An un-fucking-believable disaster.. Underwater spewing oil, as David Brooks pointed out, is the imagine of the year. Carol Browner, Energy and Climate Change Advisor to the President, confirmed on today's program that this is in fact the worst environmental disaster in the nation's history. And to top it off, or not, the top kill method of stopping the spewing didn't work.
But what is really disconcerting is that the majority of the American people are still in favor of offshore drilling, despite this catastrophe, which makes an interview like we saw today with Robert Dudley, the managing director of BP, a joke, another opportunity to tell half-truths, another chance to claim plausible deniability. Mr. Dudley called this an unusual failure, and couldn't/didn't give a straight answer on whether the industry misled the government with regard to safety. Even from this microcosmic blogachair in the sea of internet opinion, this column knows that proper safety procedures were not followed on the rig. There's too much information out there to verify this. And yet, Mr. Dudley can sit there and defend the aloof Tony Hayward, the Head of BP, for the good job he's doing since the outset of the crisis.
E.J. Dionne, on today's panel, said he kept reflecting on a question that David Gregory continued to return to, which was why hadn't everyone involved with the operation of the rig prepare for a worst case scenario type of situation in the event that an 'unusual failure' would happen. Then, of course, come the questions about to what degree the oil industry is cozy with the government, did they mislead the government, etc. But this is all show; we already know the answers and hence, there was no initiative, interest, or incentive to consider safety over profit, ever.
Now, they are going for containment, they can't stop it, and relief wells won't be done until August. There are two 'mystery' numbers that this column keeps dwelling. One of those numbers is about the amount oil that is spewing out of the well each day. Mr. Dudley didn't seem to know or didn't want to answer. The number of 5,000 barrels per day. Well, there are 42 gallons in a barrel so that's 210,000 galloons a day, and given the facts of history, when things like this occur, you know that is a low-ball estimate. The President said it is both enraging and heartbreaking. That first number was the enraging. For the heartbreaking, the second 'mystery' number is how many people... and living things for that matter... are permanently affected? Untold millions. We'll never know these true numbers.
So when? When do we open our eyes to the fact that this country has a heroin type addiction to oil and needs to seriously start a transition? Oil causes two wars; oil kills our environment; oil dictates our and the world's economy.
________
Immigration, with respect to Mexican border, is like our own little Israel-Palestinian conflict. Suspiciousness exists on all sides; money, guns, and drugs cross back and forth; a high body count keeps growing in the wake of a drug war; compassion is an obtuse echo in soundboard; and troops are mobile and on the ready. Talk of a solution goes on and on, around and around, and nothing really happens to fix the situation until a law passes that favors a far-right ideology. And what we really need is a solid two state solution.
We've never been in the habit of lavishing praise on Mr. Gregory, but this was a great interview for him. The Players involved, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) vs. former Congressman, currently running for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate from Arizona, J.D. Hayworth, are two central voices in this national debate. Mr. Gregory addressed the complexities of the issue, talked about the practicality of the law vs. the theory, and pushed for deeper explanations.
Above we said that Mr. Hayworth is a central voice on this issue, and that does not bode well for Senator McCain who is defending against Mr. Hayworth's challenge. This is a central issue in Arizona and the incumbent doesn't own it. Mr. McCain once supported comprehensive immigration reform, which Mr. Hayworth on today's program called that a euphemism for amnesty. He continued that it is a matter of national security and the 1,200 National Guardsmen headed to the border was not enough. Mr. Gutierrez, on the other hand, called that deployment sound bite driven politics. Senator McCain wants 6,000 troops. Mr. McCain, like Senators Joe Lieberman and Arlen Spector, never puts anything above protecting his own job, power, and influence in the worst pandering sort of way, compromising all principal. But troops aren't the answer, they can be part of a solution, but definitely not the answer.
We agree with Mr. Gutierrez's central point that you have to cut off the magnet of jobs that motivate people to come here illegally. However, his answer wasn't comprehensive enough in that he didn't address the issue of drugs and guns, images which do not provoke sympathy for the more compassionate side of the issue. Not to mention that Mr. Gutierrez's cause right now is a losing battle right now. Sixty-one percent of the country are in favor of the steps that the state of Arizona has taken. Mr. Gutierrez said it's a national problem and can not be looked just through the lens of Arizona. Nice statement but that's what everyone's doing.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
5.16.10: Results of the Smell Test... It's Smelly.
