This is a disaster – of that there’s no argument. This nation must pull together to confront and take the actions necessary to mitigate the damage and stop the flow. Picking sides and finger pointing accomplishes nothing and results in the holding back of information and the free exchange of ideas. Right now we have at least three separate entities trying to deal with the problem: BP, the States and the Administration - only the Good Lord knows how many agencies are sticking their heads up and saying ‘I’m in charge.’

Gulf oil is critical to the economy of the United States. It is 30% of our oil supply and without it we will become totally at the mercy of the oil states such as Iran. The gulf oil industry not only supplies a huge chunk of our needs for oil but also returns that money to the domestic economy. Shutting it down guarantees not only a double dip recession, but also the serious prospect of a depression that will cripple the United States, Europe and our other trading partners.

Offshore drilling has a remarkably good safety and environmental record – this includes BP. Yes this is a disaster, but it is the first major failure in over 30,000 Gulf offshore wells. For an operation with these many technologic challenges and required decisions this is almost without parallel. Only the Airline Industry approaches this standard. We do not demand the shutdown or nationalization of Boeing when a plane crashes, so why are we so eager to destroy BP?

The administration is driving deep-water rigs away. Several companies have already invoke contract failure provisions in their contract and have begum to move their rigs to Brazil, West Africa, the Persian Gulf States etc. These rigs are gone and will never return. These rigs have been in the Gulf because they trusted the US to honor its commitments. They are now moving out and we have no method to make stop them or reverse the process. It will be years and require a serious commitment by our government before any company will build ones.

Let’s accept that we must restart oil production in the gulf and clean up the beaches. This will require cooperative efforts from all parties. Appoint one person who has full authority over all Federal Government agencies for this problem and get the ones that are not necessary in the cleanup, especially the Department of Justice out of the picture.