The Oil crisis

[Dessy79]

We have all watched the current oil spill crisis,and we seem powerless to do anything. As i watch the news each evening, I wonder what next is about to happen in this crisis. Do you think the current administration is doing their best to deal with the situation? What are some ways that people in the local community who are adversely affected can help? I am interested to hear your perspective.

[luvh8tragedy87]

I don't think this should have happened in the first place.

[ktheodos]

it is quite the predicament, I must say....i'm learning a lot about it and while there are a lot of issues and challenges going on with it, there is some good news and progress being made-just be patient, and keep away from oil based products!

[walksalone11]

Politicians are not oil spill experts.

The administration done the best thing they could have done by appointing Admiral Thad Allen to head up the governments side of the effort.
This man has won my respect and admiration and further reinforces it daily.

He may not be an oil spill expert per-say but his years in command positions with-in the US Coast Guard, along with his amazing intellect and obvious concern, have enabled him to be probably the single most capable person available to insure that the crisis is handled in the safest, most efficient manner, and to make sure that BP is being held accountable to each and every obligation they have in the matter.

However, even with the expertise and the multitudes of willing participants in the damage control, we will see unfortunate effects from this disaster for many years to come.

I agree with the previous poster about being very frugal in regards with oil based products.......we all have to own a certain amount of responsibility for the ramifications of our gluttonous appetite for fossil fuels and derivatives.

[JessieKateRose]

I just can't believe it's still going on. :

[ro901]

This situation is so pervasive and utterly depressing, I have a hard time dealing with it on a mental/emotional level. I think that Obama has done all that he can do and he responded very quickly but I feel like he is just as helpless as the rest of us. It should never have happened in the first place!

[lisakin]

Personally, I don't think Obama has done a single thing to help the oil spill. And by signing a 6 month ban on all deep offshore drilling, his administration has managed to put thousands more people out of work. I haven't seen this on the news, but I recently read from a credible source (the guy is a contributor to CNN) that the Dutch told the administration when the oil spill first happened that they had the technology to stop the leak. They offered their help and were turned down by Obama.

[LaTashaS28]

It's just a big mess!

[mon3y]

Everyday is always something going on. Sometimes i'd rather not hear about these things
and try to enjoy life and living.

[sandiegosurfer]

BP needs to pay horribly for this situation but unfortunately it may be too late. The oil is heading towards Louisiana, poor state can't get a break. I find it interesting that the feds, without knowledge on what to do, contacted film directly James Cameron because he had extensive knowledge on underground water machinery.

[ancmetro]

         Industrial accidents of one kind or another happen all the times. Technologies can only be improved after these accidents happened and we can learn where all the flaws are or were. Take for example: Single haul ships safety improve after double haul ships were introduced.

[jordandog]

Personally, I don't think Obama has done a single thing to help the oil spill. And by signing a 6 month ban on all deep offshore drilling, his administration has managed to put thousands more people out of work. I haven't seen this on the news, but I recently read from a credible source (the guy is a contributor to CNN) that the Dutch told the administration when the oil spill first happened that they had the technology to stop the leak. They offered their help and were turned down by Obama.

U.S. ships are currently being outfitted with oil skimming booms from the Netherlands and should be working in a couple days. Yes, initially Obama did turn down help, which is ridiculous, but it was also due to our own damn Federal laws.
The Jones Act, the maritime law that requires all goods be carried in U.S. waters by U.S.-flagged ships, has prevented Dutch ships with spill-fighting equipment from entering U.S. coastal areas. That has since been bypassed, but who knows (and does it really matter at this point) how much difference it would have made in the beginning. We cannot turn back time can we?
I am very angry though that Obama did NOT see fit to overturn the Jones Act in the beginning because he does have the power to do so.

[lisakin]

Exactly..there is precedent for overturning the Jones Act. It was done in the aftermath of Katrina. It should have been done immediately when help was offered from foreign countries.

[ro901]

I just can't believe it's still going on. :

Yep.  Here's a clip of today's news. "Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said that 4 million gallons of crude have so far been siphoned, with an additional 18 million gallons skimmed from the ocean surface" I am on vacation and staying at home where I love to be but it is very hard to 'enjoy' without putting myself into 'ignore' mode.

[ikeissuper]

I can't believe how they could have let this happen, why couldn't they have done the right procedures and avoid this?