The two main topics of discussion posed to the respective Senators, Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY), on today's Meet The Press were of course the British Petroleum oil catastrophe and the nomination of Ms. Elena Kagen to the Supreme Court. And just when you think these subjects have been beaten to death by the commentators and everyone under the sun has been asked his or her opinion of it, you still get the ridiculous in the form of Senator McConnell's answer to removing the $75 million cap for BP on damages.
Not surprisingly, Senator Schumer, who consistently and effectively plans the 'common sense' political card, said that the cap should be removed and went on to emphasize BP's responsibility for the disaster. However, what Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said was not only ridiculous but incredulous as well. When asked about the responsibility levels with regard to all parties involved (BP, Transocean, Halliburton, and the Government), he glanced over BP and said he was interested in what the Administration did beside the companies involved. He didn't say the agencies involved, the presiding cabinet member, not FEMA or over all government response, but the Administration specifically. This is completely counter-productive because what he is really saying is that he wants to see what the Administration's response time was to use it for politically purpose.
With regard to responsibility, let's face it: The cozy relationship between government and big oil allows for these catastrophic possibilities because regulations are relaxed because of contributions and empty insurances topped off by the said company cutting safety corners to maximize profit. So are there multiple parties involved, yes, but this one is one BP. By saying what he did, Senator McConnell is focusing on the wrong issue here.
If that weren't enough, his response to whether the cap for damages should be raised, he replied, 'not too much because it will stifle competition.' He went on to explain that the damages could wreck BP and then the bigger oil companies will come in and take over. This is as if to say that we shouldn't beat up on the little guy, British Petroleum. Here's the clip.
We guess it all a matter of perspectives... and dollar amounts.
The other topic, lest we forget, is the nomination of Elena Kagin to the Supreme Court. Both Senators' answers were just frustrating. Senator Schumer said 'she tends to be a moderate' but the number one criteria, he explained, was that if she could make the court a majority of 5 instead of a minority of 4. Whatever... And frankly, Senator McConnell is simply unable to explain away the hypocrisy of supporting Harriet Meyers for her lack of direct court experience and then decrying it when asked about Ms. Kagen.
Here's the problem with Mr. Schumer's logic and, by extension, President Obama's. When Ms. Kagen is confirmed she will make a fine judge and hopefully she will feel empowered at some point to move further left. It is what the court actually needs. However, she is moderate, as a simplified description. It speaks to the pragmatism of the choice and that's why Senator Schumer agrees with the pick.
However, for Mr. Obama the choice is flawed. He's called a pragmatist, but pragmatism is a tactic and employed in the right manner at the correct time can be a quite effective one. However, as an overall philosophy, it is an empty vessel. Politically, it will always be viewed a lack of conviction and this column believes that it is. If President Obama's philosophy is to be a pragmatist, then his choice makes sense in his logic, but again, it is flawed. Like it or not, this is a litmus test of a President's conviction and suffice to say it doesn't pass the smell test.
Not surprisingly, Senator Schumer, who consistently and effectively plans the 'common sense' political card, said that the cap should be removed and went on to emphasize BP's responsibility for the disaster. However, what Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said was not only ridiculous but incredulous as well. When asked about the responsibility levels with regard to all parties involved (BP, Transocean, Halliburton, and the Government), he glanced over BP and said he was interested in what the Administration did beside the companies involved. He didn't say the agencies involved, the presiding cabinet member, not FEMA or over all government response, but the Administration specifically. This is completely counter-productive because what he is really saying is that he wants to see what the Administration's response time was to use it for politically purpose.
With regard to responsibility, let's face it: The cozy relationship between government and big oil allows for these catastrophic possibilities because regulations are relaxed because of contributions and empty insurances topped off by the said company cutting safety corners to maximize profit. So are there multiple parties involved, yes, but this one is one BP. By saying what he did, Senator McConnell is focusing on the wrong issue here.
If that weren't enough, his response to whether the cap for damages should be raised, he replied, 'not too much because it will stifle competition.' He went on to explain that the damages could wreck BP and then the bigger oil companies will come in and take over. This is as if to say that we shouldn't beat up on the little guy, British Petroleum. Here's the clip.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
We guess it all a matter of perspectives... and dollar amounts.
