OT: FOX News and the oil blowout

[ucodegen]

For a guy without a lot of political experience, he sure has had quite a bit of success in getting his agenda passed: stimulus plan, healthcare, and now DADT. That’s three fairly large agenda items pased in only 1.3 years of a four year term.

It is not the number of bills that get passed, but the quality.

Stimulus plan – still a big question mark as to whether this paid off. Too much of it went towards ‘special interests’. The Bush(like it or not) ‘bailout’ worked quite well, and it looks like it will cost us (taxpayers who a footing the bill) less than the original tab. Many of the banks that were loaned money under TARP had to pay interest on that money, and when they paid the TARP back.. the gov had the interest and the principal on money the gov just ‘invented’.

Health plan – this was too ambitious. There are some good parts to it, but it should really have been re-worked. The real beneficiaries are the insurance companies. Remember to profit margin jump in auto insurance companies where auto insurance was made mandatory in CA?

DADT repeal is going to create a bigger problem than people realize. In the military, there is separation between male and female ‘facilities’. This is to help preserve order and insure safety. When dealing with a homosexual, you basically have a male with ‘interests’ that are structured as a female (or visa versa). It would be like mixing the male and female facilities completely.

You forgot to mention the ‘financial reform’ he is proposing, without really looking at the cause of the failure.

Congress has worked best when it is opposed, when a ‘stalemate’ exists. This allows things to be thought and worked through thoroughly. More laws, regulations going through does not necessarily mean better laws and regulations.

[afx114]

Didn’t catch Bill Maher last night, but I agree that there are still unfinished promises left to fulfill. That’s why presidents are elected to four year terms, not one year terms. Yes, I have been disappointed in some things so far, but I have also been pleased. The left has a hardcore wing just like the right, so of course there will always be sections of the constituency that feel let down no matter what is accomplished. I bet there are Democrats that are pissed that he hasn’t legalized weed yet. I remember some people were pissed that he didn’t tackle DADT right away, but I bet those people had health insurance. The point I’m trying to make is that the president has to prioritize and move based on a variety of factors. I submit to you that the jury is still out on whether or not the man has been successful, but there’s no denying that many things have been checked off his list in only the first 1.3 years of his presidency.

Eavesdropper, I think you misread my post because I agree with you that the Republicans will pick up many seats in November. My point was that once they do, being the party of “No” becomes much more difficult because their “No” votes will actually matter and have a direct effect on their constituency. This is how it should be and why I am not a fan of supermajorities for either party.

[afx114]

Didn’t catch Bill Maher last night, but I agree that there are still unfinished promises left to fulfill. That’s why presidents are elected to four year terms, not one year terms. Yes, I have been disappointed in some things so far, but I have also been pleased. The left has a hardcore wing just like the right, so of course there will always be sections of the constituency that feel let down no matter what is accomplished. I bet there are Democrats that are pissed that he hasn’t legalized weed yet. I remember some people were pissed that he didn’t tackle DADT right away, but I bet those people had health insurance. The point I’m trying to make is that the president has to prioritize and move based on a variety of factors. I submit to you that the jury is still out on whether or not the man has been successful, but there’s no denying that many things have been checked off his list in only the first 1.3 years of his presidency.

Eavesdropper, I think you misread my post because I agree with you that the Republicans will pick up many seats in November. My point was that once they do, being the party of “No” becomes much more difficult because their “No” votes will actually matter and have a direct effect on their constituency. This is how it should be and why I am not a fan of supermajorities for either party.

[afx114]

Didn’t catch Bill Maher last night, but I agree that there are still unfinished promises left to fulfill. That’s why presidents are elected to four year terms, not one year terms. Yes, I have been disappointed in some things so far, but I have also been pleased. The left has a hardcore wing just like the right, so of course there will always be sections of the constituency that feel let down no matter what is accomplished. I bet there are Democrats that are pissed that he hasn’t legalized weed yet. I remember some people were pissed that he didn’t tackle DADT right away, but I bet those people had health insurance. The point I’m trying to make is that the president has to prioritize and move based on a variety of factors. I submit to you that the jury is still out on whether or not the man has been successful, but there’s no denying that many things have been checked off his list in only the first 1.3 years of his presidency.

