The more information rooted out by reporters concerning the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the more negligence or even criminal neglect bubbles to the surface. Now it turns out the agency of the federal government responsible for safe operation inspections of oil rigs in the Gulf fell grossly short of the number of inspections required by regulations. The short fall was from 25% to almost 60% fewer than the mandated 104 since the rig arrived in the Gulf some 104 months ago. The 25-60% range is due to the ever changing numbers provided by the Department of Interior who is the overseer of the Minerals Management Service, the agency charged with safety inspections. Clearly, heads need to fall.
Things just get worse. Now biologists are telling us that giant oil plumes many miles wide and long have been found under water where they may well enter major currents that would carry the oil to the Florida Keys, around to the east coast of Florida, and up to other east coast states. Conservationists warn of huge potential environmental damage. Already major fisheries along the Gulf States have been shut down. No one knows for how long. It could be many years, even decades, before recovery is possible. The lives of hundreds of thousands have been changed for the worse forever. The same is true for those who made a living in the tourist and travel industry. Who wants to walk beaches covered with globs of oil?
No company wants to be the example, but if any deserve it, BP does. Now, company officials seem to be back tracking from their original position of unlimited compensation levels for those who have been damaged. There is little doubt they will hide under the laws that provide such limits and that the American taxpayer will once again pay for the damage. What BP deserves is to go down under the weight of financial responsibility to all who will suffer the consequences of their stupid decisions.
One irony is that the Obama administration allowed the “drill, baby, drill” crowd to set energy policy for all. Deep water, Gulf of Mexico drilling was allowed. I wonder how this is working for them now.
If we had the political will in Congress to stand up to the oil companies, the United States of American could set a crash course for energy independence and freedom from oil. How many environmental disasters does it take to change direction? Even one is one too many.
In all of the articles published and programs aired, minor regard is always given to the wildlife affected by man’s actions. We had already poisoned an area over 100 miles in diameter from the outflow of the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico. No life of consequence can be found there. Now we have created plumes of death in the millions of gallons of oil that have been released. It will be decades before we really know the full consequences of our incredibly selfish acts.
May 31st, 2010 at 6:24 am With your education in this arena, what will be the effects ecologically/biologically. We all remember photos of birds covered in oil from the Exxon Valdez. What will be the real damage and extent from this huge mess that is still growing. How resilient is the wild life when it comes to this type of contamination.
May 31st, 2010 at 3:22 pm The consequences of this “spill” are disasterous. As of today, 5-31, the flow continues. What has been already released is multiple times the Exxon Valdez incident. Look for devastation eventually all along the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and both coasts of Florida. It will be decades before recovery is possible.