The "Hero" of the Obama Administration. She has a tough job, but, is making dreams come true.

She is eminently quallified.  She is dedicated to her purpose.  She tries very hard to 'bond' with the people of the USA, their experience and their worries.  I simply loved the way she dressed the other day in 'pale blue jean' in front of an EPA sign.  It didn't go unnoticed.

She has returned 'the science' and 'the scientist' to the American landscape. 

She is brave and cutting edge and backs down from no one. 

The Secretary of the EPA has to be easiest job in the world, but, nearly impossible to move the country from point A to point B.  Yet, Secretary Lisa Jackson makes definite rulings that are profoundly needed and profoundly delayed. 

The EPA operates on clear parameters and sound science.  It is why the focus is so intense on its operation and why Wall Street and corrupt Republicans seek to control it.

The EPA Secretary's job description has to be one of the clearest of any cabinet member.  It is based on 'numbers' and 'formulas' and 'chemicals' and 'livable quality of life' standards.  It is due to that reality it is obstructed from operation at every turn.  Secretary Jackson hasn't hesitated to ignore the political pressure surrounding her everyday while plotting a course for the country to 'clear the way' for clear and concise understandings of the 'new quality of life' Americans need to achieve.

Somewhere along the way, Americans got the idea the EPA was supposed to 'fit into' what was appropriate for its purpose, rather than, understanding its purpose and adjusting lifestyles to mark a clear change of policy in facing the challenges of human dynamics on a limited and delicate Earth.

Earth cannot fight cancer without clean air and water.  It cannot sustain species endlessly when carbon dioxide warms its oceans and melts its icefields.  Earth is a gift to all of us and to that end there is a responsibility to our children and their 'healthful and happy' futures.  It is the limits of Earth modern day Americans need to realize and find a way to respect its government for the policies that will sustain us.
The EPA is not an easy office to uphold, but, Secretary Jackson is handling the balancing act in the Gulf while facing uncharted territories and scary scenarios.

But the Center for Biological Diversity objects that the EPA allowed BP to pump nearly 1 million gallons of dispersants into the gulf without ensuring that the chemicals will not harm endangered species and their habitats.


I personally applaud the legal direction of the tone of the Gulf chemical dispersants.

...The group today sent the EPA an official notice of its intent to sue. The letter requests that the agency, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, immediately study the effects of dispersants on species such as sea turtles, sperm whales, piping plovers, and corals and incorporate this knowledge into oil-spill response efforts....


http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/06/epa-may-face-suit-over-use-of-dispersants-in-gulf-spill.html

When does the second Clinton Nobel Peace Prize take place?

I admire Secretary of State Clinton.  She has taken on a nearly impossible position in this administration.  After an illegal war into Iraq and misdirected American assets around the globe, abandoned agreements and peoples, the Clinton State Department has returned dignity and integrity to the USA.  She has managed to uphold the integrity of her mission at a time when the economic tone of the USA has never been worse.  She has overseen a huge disaster in Haiti while at the same time balancing the willingness of Russia to secure a return to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. 

Denuclearization of the globe has been a priority of her State Department and while a once Presidential hopeful, she came forward as only Hillary could to serve her country for one last time, 'righting' the 'ship' as only a Clinton could. 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY VALENZUELA: Thanks very much. I want to remind you that on the first week of March, the Secretary did a trip to the Southern Cone in Central America. She went to the inauguration of President Mujica in Uruguay and then she went to Argentina and Chile and Brazil and then to Costa Rica to the Pathways meeting and then from there to Guatemala City to a meeting with the Central American presidents. 

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/06/142734.htm

The Executive Branch is rounded out by Second Lady, Dr. Jill Biden

A beautiful woman from the soul out.  She helps support her spouse while being a dedicated professional woman, mother and grandmother.  She helps the First Lady in support of military families and carries the missions of the White House to the community.


America's Second Lady Supports The Komen Global Race For The Cure
Amy Leone 1 day ago
WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Dr. Jill Biden and her husband, Vice-President Joe Biden, feel privileged to serve as honorary co-chairs of the Komen Global Race for the Cure again this year.
"Our family is honored to once again participate in the global fight against breast cancer," said Dr. Biden. "I encourage everyone to join in this fight and support ongoing efforts of prevention, detection, and treatment of this disease as we work towards finding a cure and future free of breast cancer. "
The Biden's active participation in the Washington, DC race will continue a tradition that was started by vice presidents and their wives in 1990.


http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=102190&catid=158
 

A First Lady that loves this country as much as her spouse.

