Matthew Yglesias: It's Bush's Oil Spill

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-05-14/its-bushs-oil-spill/?cid=bs:featured1


It's Bush's Oil Spill

by Matthew Yglesias

The GOP rushed to brand the Gulf Coast disaster "Obama's Katrina." But new reports make clear the Bush administration's lax attitude toward regulation deserves much of the blame.


Ever since the great oil price spike of 2008, conservatives have been riding a tide of pro-drilling sentiment to shore up their message on energy issues. Environmentalists had done a decent job in earlier years of framing their concerns about fossil-fuel use in part in terms of energy "independence" and "security," rhetoric that was turned on its head by efforts like Newt Gingrich's "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less" slogan. The push was so successful that the Obama administration somewhat reluctantly came around to the pro-drilling viewpoint, just in time for the largest oil spill in human history to hit the Gulf of Mexico—pushing public support for drilling down for the first time in years. This left the hard-core drillers of the right like Gingrich and Karl Rove to grasp for the argument that the spill is somehow "Obama's Katrina"—a charge so absurd that even Fox News hosts won't buy it. Meanwhile, new revelations in Friday's New York Times reveal that something closer to the reverse is the truth—the Deepwater Horizon fiasco is yet another consequence of George W. Bush's corruption and incompetence.

The dysfunctional attitude of MMS managers reflected problems that were deeply ingrained under the previous administration.

snip//

Consider, for example, the fiasco of the Royalty in Kind program. The saga starts back in 1997 when, under Bill Clinton, the government cared about doing things properly. At this point in time, MMS responded to evidence that energy interests were underpaying royalties to the federal government by proposing a more stringent rule to collect Royalties in Value (RIV), i.e., money from drillers and miners. Industry didn't like that and countered instead with a proposal to pay Royalties in Kind (RIK), i.e., oil or gas that they thought would be cheaper. The Clinton administration agreed to an RIK pilot program, but soon found itself out of office. Then along came the Bush administration and Dick Cheney's Energy Task Force, which was urged by the American Petroleum Institute to aggressively expand the program. Starting in 2003, the Government Accountability Office repeatedly issued criticisms of the RIK program on a nearly annual basis saying it lacked "clear strategic objectives linked to statutory requirements" and shouldn't be expanded.

But it was steadily expanded each and every year of the Bush administration because statutory requirements aside, RIK was great at achieving the president's objective of letting oil companies make more money. By September 2009, a new team was in charge and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the program would be terminated.

The RIK scam, of course, was not the cause of the oil spill any more than failure to consult NOAA about endangered species implications did the deed. Both incidents, however, reflect the existence of a culture of indifference to the substantive missions of government agencies. This, of course, was the very essence of the Bush administration approach to government. When a regulator could be staffed by shills for the industry it was supposed to oversee, it was. When no industry particularly wanted to own an agency, like FEMA, it was handed over to a random crony. The results were disastrous and we're still paying the price today.

It took the Republicans thirty years to dismantle, corrupt and corrode the regulatory structure. Yeah, Clinton was in there for eight years, but he did not have re-regulation as a priority, plus the Republicans did everything they could to obstruct and distract his administration.

Now Obama is in and I see the same obstructionism and distraction tactics as during the Clinton years. And Obama has inherited a much worse situation than Clinton did. All the efforts of the Republicans to tear apart our society are coming to fruition now. And we speculated here where the "sleepers" left from the Bush-Cheney years would do the most damage. Now we know.

So what is Obama supposed to do to instantly fix everything? Wave a wand? Rub a magic lamp? He's been working his ass off to solve the financial crisis, get health care (as defective as HCR is), re-regulate the financial industry, etc. He was supposed to anticipate that yet another "never before seen at this level" disaster was going to hit?

I may not like a lot of the things the Obama administration has done/not done, but give the man a break!

...than a year and a half.

Its called political attention deficit disorder and there are chronic cases of it on both the left and the right.

I shocked him by how far back I thought it had, though in retrospect I did not go far enough back. I told him in my opinion at least as far back as 1972 when Nixon got re-elected despite his dirty tricks. And that it was perpetuated when Ford pardoned Nixon so that the country and the world never got to see how involved Nixon and his administration really were involved in those dirty tricks. I also discussed Reagan's traitorous negotiations with the Iranians before he got elected and the Iran-Contra Affair as further examples of presidents not being held accountable.

In retrospect, I should have mentioned Eisenhower's warning about the military industrial complex and how no president since has reduced our military budget.

Hmm....

you order major REVIEWS of each of the many departments and sections you are responsible for. At a minimum, Ken Salazar should have been fired on the spot for not doing HIS JOB, i.e., fully reviewing the efficiency of his department.

Figuratively "heads should roll" and we should be hearing about SEVERAL FIRINGS. But no, nobody lower than a hourly wage janitor will get fired for serving in the best interest of the large corporations.

Nobody pays the price in corrupt organizations whether they be governmental or corporate controlled.

