Archive: Opinions

Congress launched its investigation on the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico last week. With much surprise Americans along with a world wide audience watched and listened as the titans of industry acted with a maturity level more reminiscent of a school playground than with a Congressional hearing.
 
CEOs from British Petroleum (BP), Trans Ocean, and Halliburton, were on the Hill to answer questions from the Congressional panel about the disastrous oil leak.  Each CEO denied any responsibility for their part in the oil rig disaster, and pointed the finger of blame at the other companies. 

As the CEOs and their associates argued over which company should shoulder responsibility for the disaster,  Gulf coast states braced for the worst as oil began washing up on shorelines.  Experts have voiced greater concern as satellite images indicate that large quantities of oil may be heading toward a deeper current, known as the loop that could potentially take the oil slick to the Florida Keys and up the east coast. 

Many questions remain as to why BP was so ill prepared for such a disaster knowing that a blow out is always a risk, especially that deep in the ocean.  One might ask why they did not have an emergency preparedness plan specifically designed for this type of accident.  A representative from BP has actually admitted that the company should have done more to ensure the safety mechanisms for any oil well disaster. 

In Albany, the dysfunctional government continues its childish games over the budget fiasco. Governor Paterson placed blame on the State legislature for not ratifying the state budget, and in turn, the members of the legislature responded by putting their hands over their ears and shouting in unison, “Nya, Nya, Nyanya Nya.”  As Governor Patterson threatened to call a special session cutting short both Democrat and Republican Political Conventions, members from both sides seemed amused by this threat. 

If the previous paragraphs were not enough to demonstrate that adults often act worse than children, the blame game reached a new level of absurdity on Capitol Hill.  Representative Souder, a Republican from Indiana, is resigning from Congress after admitting to an affair with a staff member.   Among the various reasons he cites for his indiscretion, he blamed the poisonous environment of Washington, DC.  Souder, an evangelical Christian, had just won a closely run primary in Indiana.  The thought that the mere location of our nation’s capital caused him to break his martial vows reminds the American people the extent to which some will look for blame. 

The only positive example where one can find adults acting in a responsible manner is with the recent school budget votes.  Nearly every school district budget passed in New York State.  Why?  The answer is simple.  Mature adults faced a financial crisis with a common sense approach.  They did not look for scapegoats or point fingers of blame at any individual or group.  School boards, administrators, faculty, and interested tax payers worked together to craft budgets that were fiscally sound, fair and had our children’s best interest in mind. 

Tough decisions were made along with cuts.  In the end, New Yorkers overwhelming trusted those who worked openly and honestly to solve the school budget crises in their respective districts.  Trust is the key to effective government.  New Yorkers trust their local governments and institutions much more than the state and federal ones. 
 
In this endless game of avoiding blame, it seems only Joe Bruno received his just deserves with a trial by jury convicting him on two charges with a sentence of up to two years in prison.  Perhaps, more people in power should be on trial for taking the public’s trust for granted.  It would be nice to see the three CEOs from BP, Trans Ocean and Halliburton on trial for endangering the lives of all Americans by their game playing.  Our lives are not mere pawns in their game of profit versus risk.  And that is to the point.

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