I don't recall a proud display of a First Lady on the cover of Ebony and O.  She is magnificent.  There is no other word.  She is an accomplished career woman, wonderful daughter, sister, mother and wife.  Every woman in the USA can look to their First Lady for an example of success, love and confidence.  The 'neatest' thing of all, is that she is a dream come true for an entire community in the USA.  I simply love her.  I can't imagine USA history being painted without her.


Michelle Obama serves up anti-obesity program featuring chefs
Jun 04, 2010
First lady Michelle Obama has recruited a culinary army in her battle against childhood obesity.
More than 500 white-clad chefs gathered on the South Lawn today to highlight a new Obama program designed to help schools prepare healthier food and teach children more nutritional eating habits.
"You know more about food than almost anyone -- other than the grandmas -- and you've got the visibility and the enthusiasm to match that knowledge," Mrs. Obama told the assembled cooks.
Participants in the Chefs Move to Schools program will adopt a local school and work with officials and students there on better, more nutritious lunches.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/06/michelle-obama-serves-up-anti-obesity-program-featuring-chefs/1

We still have a Middle Class in the USA. Almost lost it. Almost. It was being substituted with a 'super military.'

The perfect partner for a distinguished President.  Vice President Biden is engaged with his country and its relationship throughout the world.  He has his pulse on domestic reconstruction and seeks re-establishment of the Middle Class to its rightful place after a decade of neglect and abuse of the American Dream.


The Brooklyn Bridge is getting a $508 million rehab that will make it look like a dream - but it's going to take a traffic nightmare to get there.
Contractors will soon start wrapping sections of the bridge in plastic and shutting down lanes as they launch a four-year project to repaint it, double the capacity on two clogged ramps and replace rotting pavement....



...That brought Vice President Biden to the bridge Wednesday to see the deteriorated underside of the road for himself.
"This is a necessary, worthwhile investment," Biden said, in front of a backdrop of peeling paint.
"Much of what the recovery act does is good in and of itself, unrelated to all the benefits it brings in terms of employment and spending money in the community," he added.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/06/03/2010-06-03_due_for_a_scrub_city_icon_set_for_508m_spruce_up.html


President Barack Obama and his top aides in Washington may be keeping their fingers crossed ahead of Monday’s visit to Kenya by US Vice-President Joe Biden.
Mr Biden will be discussing “a range of issues” with President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a State Department official said.


Topics will include the chaos in Somalia, Kenya’s views on the upcoming referendum on the independence of Southern Sudan and “our interest that there be continued progress on reform and reconciliation in Kenya”, the official added.
The US Vice-President is also expected to meet House Speaker Kenneth Marende and members of the Kenya Parliamentary Caucus....


http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Anxiety%20ahead%20of%20Biden%20visit%20/-/1064/932716/-/38m5cv/-/

Robert's Rule of Order. "Everything that can go "W"rong, will go "W"rong.

He is the man for the job for the times we live in.  I have absolutely no doubt in my mind to that fact.

There is no one else that could find a way to make peace within the borders of this country or outside of it.  Of that I am convinced.

If there is a God, he chose wisely and cut loose the reality of the world for a devoted man to correct its course.

I am grateful for my President everyday.  And to that end, I write 'my mind' in hopes he hears me well and justly.

It's Saturday Night

"Peace in the Valley" by Elvis Presley

Well, I'm tired and so weary

But I must go along
Till the lord will come and call, call me away, oh yeah
Well the morning's so bright
And the Lamb is the light
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes


There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow, my Lord,
no trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me


Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolf will be tame
And the lion shall lay down, down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild
Shall be led by a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes


There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow, oh my Lordy, no trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me

The IDF are not pirates. There is some suspicion about the 'real' purpose of the flotilla?

The handful of Irish and Malaysian activists on board were just hours away from the Palestinian enclave.

The Israeli Navy asked the 'humanitarian aid boat' to reroute to a place where the cargo can be off loaded and inspected for 'free' overland transport into Gaza and the flotilla refused?

Oh.

