Deafening Silence
Obama's administration has distinguished itself yet again in failing to address what are clearly some of the most pressing issues in the country: a certain oil slick and immigration reform.
Let's first look at that nasty accident in the Gulf ... Obama's comment was that "not all offshore drilling has accidents" (or close enough to that). He is right, but that is not what the country really wants to hear right now. Rather, he would have better had come out and proposed massive Federal intervention, getting out the Navy and whatever other resources we may have up our sleeves to contain what may very well turn out to be the largest environmental crisis we have seen since the Exxon Valdez -- or worse.
I need to be clear about this: I am a supporter of offshore drilling, but the disaster has seriously given me pause to think more about this and to consider demanding more than we already have in terms of safety mechanisms and emergency containment methods. I am sure that modern technology is capable of it, but oil companies are rational entities: they will do whatever they need to, but little more.
Obama suddenly found the "drill baby drill" religion and is thoroughly hoisted on the petard of his about face on environmentalism. Of course the POTUS had to support drilling -- we desperately need the energy and it is the only logical way to bridge the gap. But Obama committed the fatal sin of waiting for someone else to do something: this disaster is turning out to be his very own Katrina. This "wait and see" policy is precisely what has doomed some of the most reviled presidents of recent history: Carter and Bush #2. To a certain extent, the things that Clinton is most unfavorably remembered for are the times he failed to act.
The unmitigated disaster that now looms for the whole of the Gulf has no parallel in modern history. One tanker is a limited event, no matter how awful the initial impact. This sucker continues to spew oil into the environment and we are not doing all we can to prevent it from fouling wetlands, fishing and industry over thousands of miles of pristine shoreline. Just imagine if the Gulf had serious tides or currents!?? An environmentally aware PRESIDENT of the United States would have the Navy out there with every ship it could muster, and even consider martial law along the regional seizing control of all available shipping and supplies to get this fixed. This is an national emergency.
As of last night, Obama stated he had no intent to visit the Gulf region. Early this morning, some news services report that Obama is considering an emergency visit to the area. To do what, Mr. President, give a speech showing how all of this was Bush's fault? Bush was told by the Governor of Louisiana and the Mayor of New Orleans that Federal help was not needed. It was, but the Liberal press blames Bush for listening to those on the ground and waiting until help was requested. Even though Bush should have just moved in, it was consistent with State's rights and not offending local power structures.
In this case Obama has no need of fear of offending anyone: it is a multistate disaster, in international and Federal waters and a risk to the populations along the affected shores. There is NO STATE response possible. And yet, he gives speeches in the MidWest and screws up immigration reform.
Time for errands -- I will finish this later.
Let's first look at that nasty accident in the Gulf ... Obama's comment was that "not all offshore drilling has accidents" (or close enough to that). He is right, but that is not what the country really wants to hear right now. Rather, he would have better had come out and proposed massive Federal intervention, getting out the Navy and whatever other resources we may have up our sleeves to contain what may very well turn out to be the largest environmental crisis we have seen since the Exxon Valdez -- or worse.
I need to be clear about this: I am a supporter of offshore drilling, but the disaster has seriously given me pause to think more about this and to consider demanding more than we already have in terms of safety mechanisms and emergency containment methods. I am sure that modern technology is capable of it, but oil companies are rational entities: they will do whatever they need to, but little more.
Obama suddenly found the "drill baby drill" religion and is thoroughly hoisted on the petard of his about face on environmentalism. Of course the POTUS had to support drilling -- we desperately need the energy and it is the only logical way to bridge the gap. But Obama committed the fatal sin of waiting for someone else to do something: this disaster is turning out to be his very own Katrina. This "wait and see" policy is precisely what has doomed some of the most reviled presidents of recent history: Carter and Bush #2. To a certain extent, the things that Clinton is most unfavorably remembered for are the times he failed to act.
The unmitigated disaster that now looms for the whole of the Gulf has no parallel in modern history. One tanker is a limited event, no matter how awful the initial impact. This sucker continues to spew oil into the environment and we are not doing all we can to prevent it from fouling wetlands, fishing and industry over thousands of miles of pristine shoreline. Just imagine if the Gulf had serious tides or currents!?? An environmentally aware PRESIDENT of the United States would have the Navy out there with every ship it could muster, and even consider martial law along the regional seizing control of all available shipping and supplies to get this fixed. This is an national emergency.
As of last night, Obama stated he had no intent to visit the Gulf region. Early this morning, some news services report that Obama is considering an emergency visit to the area. To do what, Mr. President, give a speech showing how all of this was Bush's fault? Bush was told by the Governor of Louisiana and the Mayor of New Orleans that Federal help was not needed. It was, but the Liberal press blames Bush for listening to those on the ground and waiting until help was requested. Even though Bush should have just moved in, it was consistent with State's rights and not offending local power structures.
In this case Obama has no need of fear of offending anyone: it is a multistate disaster, in international and Federal waters and a risk to the populations along the affected shores. There is NO STATE response possible. And yet, he gives speeches in the MidWest and screws up immigration reform.
Time for errands -- I will finish this later.
posted by Zaphod at Saturday, May 01, 2010
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