Why Would You Vote for This Guy? Volume 3

Dear Friends,

On the anniversary of the start of the disastrous BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we should look to see what the Obama Administration has done about issuing new permits, making drilling safer and/or eliminating offshore drilling.

According to a report on NPR (here), the Obama Administration has issued 10 new permits for drilling in the Gulf of Mexico since the moratorium was lifted.  In addition, here is President Obama's plan for drilling as summarized in an CBS article (here):

Reversing a ban on oil drilling off most U.S. shores, President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced an expansive new policy that could put new oil and natural gas platforms in waters along the southern Atlantic coastline, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and part of Alaska.
Speaking at Andrews air base outside Washington, Mr. Obama said, "This is not a decision that I've made lightly." He addressed the expected outcry from disappointed environmentalists by saying he had studied the issue for more than a year and concluded it was the right call given the nation's voracious thirst for energy and the need to produce jobs and keep American businesses competitive.

Unfortunately, the Bureau of Energy Ocean Management, Regulation and Enforcement is not ready to do its job.  Michael Bromwitch, the head of that organization is quoted in the NPR article as follows:

We have barely 60 inspectors to cover 3,000-plus facilities in the Gulf of Mexico. If it weren't so troubling, it would be laughable.

Yet his agency is issuing new permits some using disaster plans written before last year's BP oil spill and some using similar technology.  He claims with pride that blowouts can be stopped in 17 days. Even if he is right, given the fact that his agency does not have the resources to do its job and the history of abuse by drillers, there can be no assurance that the drillers will do what they have said they will do. 

There are two conclusions that you can draw from President Obama's actions.  One is that he lacks any real interest in preserving our environment, or two that he has once again suppressed his values and caved into political pressure.  I do not want to vote for that person regardless of which conclusion you reach.

Thanks for reading and please comment,
The Unabashed Liberal