This Is When I Get Angry

The BP oil spill in the Gulf has been going on continuously for 36 days now. 36 days. 36 days of oil spewing uncontrollably into the water not far off the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Texas. 36 days of chemicals being pumped into the water to help breakup the oil. 36 days of long-lasting destruction to the coastal environment. 36 days of long-lasting damage to the coastal economy. 36 days of what has been equated to 7 or 8 Exxon Vandez oil spills. 36 days.

This morning I heard three different responses to the crisis from three different leaders involved. One said, "We're keeping our boot on the neck of BP. It's their problem to deal with, but we may have to take over soon." Another said, "We're working on a few measures to protect the coasts from the spill, but they wont be effective for 6-9 months." The third said, "What exactly would you like us to do?" It sounds like a bad joke.

I don't care whose "responsibility" it is. Sure, it was BP's rig that exploded, and their efforts that directly led to the leak. But it was the also government's actions and inactions that allowed them to be there in the first place and to operate without properly enforced safety standards. Stop blaming each other and stop the leak. President Obama needs to take immediate full leadership command of the situation, and direct the military and BP to use any and all methods to stop the leak. In other words, blow up the damn well. You see, the problem is that BP hasn't been attacking this situation with the Gulf Coast in mind, but rather with their own pocket in mind. They've spent the past 36 days trying to stop the leak in a way that will allow them to still make tons of money from this well, and utter devastation has been the result.

This country put a man on the moon 41 years ago. You cannot tell me that we don't have the capabilities to stop this leak and save what is left of the coastal environment and economy. Stop making excuses.

This is when I get angry.

Time To End It

Read a compelling account of the effects of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" here.