I agree with these quotes from Bobby Jindal after the moratorium was struck down:
The Secretary’s six-month moratorium was not related to the facts provided by his own hand-selected experts... thousands of Louisianians should not have to lose their jobs because the federal government can’t adequately do its job of ensuring drilling is done safely.
This moratorium has never made sense to me. It came across as a knee-jerk reaction by people who are (understandably) under quite a bit of political pressure right now.
To me, the six month moratorium sends a terrible signal. It says that Obama's campaign talk about being able to walk and chew gum at the same time after McCain's "suspend my campaign and rush back to Washington" stunt was just bunk. It's bad enough when an administration fails to see this type of thing coming, especially when they should have. The next best thing then is to apologize for missing it and get start fixing it right away. I don't believe the moratorium is necessary to fix this. If it is, then so be it. I would still worry that this administration will have as terrible time explaining this as they have the rest of their policies, but that's another diary.
The other thing though is that fixing these things minus the moratorium would show the country and example of government functioning properly, that it can be used for good, that it can function productively, even if only after the fact. Not to mention it would make Obama look more efficient. If I'm a republican right now I'm writing a press release saying "what's going to happen the next time someone flies a plane into a building? Stop all flights for six months?"
Then there was this from Haley Barbour:
I think right now every oil company in the world says, I don’t want to pay $100 million a day to cut corners on drilling a well. And that’s where I believe the market system works. Nobody’s got more to lose in this deal than BP.
He's right, in his own horrid way. That's why Washington should strike now, while the iron is hot. BP is fresh in everyone's minds and the public is angry. But in six months? They won't be nearly as angry and out for blood in six months, when people are occupied with the next set of outrages. I think the administration should their regulation enforcement into overdrive quickly and publicly. You better believe other safety failures will be addressed by these companies in this climate, when the government comes knocking and the cameras start rolling. Or, they would if the public's mood was used properly.
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Let me add that I'm not saying I'm right and those who support the moratorium are wrong to do so. I'm just surprised at how alone I am on this. Please don't mistake Observation for Accusation.