Oil Spill Devastation

[Saint John]

That's beautiful.....like surfing in a lava lamp. Hell if doing so would get you high in any way, the hippies would be all for it.

Yeah, but putting those filthy motherfuckers in the water would far greater damage than oil.

[7 Wishes]

A stoner friend of mine once attempted to smoke fern leaves.

That's when I told him, "Bill, you really have an addiction issue">

[slucero]

Looks like the Minerals Management Service knew about the fragility of the Deepwater rig in February...

The "Minerals Management Service" is a bureau in the U.S. Department of the Interior, is the Federal agency that manages the nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf (OCS). The agency also collects, accounts for and disburses an average of $13.7 billion per year in revenues from Federal offshore mineral leases and from onshore mineral leases on Federal and American Indian lands. The program is national in scope and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Cracks Show BP Was Battling Gulf Well as Early as February
By Alison Fitzgerald and Joe Carroll - Jun 17, 2010
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-1 ... -show.html

BP Plc was struggling to seal cracks in its Macondo well as far back as February, more than two months before an explosion killed 11 and spewed oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

It took 10 days to plug the first cracks, according to reports BP filed with the Minerals Management Service that were later delivered to congressional investigators. Cracks in the surrounding rock continued to complicate the drilling operation during the ensuing weeks. Left unsealed, they can allow explosive natural gas to rush up the shaft.

“Once they realized they had oil down there, all the decisions they made were designed to get that oil at the lowest cost,” said Peter Galvin of the Center for Biological Diversity, which has been working with congressional investigators probing the disaster. “It’s been a doomed voyage from the beginning.”

BP didn’t respond to calls and e-mails seeking comment. The company’s shares rose 22 pence to 359 pence today in London after the company struck a deal with the Obama administration yesterday to establish a $20 billion fund to pay cleanup costs and compensation. BP has lost 45 percent of its market value since the catastrophe.

On Feb. 13, BP told the minerals service it was trying to seal cracks in the well about 40 miles (64 kilometers) off the Louisiana coast, drilling documents obtained by Bloomberg show. Investigators are still trying to determine whether the fissures played a role in the disaster.

‘Cement Squeeze’

The company attempted a “cement squeeze,” which involves pumping cement to seal the fissures, according to a well activity report. Over the following week the company made repeated attempts to plug cracks that were draining expensive drilling fluid, known as “mud,” into the surrounding rocks.

BP used three different substances to plug the holes before succeeding, the documents show.

“Most of the time you do a squeeze and then let it dry and you’re done,” said John Wang, an assistant professor of petroleum and natural gas engineering at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania. “It dries within a few hours.”

Repeated squeeze attempts are unusual and may indicate rig workers are using the wrong kind of cement, Wang said.

Grappling Engineers

BP Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward and other top executives were ignorant of the difficulties the company’s engineers were grappling with in the well before the explosion, U.S. Representative Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said today during a hearing in Washington.

“We could find no evidence that you paid any attention to the tremendous risk BP was taking,” Waxman said as Hayward waited to testify. “There is not a single e-mail or document that you paid the slightest attention to the dangers at this well.”

BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles and exploration chief Andy Inglis “were apparently oblivious to what was happening,” said Waxman, a California Democrat. “BP’s corporate complacency is astonishing.”

In early March, BP told the minerals agency the company was having trouble maintaining control of surging natural gas, according to e-mails released May 30 by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is investigating the spill.

Gas Surges

While gas surges are common in oil drilling, companies have abandoned wells if they determine the risk is too high. When a Gulf well known as Blackbeard threatened to blow out in 2006, Exxon Mobil Corp. shut the project down.

“We don’t proceed if we cannot do so safely,” Exxon Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson told a House Energy and Commerce committee panel on June 15.

On March 10, BP executive Scherie Douglas e-mailed Frank Patton, the mineral service’s drilling engineer for the New Orleans district, telling him: “We’re in the midst of a well control situation.”

