Salazar says BP can be pushed out of the way

[boston bean]

It is clear now that the Obama can make a decision to make BP go away. Will all those who have been pushing the meme that the Federal Government can't do anything but oversee BP's plans, now fight Obama and the Federal Government if they do take over?

Please let us know if you will be criticizing the Obama Admin and the Federal Government for doing something (taking over) about this epic catastrophe.

[boston bean]

1. kick... Inquiring minds want to know. nt

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. The idea that the President does not have the power to assert national security

priority to this event is ridiculous nonsense. For God's sake, Smirky invaded two countries and killed thousands based on dubious national security claims.

[boston bean]

5. That is where an appalling lack of knowledge comes in.

Those who believe the BS can't even see one step ahead.

[boston bean]

3. aww come on DU, you can do better than to let this sink.

[Jamastiene]

4. K&R

[KharmaTrain]

6. From One Right Wing Meme To Another...

Enough rehashing and Monday morning quaterbacking...but seems many have bit into the "Obama's Katrina" and "he's doing nothing" meme despite his repeated remarks about this tragedy as well as visit to the region. Just cause he's not out there constantly beating up on BP doesn't mean there aren't things going on or that this administration is either detached or "letting BP call the shots".

Again...this is literally uncharted waters and as has been pointed out by those with far better understanding of this situation than I do, BP is one of the few operations that have the capacity to get down to the gusher and find a way to shut this thing down. "Nationalizing" or some drastic action won't speed things up, nor is it fair to confuse the immediate job of stopping the gusher vs. containing the damage vs. whose to blame. Three seperate issues with different responsibilities and jurisdictions.

We already have heard the wingnuts saying "Obama's got his foot to the throat of BP" (always the most verbose rhetoric) and I agree, if he moves to push BP out of the way or moves to take over the company's assets, we'll hear all sorts of howling about yet another government take over of private business and how this is all part of the "road to socialism".

It's issues like these where agendas and personal attitudes tend to trump the reality.

[Vinnie From Indy]

7. While many of your points are indeed true, the political handling of this by Obama

is very much up for debate. Many, including myself, argue that Obama is failing at the job of attaching the importance of this gargantuan catastrophe by NOT declaring a national emergency. The President certainly has the right and obligation to defend and protect America from this very clear and present danger to our country and the millions upon millions that will be impacted. I believe he should hold a national, prime time press conference at least once to demonstrate completely his Administration's level of concern. I also believe that the operation to stop the volcano of oil should be internationalized to some extent. Certainly BP might be the best positioned to do the work, but they are not by any stretch the ONLY entity on planet Earth capable of stopping the flow of oil.

In addition, as you state, there are distinct and seperate areas in regard to the spill. There is the operation to halt the flow, the operations and preparations to capture the oil already released and the operations to remediate effected areas. It seems to me that the Obama Admin is failing miserably to address, coordinate and inform the public on all the areas that are not involved with stopping the flow. BP is not the omnipotent company capable at this time of dealing effectively with ALL aspects of this disaster. The President should, from a political point of view, grab the low hanging fruit by attaching a level of importance to this event that it deserves and showing leadership in the areas of capture and remediation.

He is making a mistake by seeming powerless and by not leading. This is a perception issue as much as a practical one and Obama is failing IMHO.

[KharmaTrain]

8. A Slow Moving Disaster

You are spot on as to not allowing BP to dictate the clean-up of the oil they're responsible for...yet the clean-up will be on their dime (it's been posted that the liabilities only pertain to those filing future claims such as fishermen and others who lost business...the actual clean up is still on their dime) but they still are on the hook here and they shouldn't be allowed to get away. I think we can both agree they have been criminally neglegent on several levels and that we must remain vigilant to make sure those crimes are investigated and prosecuted. But that falls into the aftermath and does little right now other than to gather the evidence and brace for the worst.

I see a lot of people focused on this disaster...but I sure don't see it rising to declaring a national emergency. What affect does this have on someone in Montana or Minnesota? Surely the areas affected should be declared disaster areas, if they haven't already, and aid moved in where appropriate, but the country need not be pulled to a halt. I also don't see the need to hold a prime time press conference that many will ignore or even have contempt cause it pre-empted their favorite show (sadly this country is that self-centered) that turns into fodder for the talking heads and does little to end this disaster and can easily lead to more disinformation and confusion.

We really don't know what's going on behind the scenes...whose being contacted and what resource are being gathered to combat this situation. It pains me immensely to see the oil lapping up on the marshes in an area I've visited and have a special affection for and I think this is an area the administration is falling behind on, but I also believe everything possible is being done and considered in minimizing the damage. Action is another story and I'm with you in staying on top of real actions rather than press conferences and other symbolism.

Seeming powerless is not being powerless...we've seen figureheads who grab bullhorns and do little else. I'll reserve judgement as to how effective the leadership is. But I'm not buying the meme that this administration is sitting idly by.

Cheers...

[Vinnie From Indy]

9. Agreed!

While I am quite sure that Pres. Obama is doing a great deal behind the scenes, I do think he is making a political mistake by not having a prime-time news conference. In addition, I do believe that this disaster will have national impact. Everything from tourism to seafood to future energy policy, this event rises to the level of national emergency in my mind.

Cheers! :)