Eavesdropper, I think you misread my post because I agree with you that the Republicans will pick up many seats in November. My point was that once they do, being the party of “No” becomes much more difficult because their “No” votes will actually matter and have a direct effect on their constituency. This is how it should be and why I am not a fan of supermajorities for either party.

[afx114]

Didn’t catch Bill Maher last night, but I agree that there are still unfinished promises left to fulfill. That’s why presidents are elected to four year terms, not one year terms. Yes, I have been disappointed in some things so far, but I have also been pleased. The left has a hardcore wing just like the right, so of course there will always be sections of the constituency that feel let down no matter what is accomplished. I bet there are Democrats that are pissed that he hasn’t legalized weed yet. I remember some people were pissed that he didn’t tackle DADT right away, but I bet those people had health insurance. The point I’m trying to make is that the president has to prioritize and move based on a variety of factors. I submit to you that the jury is still out on whether or not the man has been successful, but there’s no denying that many things have been checked off his list in only the first 1.3 years of his presidency.

Eavesdropper, I think you misread my post because I agree with you that the Republicans will pick up many seats in November. My point was that once they do, being the party of “No” becomes much more difficult because their “No” votes will actually matter and have a direct effect on their constituency. This is how it should be and why I am not a fan of supermajorities for either party.

[afx114]

Didn’t catch Bill Maher last night, but I agree that there are still unfinished promises left to fulfill. That’s why presidents are elected to four year terms, not one year terms. Yes, I have been disappointed in some things so far, but I have also been pleased. The left has a hardcore wing just like the right, so of course there will always be sections of the constituency that feel let down no matter what is accomplished. I bet there are Democrats that are pissed that he hasn’t legalized weed yet. I remember some people were pissed that he didn’t tackle DADT right away, but I bet those people had health insurance. The point I’m trying to make is that the president has to prioritize and move based on a variety of factors. I submit to you that the jury is still out on whether or not the man has been successful, but there’s no denying that many things have been checked off his list in only the first 1.3 years of his presidency.

Eavesdropper, I think you misread my post because I agree with you that the Republicans will pick up many seats in November. My point was that once they do, being the party of “No” becomes much more difficult because their “No” votes will actually matter and have a direct effect on their constituency. This is how it should be and why I am not a fan of supermajorities for either party.

[equalizer]

Allan,

You are the expert in the “broadly defined” refinery field so I’m sure you know most of these details.

Since BP bought Amoco in 1998, they have been plagued with much higher rates of accidents than Exxon. BP excelled at improving efficiency and profits to please fat cats like me and others on Wall Street.

The U.S. Chemical Statement and Hazard Investigation Board in 2007 found BP fostered bad management at the plant and that cost-cutting moves by BP were factors in the Texas City explosion.

Judge Richard Posner (eminent legal scholar, UofChicago professor, (Milton disciple) has for decades argued for less government interference, but in the last 2 years he has changed in my mind on regulation is bad after the financial nightmare of the last few years. I’m sure this latest tragedy in Gulf would also lean him toward tighter regulation. Palin should give this a read from her local paper “Free-market economist changes tune” http://www.adn.com/2010/04/15/1228127/free-market-economist-changes.html#ixzz0lHniBEds

Judge Posner has a great blog with economist Gary Becker. http://uchicagolaw.typepad.com/beckerposner/

The WSJ reports from this week further implicate BP in the Gulf rig explosion that killed 11 and injured many others. Whatever errors the other firms made, they claim that BP was the boss and so dictated all decisions. Leasing the rig at $1M per day, and over budget, BP appears to have taken shortcuts.

The industry will take a big hit for BP not following best practices, to be charitable. Instead of blaming BP or paying more bribes to Congress, the industry should take lead by having Lee Raymond (former Exxon CEO) explaining need for Gulf Oil and how he will personally guarantee new guidelines for the industry. They should also attempt to show goodwill with the public by hiring someone like Oprah to explain to the people their respect for safety, the environment and need for public to pay for safety.