The other topic, lest we forget, is the nomination of Elena Kagin to the Supreme Court. Both Senators' answers were just frustrating. Senator Schumer said 'she tends to be a moderate' but the number one criteria, he explained, was that if she could make the court a majority of 5 instead of a minority of 4. Whatever... And frankly, Senator McConnell is simply unable to explain away the hypocrisy of supporting Harriet Meyers for her lack of direct court experience and then decrying it when asked about Ms. Kagen.
Here's the problem with Mr. Schumer's logic and, by extension, President Obama's. When Ms. Kagen is confirmed she will make a fine judge and hopefully she will feel empowered at some point to move further left. It is what the court actually needs. However, she is moderate, as a simplified description. It speaks to the pragmatism of the choice and that's why Senator Schumer agrees with the pick.
However, for Mr. Obama the choice is flawed. He's called a pragmatist, but pragmatism is a tactic and employed in the right manner at the correct time can be a quite effective one. However, as an overall philosophy, it is an empty vessel. Politically, it will always be viewed a lack of conviction and this column believes that it is. If President Obama's philosophy is to be a pragmatist, then his choice makes sense in his logic, but again, it is flawed. Like it or not, this is a litmus test of a President's conviction and suffice to say it doesn't pass the smell test.
Sunday, May 09, 2010
5.9.10: Rule of Law
Talk about a difficult job... Attorney General Eric Holder can not do anything that is satisfactory to anyone, and he compounds this difficulty with statements that are not necessarily incorrect or wrong in judgement, but that he makes statements and then has to retreat backward because of political pressure such as the prospective Khalid Sheik Mohammad trial, which was addressed during today's program.
First, in the aftermath of this week's arrest of Faisal Shahzad, for the attempted Times Square car bombing, and the Arizona immigration law, racial profiling has come to the forefront. This column feels that racial profiliing, as the Attorney General explained today, is not good for law enforcement as it would pit the citizenry against law enforcement and this cooperation is key in the actual protection of the people. What if, out of fear of being detained himself, the Muslim-American man who alerted police, didn't? Tighter coordination amongst the various law enforcement agencies is what is required. Where racial profiling leads to is profiling people for other things - religion, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation. Now some people would say that that is hyperbole, but it isn't if you open the door to going down that road. Also, the introduction of this Liebermann-Brown that proposes to revoke citizenship of an individual if they've participated in an act of terrorism, or something to that effect. Well, what if you were detained accidentally and had no way to prove your innocence? You're citizenship is in jeopardy and due process under the law is thrown out because your Miranda rights are read to you. If it were you in that situation, you would say it's wrong.
So with regard to Mr. Shahzad, he is an American citizen and should be read his Miranda rights - all citizens have equal protections under the law. Ultimately, the Liebermann-Brown bill raises some eyebrows, but won't amount to much, frankly because one of the sponsors hasn't earned his credentials in the Senate yet and the other has been discredited.
Mr. Holder invoked the ticking time-bomb scenario when dealing with terror suspects and their Miranda rights, which means that if the threat is still grave and information is needed, then the reading is delayed. It's a middle ground that wins no fans for Mr. Holder on either side of the isle. And it is this middle ground position that the Attorney General continually takes such as in the trial location of Khalid Sheik Mohammad. First, he said that the trial would be in New York, and now it isn't? Or it's being reviewed... where are we?
Also, we stated in this column before our disappointment in many of our politicians that they don't have confidence in our Justice system, confidence in our law enforcement and investigators to bring a rock-solid case and present it in no uncertain terms or the courage to defend the process. "Home of the brave," don't we remember this. Mr. Holder emphatically (we mean this in complete facetiousness with regard to Mr. Holder's perpetual monotone) stated that failure is not an option and he would not be released. To which, you ask, "But how can that be guaranteed?" It doesn't have to be guaranteed. Mr. Wes Moore, author and former captain of the army who served in Afghanistan, said that it is more dangerous abroad if we abandon our rule of law. Katy Kay, Washington correspondent for the BBC also on today's panel, pointed out the double standard of the Bush Administration trying terrorists in civilian court versus the Obama Administration doing it. Lastly, E.J. Dionne, who was actually emphatic about the term 'lawyered up,' stated that we have faced it situation many times in our history and we have been able to maintain citizens' rights.
[It's worth noting here that Mr. Greogory, the moderator, was injecting his opinion way too much during the panel with regard to the Miranda discussion. Mr. Gregory needs to go back, look at the tape, and check himself for next time as the Moderator of Meet The Press.]
