There has been a lot of criticism of Obama's efforts to handle the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. I have already written a diary in full support of our president's efforts. Most of you agreed with me, some of you didn't. One thing that was repeated in the comments was the notion that if Bush were still in charge, I wouldn't be satisfied with the job being done in the Gulf of Mexico. My response to this is that if Bush were in charge of this operation, we'd be far worse off. Bush wouldn't have handled this crisis in the same way that Obama is handling it. After doing some thinking, I decided this might make an interesting and enlightening diary.
What if Bush were in charge of this disaster?
More below...
If Bush were in charge of the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico...
- BP would only be drilling one relief well right now, not two. BP only wanted to drill one, but because there is a chance of missing the mark, Obama insisted that two wells be drilled simultaneously. This greatly increases the odds of success.
- Bush would have downplayed the significance of the disaster. He would have said something like "The spill isn't that bad and we'll be able to clean it up in a few months."
- Bush would not have ordered a moratorium on permits.
- Bush would be all over the TV telling us this disaster is no reason to think off shore drilling is unsafe. He'd point to all the rigs that haven't exploded as his proof.
- Bush would have used military resources to keep the media cameras completely out of the area, land, sea and sky.
- Halliburton would already have a multi-billion dollar no bid contract with the U.S. to clean up the beaches.
- Bush would have allowed BP to cap its losses at $75 million. The rest would be the responsibility of the taxpayers.
- There would be no underwater video of the spill and we'd be led to believe that the maximum amount of oil spilling was 5,000 barrels a day.
- FEMA would issue all the fishermen on the coast debit cards for $2,500 and tell them to move to a different part of the country.
- Gasoline prices would skyrocket and Bush would say its because of the reduced production.
- Cheney would point out that oil naturally seeps from the Gulf all the time and that this disaster wasn't as big of a deal as the environmentalist tree huggers were making it out to be.
- Bush would throw out the possibility that there was no accident and that this might be an act of terrorism.
I'm sure you can come up with even more. The point is, if Bush were in charge, things would be handled very differently. Please remember that the next time you decide to criticize the job Obama is doing. The difference is staggering.
If you liked this diary, please remember to tip and rec. Thanks for reading.
UPDATE...
From the comments...
And Bush most certainly (3+ / 0-)
would have not said I am ultimately responsible and mistakes have been made.
But he would have said my friends at BP are doing a fine job. While standing next to and with his arm around Tony Hayward.
In the choice between changing ones mind and proving there's no need to do so, most people get busy on the proof.
by jsfox on Fri May 28, 2010 at 03:02:48 PM PDT
[ Reply to This | Recommend ]
McCain would have said.... (0+ / 0-)
"The fundamentals of off-shore drilling are sound."
....while the explosion was happening.
If cats could blog, they wouldn't.
by crystal eyes on Fri May 28, 2010 at 03:08:19 PM PDT
[ Reply to This | Recommend ]
- Barbara Bush (1+ / 0-)
would be quoted in the papers saying that the wildlife are better off oily, and that it's a privilege for them to have access to fuel for a change.
by pat of butter in a sea of grits on Fri May 28, 2010 at 03:10:53 PM PDT
[ Reply to This | Recommend ]
Bush would also have gone to his "ranch" (1+ / 0-)
to cut brush. Or gone golfing, or fishing, or to a birthday party.
Torture is Wrong! We live near W so you don't have to. Send love.
by tom 47 on Fri May 28, 2010 at 03:12:35 PM PDT
[ Reply to This | Recommend
If Bush were president, we'd have attacked (3+ / 0-)
Mexico immediately.
I'm in the I-fucking-love-this-guy wing of the Democratic Party!
by doc2 on Fri May 28, 2010 at 03:22:53 PM PDT
[ Reply to This | Recommend ]
Bush would not have (0+ / 0-)
immediately put a plan in place for a worst case scenario. So:
Ships would have arrived much later on the scene, if at all.
Millions of feet of boom would not have arrived in a timely manner, if at all.
There would be no coordination among agencies or with state and local authorities.
When it comes to Democrats, criticize, don't demonize. As for the GOP, I love Republicans--especially flame-broiled.
by Dragon5616 on Fri May 28, 2010 at 03:26:21 PM PDT
[ Reply to This | Recommend ]