An activist, involved chief executive would have swept aside these impediments and demanded immediate action. He would have ridden roughshod over bureaucratic and political objections and gotten the cleanup underway.
But this president is no executive. He is a legislator - he is now pushing new environmental legislation. He is a lawyer - his Attorney General is investigating criminal charges against BP. He is a populist - he is quick to blame BP. He is a big spender - he wants a fund to pay the spill's victims. He is all of these things. But he is no chief executive and that, unfortunately, is the job he was elected to do.
Ouch!
But, better late than never, I say. Here's hoping our president's speech tonight reflects a sea-change of attitude from the executive branch toward the growing disaster in the gulf. What we need is for the president to step up and do his job-- the time for laying blame is weeks past. It's time now for action. And it remains to be seen whether or not Obama is in fact a man of action.
Sorry to steal your thunder, Eric. I posted before i knew you had.
ReplyDelete"Here's hoping our president's speech tonight reflects a sea-change of attitude from the executive branch toward the growing disaster in the gulf."
You are an eternal optimist.
Obama will never get it right. He is clueless and so is the rest of his buddies.
Not a problem, Mark!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I was hoping. Too bad he let us all down.
Again.
And for the last time.