It Feels Like Louisiana Is Being Sacrificed

[JSt0rm]

Did you ever travel through the jungle swinging from tree to tree. If you did you'd know that the human animal is a high energy and joyful calculating machine that functions at peak efficiency only when unburdened by assumptions or plans and is totally present where the next branch will manifest like magic out of the endless bramble.

brilliance, you have it.

 

[Zorkorist]

I agree and have been saying since day 1. Why the fuck didn't they (they being the government and BP/other oil companies) think about worst case scenarios?

They did, and it's called a blow out preventer.

It faliled.

-John

 

[JSt0rm]

They did, and it's called a blow out preventer.

It faliled.

-John

Thats the worst case scenario solution?

Why just off the top of my head I could then pose the question.

What if the blow out preventer fails?

 

[Zorkorist]

Then all the good planning of men, and Governments go out the window.

Now is a crisis. and what is Obama doing?

-John

 

[JSt0rm]

Then all the good planning of men, and Governments go out the window.

Now is a crisis. and what is Obama doing?

-John

I'm saying the government and the oil industry should of both been on the ball.

 

[Zorkorist]

I wish it were so, and in general, I agree with you.

However, we now have a crisis situation, and if there is any time the Federal Government stands up and takes charge, this is it.

`John

 

[Zorkorist]

I just wonder if our Federal Government is so handicapped, by the shit they have pulled over the last few years, that they can't respond to another crisis.

-John

 

[Zorba]

Then all the good planning of men, and Governments go out the window.

Now is a crisis. and what is Obama doing?

-John

This is why modern commercial airliners have at least 5 (yes 5) hydraulic pumps. So when the first one takes a shit the copilot doesn't say "Well, all the good planning of men and governments just went out the window, kiss your ass goodbye."

When I used to work hazardous waste we had a contingency plan for everything. Hell every company I have ever worked at has a contingency plan for every remotely possible situation, especially for equipment failures.

As for Obama, what should he be doing? At least after Katrina, people had very specific points of what the Feds could have done better/quicker. Name one specific thing that Obama should be doing that he is not doing, that you know for a fact would actually help the situation.

 

[Zorkorist]

We have tremendous resouces, as a Country. led by a Federal Government.

I heard on day 2 that BP was paying boats $1200/day to drive around and soak up oil.

Obama should have done that too, he didn't.

Has Obama spent a single Federal Dollar on this crisis?

-John

 

[JEDIYoda]

As for LA getting screwed out of oil revenues, that's your own fucking fault. Your politicians are dumbest fucks around - you all are complicit in your serfdom and are happy to take whatever deal you can get to keep the jobs coming. So cry me a river, you could have the same deal as Alaska if you wanted it.

I totally agree 110%

 

[Danube]

Obama to aides: 'Plug the damn hole'


By Eric Zimmermann - 05/25/10 11:48 AM ET
As critics question whether the White House is being tough enough with BP, Obama is reportedly showing his frustration behind closed doors. The Washington Post reported:

Since the oil rig exploded, the White House has tried to project a posture that is unflappable and in command.

But to those tasked with keeping the president apprised of the disaster, Obama's clenched jaw is becoming an increasingly familiar sight. During one of those sessions in the Oval Office the first week after the spill, a president who rarely vents his frustration cut his aides short, according to one who was there.

"Plug the damn hole," Obama told them.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/99713-obama-to-aides-plug-the-damn-hole

 

[Moonbeam]

I'm not debasing my people (very racist term you used there, btw.) I'm not from Louisiana.

Doesn't matter. They are our people and debasing isn't racist.

 

[Modelworks]

Heard some comments made today by BP saying that the whole thing could have been prevented had the workers done their job. They are claiming that the sensors and alarms on the station warned of a possible blowout several hours before the actual event and that the workers ignored the warnings. BP has found a scapegoat , the workers that died and cannot defend themselves. For BP to blame the workers and not themselves , especially someone that cannot defend against the accusations shows how evil corporations can be.

 

[Darwin333]

Not Louisiana companies specifically but the whole Gulf. Especially Houston. The same oil companies that lobbied for weaker regulations that increased the risk and allowed this to happen, with the full support of the locals.

That is not what you said. Let me remind you:

You "coonasses" sure as hell didn't have a problem when offshore oil drilling meant jobs and massive profits for your oil companies, which drastically outweighs what the federal government gets from those leases.

So us "coonasses" includes the oil companies in Texas? Don't worry, I will quote your entire post so as to not take anything out of context but you are backpedaling now which isn't surprising since your the post I originally replied to was complete and utter bullshit. Simply admit that and be done with it.