This does not bode well for MORALE. And yet, we're surprised when "a fail safe" device does not perform it's designed task on this oil rig? :eyes:

There is NO LEADERSHIP - only CRONY CAPITALISM at it's most vile ... and it shows. :grr:

YOU should have reminded him of this obligation if it was that big a deal.

Bottom Line: I support what serves both humanity and the environment before large corporate interests.

these contracts have been in effect for years. "Contracts" ...

on President Obama.."you betcha."

some will go through to let President Obama off the hook are truly bizarre. :crazy:

The fact that you can't see this as "over the top" also speaks to a remarkable ability at compartmentalization of your moral value system. :(


Moral Value Box 1: President Obama (SuperPlusGood = hermetically sealed)

You, Madam, are certainly a piece of work.

Wat

does not mean letting Obama off the hook. Obama appointed Salazar and he was too slow to implement changes there as well as the new head of MMS, who got the job in July 2009.

But who is more to blame? Who really actively sought to dismantle the regulations? You know the answer to that one.
The best thing to come out of this is the restructuring of MMS and the scrutiny of lack of regulations. Norway is heavily regulated and thus less problems.

:thumbsup: :hi:

I just hope MMS improves after all of this. We all know it needs some major help.

it's about knowing the process of the law ...

I have no idea how somebody so vile, so bitter, so full of hate survives here. All they do is spread hate.

other areas on DU?

ANYONE who doesn't 100% support the Democratic Establishment then, to you, they're promptly labeled "a moron."

VILE? Yes, many things you type are nothing less than that.

:rofl:

;)

I can't hear you!

:rofl:

fumes..how long does that last?..Oh wait..john mccain is still spewing.

Yours is the only opinion that matters, you're either hard right, or hard left, with no middle ground. I certainly hope that there's no chance you'll enter public life, and if you are, remind me to send my money to your opponent.

that my traditional Democratic Values of the 1970s are now considered "radical."

Yes, I'm guilty of holding onto those values. :hi:

I guess I shouldn't be surprised as it shows in your every post. Let's hope the generation after you can be more forward thinking. That people like you only serve to coarsen the debate in this country makes me ashamed (at times) to be an American. Ideologies are a dime a dozen, actual principles, not so much.

You may be a hero to some on an anonymous internet site, but I doubt you have a lot offer, in the real world.

:edited for spelling

If you need to resort to character insults, it negates any positive aspects to your basic argument.

If all you have are insults against my persona, then I believe my views just may have some merit.

Have a nice day. :-)

ShortnFiery - 2012.:rofl:

moving right == maturing.

Don't buy that, personally.

this is not the 70's, and old school hippie liberalism is dead, as are most of its proponents. :smoke: What you guys see as selling out, is just the rest of us moving on, and facing reality. You can stay stuck in the 70's if you like, but please put down the pipe.

disasters that Obama now finds himself having to deal with. My only problem is with all this shit, why isn't Obama holding Bush/Cheney et. all's feet to the fire?

we do not want our system of government to evolve into a 'payback' system. Right now with each and every election in which a different party 'wins', there is a peaceful transfer of power. If either party were to develop the idea that there would be something more than political payback - then we could end up in a situation where elections results could end up in bloodshed. Think it through...that is why there is only political payback, not if you will justice.

pursued charges for the obvious crimes that Bush and Cheney were involved in beyond this oil disaster. I wish it weren't so, but you are absolutely correct.

What I care about is that they get this controlled. I am not saying that the administration is doing a bad job, hopefully they are putting together a plan that will stop the flow soon. But since they are the ones on the job right now, they have the responsability to act in our interest and take care of it, regardless of who approved it.

Both parties have looked the other way as Big Oil (and Big Coal) have ignored safety for profits.

A BushCo legacy.

gone on about how safe it was while caving on the provision in the first place. This is exactly why one ought not take Republican positions and pretend they have merit. It comes back to bite you in the ass.

those who won't acknowledge bush/cheney's action or not.

There's a lot of turning a blind eye on the actions of bushcheney and President Obama just keeps on cleaning up their 8 year mess.

Clearly this was Bush policy all along and, as with many other things Obama has had to do (worst recession since the Great Depression, collapsing auto & banking system & reforming healthcare), it will take time to clean up the mess Bush left us with (literally AND figuratively.)

link

when it recently approved more off coast oil exploration? :shrug:

I know some of you have climbed up Obama's ass and pitched a tent, but the truth is that BushCo has burrowed their flying monkeys in all parts of government and I suspect it will take some time to identify and ferret them out.

Incompetence is no defense albeit it's mildly more excusable than overt corruption. :(

Once the Obama Administration was placed IN CHARGE and had AUTHORITY over these regulating entities, he can NOT blame the past Administration for having cronies stationed at key positions. What you do is get COMPETENT people to fill their place and then MOVE them into "a parallel" yet non-damaging positions. Sadly, I don't think they had "the moral courage" to unseat some of the powerful people, but they did have "the authority."

President Obama could have taken corrective action but yes, Bush started the massive deregulation. Ergo BOTH are at fault.

Administrations.

What in the world has gotten into some people who constantly defend the indefensible?

Lord, what's going on with that? It's like you have opted to take The Red Pill?

