders and put them in the mouth of George W Bush. No credibility with this informed citizen.

PetzJune 21, 2010 at 11:59 am

“Tonight, we pray for that courage. We pray for the people of the Gulf. And we pray that a hand may guide us through the storm towards a brighter day. Thank you, God Bless You, and may God Bless the United States of America. ” Can’t find Santa Claus anywhere?

John AdamsJune 21, 2010 at 12:01 pm

Pwned!

ScottEJune 21, 2010 at 1:49 pm

I counted two. Three if you count appendages (may HIS noodly appendage touch you).

scvtruthsquadJune 21, 2010 at 12:01 pm

Just have Palin put her big mouth on the pipe and suck

John AdamsJune 21, 2010 at 12:01 pm

Oh now that is giving me wood!

scvtruthsquadJune 21, 2010 at 12:16 pm

Remember the Sarah Palin energy policy? “drill baby drill” In her own words, I ask her “how’s that workin’ for ya?” She’s not to worried about the BP spill, she cant see it from Alaska, yet.

ScottEJune 21, 2010 at 12:41 pm

Who let Petz out of the dungeon?

Teresa ToddJune 21, 2010 at 12:52 pm

Love my friend Skip’s point of view. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAO-x66XQFw

Your Web GuruJune 21, 2010 at 12:57 pm

One of the issues in the complaints of government’s handling of this crisis is that in the first weeks of the disaster BP vastly ‘underestimated’ (IE: Lied about?) the level of damage and amount of oil they said was spilling into the gulf. BP has also mishandled the press and tried their best to keep a lid on exactly how much damage has been caused. Opponents of the administration want it both ways. From one side of their mouth they say they don’t want government intervention into free enterprise, and from the other they expect Obama to don a cape, wave a magic wand, twitch his nose and make it all go away. As for the “Kenyan Wonderboy” crack, here’s his birth certificate: http://www.factcheck.org/UploadedFiles/birth_certificate_3.jpg And here is a well documented discussion of the Hawaiian Wonderboy’s proof of birthplace: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html Feel free to find a valid, documented argument to it. I’d love to see it. So far I have no takers.

spineflower2June 21, 2010 at 6:21 pm

Those folks are not interested in facts, only hateful, racist innuendo. Don’t waste your time.

Whiskey Tango FoxtrotJune 22, 2010 at 8:22 pm

Guru, “Opponents” want Obama to start leading. Since late April there have been 56 offers of help from 28 different countries or organizations. These offers largely consist of skimmers. Only 5 have been accepted. The rest are “under consideration”. 62+ days into this and the government is still considering this? http://hotair.com/archives/2010/06/22/the-ed-morrissey-show-andrew-malcolm-senator-george-lemieux/ Nobody is asking the president to “twitch his nose and make it all go away”. Folks just want the president to lead and government to act. Waive maritime laws and get the damn help. Yes Guru, Obama “opponents” will argue that in a time of crisis such as this, that is what we need a strong government for.

TomJune 21, 2010 at 2:51 pm

After pulling over $12 million on the lecture circuit last year, Palin will say anything to stay in the news. The shocking thing is that people pay to hear her speak. Talk about a sucker being born every minute. She’s the P.T. Barnum of politics.

Your Web GuruJune 21, 2010 at 3:37 pm

Not to mention her daughter is now pulling $15/$30K per conversation about how not to get pregnant.

Timothy MyersJune 21, 2010 at 4:16 pm

“Captain Morgan is not your friend!”

PetzJune 21, 2010 at 4:54 pm

Janeane Garofolo thought that tObama’s prayer was anti-intellectual. Petz just says it was manipulative. http://www.breitbart.tv/garofalo-obamas-use-of-prayer-anti-intellectual/

DamageincJune 21, 2010 at 5:27 pm

You are anti-intellectual, but not smart enough to be manipulative. It didn’t make sense when Garofolo said it and it even makes less sense when you repeat it out of context. Do you want him to acknowledge you imaginary god or not?

Whiskey Tango FoxtrotJune 21, 2010 at 7:44 pm

Heaven knows that Janeane Garofolo is a freaking intellectual. Am I the only one out there that’s sick to death of Ms. G telling me how stupid everyone is who does not see things her way?

Whiskey Tango FoxtrotJune 21, 2010 at 7:48 pm

Ya, Jeaneane Garofolo is a freaking intellectual. Am I the only one out there that’s sick to death of Ms. G telling me how stupid everyone is who does not see things her way?