Furthermore you did not address the fact that almost every other state enjoys MUCH better revenue sharing from the federal government. Revenue that Louisiana desperately needs to rebuild its wetlands, well it used to need to rebuild its wetlands. Doesn't seem like we will have much left after the latest FEDERALLY leased and controlled disaster. The continued loss of those wetlands for the last few decades is one of the largest reasons why hurricanes have a much larger impact on us (they used to serve as natural buffers).

The same oil companies that lobbied for weaker regulations that increased the risk and allowed this to happen, with the full support of the locals.

Gee, seems to me the support of the locals didn't really matter. It was the full support of the Federal government that appeared to be the problem, wouldn't you agree? Large companies (in all fields, not just big oil) have bribed Congress and the regulators for years and continue to do so to this day. Last I checked two parties are guilty of a crime when bribery occurs. Those doing the bribing and those taking the bribes, in this case the Federal government (Congress and it seems the regulators now as well) would be those on the taking side. Again, what does that have to do with the local government? I am sure they got some bribes out of them too but in this case I fail to see the relevance.

Neither did I, until 2 months ago my job was mapping leases. But I'm not the one who's been beating the "government bad, states' rights good, private sector good, free market good" drum for 150 years

Ask these guys what they think of the Federal Government http://www.teapartyoflouisiana.net/

You imply that we, or the state of Louisiana, has been beating the drum for whatever bullshit you stated for 150 years and you back it up with a link to the Tea Party of Louisiana? Seriously?

Regardless, Moonbeam is right. We aren't going to let you suffer for lack of government. But it would be nice if you would acknowledge that government is the solution and the free market isn't.

It would be nice if you acknowledged that the federal government fucked us over in this instance and for decades of unfair royalty sharing deals.

And for the record, I am a realist. I am for both of the options because it is painfully obvious that neither works on its own. The people the Federal government put in charge to regulate the industry were best buds with them at the same time. The Federal government, and its regulation, failed. Hopefully the market can assist in resolving the issues but at the end of the day it will be mainly the Federal government who is responsible to properly regulate it. I am not one of the idiots that goes to either extremes and thinks that only the free market will work or only more government will work. I am not asking for less government, they are quite involved already. I am saying that currently they are part of the damned problem so I am asking that they stop being a part of the problem and start being a part of the damned solution. If they don't want to do that then GTFO of the way and let us do it and yes, THEY should be the ones going after BP for all costs incurred. By your own admission they are far more capable of recouping the money and they are actually capable of absorbing the costs until such repayment happens. The states and local governments are not.

 

[Zorba]

We have tremendous resouces, as a Country. led by a Federal Government.

I heard on day 2 that BP was paying boats $1200/day to drive around and soak up oil.

Obama should have done that too, he didn't.

Has Obama spent a single Federal Dollar on this crisis?

-John

Who the fuck do you think pays for the Coast Guard and Navy, which has been assisting with the clean up.

 

[Darwin333]

This is why modern commercial airliners have at least 5 (yes 5) hydraulic pumps. So when the first one takes a shit the copilot doesn't say "Well, all the good planning of men and governments just went out the window, kiss your ass goodbye."

When I used to work hazardous waste we had a contingency plan for everything. Hell every company I have ever worked at has a contingency plan for every remotely possible situation, especially for equipment failures.

As for Obama, what should he be doing? At least after Katrina, people had very specific points of what the Feds could have done better/quicker. Name one specific thing that Obama should be doing that he is not doing, that you know for a fact would actually help the situation.

Guaranteeing that the Federal government will reimburse state and local governments of any costs they incur fighting the spill and THEY can go after BP for the money.

Putting a "point man" with huge steel balls on the ground that has the ability to make decisions on the spot. (Like General Honere during Katrina)

Putting a boot on the necks of the other big oil companies in the region to offer any and all assistance they are able and guaranteeing them they won't be sued for it.

Push Congress to give Louisiana its fair share of revenue collected from Federal leases off the Louisiana coast like all other states enjoy so that we can rebuild our disappearing (long before the spill, drastically moreso now) coastline.

Kick the COE square in the fucking nuts, fire a few people and the head of whoever is in charge of operations down here report directly to him daily.

just to name a few off the top of my head. Unfortunately, I am not one of those that thinks Obama doesn't care or he is intentionally fucking this all up so I might not be the best to ask but the above would be nice.

 

[PJABBER]

I keep having this vision of Nero fiddling while Rome burns, but it is Obama playing the violin here.

As taxpayers we have funded billions of dollars for deep sea programs in defense and scientific research. It is not inconceivable that in times of national emergency that those assets can be diverted from their planned activities so that they can be employed in response.