What in the world has gotten into some people who constantly blame whether it's deserved or not?

Lord, what's going on with that? It's like you opted to take the Red Pill?

You know that? I hope. :shrug:

I was THRILLED when President Obama was elected.

Believe it or not it's his ACTIONS or lack thereof that have soured me on his Presidency.

But no, I don't believe that he does everything wrong. Just hoping he passes legislation that will help create more jobs in the near future.

That's what the American People need: Jobs. And hopefully not within the MIC.

I understand that Obama was handed a flaming pile of shit when he took office. You are apparently unwilling to acknowledge that or, worse, view it as simply an excuse.

I have no problem acknowledging that Obama has made some mistakes. The most egregious IMO is letting BushCo's crimes slide. I think it's wrong and I think it's a deadly mistake. The wingnuts WILL do it again when they are in power and they will be simply by virtue of the cyclic nature of politics. But I digress.

This place is supposed to be a respite from the nonstop attacks from the GOP and MSM. My blood pressure rejects the 24/7 barrage of horseshit posted by some people here. They glom onto bitter blog ruminations and crap harvested from Drudge posted here as fact. The attacks are frequent and often dishonest, and they are always not helpful.

A respite is not supposed to be "Alice in wonderland" type love affair with all things that are claimed by the Democratic Establishment.

This site is for democratic values. When the President messes up, he's entitled to be criticized. Believe it or not, President Obama's Administration has been a profound disappointment so far for many of us who are left of center and non-corporate adoring.

It's illuminating that you view those generally supportive of this president as some manifestation of Alice in Wonderland. I can see how that exaggeration would seem that way to you considering that even with a gun to your head you'd have difficulty saying anything positive about this administration.

The irony is that what you consider due diligence in criticism comes off as a hard-left jihad. You distort the truth to bolster your already negative opinion and resort to name-calling and inaccurate labeling. I have no respect for that bent but, hey, knock yourself out.

You are blinded to the corporate service that this Administration, like the last, is teathered to.

You crave that other democrats are equally in awe of all talking points published by "the authorities" which equates to placing the democratic establishment in the best possible light.

Perhaps that's the reason why you will not even BEND a little?

Again, I choose to "agree to disagree."


BTW "hard-left jihad"? What? - Being disgusted with two ongoing illegal/immoral military occupations makes me one world class LEFTY? ... NOT!

And you are impervious to actual truth because it doesn't fit your rigid narrative.

Yawn.

any entity other than the big money interests of the super-rich and large multi-national corporate organization.

Enjoy serving people who don't give a DAMN about you personally.

We're talking about 8 years or more of mess and details. Somethings fall through the cracks. Recognize our government is also made up of humans.

crimes, much less replace ANYONE within the MIC and DOD who were a part of BushCo's Administration?

If the Obama Administration will not even investigate the potential criminal actions of BushCo., then what good does it do to cast blame that it's BushCo.'s fault in ANY other area of the Administration's responsibility?

IMO, President Obama, by NOT conducting any investigations, is complicit in ALL of the previous horrific misdeeds and criminal actions to include breeching both moral and international laws.

Again, if President Obama will not either correct or investigate BushCo., what makes him and his Administration any MORE INNOCENT?

Your changing the subject to suit your needs.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Now, the important question is, will the Obama Administration take vital corrective actions to prevent another massive tragedy of this order?

"BUNK! Who is our president now. eom"

Arguing with you is like trying to nail jello to the wall.

I honestly don't understand the "Obama can do no wrong" crowd here?

It's truly unnerving (TOTAL allegiance?) from people with admittedly high intelligence. :shrug:

Perhaps we could agree to argue without personal inferences during our future exchanges? :-)

The dynamic has been adversarial from the onset.

Ultimately. They're responsible.

blame everything on President Obama.

both Environmental Clean-Up and GREEN Jobs Education funding? :-)

That way BP can live on "in spirit" = Beyond Petroleum? AMEN!

but the American public really isn't motivated enough in regards to this issue for it to happen. The only people who can really successfully hurt any enterprise (business) in the US is actually the American people through pickets, bad publicity, and outright boycotts. The government can't do much besides adding tougher regulations. In the end, we need a motivated base for that to happen.

Then we have the massive spread of unemployment if we take BP who is one of the largest oil companies around. But then that would only be for a short time.

and OBAMA APPOINTED SALAZAR, who now claims "ignorance" of any corruption or whatever, blah blah blah--and is praised, the same way Brownie was.

what FUCKING ever. sheesh. Barack Obama is president now, Ken Salazar is HIS appointee, and both of them are fucking corporate kiss-asses whose ONLY priorities are to "save face" and make sure the oil companies have as much leeway as possible to maximize their fucking profits.

The idea of actually being bold and taking over BP's assets and kicking the oil companies to the curb with regulations--as well as EMPHASIZING new, renewable, clean sources of energy JUST ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN with this retrograde behemoth of a corrupt corporate-backed administration. It will be "business as usual" until the people get out the fucking guillotines--which is not about to happen with the present nation of sheep.

just get used to oil-soaked EVERYTHING, because that's what America is about.