The Texas City refinery explosion in 2005 killed 15 and injured 170.

The law firm BCA worked for Rowe’s settlement. Instead of taking the money and signing the abhorrent NDA (note to SCOTUS: ban NDAs in the name of safety, free speech) , the daughter fought hard to improve safety for future . “the total amount of which remains confidential, as do other plaintiffs’ settlements — secured funds for the hefty charity program and made public more than 7 million pages of court documents that helped bring to light safety lapses that led to the blast. Rowe expressed her gratitude that numerous endowments — established with $44 million included in her settlement with the British oil company — were improving safety in the refining industry.
Texas A&M has educated more engineers in process safety and has launched new research into fires, explosives and fire suppression, said Dr. Sam Mannan, of the university’s Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center. It got $12.5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, where many of the injured were taken after the explosion, has trained 30 doctors from around the world in burn and trauma treatment, and has developed new medicines, said Dr. David Herndon of UTMB, which also got $12.5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program. College of the Mainland, a community college in Texas City, has established the Gulf Coast Safety Institute, along with a new degree program in occupational safety and health technology, said Monica O’Neal, who directs the college’s foundation. The college got $5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program.

http://www.rememberthe15.com/rt15_news?post_id=878

[equalizer]

Allan,

You are the expert in the “broadly defined” refinery field so I’m sure you know most of these details.

Since BP bought Amoco in 1998, they have been plagued with much higher rates of accidents than Exxon. BP excelled at improving efficiency and profits to please fat cats like me and others on Wall Street.

The U.S. Chemical Statement and Hazard Investigation Board in 2007 found BP fostered bad management at the plant and that cost-cutting moves by BP were factors in the Texas City explosion.

Judge Richard Posner (eminent legal scholar, UofChicago professor, (Milton disciple) has for decades argued for less government interference, but in the last 2 years he has changed in my mind on regulation is bad after the financial nightmare of the last few years. I’m sure this latest tragedy in Gulf would also lean him toward tighter regulation. Palin should give this a read from her local paper “Free-market economist changes tune” http://www.adn.com/2010/04/15/1228127/free-market-economist-changes.html#ixzz0lHniBEds

Judge Posner has a great blog with economist Gary Becker. http://uchicagolaw.typepad.com/beckerposner/

The WSJ reports from this week further implicate BP in the Gulf rig explosion that killed 11 and injured many others. Whatever errors the other firms made, they claim that BP was the boss and so dictated all decisions. Leasing the rig at $1M per day, and over budget, BP appears to have taken shortcuts.

The industry will take a big hit for BP not following best practices, to be charitable. Instead of blaming BP or paying more bribes to Congress, the industry should take lead by having Lee Raymond (former Exxon CEO) explaining need for Gulf Oil and how he will personally guarantee new guidelines for the industry. They should also attempt to show goodwill with the public by hiring someone like Oprah to explain to the people their respect for safety, the environment and need for public to pay for safety.

The Texas City refinery explosion in 2005 killed 15 and injured 170.

The law firm BCA worked for Rowe’s settlement. Instead of taking the money and signing the abhorrent NDA (note to SCOTUS: ban NDAs in the name of safety, free speech) , the daughter fought hard to improve safety for future . “the total amount of which remains confidential, as do other plaintiffs’ settlements — secured funds for the hefty charity program and made public more than 7 million pages of court documents that helped bring to light safety lapses that led to the blast. Rowe expressed her gratitude that numerous endowments — established with $44 million included in her settlement with the British oil company — were improving safety in the refining industry.
Texas A&M has educated more engineers in process safety and has launched new research into fires, explosives and fire suppression, said Dr. Sam Mannan, of the university’s Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center. It got $12.5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, where many of the injured were taken after the explosion, has trained 30 doctors from around the world in burn and trauma treatment, and has developed new medicines, said Dr. David Herndon of UTMB, which also got $12.5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program. College of the Mainland, a community college in Texas City, has established the Gulf Coast Safety Institute, along with a new degree program in occupational safety and health technology, said Monica O’Neal, who directs the college’s foundation. The college got $5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program.

http://www.rememberthe15.com/rt15_news?post_id=878

[equalizer]

Allan,

You are the expert in the “broadly defined” refinery field so I’m sure you know most of these details.

