No one has mentioned it, but Obama identified whose "ass" is to be kicked

[scheming daemons]

Yes, he still went on about hold BP's feet to the fire.



But the main ass that he appears to be kicking (that is actually under his purview) is....


MMS.



And to me... that means that despite the relatively lukewarm praise of the guy in the speech ... that Salazar's days are numbered.

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. Let's hope so.

Maybe Al Gore could use a new gig, now that he's got alimony payments and shit like that to worry about?

[Arkana]

14. Really?

Aren't his children grown? How does that even work?

[Sebastian Doyle]

15. Alimony is different from child support.

I don't know if Tipper's asking for money or not. Just trying to come up with a scenario where Al might need the job as much as the job needs him.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Wanna Put $10 On It?

Salazar is a member of Obama's cherished Privileged Class. He won't be touched.

[HughMoran]

6. grouchy-pants

[MannyGoldstein]

7. Do *you* wanna put $10 on it?

Obama will never offend a member of his Privileged Class. It's not in his DNA.

[HughMoran]

9. Sure, $10 it is

6 months time good enough?

[MannyGoldstein]

10. OK - It's in my calendar. nt

[HughMoran]

11. I hope I win

[Jennicut]

3. Actually, I think the main ass he wanted to kick was the collective inaction

of past politicians for inaction on alternative energy. I liked how he made the point from the oil spill to clean energy. Cost? The cost for the spill is far more then investing in clean energy.

And MMS needs some badly needed leadership. It has suffered for years. Long term govt. employees are actually the worst part of it. Read Earl Devaney's report on MMS sometime. Makes your head spin...http://doi.bluewatermedia.com/pdf/Smith%20REDACTED%20FINAL_080708%20Final%20with%20transmittal%209_10%20date.pdf

[NYC_SKP]

4. FWIW- May 19 internal email from Secretary Salazar to MMS Staff:

(emphasis added)

From: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 12:18 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: Secretary's Priority Message - For MMS Employees

Dear Team,

The Minerals Management Service has existed by virtue of Secretarial Order since 1982. During nearly 30 years, MMS has managed the development of our Outer Continental Shelf resources and collected revenue for the American people in excess of $200 billion.

The 1700 employees of MMS are good people and public servants, with the few well-publicized exceptions who have brought dishonor to the Department and to MMS. As I reorganize the MMS, you have nothing to fear about your job if you have been working hard and comporting yourself with the standards I expect of all employees of the Department. I am certain the critical functions of energy production and revenue collection will be as essential in the future as they are today.

The Secretarial Order I have signed today will establish the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and the Office of Natural Resources Revenue as follows:

· Bureau of Ocean Energy Management: A new bureau under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management that will be responsible for the sustainable development of the Outer Continental Shelf’s conventional and renewable energy resources, including resource evaluation, planning, and other activities related to leasing.

· Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement: A new bureau under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management that will be responsible for ensuring comprehensive oversight, safety, and environmental protection in all offshore energy activities.

· Office of Natural Resources Revenue: A new office under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget, that will be responsible for the royalty and revenue management function including the collection and distribution of revenue, auditing and compliance, and asset management.

Under the Secretarial Order I have signed, I am directing a schedule for implementation to be delivered to me within 30 days. Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Wilma Lewis, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget Rhea Suh and Senior Advisor Chris Henderson will oversee the restructuring.

Undertaking major organizational changes is never easy. I am confident that we will move through this process together and will emerge from this reorganization strong and well-positioned to meet the needs of the American people we serve.

We understand that many questions remain as to how this restructuring should be implemented and we intend to undergo a thoughtful process to resolve those questions with your input. We have been reviewing the emails many of you have sent in and hope others will share their thoughts and ideas in the days and weeks ahead. In the coming weeks, I will visit MMS offices in New Orleans, Denver, and Herndon to explain the reorganization and hear from you.

Please note that unless you hear otherwise directly from a supervisor, each and every one of you should continue to fulfill your existing role and responsibilities.

The goal of this restructuring is to give you – the public servants of MMS –more tools, more resources, and an organizational structure that fits the missions that you are being asked to carry out.

Together, we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the American people are getting a fair return from their resources and that the safety of workers and the environment are protected.

Thank you,

Ken Salazar

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:BQbmuzNZXr8J:peer.org/docs/doi/5_20_10_MMS_breakup_order.pdf+Secretary_of_the_Interior%40ios.doi.gov&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShH00I1B7UbKvranBdA-ToscRNF5aAVkMj4L9nDbz0yVZp1jWseji0_OYi_Gi2BnATLSYG2YnvarnwYWCH0-9UgV-Lk5kl6yMjDnvjOVzsiV_xW6B97wNHbyDKKaHUX_dl98on-&sig=AHIEtbSGyWcg3oeClbuliciFdS0___8P-A

:patriot:

[Cha]

8. Thanks SKP~

[vaberella]

13. I need a job...sounds like more job opportunities. n/t

[bajamary]

5. what a waste of a speech

What a waste of an Oval Office speech & setting although it's a great place of SNL sketches.

This massive disaster is the equivalent of a direct attack on the shores and waters of America, and our country should have reacted as if we had been put under attack - because WE ARE UNDER ATTACK.

The President should declare that the military will defend our shores and take full control of the offending oil rig and freeze all BP funds in the US banks and financial institutions.

[vaberella]

12. Yup...and DOI for not moving faster on it. Salazar is definitely on the fence.

He said as much.