With all that, what are conservative politicians afraid of? Are they afraid that Khalid Sheik Mohammad might go free... be acquitted? Fine, he's acquitted and he goes free. If that high improbability actually happens, let's drop him off in the middle of the Michigan woods, make it public knowledge, and see if ever makes out.
Postscript: One other note with regard to something that was touched on at the end of the panel discussion is what happened in Utah with Senator Bob Bennett. In the state convention, he was ousted by conservatives for not being conservative enough. David Brookes pointed out that Mr. Bennett voted for the T.A.R.P. and tried to work across the aisle with Democrats, and voiced his contempt for this close-minded, uncompromising approach being taken by the local Republican caucuses. Divided Republicans will fall if they continue on this trajectory as they will marginalize themselves with ideological litmus tests.
First, in the aftermath of this week's arrest of Faisal Shahzad, for the attempted Times Square car bombing, and the Arizona immigration law, racial profiling has come to the forefront. This column feels that racial profiliing, as the Attorney General explained today, is not good for law enforcement as it would pit the citizenry against law enforcement and this cooperation is key in the actual protection of the people. What if, out of fear of being detained himself, the Muslim-American man who alerted police, didn't? Tighter coordination amongst the various law enforcement agencies is what is required. Where racial profiling leads to is profiling people for other things - religion, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation. Now some people would say that that is hyperbole, but it isn't if you open the door to going down that road. Also, the introduction of this Liebermann-Brown that proposes to revoke citizenship of an individual if they've participated in an act of terrorism, or something to that effect. Well, what if you were detained accidentally and had no way to prove your innocence? You're citizenship is in jeopardy and due process under the law is thrown out because your Miranda rights are read to you. If it were you in that situation, you would say it's wrong.
So with regard to Mr. Shahzad, he is an American citizen and should be read his Miranda rights - all citizens have equal protections under the law. Ultimately, the Liebermann-Brown bill raises some eyebrows, but won't amount to much, frankly because one of the sponsors hasn't earned his credentials in the Senate yet and the other has been discredited.
Mr. Holder invoked the ticking time-bomb scenario when dealing with terror suspects and their Miranda rights, which means that if the threat is still grave and information is needed, then the reading is delayed. It's a middle ground that wins no fans for Mr. Holder on either side of the isle. And it is this middle ground position that the Attorney General continually takes such as in the trial location of Khalid Sheik Mohammad. First, he said that the trial would be in New York, and now it isn't? Or it's being reviewed... where are we?
Also, we stated in this column before our disappointment in many of our politicians that they don't have confidence in our Justice system, confidence in our law enforcement and investigators to bring a rock-solid case and present it in no uncertain terms or the courage to defend the process. "Home of the brave," don't we remember this. Mr. Holder emphatically (we mean this in complete facetiousness with regard to Mr. Holder's perpetual monotone) stated that failure is not an option and he would not be released. To which, you ask, "But how can that be guaranteed?" It doesn't have to be guaranteed. Mr. Wes Moore, author and former captain of the army who served in Afghanistan, said that it is more dangerous abroad if we abandon our rule of law. Katy Kay, Washington correspondent for the BBC also on today's panel, pointed out the double standard of the Bush Administration trying terrorists in civilian court versus the Obama Administration doing it. Lastly, E.J. Dionne, who was actually emphatic about the term 'lawyered up,' stated that we have faced it situation many times in our history and we have been able to maintain citizens' rights.
[It's worth noting here that Mr. Greogory, the moderator, was injecting his opinion way too much during the panel with regard to the Miranda discussion. Mr. Gregory needs to go back, look at the tape, and check himself for next time as the Moderator of Meet The Press.]
With all that, what are conservative politicians afraid of? Are they afraid that Khalid Sheik Mohammad might go free... be acquitted? Fine, he's acquitted and he goes free. If that high improbability actually happens, let's drop him off in the middle of the Michigan woods, make it public knowledge, and see if ever makes out.
Postscript: One other note with regard to something that was touched on at the end of the panel discussion is what happened in Utah with Senator Bob Bennett. In the state convention, he was ousted by conservatives for not being conservative enough. David Brookes pointed out that Mr. Bennett voted for the T.A.R.P. and tried to work across the aisle with Democrats, and voiced his contempt for this close-minded, uncompromising approach being taken by the local Republican caucuses. Divided Republicans will fall if they continue on this trajectory as they will marginalize themselves with ideological litmus tests.
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