PetzJune 22, 2010 at 4:19 am

Obama should be an honest secular president and not politicize the belief and faith system of the Americans who believe in the power of prayer. Honesty and transparency are sadly lacking in this administration.

Your Web GuruJune 22, 2010 at 8:28 am

Petz, Petz, Petz. What you’re really saying is that Obama, acting on his own belief in faith, throws a curve ball to those who want to mistakenly tag him as a godless socialist/marxist/communist/African citizen. Is faith only reserved for Republican presidents? The right inaccurately chastized him for cancelling the National Day of Prayer (He didn’t), allowing Muslims instead to hold a service on the Capitol grounds (He didn’t. The President has no control over what goes on at the Capitol Grounds)…Oh, and that whole ridiculous birther thing. The opposition would have a better chance against Obama in 2012 if they would get off these ridiculous, unfounded rants and stick to the real critical issues and concerns of his cabinet and administration. They’d have a better chance against him if they stay focused on the economy, the war in Afghanistan, and some of the critical double-speak of his campaign including his continued efforts to limit the rights of terrorist suspects (I’m not opposing it, I’m just saying), and his continued efforts to set the wrong example as the ‘good guys’ in the world by continuing many of the same war policies held by the Bush administration. He has had instances of going against the grain of his campaign promises, so there’s your ammunition. He’s a christian, he was born in the USA, he’s a Democrat and not a Socialist…So find some real opposing issues or find some common ground so we can all get through this crap!

John AdamsJune 22, 2010 at 6:56 am

How dare the general say anything negative about our thin skinned Kenyan Wonder Boy. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_mcchrystal_enemies;_ylt=AhSynE3eFXtgtQmN3sv5rdas0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNsNW44NDk0BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNjIyL3VzX21jY2hyeXN0YWxfZW5lbWllcwRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzEEcG9zAzIEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcnkEc2xrA3doaXRlaG91c2VzdQ–

John AdamsJune 22, 2010 at 7:11 am

Hey Jeff maybe you should adopt the new rules at DU for your site? There is so much anti Bammy talk on DU they had to change the rules! Comedy Gold! http://dummiefunnies.blogspot.com/2010/06/skinner-writes-hilariously-detailed.html

Alan FerdmanJune 22, 2010 at 3:18 pm

It never ceases to amaze me how this group can get off track. The current problem in the Gulf is a national disaster not an issue of free enterprise. When such an event occurs, the President, no matter what his or her name and party affiliation may be, needs to step up, look for a solution and implement it. He needs to call upon all of the related field experts, listen to their proposals, decide on an implementation plan and act. If he does not take charge and champion a solution, he is not a leader. I am currently a registered Republican. That does not make me forget we were lead through WWII by 2 great Democratic Presidents, or that another great Democratic Presidential leader set the US on the path to landing on the moon. I am only thankful the current administration was not in charge on Dec 7, 1941. Because if they were, I am sure they would not have come up with an action plan before the Japanese and the Germans were shaking hands in the middle of our country.

mikeJune 22, 2010 at 3:38 pm

Natural disaster? How so?

Your Web GuruJune 22, 2010 at 4:32 pm

I agree with everything you are saying, Alan, with exception of the fact that this is far from a natural disaster. That would indicate that forces beyond man’s control. In this case, a corporation IE “Free enterprise” made serious lapses of judgment and allowed serious lapses in safety protocol which caused this issue…Far beyond a natural disaster. Hurricane Katrina was a natural disaster. This? Is a big fat man made mess. I also disagree with your WWII analogy You have no idea what this administration would have done on December 7, 1941. Do you really have to go back into history to try and find fault with the current administration? Face it. BP screwed up big time, lied about it, publicly told the press their employess had free reign with the press while secretly threatening them not to speak AND hired thugs to ‘protect’ public beaches from prying journalists. It looks to me as if a free enterprise corporation is doing their best to thwart any championed solutions by anyone and are lucky they get to buy their way out by setting aside $20 billion (which will actually be accrued as $5 billion per year for four years, thus still allowing BP to reap plenty of profits in the meantime).

Alan FerdmanJune 22, 2010 at 5:01 pm

I wrote “national disaster” not natural. Right now, today, the most important thing is to stop the oil leak. Finger pointing and fixing blame will not correct the problem. We need leadership and quick action. My analogy relates to FDR being decisive, getting an action plan in place and getting the job done quickly. After the oil problem in the Gulf is resolved there will be plenty of time to pontificate about who is a fault.