No one is dead, so the Israeli Navy didn't make that mistake again.  No violence.  I see.

Well, now the flotilla is looking more and more like it is trying to assault the sovereignty of Israel.  It is known by most media that Israel was delivering the aid from the previous boat regardless of how poorly it was all handled, so there was no reason for the second boat to believe the aid would not get through to Gaza.

...The Israeli navy intercepted another ship carrying a group of pro-Palestinian activists who tried to break the blockade on Gaza. The crew received a radio warning from the Israeli military.
The ship ignored the message and was seized by naval commandos. But this time, no one was hurt.
"We completed compliance boarding on the ship," said army spokeswoman Avital Liebovich. "There was no violence, no resistance whatsoever."...  (click title to entry - thank you)

The longer the resistance to the Israeli Security directives the longer it will take to build real diplomatic relations between the Gaza Palestinians and Israel.  That seems very obvious, doesn't it?

At issue is the 'control' of violence on BOTH sides of the citizens of Gaza and Israel.  I can't imagine that 'secrets' are a good idea, EXCEPT, it prevents media to scrutinize the movement of Israeli forces in securing cooperation.  Now, if Israel didn't believe it was that threatened, this would all be mute.

The hijacking of the truth
By Catrina Stewart
9:17 AM Sunday Jun 6, 2010
...From the beginning, it was clear that Israeli forces were concentrating in their largest numbers on the Marmara, a ship carrying some 550 peace activists. The remaining five boats were much smaller and easily commandeered. After the Marmara was subdued, the passengers silenced, and their recording equipment confiscated, Israel disseminated a carefully choreographed account of the events that night that would dominate the airwaves for the first 48 hours....

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10650091

IF there was absolutely no reason for the blockade this would be a completely different issue.  The problems faced by both Gaza and Israel have a very long history.  A very violent history.  It would seem to me the less violence and more cooperation received by Israel, by all parties, the sooner there will be less suffering for  everyone.

Now, the Flotilla is not a military operation, is it?  Or is it?  Because if there is real concern for the Palestinians in Gaza I would expect any cooperation by Israel to expedite aid to them would be paramount to the best outcome.  So, when the Flotilla refuses help from Israel to move aid into Gaza, after inspections, it brings questionable intentions to the forefront of the reason why they are there in the first place.

I am sure everyone understands that.  Except, perhaps, the Palestinian diasphora in Europe.

The issue surrounding all these problems is Israel's right to exist and the last time I heard any Palestinian state they recognized Israel's right to exist, it was probably the Jordanian Queen.

So, while there may be some real questions about 'the quality of life' for the Palestinians in Gaza, there is also reasons for Israel to be alarmed by aggressive Flotillas.  It does not justify killed unarmed people on a humantarian mission.  Not at all.  But, the INSECURITY of Israel in the region is still understandable. Given that, the blockade is understandable, but, it may be unreasonable in enforcing suffering of the people of Gaza.  To the extent that suffering exist only increases the reason they will be difficult as well.

It would seem it is in the best interest of Israel to cooperate with any and all humanitarian aid that also allows for Israeli security, simply because it will minimize the suffering of the Palestinian people.  When their suffering is diminished and a better quality of life realized for all the Palestinians, the more likely Isreal will have less and less reason to 'fear them.'

Louisiana, Jindal's Pride and Joy. Really?

This oil-covered pelican was photographed Saturday at Queen Bess Island in Barataria Bay.

The latest complaint from Jindal, whom is trying to make political game for the GOP, is that he hasn't received any monies from BP.

Hm.

Does Louisiana have an attorney general?  Just curious.  Let me see.

You betcha. 

James D. "Buddy" Caldwell.  (click here)

The question is whom's 'Buddy' is he?  He doesn't seem to be the friend of the Louisiana citizen. 

There are a lot of AGs around the country trying to make political 'hey' out of suing the federal government, but, one has to ask how pathetic they really are.

"...The legislation would ask Caldwell and Jindal "to hastily determine the parties who are at fault in this incident and then timely pursue actions against such parties...."  (click title to entry - thank you)

The Louisiana Legislature had to ACT in order to have the attorney general and governor of Louisana bring a suit for the people of the state?  Amazing.  It is easy to tell they aren't Democrats.