The moment it became apparent that this was not a minor leak, it became more than an issue for BP, the Republican Governor of Louisiana, the people of Louisiana. And considering the source of the disaster was far offshore from Louisiana and could easily threaten the entire Gulf region, it became a problem for the entire country and the buck for that kind of problem stops at the President's desk. Or so I have heard.

James Carville can get a bit excitable, but in an interview on ABC he ran off some of the responses that would seem to be appropriate and seem not to have to crossed the mind of our shining light in the Oval Office. Or if they did, the political calculation seems to have been har dee har har, screw that pip squeek Republican Jindal.

Carville blows off about the lack of response

 

[heyheybooboo]

The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, commonly referred to by its acronym, GOMESA, entitles four Gulf Coast oil-producing states to a 37.5 percent share of revenues collected by the federal government from oil and gas activities in specified OCS areas.

The money is split among Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and is apportioned by a formula based on the distance from a state’s coastline to the middle of leasing areas in those federally submerged lands.

In 2008, that 37.5 percent share totaled $25 million. Alabama and Louisiana each received about $8 million, Mississippi about $7 million, Texas $3 million. The amounts can fluctuate considerably from year to year because of prices and volume. The four states split just $2.7 million in 2009.

In addition, all coastal states, including Florida, are entitled to 27 percent of the revenue from offshore leases on federally submerged lands up to 3.45 statute miles seaward of their state-controlled submerged lands. This is done to compensate states for any oil and gas resources siphoned by federal activities adjacent to their borders.

This revenue stream is known as "8(g),” a reference to the section of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act that entitled coastal states to that share.

Alabama received $15 million in 8(g) revenue in 2008. Louisiana received $46 million; Mississippi $564,000 and Texas $13 million.

More on the GOMESA Revenue-Sharing Allocations




--

 

[PJABBER]

Oh, and the Republican Governor of Louisiana Jindal, in contrast to all the federal level politicians spinning their fancy web of excuses, seems to actually be doing what a chief executive needs to be doing.

From today's POLITICO -

With Katrina very much in mind, Jindal, the first Indian-American governor in U.S. history, has flung himself into the crisis, enduring dawn-to-dusk briefings on the fine points of the spill and hopping on helicopters, boats and sport utility vehicles to inspect the parishes in the path of the crude.

To avoid the perception that he’s cashing in on the disaster, Jindal has postponed publication of his upcoming campaign-style book, “Real Hope, Real Change: New Conservative Solutions to Rescue America,” to focus “150 percent” on the spill, according to his publisher.

His staff says he’s been deeply frustrated in his nearly daily huddles with federal officials — who promise him “granularity” in answering his questions, only to come back with vague, inconclusive answers.

“The governor has said [in] private exactly what he has said publicly, that the response to date is incomplete, and while BP is the responsible party, the federal government needs to ensure that they are indeed held accountable and responsible,” said Jindal’s spokesman, Kyle Plotkin, who expects his boss to take his case directly to Obama when the president arrives Friday for his second visit to the spill-ravaged Gulf.

Jindal’s Louisiana critics, including state Rep. Sam Jones, think his sudden interest in obtaining government help to clean up the spill is hypocritical after his railing against the stimulus.

But Plotkin fires back: “We do believe in limited government, but the federal government does have a few core responsibilities.”

Jindal – who talks in Gatling Gun bursts so fast reporters have to replay his press conferences in “slow” mode – has grown increasingly vocal in criticizing the Army Corps of Engineers, for instance. He faults the agency for not quickly approving his untested plan to place dozens of offshore sand barriers to block the oil before it drifts ashore.

... On Monday, Jindal met with administration officials, emerging to tell reporters he was frustrated with federal efforts to place containment booms around endangered coastal wetlands before the brown tide of oil seeps into fragile marshland.

Jindal said the administration had deployed 815,569 feet of hard containment boom, but claimed the Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security have yet to act on a request for 5 million additional feet of hard boom that he made on May 2, less than two weeks after the spill started.

“It is clear that the resources needed to protect our coast are not here,” he said. “Boom, skimmers, vacuums and jack-up barges are all in short supply. Every day oil sits and waits for clean up, more of our marsh dies.”

... even critics acknowledge that the former Rhodes scholar is intelligent, energetic and on top of the crisis. And for all his running around, Jindal’s political fate — like Obama’s — will be decided by uncontrollable events 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf.

“This is in his DNA, this is what he was elected to do,” said Nick Ayers, executive director of the Republican Governors Association. “It may be a little too much to say he’s a product of Katrina, but dealing with this kind of disaster is definitely why he believes he was put in office.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37780_Page2.html#ixzz0p2uPnOPn​

​

 

[nobodyknows]

Pennies compared to how much money is stolen from us in the form of offshore oil revenue sharing.