The incident was a “showstopper,” said Robert Bea, an engineering professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who has consulted with the Interior Department on offshore drilling safety. “They damn near blew up the rig.”

[Behshad]

WTF is this bullshit about telethons to raise money !???
BP fucked up, THEY should pay,,,, Its fucking pathetic that theyre trying to dig into our pockets for something that was not an earthquake or tsunami ..... Get real people...

[ohsherrie]

WTF is this bullshit about telethons to raise money !???
BP fucked up, THEY should pay,,,, Its fucking pathetic that theyre trying to dig into our pockets for something that was not an earthquake or tsunami ..... Get real people...

The rethugs think the tax payers should help BP out. They think the president is "shaking BP down" by requiring them to set up a fund to pay the people who have lost their livelihoods because of this.

[7 Wishes]

The MMS was, and still is, almost entirely staffed with Bush-era appointees. These individuals were given their positions after the aforementioned meeting between Evil Dick, Dubbya, and Big Oil, Big Gas, and Big Coal.

[slucero]

The MMS was, and still is, almost entirely staffed with Bush-era appointees. These individuals were given their positions after the aforementioned meeting between Evil Dick, Dubbya, and Big Oil, Big Gas, and Big Coal.

True.. but Ken Salazar kept those Bush appointees... and besides... nothing absolves any of them of their duty to report their findings to the Administration.

[AlteredDNA]

Judge blocks Gulf offshore drilling moratorium

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id ... _article=1

A federal judge in New Orleans has blocked a six-month moratorium on new deepwater drilling projects that was imposed in response to the massive Gulf oil spill.

Several companies that ferry people and supplies and provide other services to offshore drilling rigs had asked U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman in New Orleans to overturn the moratorium.

President Barack Obama's administration has halted the approval of any new permits for deepwater drilling and suspended drilling at 33 exploratory wells in the Gulf.

Feldman says in his ruling that the Interior Department failed to provide adequate reasoning for the moratorium. He says it seems to assume that because one rig failed, all companies and rigs doing deepwater drilling pose an imminent danger.

[Rockindeano]

Only you fuckin stupid Cons would boo hoo Obama for fining BP. That's why you are not in power. You're all fuckin brain dead.

[Behshad]

Ha! Looks like the ole Government shakedown trick is working just as The Won planned......

how do you get $5 Billion for doing nothing and spread the wealth around?

NEW ORLEANS — Out-of-work Gulf Coast shrimper Todd Pellegal spent his first $2,500 check from BP quickly, paying off bills and buying groceries for his family.

He never even considered putting some of it away for taxes.

Now he's among the people up and down the Gulf Coast reeling from the oil spill disaster who are surprised — and frustrated — to find out the Internal Revenue Service may take a chunk of the payments BP PLC is providing to help them stay afloat.

Many were already angry about how long the oil giant took to cut the checks. So when they got the money — generally about a few thousand dollars each so far — they spent it fast.

"If they're going to pay you a lump sum, like for a year, then bam, take the taxes out of the check," said Pellegal, of Boothville, La. "But a little bit at a time, they shouldn't."

Accountants have been trying to nail down the implications for thousands of taxpayers after President Barack Obama said BP would create a $20 billion disaster fund and provide another $100 million for oil workers who lose their jobs because of the six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

Oil has been gushing into the sea since the rig Deepwater Horizon exploded April 20, killing 11 workers and triggering the worst oil spill in U.S. history.

Tax experts said generally all income is taxable under federal law unless specific exemptions are approved by Congress or the Treasury Department — and neither has acted yet on oil spill damage claims.

The IRS would not comment on whether exemptions would be made, citing a policy of not answering questions on specific tax issues. Adding to the confusion, Kenneth Feinberg, who was chosen by President Barack Obama and BP to oversee the Independent Claims Facility, said Friday it hasn't been determined if the payouts will be considered taxable income.