I like Eliot Spitzer.  I always liked Eliot Spitzer and I can't imagine not liking Eliot Spitzer.  I am quite confident this blog holds some severe tones in regard to the venture by him into scandal.  When was his resignation, anyway?

Governor Spitzer served from January 1, 2007 until March 17, 2008.  Isn't that St. Patrick's Day?  March 17th?  Yep.  Two days after the "Ides of March."

And the New York Times was explaining the Wall Street Bailout on September 20, 2008.

Q. The bailout program being negotiated by the Bush administration and Congressional leaders calls for the government to spend up to $700 billion to buy distressed mortgages. How did the politicians come up with that number, and could it go higher?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/business/21qanda.html

Yep.

Just about six months after the former Governor resigned, Paulson played his hand.  Odd, huh?  And then to realize the former Governor Spitzer was guilty of nothing.  NOTHING.  The Mann Act.  It was such a joke.  The media was vicious over NOTHING.  Odd, huh?

Well, that is getting off track.  You see if Eliot Spitzer was AG in Louisiana, Jindal wouldn't be making politcal 'hey' out of the tragedy, he would be bragging about the monies his citizens were receiving from BP, Transocean and Halliburton.

But.

That isn't happening, is it?

Not really odd at all, huh?

See, Jindal could not give a hoot about his citizens.  He would applaud BP drilling two feet away from the most productive fisheries in Louisiana.

Seriously. 

"Drill here, drill now." 

I actually believe Jindal's stock portfolio' needs to be examined.

The BP video can't be embedded from You Tube. The explosion occurred and BP's advertising stopped. Until. Today. That also goes for the petroleum industry in general. No ads. Hiding.

I believe the coverage by AP shows some of the issues clearly.  But. Only some of them.  BP's CEO can also look on You Tube no differently than I to understand 'what the issue' is exactly.

Everyone knows about CEOs.  The worst mistake a company can make is have their CEO on the air.  Why?  Because they are 'thinking' about their next bonus, not the tragedy at hand.  That's why.  And Mr. BP himself did exactly that, blaming issues of 'liability' on other venues with excuses to deflect costs from his bonus.

So much for appropriate reward systems.

BP probably had some commercial contracts as well so they decided to 'blow their wad' on an ad to help sooth the Americans. 

I just don't see this the same way of most people including the scientists involved. 

As the 'top hat' is placed on the 'drill hole' (must be a gentleman's game) the amount of oil being pulled directly off the rupture needs to be made known to the USA military and a proportional amount of chemical dispersant needs to be cut back. 

The issue with winds and visocity of the oil has to come into play to protect the ocean circulations, starting with the loop current.  The more oil dispersant added to the Gulf Waters the higher the oil 'content' in the water column.  That fact raises a lot of 'red flags' for me.  I realize that is a unique place to be as most scientists can't seem to grasp the tragedy waiting on a global scale as this diluted and thinner viscocity oil 'content' is spreading in a wider and wider range of waters. 

The oil will come into shore and if the shoreline is ready for the arrival it can be captured.  Oil can be swept up from the surface in largers amounts if the viscosity is 'normal' rather than diluted.  I can't say this enough.  It is completely wrong to continue to spread poisons in the ocean's water column and kill surface floral and fauna that is microscopic in size.

THEY  ARE  EASY  VICTIMS  TO  IGNORE  AND  NO ONE  IS  MEASURING  THAT.  NASA  NEEDS  TO  EXAMINE  ITS  EARLIEST  RECORDS  FOR 'Global'  ALGAL  BLOOMS  (baseline) AND  THE  AMOUNT  TODAY. 


It is a matter of knowing where we are going and 'not what to do.'  Microscopic organisms won't be resilient 'at all.'  Their 'tipping point' is not measureable and has never before been encountered.  It is just one of those 'things' that human insight  DOESN'T  ATTEMPT  TO  ESTIMATE.


So, I know for a FACT the scientists advocating chemical dispersants HAVE  IT  WRONG.  Big time.  Estimate the oil emitting from the rupture, estimate the damage, move the dolphins and seek to mitigate the coastal damge, BUT, I am warning any scientist that is seeking to estimate the ability to continue to add chemicals to ocean circulation.  It will be viewed by some if not a growing number of peers as completely foolish and imprudent.

