The Gulf Oil Disaster is NOT a referendum on energy policy

[Duer 157099]

As much as we might think that our energy policy needs a complete overhaul, I wish the focus of this disaster could remain on the actual issue that caused the problem, which is REGULATION of corporate activities as well as DISASTER RESPONSE preparedness.

The exact nature of the disaster should not overshadow these fundamental problems that really need to be addressed, because even if we were not drilling for oil at a mile below the sea, other accidents that could be equally disasterous (either by ommission or commission, natural or man-made) are bound to recur if this underlying problem is not adequately addressed.

Yes, energy policy IS a huge problem, we know that. But that is NOT what caused this problem directly. And we should be focused on the DIRECT cause, because that is what is bound to happen again in another place and another context.