Republicans Not Open to Compromise on Already-Compromised Oil Bill; Bill Dies

In what can hardly be viewed as a surprise, on Tuesday the Senate gave up on its oil spill bill (at least until after the August recess). As a refresher, the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Accountability Act of 2010 was the substitute that Harry Reid pushed through for the climate—nay, renewable energy—nay, energy bill that was supposed to have emerged from the Senate many months ago. Reid's reason for not even bothering to try? It didn't have 60 votes. The reason the oil spill went nowhere this week? It didn't have 60 votes. If I didn't know any better, I'd say Republicans are just banking on a strategy where they're trying to keep Democrats from scoring any victories for the rest of the year, and they're not going to cooperate on any more legislation.

Calls for Investigation into BP's Role in Al Megrahi Release Intensify

I figured BP might be in enough trouble as it is with the oil spill and the possibility of seepage from its Deepwater Horizon well, but they seem to continue to get free passes from the government, which is allowing the tests on the BP well to run for another 24 hours. The problem with this is that the pressure building up in the well's cap could cause problems in other parts of the massive well. One reason BP does not want the cap to be opened to collect oil is that it will give a much more accurate flow rate of oil that had entered the Gulf during the 3 month clusterfuck that ensued following the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig. If the well is damaged in a way that lowers pressure on the cap (which may have happened over the weekend due to the "lower than expected" readings coming in on Monday) then that creates a slower flow rate out of the cap which would significantly lower the amount BP would officially be liable for.

CNN's Shortsightedness on Display

Yes, I am picking on CNN again. I clicked on a story about this mysterious BP oil cap that suddenly arrived on the scene (only 3 months late) and was amused, and a bit saddened, at the news organization's bizarre word choice.

Their lead was, "The verdict Friday: so far, so good. But don't break out the champagne just yet." Champagne? Who the hell said anything about celebrating any facet of this oil spill and the pathetic response to it? Is it great that the cap is on and seemingly working for the time being? Absolutely, but this is one step in an extremely lengthy process. The ramifications from this disaster - economical, ecological, environmental - will extend beyond three decades, possibly more. I don't think anyone will be breaking out the champagne at all.

Breaking News: There Is Oil Flowing Freely in the Gulf

I know I've been picking on CNN lately, but it's so easy. I got a Breaking News email alert stating that BP was working on yet another soon-to-be failure. Usually I just delete them and move on with my day, but the last clause really caught me (I'm a sucker for the semi-colon). "Oil flows freely into Gulf." That's not breaking news, as oil has been flowing as free as a bird into the Gulf for the last 82 days. What's breaking news is that the geniuses at BP who have discovered how to get at oil miles below the ocean's bottom cannot stop a leak in one of their own pipes a mile below the ocean's surface. Every day that goes by I am further amazed at the utter lack of ability at a $246+ billion company. You think $20 billion is enough to pay for all damages resulting from this confluence of ineptitude? Not even close. What's breaking news is just how clueless everyone involved seems to be.

Glass Half Full: Big Disasters Can Spur Big Changes

On Thursday President Obama held a press conference in which he took full responsibility for the federal government's response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This was largely in response to widespread criticism that the White House has done little in the month since the disaster took place. Some have even gone so far as to call it "Obama's Katrina," in reference to the Bush Administration's monumental failure to provide support to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

I Have No Idea What's Going on With the BP Spill

While environmental issues are Nate's territory, I usually can get a sense of what's going on in the green scene by reading the articles and op-eds about it.  When it comes to the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico, however, I am very lost.  And the scary part is, I think that those in charge of getting this thing under control are just as lost as I am.