Your Web GuruJune 22, 2010 at 5:55 pm

My bad. Chalk it up to blurry vision after a hard day’s coding!

Your Web GuruJune 22, 2010 at 6:24 pm

I can totally agree with that, Alan. I do however believe that things were made much more difficult to assess and try to resolve the issue with BPs initial actions and reactions to the crisis. Their initial estimates of oil loss were far below what was actually leaking. I guess after the fact the point would be to figure out whether they knowingly and facetiously acted in an effort to cover up the size of the disaster or whether they were just inept at preventing it in the first place. We’ve seen BP try to plug it, stop it, clean it up, etc. in the past 2 months to no avail. There is no quick easy solution unfortunately. I don’t know what we can expect the government to do to actually stop the leak itself, and I think that perhaps there is a bit too much criticism in that regard. I mean, we can’t nuke it, blow it up, send troops down there to stop it, or anything else. Unfortunately it’s something that experts in that field will have to fix. I think Obama is acting proactively in at least insuring BP will hold themselves responsible to the damage by setting aside relief funds so that they can’t drag out claims in litigation or file for bankruptcy or leverage any other legal roadblocks to settlements as some corporations have done in the past. I mean, unless FEMA kicks in and provides relief at the taxpayer’s expense, what’s a government to do until the leak is plugged?

Alan FerdmanJune 22, 2010 at 9:09 pm

Now here is an area where we might end up in violent agreement. BP is a very large corporation, but it is still only a corporation. It has a finite amount of technology that can be brought to bear on stopping the oil leak. It not only has technical and financial limitations but has to also comply with all the highly complex federal, state and local regulations. Now do not take that the wrong way. I am in no way excusing BP responsibilities. The United States government’s capabilities far exceed those of BP. Not only do they have relatively unlimited financial resources but technical capabilities as well. As an example, you and I will never fully be aware of all the deep water exploration and experimentation that has been funded as “black” projects. But I am sure that the President could find out if he wanted to know. My point being this. We already know that BP does not have the capability to cap this damaged well. If we agree that is true, then why is our government sitting back and letting them take the lead? It might be that they currently don’t have the capability either or it may be that they do not want to risk taking part of the blame. With the extensive damage being seem on the Gulf Coast, both possibilities show a lack of leadership. If I were sitting at the President’s desk I would be leaving no stone unturned trying to find a solution. I would also make it very clear to the country what my strategy is to find a solution. I just do not see that happening. You will notice that nowhere in these posts did I mention the President’s name. I did that intentionally to illustrate the point that I would be making these remarks no matter who it was.

JeffJune 22, 2010 at 10:44 pm

Dude, you’re right! The technology to cap the well is probably hidden at Area 51 and paid for by masking $800 hammer and $300 toilet seats. Afterall, our government is prepared and ready for every possibility at all times, in all places, and always. They have a plan for EVERYTHING. But don’t forget, they’re also corrupt and incompetent.

mikeJune 22, 2010 at 10:35 pm

My apologies too. Eyes were tricked. Makes much more sense now!

Your Web GuruJune 23, 2010 at 8:32 am

Actually we have gotten way off topic here. If I’m not mistaken, this post is in regard to Sarah Palin, champion of the right, official spokeshottie of the Tea Party, and potential 2012 presidential candidate is showing her leadership abilities by giving it up to God to fix the problem; thus absolving the US taxpayers, the government, and BP themselves from the responsibility of resolution. GO PALIN 2012!