Since BP bought Amoco in 1998, they have been plagued with much higher rates of accidents than Exxon. BP excelled at improving efficiency and profits to please fat cats like me and others on Wall Street.

The U.S. Chemical Statement and Hazard Investigation Board in 2007 found BP fostered bad management at the plant and that cost-cutting moves by BP were factors in the Texas City explosion.

Judge Richard Posner (eminent legal scholar, UofChicago professor, (Milton disciple) has for decades argued for less government interference, but in the last 2 years he has changed in my mind on regulation is bad after the financial nightmare of the last few years. I’m sure this latest tragedy in Gulf would also lean him toward tighter regulation. Palin should give this a read from her local paper “Free-market economist changes tune” http://www.adn.com/2010/04/15/1228127/free-market-economist-changes.html#ixzz0lHniBEds

Judge Posner has a great blog with economist Gary Becker. http://uchicagolaw.typepad.com/beckerposner/

The WSJ reports from this week further implicate BP in the Gulf rig explosion that killed 11 and injured many others. Whatever errors the other firms made, they claim that BP was the boss and so dictated all decisions. Leasing the rig at $1M per day, and over budget, BP appears to have taken shortcuts.

The industry will take a big hit for BP not following best practices, to be charitable. Instead of blaming BP or paying more bribes to Congress, the industry should take lead by having Lee Raymond (former Exxon CEO) explaining need for Gulf Oil and how he will personally guarantee new guidelines for the industry. They should also attempt to show goodwill with the public by hiring someone like Oprah to explain to the people their respect for safety, the environment and need for public to pay for safety.

The Texas City refinery explosion in 2005 killed 15 and injured 170.

The law firm BCA worked for Rowe’s settlement. Instead of taking the money and signing the abhorrent NDA (note to SCOTUS: ban NDAs in the name of safety, free speech) , the daughter fought hard to improve safety for future . “the total amount of which remains confidential, as do other plaintiffs’ settlements — secured funds for the hefty charity program and made public more than 7 million pages of court documents that helped bring to light safety lapses that led to the blast. Rowe expressed her gratitude that numerous endowments — established with $44 million included in her settlement with the British oil company — were improving safety in the refining industry.
Texas A&M has educated more engineers in process safety and has launched new research into fires, explosives and fire suppression, said Dr. Sam Mannan, of the university’s Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center. It got $12.5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, where many of the injured were taken after the explosion, has trained 30 doctors from around the world in burn and trauma treatment, and has developed new medicines, said Dr. David Herndon of UTMB, which also got $12.5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program. College of the Mainland, a community college in Texas City, has established the Gulf Coast Safety Institute, along with a new degree program in occupational safety and health technology, said Monica O’Neal, who directs the college’s foundation. The college got $5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program.

http://www.rememberthe15.com/rt15_news?post_id=878

[equalizer]

Allan,

You are the expert in the “broadly defined” refinery field so I’m sure you know most of these details.

Since BP bought Amoco in 1998, they have been plagued with much higher rates of accidents than Exxon. BP excelled at improving efficiency and profits to please fat cats like me and others on Wall Street.

The U.S. Chemical Statement and Hazard Investigation Board in 2007 found BP fostered bad management at the plant and that cost-cutting moves by BP were factors in the Texas City explosion.

Judge Richard Posner (eminent legal scholar, UofChicago professor, (Milton disciple) has for decades argued for less government interference, but in the last 2 years he has changed in my mind on regulation is bad after the financial nightmare of the last few years. I’m sure this latest tragedy in Gulf would also lean him toward tighter regulation. Palin should give this a read from her local paper “Free-market economist changes tune” http://www.adn.com/2010/04/15/1228127/free-market-economist-changes.html#ixzz0lHniBEds

Judge Posner has a great blog with economist Gary Becker. http://uchicagolaw.typepad.com/beckerposner/

The WSJ reports from this week further implicate BP in the Gulf rig explosion that killed 11 and injured many others. Whatever errors the other firms made, they claim that BP was the boss and so dictated all decisions. Leasing the rig at $1M per day, and over budget, BP appears to have taken shortcuts.

