Oil watch: Who's on first and what's on second in Louisiana oil spill cleanup fiasco

It is hard to trust anyone involved in the cleanup of the oil spill along the Louisiana coast for two reasons: 1. No one seems to have any idea what is really going on; and 2. There are still some people who think grandstanding should be their only role in fixing the problem.

And while it is tempting to beat up on BP and any other oil company within a 50-mile radius, that is not going to accomplish anything, not now.

What is needed in the Gulf right now is leadership -- people who can calmly and without need for television cameras, work together to get this job done.

New ideas should be welcomed and dialogue encouraged -- as long as it does not come from a senior White House official or a politician looking for a quick burst of fame.

We do not need fist pounding. Not now. And we certainly do not need irresponsible commentary from anyone -- especially those who still really do not get the scope of the problem or what is needed to clean it up -- and that is first and foremost Congress and, regrettably, most of the portion of the Obama administration responsible for overseeing offshore drilling.

The situation in Louisiana is serious -- and the last thing anyone needs now is anything but positive action to resolve the immediate problem and those that will come along later.

And that includes, for now, commentary from any politician who does not have oil lapping at his door.

Published in Editorials on May 28, 2010 10:05 AM