Oil gusher. Lost opportunity to redefine America’s political debate?

My opinion is the “spill” could be a gift to bring down the Cheneys, oil companies, “drill baby drill”-

With a huge natural disaster there is political danger, but also political opportunity. For the people living on the Gulf, and the fish and wildlife, it is all downside.  For the President there is a mighty political opportunity, but so far he has baubled the basketball while standing right next to the basket. He’d better recover and slam dunk it or the other team will soon have the ball. They are already calling it “Obama’s Katrina” now that it looks like the oil will gush until August, well into the hurricane season.

Let me explain.

In politics and government, there is what is actually happening, but for the average American who does not follow politics or current events much, it is what they think is happening.

What the public thinks is happening is the most important thing.

Most now understand the “oil spill” is a big disaster. They want it stopped and cleaned up, but they also want it explained. How could this happen after all the oil company ads saying how careful they are and all the political support for drilling.  The average person wants reassurance, and when angry they want justice. For there to be justice, there needs to be blame placed. A convincing story (a “narrative”) explaining all these things is what the public craves. Obama needs one quickly, a narrative before an alternative one about his aloofness is put firmly in place. Maureen Dowd’s latest column in the NYT certainly understands this. “Once More, With Feeling.” NYT. May 29, 2010.  The President has got to get angry and point the finger of blame. . . none of that “no drama, Obama.”  He needs drama, and a good melodrama requires a hero going after the villains.

Ted Williams: On second thought, Mr. Cheney

Cheney to be guest of honor at American Museum of Fly Fishing-

Outdoor writer not happy about honoring the fish killer, former VP. On second thought, Mr. Cheney. By Ted Williams. Writers on the Range, High Country News.

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In fact, Cheney loves to fly cast. I’ve always thought a Wyoming stream could be reserved for him alone, if it’s the right stream. I propose he be given sole use of Spread Creek in Grand Teton National Park.*

*Likely only folks that live in Jackson Hole or fish there will get this.

Oil lays waste to the West

An opinion in the LA Times by Terry Tempest Williams-

Oil lays waste to the West. The greed, speed and scale of development in wild lands is an open wound on America. By Terry Tempest Williams. Opinion. Los Angeles Times. December 7, 2008.
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My comment.

The lease sale set for Oct. 19 has now excluded a few parcels next to national parks, but again it is tokenism in a giveaway of your national heritage to the oil and gas companies. If these sell, they can’t be reversed by a new administration.

To be given to the gas and oil companies. Copyright Ralph Maughan

Wyoming influence in Washington reduced as former rodeo queen beats back Democratic challenge

Lummis Beats Trauner for Wyoming Congressional Seat–
By Charles Pelkey and Reese Jenniges, WyoFile.com

Democrats had their best shot in 30 years at winning Wyoming’s lone U.S. House seat, but Dick Cheney showed up and helped Cynthia Lummis hold the seat for the GOP (the seat was once Cheney’s) as unpopular Republican Barbara Cubin retired.

Ironically, Cheney also took the occasion to endorse John McCain which probably gave a last minute boost to Barrack Obama (they quickly made Cheney’s endorsement into a campaign ad).

So Wyoming has only Republican representation in Congress and Dick Cheney will be retired. Cheney won’t be around to intervene on Cody’s perrennial efforts to turn Yellowstone Park into a mere cash register for the right wing town.

Follow-up. Let Obama’s transition team know, no Governor Freudenthal as Secretary of Interior.

I don’t think he has much of a chance with Wyoming voting the second most Republican state in the U.S., but rancher US Senator from Colorado Ken Salazar is promoting the anti-wolf, anti-environment Democrat for Secretary of Interior.

There could hardly be a worse pick. Will gov get look for Cabinet? By Chris Merrill. Casper Star Tribune.