John AdamsJune 21, 2010 at 11:27 am
I believe God asked The Kenyan Wonder Boy if he needed help and like everyone else that volunteered their services he told them NO!!
NateJune 21, 2010 at 11:34 am
You are such an idiot and birther to boot. Shouldn’t you be on infowars.com learning about the newest conspiracy theories.
John AdamsJune 21, 2010 at 11:48 am
Oooo! Back to the name calling. LOL Bring it on son
John AdamsJune 21, 2010 at 11:51 am
Obama is of Kenyan descent ? Unless he has changed that part of his campaign too?
NateJune 21, 2010 at 11:28 am
The whole thing makes me sick. What happen to the dutch?
PetzJune 21, 2010 at 11:32 am
Care to guess the number of times that Obama made reference to the Almighty in his Gulf speech?
NateJune 21, 2010 at 11:34 am
Same number of references to Santa Claus.
PetzJune 21, 2010 at 11:37 am
Each year, at the beginning of shrimping season, the region’s fishermen take part in a tradition that was brought to America long ago by fishing immigrants from Europe. It’s called “The Blessing of the Fleet,” and today it’s a celebration where clergy from different religions gather to say a prayer for the safety and success of the men and women who will soon head out to sea – some for weeks at a time. The ceremony goes on in good times and in bad. It took place after Katrina, and it took place a few weeks ago – at the beginning of the most difficult season these fishermen have ever faced. And still, they came and they prayed. For as a priest and former fisherman once said of the tradition, “The blessing is not that God has promised to remove all obstacles and dangers. The blessing is that He is with us always,” a blessing that’s granted “…even in the midst of the storm.” Obama is a callous manipulator who believes that the people of the Gulf are the “simple people ” hanging on to their God and guns. Completely out of touch with real Americans and a danger to the nation.
NateJune 21, 2010 at 11:46 am
Liberals said “W” was callous when it took him 5 day to response to Katrina. They accused him of not liking black people and Conservatives were outraged… How does not making reference to an imaginary “god” in a speech makes someone a callous manipulator? Then you go further to arrogantly know what a person believes? I could keep going… you are out of touch with reality. Party politics knows no boundaries.
lvogelJune 22, 2010 at 8:01 am
Could you provide where Obama referred to the people of the Gulf as “simple people”.
townbeetJune 22, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I thought Jeff was commenting about the insincere content of Palin’ s prayer not about the fact that Palin or anybody else prays at all.
PetzJune 21, 2010 at 11:53 am
Nate – You’re the same guy that took the words of Hamas leaders and put them in the mouth of George W Bush. No credibility with this informed citizen.
PetzJune 21, 2010 at 11:59 am
“Tonight, we pray for that courage. We pray for the people of the Gulf. And we pray that a hand may guide us through the storm towards a brighter day. Thank you, God Bless You, and may God Bless the United States of America. ” Can’t find Santa Claus anywhere?
John AdamsJune 21, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Pwned!
ScottEJune 21, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I counted two. Three if you count appendages (may HIS noodly appendage touch you).
scvtruthsquadJune 21, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Just have Palin put her big mouth on the pipe and suck
John AdamsJune 21, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Oh now that is giving me wood!
scvtruthsquadJune 21, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Remember the Sarah Palin energy policy? “drill baby drill” In her own words, I ask her “how’s that workin’ for ya?” She’s not to worried about the BP spill, she cant see it from Alaska, yet.
ScottEJune 21, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Who let Petz out of the dungeon?
Teresa ToddJune 21, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Love my friend Skip’s point of view. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAO-x66XQFw
Your Web GuruJune 21, 2010 at 12:57 pm
One of the issues in the complaints of government’s handling of this crisis is that in the first weeks of the disaster BP vastly ‘underestimated’ (IE: Lied about?) the level of damage and amount of oil they said was spilling into the gulf. BP has also mishandled the press and tried their best to keep a lid on exactly how much damage has been caused. Opponents of the administration want it both ways. From one side of their mouth they say they don’t want government intervention into free enterprise, and from the other they expect Obama to don a cape, wave a magic wand, twitch his nose and make it all go away. As for the “Kenyan Wonderboy” crack, here’s his birth certificate: http://www.factcheck.org/UploadedFiles/birth_certificate_3.jpg And here is a well documented discussion of the Hawaiian Wonderboy’s proof of birthplace: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html Feel free to find a valid, documented argument to it. I’d love to see it. So far I have no takers.
spineflower2June 21, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Those folks are not interested in facts, only hateful, racist innuendo. Don’t waste your time.
Whiskey Tango FoxtrotJune 22, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Guru, “Opponents” want Obama to start leading. Since late April there have been 56 offers of help from 28 different countries or organizations. These offers largely consist of skimmers. Only 5 have been accepted. The rest are “under consideration”. 62+ days into this and the government is still considering this? http://hotair.com/archives/2010/06/22/the-ed-morrissey-show-andrew-malcolm-senator-george-lemieux/ Nobody is asking the president to “twitch his nose and make it all go away”. Folks just want the president to lead and government to act. Waive maritime laws and get the damn help. Yes Guru, Obama “opponents” will argue that in a time of crisis such as this, that is what we need a strong government for.
