Oil Spill - why hasn't the government stepped in?

[EllenFrasier]

The United States government pretty much sticks it's nose in everybody's business, but now that there is a situation where they are needed - they do nothing.
Why are they waiting for BP to do something? Can't they send in the military or someone to fix this awful leak in the ocean???
I can only imagine what it must be like for all the fisherman down there whose livelihoods have been taken away. And the tourism industry must be affected too. I feel frustrated by it and I'm hundreds of miles away.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

Well, the government did step in and told everyone that this was not their responsibility. We all know who the responsible party is, the gulf coast just needed some help, not a blame game.

 

[IDoDis]

And what is the government supposed to do that BP can't do? Wave a magic wand? The private sector owns nearly all the means to deal with this problem and fix the leak. The problem is -- no one knows how.

 

[mikehn]

Pretty simple. Because they dont have the foggiest idea what to do.

 

[lsyorke]

And what is the government supposed to do that BP can't do? Wave a magic wand? The private sector owns nearly all the means to deal with this problem and fix the leak. The problem is -- no one knows how.

Ding ding..you win the prize! The bottom line is this happened at a much shallower depth in 1979....the only thing that stopped it was a relief well(after trying everything that they are doing right now). So much for all this "new" oil company technology.

 

[jodifla]

The government has been there since Day 1. The Coast Guard has been on the scene since the beginning, and Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen is in charge, watching what BP does.

But the feds don't have the expertise in deep water drilling. BP allegedly were the experts.

 

[EllenFrasier]

And what is the government supposed to do that BP can't do? Wave a magic wand? The private sector owns nearly all the means to deal with this problem and fix the leak. The problem is -- no one knows how.

I would like to think the military would have some ideas on what to do.
Obviously, BP couldn't care less - they have been downplaying it from the very beginning.

 

[mumom95]

I don't know the answer, but I'm going to assume it's because they don't know how to stop it.

Whether you like the current government or not, I can't imagine anyone can believe the government wants all this oil to continue spilling out into the gulf. I can't imagine anyone who isn't evil wants that to be happening. So, I'm just assuming they don't know how to fix it and they are just hoping (and maybe helping) BP try everything they can think of.

I did just see where the government is launching a criminal probe. Personally I think right now all of BP's efforts should be spent on trying to stop it, so I think this is a very bad time to launch a criminal probe. Wait until the get the leak stopped before you go and distract them.

 

[jodifla]

I would like to think the military would have some ideas on what to do.
Obviously, BP couldn't care less - they have been downplaying it from the very beginning.

And you really think the federal government is holding out for some reason? That they COULD stop the leak, but just don't want to? Really?

Why would the military be experts on deep water drilling for oil?

 

[jodifla]

Also, I don't think that BP doesn't care....I think they have no idea how to truly fix what they've done. I think lax regulation and them taking shortcuts led to this catastrophe, and they are completely in over their heads.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't know why the gov't would be experts in this...

One would hope that the rig company (for whom a friend's husband works) consisted of experts that could work on this. And then one hopes that the oil companies have experts.

I'd imagine that if the gov't had experts, they'd already be working for private industry and making the big bucks!



All of this was originally caused because the gov't let offshore oil drilling happen *to begin with*...anyone with one quarter of a brain (possibly less) who has thought about it for more than a moment should have know that this would someday happen with offshore drilling (noting that some of us were 10 or below in '79 and weren't aware that it already had). Also not a big surprise that there was a problem with the AK pipeline last week, but at least it seemed they had some sort of containment situation, but of course WHEN they have a problem big enough, even that containment won't be enough.

The gov't has allowed all of this...if they come back and point ALL fingers at the industries, it will be utterly ridiculous.


Just my opinion.

 

[AndyLL]

I would like to think the military would have some ideas on what to do.
Obviously, BP couldn't care less - they have been downplaying it from the very beginning.

Where would the military get any expertise in plugging wells?

When all the well heads were burning after the Gulf wars the military brought in the experts... the oil companies and Halliburton.

It's a little curious that after 2 years of listening to people complain about government meddling in what private businesses do now they want the government to take over a private businesses job.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

And you really think the federal government is holding out for some reason? That they COULD stop the leak, but just don't want to? Really?

The Government couldn't stop Katrina either.
I think the frustration is in the effects the oil is causing on the local gulf communities. Help is needed now. LOTS of help. It is closing in on FL now.

 

[luvmy3]

And you really think the federal government is holding out for some reason? That they COULD stop the leak, but just don't want to? Really?

Why would the military be experts on deep water drilling for oil?

Because they would be in the movies.

 

[AshleyW]

Because they would be in the movies.

We should send a nuke down there and blow it up. Of course, someone will have to be down there to push the button and sacrifice himself, even though his daughter is watching him on a bunch of screens. Then some sappy music will play, and everyone will cry. It worked with a meteor, it might work with an oil spill.

All joking aside.. I don't know why the government/military would know what to do. I think they're doing the best they can to try and help clean up the mess, but unfortunately, I think it's up to BP to figure out how to fix the leak, or to find someone who can figure it out.

These pictures are about a week old now, but they're incredible to look at, for anyone who hasn't seen them yet:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/oil_reaches_louisiana_shores.html

 

[Christine]

I work for the Federal Government and I'm not sure what you expect the Feds to do or the military to do. As has been stated, BP and other private oil companies supposedly have the expertise for this type of emergency. Well, we see they don't. How is this the government's responsibility. For at least the last DECADE, we have allowed these corporations to run amok and be as unregulated as they can get away with. It is in this regard that you can point your finger at the Feds...ask this question "Why was BP allowed to run as unregulated as they have been?" Insert any big corporation's name in place of BP. There is the where the blame lies. But so many people don't want the Feds involved in private matters or their business. Until there is trouble. Then we want them to take care of everything. Can't have it both ways.

 

[eliza61]

I would like to think the military would have some ideas on what to do.
Obviously, BP couldn't care less - they have been downplaying it from the very beginning.

Why would you think the military would have some ideas?

Why would the government be experts? They are the last people we need getting involved.

I think unfortunately right now the people who are the experts are the people who refine and build pipelines and that's the oil industry.

I think one problem is BP won't call on the experts due to the fact that a lot of the experts may be coming from thier competition. They need to hang the "business" aspect and start sending out the sos to every one or anyone who remotely has knowledge of drilling and rigs.

That is not the military or the government.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

We should send a nuke down there and blow it up. Of course, someone will have to be down there to push the button and sacrifice himself, even though his daughter is watching him on a bunch of screens. Then some sappy music will play, and everyone will cry. It worked with a meteor, it might work with an oil spill.

All joking aside.. I don't know why the government/military would know what to do. I think they're doing the best they can to try and help clean up the mess, but unfortunately, I think it's up to BP to figure out how to fix the leak, or to find someone who can figure it out.

These pictures are about a week old now, but they're incredible to look at, for anyone who hasn't seen them yet:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/oil_reaches_louisiana_shores.html

When a state is trying to save it's shores and has to wait approval from the government to try something, but the government is taking its sweet time approving the technique because of environmental concerns .......... I don't think they are truly doing the best job they can.

 

[phorsenuf]

I saw this morning that they are talking with James Cameron (yes, the director) because of his underwater knowledge. Interesting.

 

[EllenFrasier]

Because they would be in the movies.

Yes, maybe that is it. I watched too many movies and now I think that all of that deep sea diving with special subs, etc. is for real. Where is Arnold when you really need him?

Guess I'm glad I put my faith and trust in God and not man.