"Corexit" is among the most toxic substances that can be used as an oil dispersant and it needs to be stopped.  Simply stopped.  Nothing difficult about this.  Simply stop it.
Any further use of this dispersant is irresponsible and I don't care whom is recommending it, it is wrongfully recommended.

It is one thing to make the Gulf of Mexico sterile, it is quite something else to make the entire global ocean circulation sterile.

There isn't much here to understand really.  The Bay of Campehe is a repeat performance.  The exact dynamics that occured in 1979 on an oil rig occurred on the Deepwater Horizon.  It may have occurred in 160 feet of water, but, it was drilling 1.9 MILES down.  The rig could NOT control the methane it found.  It was an exploratory well.  Nothing more to know. 

The only reasonable response to these disasters is to explode the ocean floor that supports the drill pipe allowing the rupture to emit oil and gas into our environment.  This entire mess is outrageous and it should have been dealth with EFFECTIVELY and not from HELPLESSNESS.

Blow it closed !

NOW !

The Press Finally Found It. The reason the USA military and the petroleum industry is guilty as hell.

Bay of Campeche (click here)

The fact of the matter is that the USA military and the petroleum industry has never opened up the reality of their own pathetic history.  And the country actually expects this to be resolved?  No.  They are bidding their time so they can say, "We did it." 

The spill of the Bay of Campehe can't even begin to match the damage done by the rupture currently in USA waters.  Why?  Because the global ocean circulation is involved now and the oil and the chemical dispersant is a part of it. 

The environmental damge is enormous to the Gulf and the ocean circulation, hurricane season is underway and we are already witnessing the beginnings of it.  The damage to the USA Gulf Coast line will be far more extensive in 'cost' alone.  As an example is the Lousiana Brown Pelican and its struggle to be removed from the Endangered Species List.  If the Louisiana Brown Pelican has to go back on the Threatened or Endangered List, BP will have to fund not only future efforts to return the bird to its status before their irresponsible act, but, also the cost of what the USA paid for 25 years of restoration.

In 1979, the world was a far different place with 2 billion less people and an Earth that was not warming due to carbon dioxide pollution from humans.  The far reaching implications of this negligence by both government and industry states exactly the 'esteem' they hold citizens, their lands and their livelihoods.

IF the Bay of Campehe is what the USA military is counting on as a 'source' of how this is going to 'end up' they need to 'think again.'  Because the global dynamics, the location and the economy are very, very different and the immediacy of a solution is more important than 1979.  Typical poor insight by the USA military.  It is why they repeat illegal wars, too.

And all the whining and the crying that elected officials do in Louisiana can end right now.  Jindal is crying his people are unemployed, blah, blah, blah.  But, BP is paying the cost, so just 'shut up.'  Louisiana is just about the most disgusting state on the Gulf Coast, next to Texas.  And realizing how 'history' could easily have played as a huge lesson here only screams of 'lax government and regulation.'

In the picture above, the oil well is burning 'under water' and the 'attempts to contain it included TWO relief wells and the disaster continued for 10 months.  The reasons for the Bay of Campehe disaster was the same as BP's deep water drilling and the INDUSTRY has done little to nothing to change their practices to improve their environmental performance.  It is all about money and there are now at least two generations of fishermen along the Gulf Coast being deprived of their ways of life.  In realizing that, it is easy to say the USA government, military and petroleum industry don't value the lives of Americans but find them only an annoyance AND necessity to their 'profiteering and wars.' 

HELLO?

Blow the drill hole UP. 

NOW!

The reason Florida is receiving more oil is because the weather patterns are changing and carrying it there. (click title to entry for 12 hour loop - thank you)

Israel is always playing with fire. Security increased for Turkish Jews following the deaths of nine unarmed people.

Protesters burn an Israeli flag during a demonstration at Taksim Square in Istanbul. 

...Security has been stepped up at 20 points in Istanbul alone, where there are several synagogues and centers serving 23,000 Jewish residents, Interior Minister Beşir Atalay said Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. He added that measures have been taken at residences, consulates and places of worship in the city.... (click title to entry - thank you)

Everyone knows there are issues with Hamas, but, this level of 'control' isn't going to bring a focus on Hamas. It always brings a focus to Israel while giving Hamas greater validity in its arguments and violence against Israel.

