I think the BP oil well leak in the Gulf of Mexico is disaster and I feel very sad and sorry about it and the damage it is causing, as indeed I am sure BP does.
However, it seems to me that every man and his dog in the US is seeking to make political capital out of the situation, with constant rhetoric and attacks.
I consider the remarks and personal attacks being made on the CEO of BP, Tony Hayward, by the President of the US, to be cheap shots, presumably intended to appease his political opponents in the US, and very inappropriate to be coming from a US President!!
Comments like:
"We need to keep our foot on the throat of BP".
"He wouldn't still be working for me" (after CEO Tony Hayward had made a couple of insensitive comments).
And on a TV interview "I know whose arse to kick".
I have to say I think Obama has shown a distinct lack of decorum and statesmanship, with these rude and personal remarks, and has demeaned himself greatly in my eyes.
(And not forgetting threats of Criminal action).
An American friend tells me it's all part of that of national culture, - America's national sport is the "blame game".
IN my view Obama should shut up and get on with his political wheeling and dealing and leave Tony Hayward to get on with the job of stopping the leak. I understand CEO Hayward is an Engineer, not a PR man or politician. So let him get on with what needs to be done, and get off his back.
And furthermore what the F--- has it got to do with the two US Senators who were saying that BP should suspend their share dividend payments? As long as BP fulfill their obligations in this matter, which they have stated they will do and they have the funds to do so, it's a matter for BP and its shareholder's whether they pay a dividend this year and if so how much!
The constant barracking, harassment and insults is destroying a reputable International company and impeding its key personal from getting on and doing the job that clearly needs to be done and that they are trying to do.
Obama should delegate the overseeing of the situation on a daily basis, and perhaps get on with formulating the USA's environmental policy, which his predecessor persistently blocked. He might then retain some of the credibility that he is currently losing by his loose tongued unstatesmanlike comments and attacks!!
Let's not forget either who is the world's biggest oil consumer, and who wants the oil from the Gulf, cheap oil, presumably so that they can drive round in their over-sized gas guzzling cars, - 2 or 3 to a family, and also which country refuses to engage in environmental policy. That should be No 1 on Obama's "To do List"!!!!