Some tax experts said they expected federal action soon to clarify the situation for Gulf Coast residents and business owners.

"With the experience we've had with tornadoes and hurricanes, they know they need to address this," said John Ams, executive vice president of the Alexandria, Va.-based National Society of Accountants.

It's not the first time the region has dealt with whether disaster money should be taxed.

Always complaining & bitching while looking at things from ONE angle only !? You either crucify him for not doing anything and when he does you double crucify him. The apple didnt fall far from the tree, Rush Jr !

[7 Wishes]

You are definitely a world-class asshole, LieFinder. You're really mind-bogglingly single-minded, ignorant, and brainwashed.

[Rockindeano]

Am I reading this correctly? FF is downplaying the signifigance of the spill. Seems almost as if to say, "it's not that bad."

Gee, being on the side of big oil must be tough.

[Behshad]

You are definitely a world-class asshole, LieFinder. You're really mind-bogglingly single-minded, ignorant, and brainwashed.

And youre surprised, why !?

[Behshad]

Am I reading this correctly? FF is downplaying the signifigance of the spill. Seems almost as if to say, "it's not that bad."

Gee, being on the side of big oil must be tough.

He isnt downplaying nothing,,, he just mimicks anything Daddy Rush teaches on "Morons r us"

[Rockindeano]

That was my thought. I told myself if I could muster the strength to listen to Limbaugh I bet I could see his show's highlights(as if there are any ) appear on MR later that afternoon. He is a parrot...cannot think for himself. He even has the same vigor and evilness of Limbaugh. Embarrassing.

[7 Wishes]

It's just proof positive these neo-cons are racist bastards, and will simply line up like the drooling, thoughtless, turd-brained brownshirts they are to oppose anything and everything any Democrat says or does - especially the President.

Well, we'll be alright, though - Pea-Brain Palin herself has prayed for divine intervention to "seal up the hole". Since she's such a good Christian, and practices what she preaches, I'm sure God will take care of that in short order for Her.

[treetopovskaya]

WTF is this bullshit about telethons to raise money !???
BP fucked up, THEY should pay,,,, Its fucking pathetic that theyre trying to dig into our pockets for something that was not an earthquake or tsunami ..... Get real people...

The rethugs think the tax payers should help BP out. They think the president is "shaking BP down" by requiring them to set up a fund to pay the people who have lost their livelihoods because of this.

when is the money from bp supposed to come? these people & the oiled wild life need help NOW. no one is forcing anyone to donate... some feel by giving money they are helping.

[Rockindeano]

when is the money from bp supposed to come?

Um, BP maybe? They have PLENTY of it.

Look, if something is man made, then it can be fixed by man. BP ought to fix this thing NOW, and also PAY for EVERYTHING.

[treetopovskaya]

when is the money from bp supposed to come?

Um, BP maybe? They have PLENTY of it.

Look, if something is man made, then it can be fixed by man. BP ought to fix this thing NOW, and also PAY for EVERYTHING.

no shit... but when is this money coming? should people do nothing until it comes?

fucking arm chair libs.

[StevePerryHair]

I just heard a commercial on the radio in the car. It was from the city of Key West, notifying people that they are oil free, the water is safe, and the fish are plentiful and water clear for diving or fishing. Asking people to please not cancel their reservations if they have them and to make some if they haven't. I was looking at a hotel on the gulf coast we like to do every year, and it has a similar statement on it's website. It even said that if your stay ends up affected by the oil, even though at this time it's not a concern, they will refund your first night. I can just feel the desperation.

Tourism is SLOW these days anyway because of the economy. Hotels here were already hurting. This will just kill the economy in Florida. Just so sad

[Rockindeano]

when is the money from bp supposed to come?

Um, BP maybe? They have PLENTY of it.

Look, if something is man made, then it can be fixed by man. BP ought to fix this thing NOW, and also PAY for EVERYTHING.

no shit... but when is this money coming? should people do nothing until it comes?

fucking arm chair libs.