Israel did not handle this situation well.  In the case of Turkey alone, there are 23,000 Jews at risk for violence.  No one needs this and Israel's strategy didn't come across to those anywhere besides perhaps the West Bank.

In anticipation of the flotilla and demonstrations over the weekend, Israel first tried to make an example of Fatah in the West Bank by opening up access.  Then it turned to Hamas within a day or so and opened fire on potential targets of weapons storage and movement.  Both actions were to make an impression on the Gaza citizens to stress how peaceful coexistance can lead to better relations with Israel.  It was a poor attempt at 'setting an example' and now nine innocent people are dead, Hamas is screaming louder than ever and the entire globe is concerned for their Hebrew citizens.

Hello?

Israel needs to 'take the high road / noble road' when issues of this nature come up.  On one hand Israel stated 'aid' was not needed for the Palestinians in Gaza and then they began to distribute it after nine people were dead.  I sincerely believe Israel lacks profound insight into diplomatic relations.  There was no reason why a flotilla of innocent people should have been an alarm to Israel when they knew prior to their reaction that it was a peaceful mission and not 'boat people' looking for a home.

The people that are now dead had citizenship in a country that has been among the strongest supporter of Israel.  Turkey and Israel were suppose to conduct war games together and now diplomats are being recalled and the 'games' are cancelled.  Could Israel have 'done it' any worse?

All Israel had to do was to accept the aid for Gaza and distribute it.  They are doing it now anyway in reaction to the deaths.  When is the IDF going to reaize there needs to be far more insight to 'the best outcome' to these circumstances and others when the 'outside world' steps in to bring focus to compassion.

Taking control may 'seem right,' but, this flotilla had no intentions of causing harm to Israelis.  That should have been realized first.  If there is no danger to Israel and its citizens, then violence of any kind, aggression of any kind should be avoided at all cost.  The violence is what Hamas is seeking in having flotillas come to Gaza.  The violence helps them justify their actions against Israel and Israelis.  It should be the last thing Israel does in methods of control to protect its citizens.

Israel does not practice good diplomacy, if any at all.  Israel's actions imperils the lives of its own people, sovereignty and diplomatic relations with countries such as Iran which have been making progress.  There is no room in this world anymore for such irresponsible actions from the IDF.  Far too much hangs in the balance.  These actions by Israel can't go unnoticed or condoned.  The deaths of these people cannot go unaccounted for while realizing how important missions of peace sincerely belong within the waters of Gaza.  This is a tragic event which could have worked in Israel's favor, but, didn't.

As hopelessness in Louisiana sets in, pandering to right wing nut cases begins.

Senator Mary Landrieu of Lousiana seeks to blame environmentalists for the BP rupture and seeks to drill for more oil at 'near shore' locations.

Typical Louisiana response.  Politics as usual with complete abandon to the facts. The same dynamics can play out near shore as one mile down.  It is the blow out preventer and grossly corrupt and negligent practices that has caused the rupture.  There is absolutely no reason to drill anywhere with a chance of repeating this tragedy.

The appropriate response to this disaster is NOT to drill for more oil at any USA shoreline, but, to seek better solutions for energy and transportation.  What is it that Louisiana just doesn't get? 

As Congress gears up for a legislative response to the oil spill in the Gulf and energy reform more broadly, some political observers are increasingly worried that the deck may be stacked in private industry's favor.

That's because in the first three months of this year alone, the company at the heart of the current crisis, BP, has hired at least 27 lobbyists who formerly worked in Congress or the executive branch. The revolving door between the oil giant and elected office is spinning fast -- so much so that good government officials are hard-pressed to name a comparable organization with that much institutional clout on tap....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/02/bps-lobbying-clout-27-for_n_597510.html


The political right wing AGAIN is trying to make 'hey' with this disaster rather than seeking real solutions for the country.  They are demanding near shore drilling now for what amounts to 3% of the world's oil supply.  Someone needs to 'get real' already. 

And there aren't that many jobs that will result from any offshore drilling operation.  Some revenues to states and the federal government, but, those are offset by the danger and potential damage that results in emergency spending and long term rehabilitation of the any land problems.

I tell you what, why don't we simply overlook any and all facts to this disaster and get on with business as usual while we watch BP, the Gulf Coast and global ocean circulation go down the tubes.  And in addition, we can watch more people die as well.

