The Obama Administration was presented one of those moments that comes in any administration where real leadership is required. They failed.
The BP disaster highlighted numerous failure modes and some are being addressed (although others are not), but the response has been mostly wonkish and quiet.
There was an opportunity for a teachable moment and a major change of direction. The elephant in the room is not the oil industry, as ugly as it is, but our addiction to oil. The only short term solutions involve conversation, but politicians are cynical and since Carter seem to believe that dog won't hunt. Instead the approach has been to encourage efficiency - fine, but it takes a long time when time may be running out.
When the gusher was only a few days old a conservative pundit said this was Obama's Katrina. Many of us laughed at the time, but he may be correct.
If you want to do something as a citizen, forget about boycotts of BP - it won't hurt them as they as oil is a commodity rather than a specialized product. You can put pressure on your senators and representatives for tight regulations and fines that cover the real cost of a disaster. And cut your oil use. With a bit of cleverness it is easy for most families to cut gasoline consumption by 15% or more by combining trips, making sure their car is running efficiently and driving conservatively. Consider pushing for video conferences rather than flights at work and maybe you'll get a raise for saving your company money. And then there is that old bike in the basement or the garage ... Perhaps you can show your kids that you have sensible leadership in your family and that you care about their future.
Conservation was once an American virtue - try to make it a virtue again.
I have to agree.
In so many things I have liked the changes that Obama and the current Congress have been making.
Heck, the economy is even starting to improve even though the recession is being prolonged by things that can't be controlled, like ones related to property values, past mortgage problems, and the economic failings of other nations and our banks' involvements with those nations (as happened with Greece).
In relation to oil and coal, though, this Administration like the past one, seems to currently be in the pockets of the industries, to the detriment of the nation. That is something I want to see change, and I have to hope that it actually can change.
Yes, for the most part I have been an Obama supporter, but I don't go through life with blinders. BB King wrote: "Keeping your eyes closed is worse than being blind." in "There is always one more time", a song rife with good advice.
Posted by: Sukie | May 25, 2010 at 23:40