LOL, of "we're" armchair libs? LOL, you assholes pick on every little thing Obama does.

The Federal Gov't should be handing out checks now, and then use that 20B dollars to reimburse themselves. Hell, I don't think Obama got near enough with 20B. This will cost much more than 20B dollars.

Oh and by the way Wendy, with your little trash mouth, YOUR buddy Liefinder is the one defending BP, not us. Yet we're the armchair assholes, right?

[7 Wishes]

no shit... but when is this money coming? should people do nothing until it comes?

fucking arm chair libs.

Ummm...that's why this is happening NOW. Nothing pleases you, unless it's done by a Republican, in which case they can do no wrong. Double standard.

[Michigan Girl]

when is the money from bp supposed to come?

Um, BP maybe? They have PLENTY of it.

Look, if something is man made, then it can be fixed by man. BP ought to fix this thing NOW, and also PAY for EVERYTHING.

no shit... but when is this money coming? should people do nothing until it comes?

fucking arm chair libs.

Bobby Jindal didn't wait around ...he started YESTERDAY!!!

[treetopovskaya]

when is the money from bp supposed to come?

Um, BP maybe? They have PLENTY of it.

Look, if something is man made, then it can be fixed by man. BP ought to fix this thing NOW, and also PAY for EVERYTHING.

no shit... but when is this money coming? should people do nothing until it comes?

fucking arm chair libs.

Bobby Jindal didn't wait around ...he started YESTERDAY!!!

i heart that man. if he ever ran for prez he would have my vote! }:C))

[7 Wishes]

He's been running Louisiana into the ground. Throw away your vote.

[Rockindeano]

LOL, after Jindal made a complete ass of himself in the republican response, he will never ever see the stage of a presidential debate. The guy is a joke.

I remember you also saying Palin would have your vote too. That's kind of embarrassing don't you think?

[AlteredDNA]

He's been running Louisiana into the ground. Throw away your vote.

ummm....what???

[Michigan Girl]

He's been running Louisiana into the ground. Throw away your vote.

ummm....what???

[7 Wishes]

According to a recent study by the National Conference of State Legislators, Louisiana is expected to experience the second largest percentage drop in tax revenues of the fifty states. Furthermore, it is expected to be first in the nation in personal income tax collections declines, second in the loss of sales taxes, and in the top 10 percent in losses of corporate tax revenues. At the beginning of 2010 (mid-fiscal year), the state faced a $197 million shortfall due to general declines in sales taxsales tax, levy on the sale of goods or services, generally calculated as a percentage of the selling price, and sometimes called a purchase tax. It is usually collected in the form of an extra charge by the retailer, who remits the tax to the government. Louisiana's projected deficit over the next year could be the largest percentage increase of any state in the union.

This "perfect storm" that has battered the Louisiana economy has resulted in massive budget cuts that have fallen almost entirely on vulnerable segments that are not constitutionally protected--higher education, health care, and administration.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

COPYRIGHT 2010 University of Memphis

Yeah, Jindal's brilliant.

[AlteredDNA]

According to a recent study by the National Conference of State Legislators, Louisiana is expected to experience the second largest percentage drop in tax revenues of the fifty states. Furthermore, it is expected to be first in the nation in personal income tax collections declines, second in the loss of sales taxes, and in the top 10 percent in losses of corporate tax revenues. At the beginning of 2010 (mid-fiscal year), the state faced a $197 million shortfall due to general declines in sales taxsales tax, levy on the sale of goods or services, generally calculated as a percentage of the selling price, and sometimes called a purchase tax. It is usually collected in the form of an extra charge by the retailer, who remits the tax to the government. Louisiana's projected deficit over the next year could be the largest percentage increase of any state in the union.

Yeah, Jindal's brilliant.

Explain precisely how what you've cut and pasted is Jindal's fault...