Plus we do provide roughly 1/3 of the nations energy so umm, whats your point again?

We also have the pleasure of dealing with all of the chemicals that are used to grow your food and the dead zone in the Gulf that it has created.

We provide this country a hell of a lot more than it provides us.

You sound a lot like an Arab, soon you will be praising Allah.

 

[shortylickens]

So which is it? Repubs need to make up their friggin minds. After Katrina they would have us believe that Bush bore little responsibility for poor planning and for it's effects during the aftermath. All the real responsibilities and decisions were in the hands of local authorities, any effort to hold Bush accountable for apathy and poor choices was just obviously partisan politics.

And now with this spill the same crowd is howling over Obama being the culprit of the response. Wow. Accountability only applies when there is a (D) involved, how noble.

LOLz at the hypocrisy, as well as pblabber's ongoing Palin lovefest. Sure, send her, assuming of course her fee is doable.

Republican hypocrisy is not a new concept.
Of course, the democrats can always be counted on for incompetence and waste. So this situation will not resolve itself any time soon.

 

[her209]

He faults the agency for not quickly approving his untested plan to place dozens of offshore sand barriers to block the oil before it drifts ashore.

Jindal has to appear like he's doing something, even if that something is going to take 6-9 months to do according to his own estimates. And even then, he doesn't know whether its going to do the job or just get washed away.

 

[Throckmorton]

That is not what you said. Let me remind you:


So us "coonasses" includes the oil companies in Texas? Don't worry, I will quote your entire post so as to not take anything out of context but you are backpedaling now which isn't surprising since your the post I originally replied to was complete and utter bullshit. Simply admit that and be done with it.

Furthermore you did not address the fact that almost every other state enjoys MUCH better revenue sharing from the federal government. Revenue that Louisiana desperately needs to rebuild its wetlands, well it used to need to rebuild its wetlands. Doesn't seem like we will have much left after the latest FEDERALLY leased and controlled disaster. The continued loss of those wetlands for the last few decades is one of the largest reasons why hurricanes have a much larger impact on us (they used to serve as natural buffers).



Gee, seems to me the support of the locals didn't really matter. It was the full support of the Federal government that appeared to be the problem, wouldn't you agree? Large companies (in all fields, not just big oil) have bribed Congress and the regulators for years and continue to do so to this day. Last I checked two parties are guilty of a crime when bribery occurs. Those doing the bribing and those taking the bribes, in this case the Federal government (Congress and it seems the regulators now as well) would be those on the taking side. Again, what does that have to do with the local government? I am sure they got some bribes out of them too but in this case I fail to see the relevance.



You imply that we, or the state of Louisiana, has been beating the drum for whatever bullshit you stated for 150 years and you back it up with a link to the Tea Party of Louisiana? Seriously?



It would be nice if you acknowledged that the federal government fucked us over in this instance and for decades of unfair royalty sharing deals.

And for the record, I am a realist. I am for both of the options because it is painfully obvious that neither works on its own. The people the Federal government put in charge to regulate the industry were best buds with them at the same time. The Federal government, and its regulation, failed. Hopefully the market can assist in resolving the issues but at the end of the day it will be mainly the Federal government who is responsible to properly regulate it. I am not one of the idiots that goes to either extremes and thinks that only the free market will work or only more government will work. I am not asking for less government, they are quite involved already. I am saying that currently they are part of the damned problem so I am asking that they stop being a part of the problem and start being a part of the damned solution. If they don't want to do that then GTFO of the way and let us do it and yes, THEY should be the ones going after BP for all costs incurred. By your own admission they are far more capable of recouping the money and they are actually capable of absorbing the costs until such repayment happens. The states and local governments are not.

I'm just frustrated that the part of the country is most pro-big oil, anti-federal government, and pro-states' rights is yet again the most dependent on federal money and wouldn't be in this situation with stronger government regulations that it generally opposed, yet won't even admit that.


BTW, yes "you coonasses" includes the big oil companies in Houston. Have you been to Houston?

 

[cubby1223]

I'm just frustrated that the part of the country is most pro-big oil, anti-federal government, and pro-states' rights is yet again the most dependent on federal money and wouldn't be in this situation with stronger government regulations that it generally opposed, yet won't even admit that.

Right! Because doubling the number of porn & meth addicts overseeing oil drilling operations would have for sure 100% prevented the explosion!

 

[Corn]

You sound a lot like an Arab, soon you will be praising Allah.

You sound like a motherfucking racist scumbag. Fuck you, you piece of shit.