The industry will take a big hit for BP not following best practices, to be charitable. Instead of blaming BP or paying more bribes to Congress, the industry should take lead by having Lee Raymond (former Exxon CEO) explaining need for Gulf Oil and how he will personally guarantee new guidelines for the industry. They should also attempt to show goodwill with the public by hiring someone like Oprah to explain to the people their respect for safety, the environment and need for public to pay for safety.

The Texas City refinery explosion in 2005 killed 15 and injured 170.

The law firm BCA worked for Rowe’s settlement. Instead of taking the money and signing the abhorrent NDA (note to SCOTUS: ban NDAs in the name of safety, free speech) , the daughter fought hard to improve safety for future . “the total amount of which remains confidential, as do other plaintiffs’ settlements — secured funds for the hefty charity program and made public more than 7 million pages of court documents that helped bring to light safety lapses that led to the blast. Rowe expressed her gratitude that numerous endowments — established with $44 million included in her settlement with the British oil company — were improving safety in the refining industry.
Texas A&M has educated more engineers in process safety and has launched new research into fires, explosives and fire suppression, said Dr. Sam Mannan, of the university’s Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center. It got $12.5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, where many of the injured were taken after the explosion, has trained 30 doctors from around the world in burn and trauma treatment, and has developed new medicines, said Dr. David Herndon of UTMB, which also got $12.5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program. College of the Mainland, a community college in Texas City, has established the Gulf Coast Safety Institute, along with a new degree program in occupational safety and health technology, said Monica O’Neal, who directs the college’s foundation. The college got $5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program.

http://www.rememberthe15.com/rt15_news?post_id=878

[equalizer]

Allan,

You are the expert in the “broadly defined” refinery field so I’m sure you know most of these details.

Since BP bought Amoco in 1998, they have been plagued with much higher rates of accidents than Exxon. BP excelled at improving efficiency and profits to please fat cats like me and others on Wall Street.

The U.S. Chemical Statement and Hazard Investigation Board in 2007 found BP fostered bad management at the plant and that cost-cutting moves by BP were factors in the Texas City explosion.

Judge Richard Posner (eminent legal scholar, UofChicago professor, (Milton disciple) has for decades argued for less government interference, but in the last 2 years he has changed in my mind on regulation is bad after the financial nightmare of the last few years. I’m sure this latest tragedy in Gulf would also lean him toward tighter regulation. Palin should give this a read from her local paper “Free-market economist changes tune” http://www.adn.com/2010/04/15/1228127/free-market-economist-changes.html#ixzz0lHniBEds

Judge Posner has a great blog with economist Gary Becker. http://uchicagolaw.typepad.com/beckerposner/

The WSJ reports from this week further implicate BP in the Gulf rig explosion that killed 11 and injured many others. Whatever errors the other firms made, they claim that BP was the boss and so dictated all decisions. Leasing the rig at $1M per day, and over budget, BP appears to have taken shortcuts.

The industry will take a big hit for BP not following best practices, to be charitable. Instead of blaming BP or paying more bribes to Congress, the industry should take lead by having Lee Raymond (former Exxon CEO) explaining need for Gulf Oil and how he will personally guarantee new guidelines for the industry. They should also attempt to show goodwill with the public by hiring someone like Oprah to explain to the people their respect for safety, the environment and need for public to pay for safety.

The Texas City refinery explosion in 2005 killed 15 and injured 170.