June 1, 2010 3:25 PM
BP Lobbying Team's Revolving Door
Posted by Laura Strickler
In the two years leading up to the catastrophic spill in the Gulf, BP hired twelve lobbying firms and paid them $32 million to press their agenda in Congress, at the White House and in the halls of at least fourteen federal agencies, according to lobbying records.

For Obama's first three months in office, BP hired the Duberstein Group led by President Reagan's former chief of staff Ken Duberstein to exclusively lobby the White House on "Energy security proposals". Duberstein brought along heavy hitters such as former Carter Administration veteran Mike Berman and Eric Ueland who served as the former chief of staff for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN).

BP also hired the Podesta Group, led by uber-lobbyist Tony Podesta, to lobby Congress. Podesta is a top Washington insider whose brother is former Clinton Chief of Staff John Podesta. The firm also counts David Marin among its lobbyists - he once served as a top GOP investigator for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee....

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20006472-10391695.html


Now Florida is involved and quite frankly I believe Florida has the right to sue Louisiana for its lousy policies regarding oil drilling.  Florida's policies are far more prudent and seek to protect their shorelines and citizen's interests.  In such a reality lies the idea that Louisiana is grossly negligent to any outcome in regard to oil and the way it effects neighboring states.  I am sure there is a provision somewhere in the Clear Water Act that provides legal action against polluting states by those that don't.


BP faces another setback; oil slick threatens Fla. (click title to entry - thank you)

By MELISSA NELSON and ADAM GELLER
Associated Press Writers
The Associated Press
June 2, 2010, 5:39PM
PENSACOLA, Fla. — The BP oil slick drifted perilously close to the Florida Panhandle's famous sugar-white beaches Wednesday as a risky gambit to contain the leak by shearing off the well pipe ran into trouble a mile under the sea when the diamond-tipped saw became stuck....


The 'wealth merchants' are at work.


Transocean, Halliburton credit default swaps surge
June 1 (Reuters) - The cost of protecting debt of Transocean Inc and Halliburton Co against default rose sharply on Tuesday as the threat of an out-of-control Gulf of Mexico oil spill widened.
Transocean's (RIG.N) five-year credit default swaps rose by 40 percent to 352 basis points, while Halliburton's (HAL.N) five-year swaps rose by 27 percent to 98 basis points, according to data from Markit Intraday.
Credit protection costs surged after BP announced over the weekend that its attempt to plug its blown-out Gulf of Mexico well with a "top kill" procedure had not worked. Transocean operated the oil drilling rig that exploded on April 20, while Halliburton did a variety of work on the rig. (Reporting by Dena Aubin; Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0110413720100601?type=marketsNews


Goldman drops Halliburton



Goldman Sachs removed oilfield services company Halliburton from its conviction buy list, citing short-term concerns resulting from the Macondo spill and the US government's moratorium on deep-water drilling.
Upstream staff 01 June 2010 14:16 GMT
Shares of Halliburton were down 7% at $23.21 this morning on the New York Stock Exchange.


"We recognize that in the near term, oil service/driller stocks could continue to trade on fear and negative sentiment rather than fundamentals due to the potential for negative headlines risk," Reuters quoted analyst Daniel Boyd saying in a note to clients....

http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article216439.ece


Senator Nelson of Florida is again asking the USA military to take over the BP operation.  It only makes sense.  There is no confidence in BP.  Not only that but as their efforts continue the chance the company may sink with their rig gets greater.

...BP's survival as an independent company is now being openly discussed in the City. Its share price continued to tumble today following the failed well-capping. Analysts are wondering whether merger talks – as happened between BP and its arch rival Shell in 2007 – might arise again as BP's ability to pay dividends is questioned, and its public credibility in America, which provides 40% of its income, plummets....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/02/oil-spill-bp-gulf-of-mexico


Sorry, I don't subscribe to 'the idea' that support has to be thrown to BP for the sake of keeping them 'a float' simply because they have liability to the USA.  Bad practices are bad practices.  The program State of the Union feathered the CEO of BP and it was aired on NPR.  I was simply astounded by the statement that "Top Kill" (which is a glamorized version of Top Fill - culturally correct for a nation engaged in war, if you will) was a 'new' procedure.  The reality that BP is using this rupture for the purposes of deep sea research is outrageous.

