That’s something that Rep. Gene Taylor (who is not identified in the McLatchy story as a Democrat, unsurprisingly, considering how he is lambasting the federal response and Obama) would like to know
A morning flight over the Mississippi Sound showed long, wide ribbons of orange-colored oil for as far as the eye could see and acres of both heavy and light sheen moving into the Sound between the barrier islands. What was missing was any sign of skimming operations from Horn Island to Pass Christian.
U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor got off the flight angry.
“It’s criminal what’s going on out there,” Taylor said minutes later. “This doesn’t have to happen.†(snip)
Taylor said it was a good thing he didn’t have a mic in the helicopter, because he might have said some things he didn’t want his children to hear.
“They’re paying all these boats to run around like headless chickens,†Taylor said, as reporters gathered to hear his assessment of the Sound.
“Nobody’s in charge,†Taylor said. “Everybody’s in charge, so no one’s in charge.
“If the president can’t find anyone who can do this job,†he said, “let me do it.â€
Sorry, Gene, Obama has more important things to worry about, such as his handicap (I’m referring to golf, not Joe Biden).
PJ Gladnick does a great job of showing where many of the skimmers are not. Essentially, they are being held in reserve in case there is an oil spill (WTF?????). Pat Austin also highlights the same information, and wonders when incompetence becomes criminal.
Hey, here’s a skimmer
After making a brief stop in Norfolk for refueling, U.S. Coast Guard inspections and an all-out publicity blitz intended to drum up public support, a giant tanker billed as the world’s largest oil skimming vessel set sail Friday for the Gulf of Mexico where it hopes to assist in the oil-cleanup effort.
The Taiwanese-owned, Liberian-flagged ship dubbed the “A Whale” stands 10 stories high, stretches 1,115 feet in length and has a nearly 200-foot beam. It displaces more water than an aircraft carrier.
Hoooooooo-ray!!!!!….????????
But a number of hurdles stand in his way. TMT officials said the company does not yet have government approval to assist in the cleanup or a contract with BP to perform the work.
The ship was specifically refitted to deal with this cleanup operation, and it can’t get approval?
Mississippi is saying “screw Los Federales, we’ll build them ourselves.”
Day 69, and skimmers are still not in abundance, the J0nes Act is still in affect and Obama won’t allow foreign flagged ships to help. Heck of a job there, Barry.
(PS: don’t think I am not holding BP responsible, as well. It is ultimately their fault for the spill. But, this kind of situation is why we have government, and they are failing miserably.)
I am surprised that Kevin Costner’s skimmers are actually being used. Hollywood is SO much about the talk, never the walk…. why are they letting him get away with actually DOING something?
Sorry Teach Obama did not make any decision on your foreign skimmers. You see the Jones Act is a law, which the USCG MUST enforce. The waiver process is also part of the law through the USMA. However if YOU think that more needs to be done, why don’t YOU head on down there and show us how we do not need BIG GOVERNMENT to clean up the mess made by corporations. Deregulation works so well right ?
[…] Say, Where Are The Oil Skimmers? […]
John,
As president, Obama can call upon emergency powers to over come the regualtions. Just look at Lincoln and his invasion of the South.
Much has been said by the liberal/progressive/Communist about the role of government and how conservatives are calling for it. This is poor argument. The spill could have been managed by a private company if the government did not say it had a disaster plan in place. When they do that, it blocks all other efforts. In addition, government is necessary for large actions, like wars. In this case it would be needed for the multi-nation effort. Except that Obama didn’t want to. In fact, everything he has touched has gone bad. Now if the government had said it was not going to handle the problems of this nature then private companies would have a plan and resources in place. Your argument would possibly work with grade schoo kids.
Leno: When Obama was told that Hayward was off sailing, he became so mad that he missed his putt.
The waiver process is also part of the law through the USMA.
That is correct. The USMA is a part of the US Department of Transportation, which has a cabinet position in the government. The president can ask the department for a waiver in the case of an emergency.
For all your blathering, the fact of the matter is that Obama has not asked for, or directed anyone to examine a waiver for the Jones Act.
It would have been a simple request, one that would be granted, and one that would have helped ease untold heartaches, burdens and costs.
Deregulation works so well right ?
The well was not deregulated. In fact, the well was forced to drill in deeper water than they wanted to because of regulations that no one read or enforced. BP was forced to use data for an emergency plan that was not accurate. BP and other oil companies told the regulators this and were dismissed.
Clearly this is not a case of “deregulation,” but a case where regulations failed and the fallout is a “president” that can’t lead in a time of crisis.
People are paying for his lack of performance. He doesn’t care and neither do you.