In which I agree with Ayatollah Khomeini

The United States can't do a damned thing

As the worry, frustration and fears grow over the possible loss of the way of life, and livings along the gulf coasts of LA, TX, AL, MS and FL, and the economic disaster of canceled hotel, restaurant, etc reservation looms, I find it tragically hysterical that the govt with more time can do less now than in NO in 2005 over a natural disaster which struck a levee with little to no warning and a few hours to run it's course to utter chaos.

It was the democrats who set the bar for govt response at Katrina, and it is their admin which proves beyond doubt that the US govt is simply NOT CAPABLE, and was never designed to respond to natural disasters in a fashion which PREVENTS disaster to the people.

The US govt can only help AFTER the disaster has run its course to completion. SLOWLY. EXCRUCIATINGLY. They'll appoint a commission to tell them how to do better the next time, then enact 15% of those recommendations.

The feds have NO WAY of plugging the pipe. Why would they? And while the Army engineers can specify the levee design in a city like New Orleans they can't ensure it's finished production matches that design with enforcement.

And that's how we like it.

So now, when the bill comes due, it's up to BP, who, like AIG, Lehman, and Bear Stearns apparently ran around believing the sky couldn't fall because it would be just too horrible.

Viewing this disaster, in the full knowledge WE HAVE TO KEEP ON DRILLING, how many people object to the development PRIOR to predictable (i.e. POSSIBLE) disasters, the technology to deal with them? We'll never think of everything, but surely a leak at the bottom of the Gulf was thought of.

As this slick becomes larger today than Maryland and Delaware combined, it's obvious that BP never envisioned this, planned for this, gamed it out, or provided for quick response. THEY are responsible, but like other large fools, such as those named above, in the end, will it be US who pays the bill after?

For STARTERS- Will BP be large enough to compensate tens of thousands of shrimpers and crabbers for how many years? Will they nickel and dime these guys to death? YES. Like Red Snapper? Good Luck with that.

In the meanwhile though, forgive me for finding limitless amusement watching those who crucified Bush over Katrina struggle to hide as the slick covers them in brown goo, while Obama and his reach for overarching authority to do 'good' can't even find a cork.

It's the hypocrisy.