Allowing BP to remain in control of the CLEAN UP effort

[boston bean]

does nothing but make the president and his administration appear weak.

BP isn't doing anything our government can't due in regards to the CLEAN UP. IMHO, BP is doing very little in that regard, so any improvement would be great.

In fact, because of President Obama's decision to allow BP to remain in control of the CLEAN UP, it appears he is aligning himself with BP's incompetency and it looks like he is on the side of big oil and not the people. The American people will hold him to account for not trying to protect them. It is a greivous political strategy on many levels not just for the Gulf, but his presidency as well.

Obama will pay politically for this have no doubt, the American people can see through the scam. They will not stand for our government allowing a corporate entitity having control of the largest environmental disaster this country has ever seen.

It is not good enough to say, BP is at fault and they are responsible, when you have wildlife, the ocean and probably thousands of people die due to the toxins BP is foisting on the ecology. People obviously hate BP, but they want the protection of our government from not only the spill, but BP's greed and criminality.

It will come down to the point that Obama let BP remain in control so he didn't risk political capital. But in reality he is risking his entire presidency on not taking over the CLEAN UP.

They only thing BP is responsible for is the almighty profit and survival of BP. BP could give a shit less about the survival of the wildlife, the coast, the ocean or its people. The President and our elected officials and the full force of our governement is to first and foremost have the interests of us its citizens at heart. There is a competing interest between BP and the Government and Obama is failing on protecting our interests. The American people see it, feel it and believe it.

[DrDan]

1. agree - made the same point yesterday

[boston bean]

2. this poster here sums up my feelings.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8564952&mesg_id=8565392

[DrDan]

16. completely AGREE!!!

[Catherina]

13. Me too. I find that talking point flabbergasting and insulting to everyone n/t

[AngryOldDem]

3. Most definitely.

BP should have been taken out of the equation immediately. And it's rich, considering how Obama hammered on MMS for allowing companies to set their own standards and regulations. With BP still calling the shots here, apparently, that's still the case. Does anyone really believe that BP cares for more than just its own survival?

[boston bean]

5. What makes me sick is people who flat out say

that Obama shouldn't take over because then it becomes his mess.

They are basically saying, let the Gulf die so Obama can get re elected.

They don't have much foresight, as far as I can tell.

[dgibby]

8. That was THE most mindblowing line of "reasoning" I think I've ever read on DU.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around it! You can't make it up, can you?

[snagglepuss]

11. The stupidity is minding numbing and like you say sickening.

[Poboy]

15. It becomes his mess eventually whether he takes control or not.

He's the president, and this is a national emergency. He is not acting like it is. Oil is 20 miles inland in the marsh and it keeps coming in.

Louisiana reaction-

Was President Obama's speech what you wanted to hear?

No ( 88% )

Yes ( 12% )

http://www.wwl.com/pages/1891492.php

===

Posted: Tuesday, 15 June 2010 1:09AM
Locals sound off on tonight's address by Obama
Jay Vise Reporting

As the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico closes in on the two-month mark, President Barack Obama will tonight address the nation about the situation.
Although Mr. Obama has done numerous press conferences and addresses while in office, this will be the first speech given to a national audience from the Oval Office.
The President has likely chosen to give the address from the Oval Office to underscore the magnitude of the topic at hand.
However, many local residents we spoke to in New Orleans see it as just another speech in nearly two months of pep talks.
"There is absolutely nothing he can say that will make me feel better, truly," one Magazine Street shopper told us.
"It's not about talking points, it's not about speeches, or how well it's received...at this point, we need action," another Uptown resident said.
Another woman agreed with those sentiments.

"Katrina taught us a lesson: Don't believe anything until you see some action," she said.
You can hear President Obama's speech from the Oval Office this evening at 7:00pm on 870 WWL-AM, 105.3 WWL-FM, and WWL.com.

http://www.wwl.com/Locals-sound-off-on-tonight-s-address-by-Obama/7466631

[madrchsod]

4. i agree and.....

why is ken salazar still have his job? he`s as covered in oil as the dead wild life that some of his votes are responsible for.

[TexasObserver]

6. Agree. The president needs to take over clean up entirely.

Make BP pay for it, but take it out of their hands. They have a conflict of interest which threatens our interests. We want to know every animal killed. We want complete and open records on what is done. We do not want BP covering their tracks and hiding their damage.

The president should get the Navy involved, the merchant marines, the Corps of Engineers, and every community on the beach from Key West to Galveston. This requires a monumental effort, not some half ass job by a large corporate defendant in the biggest tort case in the history of the world. Call in every nation that will send help, and do as much as possible to save the ocean and the coast.

[blindpig]

7. Expropriate without compensation

They are getting away with murder, literally.

[Hubert Flottz]

9. They need to put the Company big shots in little white suits and

let them do some of the work themselves.

[inna]

10. Not "weak", unconscionable and indefensible.

BP could not care less about environment and public welfare; it is the responsibility of the government to act in interests of public welfare.

[tekisui]

12. Shit. I've been saying this for over a month.

BP lies and is incapable. It is long past time for it to be declared a national security event and respond as if it were a natural disaster. Get BP out of the Gulf!

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

14. Last night the President said he had been in charge from the beginning

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x340455