I don't want to hear how they are tying something new.  I want to hear how they are trying something "Tried and True." 

I have many friends that need support through this difficult time with such enormous tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico. One of them wrote this to me today.

Don't talk to me about morality. 

I know about morality and so do my friends !

Romans 3:10-18 (New International Version)

As it is written:


"There is no one righteous, not even one;

there is no one who understands,

no one who seeks God.

All have turned away,

they have together become worthless;

there is no one who does good,

not even one."

"Their throats are open graves;


their tongues practice deceit."


"The poison of vipers is on their lips."


"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."


"Their feet are swift to shed blood;


ruin and misery mark their ways,


and the way of peace they do not know."


"There is no fear of God before their eyes."

On Memorial Day 2010, my Father, age 79 stated, "As a Korean War Veteran...

... I am disappointed in the loss of security experienced by South Korea.  Why is it in may older years I am still worried about my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildern?  Is my final wish going to be to have God bless my family as I could not secure their futures for them?

I watched Bush make a mockery of my sacrifice as North Korea began their nuclear program all over again and now the world has lost the security of our sacrifice completely."

In the year 2010, the USA has more domestic security issues than ever before in its history.  We have drug lords in Afghanistan dominating the efforts to bring security there, we have drug lords in Mexico attempting to bring war within the USA, we have greed merchants destroying our economy and now the work of generations of Americans along the Gulf Coast is being destroyed.  When does this hideousness end?

My father's sister, who was visiting stated (A woman that has a devoted Christian life all her life and two years older than he.), "I have never seen this country in such a poor state of morality.  They call themselves Christians these days, they talk about practicing a moral life, but, these same people don't recognize sin.  They don't practice any morality in their dealings with the economy, with protections for the heritage of our children and they seek to exploit good people and leave devastation in their wake.  In the USA, we are suppose to work a good job and not trivialize our importance in our work, but, today there is no respect for loyalty and there no regard for the love of our citizens for their country.  What has happened to our country?  What has happened to the sacrifices of generations?  How could this level of sinfulness have pervaded our culture to destroy all of our decency?"

Two very good Americans are looking at their 'aged years' in skepticism to the security of the families they leave behind.  THAT is a reality in my family on Memorial Day 2010.  It isn't good. 

I want to know what kind of sacriledge everyone thinks they can take license with in criticizing the President for wanting to honor the dead at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetary today?

Was it the fact that the dead at Lincoln National Cemetary were all known, is that the issue?  Or.  Is it that the dead at Arlington carry more clout than everyone else who gave their lives in service to this country?

 

This is Vice President Biden on Memorial Day 2010.

This was President Obama in 2009 on Memorial Day placing the wreath on the tomb of the unknown..

It is vastly obvious the petroleum industry does not have ANY answers for a rupture at this depth.

There is no research to back up any of the methods currently being employed by the petroleum industry in regard the Gulf oil rupture.

It is up to the USA military to solve this problem.

I really don't see any excuse for the military's inability.

NONE !

See suggestion below.

To encourage offshore drilling on any coast of the USA is grossly negligent of the Public Trust.

The USA needs it fisheries.  The Petroleum COMPLETELY neglected its responsibility, without exception of ANY company / corporation.

The USA military has no way to respond to close a drill hole once it is established.

The Petroleum Industry has no method to close a drill hole at 'depth' once it is established.

The repercussions of this inability to control an oil rupture is counter productive to the USA national security. 

We'll be lucky to close the drill hole in the Gulf at all and salvage the biotic content of the Gulf.

President Obama is committed.  The Gulf States should have had an emergency procedure for such an occurrence along their coast. READY TO GO, with all necessary endorsements from the federal government, so Homeland Security could immediately deploy measure that may have been necessary.

This lack of organization is no different than the poor response to Katrina that caused the deads of over a thousand people.  Mayor Nagin was the only person 'at the ready' and the best defense the people of New Orlean's Ninth District had was to hack through the roof of their homes and many did. 

THAT was the only immediate measure available to the citizens of New Orleans.  This is no different.  The lack of preparedness started long before January 20, 2009.  Currently, chasing every aspect of protections of this disaster is all the Coast Guard, NOAA and NASA can do to attempt to stem the damage locally and globally.