It is true that you have waited too long to assertively respond and intervene in this catastrophe. However, the time is now and much can still be accomplished. You might argue that if you increase your involvement that it will no longer be BP's problem but your problem. I would argue that it is already your problem and you might as well move to a position where you can do something to respond rather than stand by as an observer.
Dear President Obama,
With the fierce urgency of now, I am writing to you about the catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico. With all due respect I would like to make some suggestions for you and for your adminstration to improve your response to this serious situation. I am a supporter of you and your adminstration and I am an avid reader, listener, viewer of all things political.
1)Appoint a special prosecutor to investigate BP, Transocean and Haliburton and to file if necessary criminal charges against any and all of these companies. Eric Holder has too many ties to the Oil Industry from his previous law firm position. This situation is a crime on so many levels and with criminal prosection, it will be easier to get BP to pay for all the damages to the people and to the environment.
2)Hold frequent press conferences as if we were at war or responding to a terrorist act. You should be at as many of these as possible. Hold Press Conferences and Town Hall meetings on the Gulf Coast as often as possible.. At each conference, different members of the Adminstration should be available to discuss their area of responsiblity.
3)Promote at these press events, the positive things that your administration have already accomplished in response to the situation. Not so much a self congratulatory mode but more an informational way. Consult with a PR firm or tap the talent in your adminstration to get assistance on communicating these interventions. Communicaton should simple, understandable and memorable. Many positive things have already been accomplished but have not been communicated.
4)Explain at the conferences or though other media opportunities where to place responsiblity for this situation. The obvious ones of course are Transocean, BP and Haliburton. However, I am thinking of how GW Bush damaged governmental agencies by puting industry and corporate individuals to oversee and regulate various departments. I am thinking of the Republicans Senators who have put a hold on raising the amount of liability for damages.I am thinking of the many people waiting to be confirmed by the Senate so that they can begin work in your Administration. Finally, I am thinking of those who support "small" government and neglect the need for a government of the correct size that will be able to function efficiently and respond effectively to situations such as these.
3)Harness the outrage and energy of the people and connect it environment organizations and governmental agencies and begin or increase work on the protection and cleaning of the shoreline and the mitigation of the oil in the Gulf. Take the clean up away from BP. It would say take it all away from BP if possible but there seem to be reasons that BP retain the fixing of well. If so, leave them to continue to contain the spill and stop the eruption. Partner up the citizenry with the Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, Boy Scouts, Unions -- partner them with governmental agencies like FEMA, the Navy and National Guard. Put them to work on the land and on the water.Have BP fund the clean up. Put someone with charisma and stature in charge like Al Gore to work with a Navy Commander to organize the clean up effort.
- Clean out the Department of the Interior starting with Ken Salazar-- this may have to wait a bit.
- Be candid, honest and humble in all your interactions and communications. Admit where errors and mistakes were made. Call out those who need to be exposed, shamed, fired, prosecuted.
It is true that you have waited too long to assertively respond and intervene in this catastrophe. However, the time is now and much can still be accomplished. You might argue that if you increase your involvement that it will no longer be BP's problem but your problem. I would argue that it is already your problem and you might as well move to a position where you can do something to respond rather than stand by as an observer.
Again I am one of your supporters. I stand in admiration of the many things you have accomplished in your first months and how many problematic situation that you have had to handle in these few months.
I submit my suggestions with great respect.