TomJune 21, 2010 at 2:51 pm
After pulling over $12 million on the lecture circuit last year, Palin will say anything to stay in the news. The shocking thing is that people pay to hear her speak. Talk about a sucker being born every minute. She’s the P.T. Barnum of politics.
Your Web GuruJune 21, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Not to mention her daughter is now pulling $15/$30K per conversation about how not to get pregnant.
Timothy MyersJune 21, 2010 at 4:16 pm
“Captain Morgan is not your friend!”
PetzJune 21, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Janeane Garofolo thought that tObama’s prayer was anti-intellectual. Petz just says it was manipulative. http://www.breitbart.tv/garofalo-obamas-use-of-prayer-anti-intellectual/
DamageincJune 21, 2010 at 5:27 pm
You are anti-intellectual, but not smart enough to be manipulative. It didn’t make sense when Garofolo said it and it even makes less sense when you repeat it out of context. Do you want him to acknowledge you imaginary god or not?
Whiskey Tango FoxtrotJune 21, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Heaven knows that Janeane Garofolo is a freaking intellectual. Am I the only one out there that’s sick to death of Ms. G telling me how stupid everyone is who does not see things her way?
Whiskey Tango FoxtrotJune 21, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Ya, Jeaneane Garofolo is a freaking intellectual. Am I the only one out there that’s sick to death of Ms. G telling me how stupid everyone is who does not see things her way?
PetzJune 22, 2010 at 4:19 am
Obama should be an honest secular president and not politicize the belief and faith system of the Americans who believe in the power of prayer. Honesty and transparency are sadly lacking in this administration.
Your Web GuruJune 22, 2010 at 8:28 am
Petz, Petz, Petz. What you’re really saying is that Obama, acting on his own belief in faith, throws a curve ball to those who want to mistakenly tag him as a godless socialist/marxist/communist/African citizen. Is faith only reserved for Republican presidents? The right inaccurately chastized him for cancelling the National Day of Prayer (He didn’t), allowing Muslims instead to hold a service on the Capitol grounds (He didn’t. The President has no control over what goes on at the Capitol Grounds)…Oh, and that whole ridiculous birther thing. The opposition would have a better chance against Obama in 2012 if they would get off these ridiculous, unfounded rants and stick to the real critical issues and concerns of his cabinet and administration. They’d have a better chance against him if they stay focused on the economy, the war in Afghanistan, and some of the critical double-speak of his campaign including his continued efforts to limit the rights of terrorist suspects (I’m not opposing it, I’m just saying), and his continued efforts to set the wrong example as the ‘good guys’ in the world by continuing many of the same war policies held by the Bush administration. He has had instances of going against the grain of his campaign promises, so there’s your ammunition. He’s a christian, he was born in the USA, he’s a Democrat and not a Socialist…So find some real opposing issues or find some common ground so we can all get through this crap!
John AdamsJune 22, 2010 at 6:56 am
How dare the general say anything negative about our thin skinned Kenyan Wonder Boy. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_mcchrystal_enemies;_ylt=AhSynE3eFXtgtQmN3sv5rdas0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNsNW44NDk0BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNjIyL3VzX21jY2hyeXN0YWxfZW5lbWllcwRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzEEcG9zAzIEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcnkEc2xrA3doaXRlaG91c2VzdQ–
John AdamsJune 22, 2010 at 7:11 am
Hey Jeff maybe you should adopt the new rules at DU for your site? There is so much anti Bammy talk on DU they had to change the rules! Comedy Gold! http://dummiefunnies.blogspot.com/2010/06/skinner-writes-hilariously-detailed.html
Alan FerdmanJune 22, 2010 at 3:18 pm
It never ceases to amaze me how this group can get off track. The current problem in the Gulf is a national disaster not an issue of free enterprise. When such an event occurs, the President, no matter what his or her name and party affiliation may be, needs to step up, look for a solution and implement it. He needs to call upon all of the related field experts, listen to their proposals, decide on an implementation plan and act. If he does not take charge and champion a solution, he is not a leader. I am currently a registered Republican. That does not make me forget we were lead through WWII by 2 great Democratic Presidents, or that another great Democratic Presidential leader set the US on the path to landing on the moon. I am only thankful the current administration was not in charge on Dec 7, 1941. Because if they were, I am sure they would not have come up with an action plan before the Japanese and the Germans were shaking hands in the middle of our country.
mikeJune 22, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Natural disaster? How so?
Your Web GuruJune 22, 2010 at 4:32 pm
