The Deepwater Horizon crises is far from over, but there does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve not had anything to say about Obama as I wanted to see what he would deliver at the end of his presidency and I’ve not been that interested in the internal politics of the USA. However, with all the publicity shown here in the UK and prompted by the BBC News “Have Your Say” How has Obama handled the Gulf oil spillage? at http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/haveyoursay/2010/06/how_has_obama_handled_the_gulf.html I felt that I needed to make a statement on my blog. Let’s get this out of the way; I’m British so there may be fair criticism that I am biased.
I think, for the first time, that I have been severely disappointed by Obama. His handling of the Deepwater Horizon crises, his posturing, his vehement attacks on BP, seem to all the world a political stance, a political show for the American public. Rather than work constructively with BP to resolve the crisis, he just inflames the situation. If BP were negligent then they should be punished. But that judgement should come afterwards and not now when all-hands-to-the-deck are needed and, certainly, it does seem that BP have been fully cooperative and not shirking their responsibilities. I would hope that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) are, at least, working with BP. Halliburton, the company who were undertaking operations on the Deepwater Horizon, will also need to be called to task but there has been very little coverage of their role. The important thing is that BP have stepped up to the plate. Heads may certainly roll afterwards; perhaps in BP, perhaps in Halliburton, perhaps even in the US government with their regulators and inspectors. But let’s wait. Solve the crises. Fully investigate. Then prosecute. But the way Obama is acting you would think that he is judge, jury and executioner. Very disappointing.
Finally, my condolences go out to all the bereaved, to all the distressed. This has been a human tragedy as well as an ecological tragedy. There is nothing that I can say that can ease your pain and suffering but I do hope that you find justice.
Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2010