Watching the “Deepwater Horizon Disaster” - Congressional Hearings and testimony being given by Tony Hayward is pathetic. It’s like an angry siding salesman (Congress) watching paint dry. The salesman has no idea what he’s criticizing but he’s sure to let you know he’d have done it differently. Congress has the temerity to challenge anybody’s ethics or job performance.
Hayward’s been tried answering questions posed by poseurs trying to assure they’re seen as protectors of the environment. But watching Congressional Representatives working overtime to spread blame already layered on with a bulldozer would be comical if it weren’t so tragic. I’m not condoning BP’s actions/inactions or improper actions. We know they and three other companies blew it. But why is only one foreign company hammered when Halliburton (an American company) is strangely immune from this level of scrutiny?
And why does Congress keep hammering Hayward for YES or NO answers to multiphase questions? You know the type: Mr. Hayward; did you A-B-C? -and when D-E-F happened, what was the result of your actions concerning X-Y-Z after having seen 1-2 and 3 come to the surface? How do you answer that yes or no Mr. Dingell?
Congress’ bulldog approach to gathering the facts is similar to an Obsessive-Compulsive bulldog digging a hole to find a bone. It looks like a prolific activity. It appears something is being done. But, in the end result all you have is torn up turf, dirt thrown around to look as though you actually accomplished something and a hole in the ground serving no purpose because there’s NO bone there!
The only people knowing what decisions were made during the hours and minutes leading up to the explosion are DEAD. Believing they called and told Tony Hayward what was actually being done on a day-to-day basis is ludicrous because it’s not Top-Down or Bottom-Up management at that point. They’re made by engineers, managers, scientists and “experts” in the field. Decisions are made ON-Site. Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Financial Officers and Chairmen of the Board know nothing of what is actually happening at the well-site.
Congressional /Senatorial Ethics is an oxymoron
These guys look at spreadsheets and graphs and reports. They take meetings. They watch the stock markets. They broker mergers. Normally they’re on the other side of the planet doing their jobs. To actually expect a business leader at this level to “know” everything concerning every well-site under their company’s construct is unrealistic. It’s a about as realistic as expecting Congress to accomplish their oversight of Minerals Management Service (MMS). Congress should be assuring there’s no malfeasance of government inspectors by their introducing their private parts to the private parts of the people being overseen. Following their demonstrated thought process I’d say Congress has been malfeasant in that respect.
Anybody experienced with watching Congress (and their Senatorial colleagues) in action will agree Congressional /Senatorial Ethics is an oxymoron (two contradictory terms). Congressman Sestak’s case (where he said he was offered a government appointment if he’d defer to a heavily favored incumbent promised the administration’s support) has been conveniently diverted to alleviate the glare of investigative light being shined on Obama, Emmanuel and Clinton. Congressman Stupak and Senators Landrieu and Nelson were all caught accepting special treatment to ensure their votes on Healthcare. This proves the point as they follow the lead of Obama, Pelosi and Reid.
The paper tigers snarl at the ink pot and try to look menacing. The snarls are loud and expressive, as they always are in cartoons, but like any animated features, you look below the surface and find no substance to which you can cling. The roar and bluster is there. But it’s all on paper. There’ll be legislative bills flowing like the oil rushing from the pipe under the surface. But none of it will have anymore effect than catching oil with a trot-line.
Until Congress streamlines and demands enforcement of the under-enforced laws, rules, regulations, codes, operating procedures and production standards under their oversight we can’t hope to protect America. 19th century laws still on the books controvert present day industry standards. Malfeasant inspectors need to do jail time.
There’s too much outdated, outmoded law clogging the system because the paper tigers feel the need to divert attention from their having been proven neutered.
The fact is the paper tigers are (and have made the system) sterile. And the ink pot has more class than they do.
Thanks for listening
