Saturday, May 15, 2010

Oil Spill Response

Obama has been posturing lately regarding BP's handling of the oil spill in the Gulf. Here's what he's not telling you.

Ever heard of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, or as it's better known, the National Contingency Plan (NCP)? Take a look at this overview---
http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/lawsregs/ncpover.htm
Be patient, it loads somewhat slowly.

Here are what some of the various Sections deal with: 300.110, the National Response Team; 300.115, Regional Response Teams; 300.135a, authorizes the predesignated On-Scene Coordinator to direct all federal, state, and private response activities at the site of a discharge. There are many other significant sections.

The current BP oil discharge meets the criteria for the NCP to kick in. So, a few questions arise, as follows.

1. Has the Executive Branch implemented the National Contingency Plan relative to the BP oil discharge in the Gulf?
2. If not, why not?
3. If so, who is the On-Scene Coordinator?
4. What agencies are being coordinated?
5. What is being accomplished by the Federal efforts?

The people along the Gulf Coast deserve answers. We all deserve answers. How about it, Mr. President?

[Thanks go to Alex for generating the idea for this piece.]

Gaza, Israel, USA, Biden, and Netanyahu

Someone I care about wrote me and suggested I have compassion for Biden.  My response is below. RE your "compassion for Biden" com...