Talk about failing to learn from history.

There have been multiple blowouts in deep water drilling since it began.

Every time it happens, they try everything that BP has tried.

Every time they tried this shit, it failed.

In every case, the ONLY solution were relief wells.

That's EVERY TIME!

So top hats, top kills, golf balls, etc. are nothing more than distractions while they work on a real solution, a relief well.

So what we should REALLY be asking our government is, "since every time there's a blowout on off shore rigs the only way that works to stop the gushing oil is a relief well, why aren't the oil companies required to drill relief wells along side exploratory wells to quickly stop the flow of oil if there is a catastrophic discharge?"

Enough voices screaming this could be enough for the government to require all current drilling activity be halted until relief wells are brought up to standard along side the existing exploratory wells and possibly halt future events like this one, because it's clear that the absolutely earliest this gusher is going to be stopped will be August to September. If BP screws up the relief well, it'll take longer.

oil drilling is still a hit or miss event on finding oil. The only way to prevent crap like this from happening is stop drilling in deep water.

and the oil companies do it, too.

So yeah, it costs more but there is an up side.

They don't have a PR disaster that could put them out of business, and it's quite likely this could be the death knell for BP.

Valdez didn't kill Exxon. Those bastards will still be laughing all the way to the bank until we quit depending on oil.

That's the root of our problem dealing with this.

I agree completely that concurrent drilling of relief wells should have been required. So should all the other safety measures that were waived.

It's an understatement that the relationship between the oil industry and our government has been too "cozy." As a blog I skimmed yesterday pointed out, the correct word for that relationship is "corrupt."

How much time has been spent even considering other possible solutions? You're right. Trying the old methods won't work. Why haven't a lot of people engaged in drilling being asked for ideas no matter what country they come from? Limiting ourselves to only one group of resources is short-sighted.

The same thing is happening with the cleanup. Old methods that are problematic are the ones being used. Other ideas are looked at with suspicion. Why didn't we let the Dutch bring their newer much more efficient skimming vessels to the Gulf a lot sooner?

The EPA said they couldn't be used because they returned the water with more than the allowable limit of oil in it. That is the most nonsensical and surreal argument I have ever heard.