The law firm BCA worked for Rowe’s settlement. Instead of taking the money and signing the abhorrent NDA (note to SCOTUS: ban NDAs in the name of safety, free speech) , the daughter fought hard to improve safety for future . “the total amount of which remains confidential, as do other plaintiffs’ settlements — secured funds for the hefty charity program and made public more than 7 million pages of court documents that helped bring to light safety lapses that led to the blast. Rowe expressed her gratitude that numerous endowments — established with $44 million included in her settlement with the British oil company — were improving safety in the refining industry.
Texas A&M has educated more engineers in process safety and has launched new research into fires, explosives and fire suppression, said Dr. Sam Mannan, of the university’s Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center. It got $12.5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, where many of the injured were taken after the explosion, has trained 30 doctors from around the world in burn and trauma treatment, and has developed new medicines, said Dr. David Herndon of UTMB, which also got $12.5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program. College of the Mainland, a community college in Texas City, has established the Gulf Coast Safety Institute, along with a new degree program in occupational safety and health technology, said Monica O’Neal, who directs the college’s foundation. The college got $5 million and $2 million for a matching grant program.

http://www.rememberthe15.com/rt15_news?post_id=878

[briansd1]

[quote=ucodegen]

Yes, as a consumer of the oil industry, I’m farther removed from the oil industry; so I have more leeway to criticize the oil industry than a government employee or contractor criticizing the hand that feeds.

Non-sequitur, does not follow, nor is it supported by facts presented or at hand.

From a standpoint of supporting an industry, a consumer is much more important that an employee. There has to be someone to sell the goods to.[/quote]

Well, you’re entitled your opinion.

But I still stand by my statement.

I was told a)
[quote=waiting for bottom]
How can anyone that drives a car criticize efforts to find more oil? Hilarious

Quit driving or shut your yap, jack.[/quote]

In return, I said

b) “don’t be a direct beneficiary of government spending if you want to complain about government spending.”

I don’t believe that one should not criticize, period. But if one wants me to live by a) then one should live by b). Otherwise, criticize away.

[briansd1]

[quote=ucodegen]

Yes, as a consumer of the oil industry, I’m farther removed from the oil industry; so I have more leeway to criticize the oil industry than a government employee or contractor criticizing the hand that feeds.

Non-sequitur, does not follow, nor is it supported by facts presented or at hand.

From a standpoint of supporting an industry, a consumer is much more important that an employee. There has to be someone to sell the goods to.[/quote]

Well, you’re entitled your opinion.

But I still stand by my statement.

I was told a)
[quote=waiting for bottom]
How can anyone that drives a car criticize efforts to find more oil? Hilarious

Quit driving or shut your yap, jack.[/quote]

In return, I said

b) “don’t be a direct beneficiary of government spending if you want to complain about government spending.”

I don’t believe that one should not criticize, period. But if one wants me to live by a) then one should live by b). Otherwise, criticize away.

[briansd1]

[quote=ucodegen]

Yes, as a consumer of the oil industry, I’m farther removed from the oil industry; so I have more leeway to criticize the oil industry than a government employee or contractor criticizing the hand that feeds.

Non-sequitur, does not follow, nor is it supported by facts presented or at hand.

From a standpoint of supporting an industry, a consumer is much more important that an employee. There has to be someone to sell the goods to.[/quote]

Well, you’re entitled your opinion.

But I still stand by my statement.

I was told a)
[quote=waiting for bottom]
How can anyone that drives a car criticize efforts to find more oil? Hilarious

Quit driving or shut your yap, jack.[/quote]

In return, I said

b) “don’t be a direct beneficiary of government spending if you want to complain about government spending.”

I don’t believe that one should not criticize, period. But if one wants me to live by a) then one should live by b). Otherwise, criticize away.

[briansd1]

[quote=ucodegen]

Yes, as a consumer of the oil industry, I’m farther removed from the oil industry; so I have more leeway to criticize the oil industry than a government employee or contractor criticizing the hand that feeds.

Non-sequitur, does not follow, nor is it supported by facts presented or at hand.

From a standpoint of supporting an industry, a consumer is much more important that an employee. There has to be someone to sell the goods to.[/quote]

Well, you’re entitled your opinion.

But I still stand by my statement.

I was told a)
[quote=waiting for bottom]
How can anyone that drives a car criticize efforts to find more oil? Hilarious

Quit driving or shut your yap, jack.[/quote]

In return, I said

b) “don’t be a direct beneficiary of government spending if you want to complain about government spending.”

I don’t believe that one should not criticize, period. But if one wants me to live by a) then one should live by b). Otherwise, criticize away.

[Author]

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