Gulf coast oil spill

[GunMaster357]

At home, in Brittany, when a super tanker goes to the coast, whoever wants to lend a hand is welcome.

The only thing asked is that you wear protective gear (boots, gloves, etc...), but nothing hazmat-like. And, of course, the army is there to help.

[classicman]

Makes perfect sense to me. I still don't understand what the heck is taking SO LONG to have people there on the ground or to allow them to build berms to protect the coastline - especially if this is gonna continue to leak into August.

[GunMaster357]

And we have an enormous advantage: a big rocky coast.

Rocks are a lot easier to clean than marshes, mangroves, etc...

We also have very powerful tides with waves that wash the rocks where we cannot gain access, little bit after little bit.

[classicman]

Even more reason to have had them there and ready.

[GunMaster357]

However, every it happens, you can expect the usual SNAFU during the first few days since the spill comes from a boat and impacts directly on the coast.

I'm a bit surprised that it's not better organized on this event, they had quite a few days to do it while the spill was still at sea.

Of course, since BP isn't able or maybe don't want to give precise numbers it's difficult to prepare. And let's not forget about juridiction battles.

From my very limited knowledge of american organizations, I think that FEMA should be in charge but may be I'm wrong. Is that the case?

I almost forgot that it is also spanning over several states.

[classicman]

I haven't really heard squat about/from FEMA. I'm sure they are involved though. Seems like the Coast Guard are the ones doing most of the talking.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by classicman

I haven't really heard squat about/from FEMA. I'm sure they are involved though...

They don't want to waste money, we're taxed enough, already!

[Shawnee123]

thnort

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

They don't want to waste money, we're taxed enough, already!

If BP is paying for it, what difference does it make?

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by classicman

If BP is paying for it, what difference does it make?

None. In fact, the fed gov should pad the bill!

[classicman]

Then wtf is your point?

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by classicman

Then wtf is your point?

That you don't have a sense of humor.

[classicman]

27 Former Hill, White House Staffers Working For BP

In the first three months of 2010 -- the three months that immediately preceded the explosion of its Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig -- BP spent more than $3.8 million dollars on lobbying the federal government. The cash was spread around seven prominent lobby shops within the D.C. area (including BP's own internal operation), who in turn employed 39 lobbyists to help the company push its legislative interests. That nearly 70 percent of those hired guns have experience in elected office doesn't surprise good government officials because those are after all the most sought-after hires on K Street.

"BP is in a great deal of trouble, so they are going to pull [out all] the stops when it comes to lobbying activity," said Craig Holman, Legislative Representative for Public Citizen. "And the most expensive and effective lobbyists are those connected to the administration or Congress or both."

"A former Hill staffer who is now lobbying comes with a ready-made Rolodex of contacts for those people working and writing legislation," added Donnelly.

Take, for instance, the company's hiring of the powerhouse Podesta Group, which was paid $60,000 in contracts in 2010. As part of the package, BP received the lobbying assistance of Paul Brathwaite who served as the Executive Director for the Congressional Black Caucus; Hewitt Strange, a former aide to Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA); Andrew Lewin, who served as Legislative Director for Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS); Randall Gerard, who served as a staff member under Sen. John McCain (R-AZ); Tim Glassco, who was a congressional relations staff for Obama's Presidential Inaugural Committee; Teal Baker a "former high-level director" with the Obama for America campaign and one-time aide to Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA); David Marin who served as the Minority Staff Director of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in 2007; and Cristina Antelo, who worked for former Sens. Hillary Clinton and Tom Daschle. Then there is the head of the firm itself, Tony Podesta, who is one of the most powerful lobbyists in D.C., a one-time counsel to former Sen. Ted Kennedy and a lobbyist on the BP account.

The Podesta Group's clout within the halls of power is unmatched among lobbying shops in the capital. And the concern among watchdog groups is that when it comes time for Congress or the White House to crack the whip on BP -- crafting legislation that would, among other things, increase the liability cap for damaging spills or implement firmer regulatory measures on offshore drilling -- the oil company's cadre of hired guns will have a captive audience with their former colleagues.

more and more...
This could get very hairy for all concerned. Better invest in paper shredders.

[TheMercenary]

More whores hit the Whore Shop of the Rotunda...

[gvidas]

Some nice (in their way) photos of pelicans covered in a thick layer of oil, by AP Photographer Charlie Riedel