I agree with everything you are saying, Alan, with exception of the fact that this is far from a natural disaster. That would indicate that forces beyond man’s control. In this case, a corporation IE “Free enterprise” made serious lapses of judgment and allowed serious lapses in safety protocol which caused this issue…Far beyond a natural disaster. Hurricane Katrina was a natural disaster. This? Is a big fat man made mess. I also disagree with your WWII analogy You have no idea what this administration would have done on December 7, 1941. Do you really have to go back into history to try and find fault with the current administration? Face it. BP screwed up big time, lied about it, publicly told the press their employess had free reign with the press while secretly threatening them not to speak AND hired thugs to ‘protect’ public beaches from prying journalists. It looks to me as if a free enterprise corporation is doing their best to thwart any championed solutions by anyone and are lucky they get to buy their way out by setting aside $20 billion (which will actually be accrued as $5 billion per year for four years, thus still allowing BP to reap plenty of profits in the meantime).
Alan FerdmanJune 22, 2010 at 5:01 pm
I wrote “national disaster” not natural. Right now, today, the most important thing is to stop the oil leak. Finger pointing and fixing blame will not correct the problem. We need leadership and quick action. My analogy relates to FDR being decisive, getting an action plan in place and getting the job done quickly. After the oil problem in the Gulf is resolved there will be plenty of time to pontificate about who is a fault.
Your Web GuruJune 22, 2010 at 5:55 pm
My bad. Chalk it up to blurry vision after a hard day’s coding!
Your Web GuruJune 22, 2010 at 6:24 pm
I can totally agree with that, Alan. I do however believe that things were made much more difficult to assess and try to resolve the issue with BPs initial actions and reactions to the crisis. Their initial estimates of oil loss were far below what was actually leaking. I guess after the fact the point would be to figure out whether they knowingly and facetiously acted in an effort to cover up the size of the disaster or whether they were just inept at preventing it in the first place. We’ve seen BP try to plug it, stop it, clean it up, etc. in the past 2 months to no avail. There is no quick easy solution unfortunately. I don’t know what we can expect the government to do to actually stop the leak itself, and I think that perhaps there is a bit too much criticism in that regard. I mean, we can’t nuke it, blow it up, send troops down there to stop it, or anything else. Unfortunately it’s something that experts in that field will have to fix. I think Obama is acting proactively in at least insuring BP will hold themselves responsible to the damage by setting aside relief funds so that they can’t drag out claims in litigation or file for bankruptcy or leverage any other legal roadblocks to settlements as some corporations have done in the past. I mean, unless FEMA kicks in and provides relief at the taxpayer’s expense, what’s a government to do until the leak is plugged?
Alan FerdmanJune 22, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Now here is an area where we might end up in violent agreement. BP is a very large corporation, but it is still only a corporation. It has a finite amount of technology that can be brought to bear on stopping the oil leak. It not only has technical and financial limitations but has to also comply with all the highly complex federal, state and local regulations. Now do not take that the wrong way. I am in no way excusing BP responsibilities. The United States government’s capabilities far exceed those of BP. Not only do they have relatively unlimited financial resources but technical capabilities as well. As an example, you and I will never fully be aware of all the deep water exploration and experimentation that has been funded as “black” projects. But I am sure that the President could find out if he wanted to know. My point being this. We already know that BP does not have the capability to cap this damaged well. If we agree that is true, then why is our government sitting back and letting them take the lead? It might be that they currently don’t have the capability either or it may be that they do not want to risk taking part of the blame. With the extensive damage being seem on the Gulf Coast, both possibilities show a lack of leadership. If I were sitting at the President’s desk I would be leaving no stone unturned trying to find a solution. I would also make it very clear to the country what my strategy is to find a solution. I just do not see that happening. You will notice that nowhere in these posts did I mention the President’s name. I did that intentionally to illustrate the point that I would be making these remarks no matter who it was.
JeffJune 22, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Dude, you’re right! The technology to cap the well is probably hidden at Area 51 and paid for by masking $800 hammer and $300 toilet seats. Afterall, our government is prepared and ready for every possibility at all times, in all places, and always. They have a plan for EVERYTHING. But don’t forget, they’re also corrupt and incompetent.
mikeJune 22, 2010 at 10:35 pm
My apologies too. Eyes were tricked. Makes much more sense now!
Your Web GuruJune 23, 2010 at 8:32 am
Actually we have gotten way off topic here. If I’m not mistaken, this post is in regard to Sarah Palin, champion of the right, official spokeshottie of the Tea Party, and potential 2012 presidential candidate is showing her leadership abilities by giving it up to God to fix the problem; thus absolving the US taxpayers, the government, and BP themselves from the responsibility of resolution. GO PALIN 2012!