May 30, 2010
(CBS) BP said last evening that its so-called "Top Kill" operation failed to stop the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. Don Teague has more on where things stand now in this Sunday Journal: It's been almost six weeks since the explosion and fire that destroyed the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform, killing 11 workers. Forty days of oil gushing at what experts now fear may be up to a million gallons a day. Forty days of failure, at every attempt, to stop the flow. The latest failure, the so-called "top kill" procedure of sealing the well with mud and bits of junk, confirmed yesterday by BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles - a new setback for a Gulf of Mexico disaster that's been described as a Hurricane Katrina in slow motion.
Every day that more escaping oil washes up on beaches or into delicate marshes, more birds and marine life perish, and more tourists - key to the Gulf economy - are driven away. And the people who depend on these once-clear waters to make a living are driven closer to bankruptcy . . . people like fishing guide Jeff Brumfield: "The efforts to stop and cleanup the oil aren't happening fast enough," he said. He fears he's watching the death of his livelihood… "This is where the shrimp and the fish and everything starts, in this marsh, and if it kills this marsh grass, the entire ecosystem is gone," Brumfield said. Memorial Day weekend is supposed to be the high season in Grand Isle, Louisiana. Ordinarily these beaches should be filled with tourists, but on this weekend they're empty. It's an economic disaster. Once-bustling fishing marinas are also deserted. Cleanup workers are the only people out in large numbers. "A lot of people can't understand," said one. "This is our Gulf. This is where we're from. We need to protect it." And questions are mounting about BP's efforts to clean up the spill. Yesterday the company responded to charges that an army of workers that suddenly appeared around the time of President Obama's visit Friday was largely there for show. "This was not window dressing," said BP's Suttles. "If you went there today - I just flew over it - you would find people working today." BP announced yesterday plans for the building of tent cities and even floating camps to house cleanup workers, so they can spend more time at work. And the next step? The company said it will now cut off the well's broken gushing riser pipe and try to replace it with a new riser to help capture the oil. "It takes a little longer to do that and that's why that would be the next option to stop the flow," said Suttles. But all the while, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico - like the emotions of those that live here - grow a little darker.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Kingston under siege
By Nick Davis
BBC News, Kingston 5-24-2010
As I drive through the city, my taxi driver tells me that he is going to have to charge extra: "Everywhere is blocked up, it's just turn, turn, turn."
I am just trying to get into the main commercial district of the capital, New Kingston, but the journey provides a snapshot of the situation the country finds itself in.
As we head up one road we spot the few vehicles on the road doing sharp U-turns. Then I hear it, the sound of automatic weapon fire.
We head back down the road to go around the trouble, and we are suddenly surrounded by police. A shot-up Toyota is parked up by a petrol station.
We continue. Towards the centre of town the streets are quiet - it is a national holiday, Labour Day, a time when communities get together to do work in their areas.
But everywhere is empty until we pass the main army camp as truckloads of soldiers in convoy head out, sandbags loaded on their vehicles, to a city under seige.
Steve the driver, like many Jamaicans, has a nickname. His comes from his time in the Jamaican defence force: Sojey, the patois for "soldier".
After seven years in the army, he recognises the sound of the M16s fired in our direction. Tight control
The old police station at Darling Street had stood in West Kingston for over a century. Now it is a ruin, firebombed and looted in an brazen daytime attack. Parts of the capital are under a state of emergency with two police officers killed overnight.
Jamaica had been gearing up for trouble from the moment the country's Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, announced he would address the nation a week ago.
He promised to explain his handling of an extradition request from the US for Christopher Coke, better known as Dudus.
He also goes by the other aliases of Shortman and President, the last one an indicator of how he is viewed in his community of Tivoli Gardens in West Kingston.
Before the violence which came to a head on Sunday, I had spent time in the community of Denham Town, and I was surprised by the reaction from many residents.
The area had been called the "mother of all garrisons" by a former head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force yet when I spoke to people, I was struck by the loyalty and support people had for the Dudus.
"Nobody can steal round here without his say-so, nobody carries out rape round here, they'd be dead."
I was worried for my safety but was told that nobody would touch me and in the early hours of the morning I walked out of the community, something that would be unheard-of in other more volatile communities on the island.
He was seen as the boss who cared for his community, providing what the state had not: safety.
Fast-foward to nine months ago and the US put in an extradition request for Christopher Coke, a man Washington claims is the head of the Shower Posse, an infamous gang that made and earnt its name in the 1980s by spraying bullets like water when they attacked rivals.
It is believed they are responsible for more than 1,400 murders in the US.
His extradition would see him facing charges of drug-smuggling and gun-running but, as a prominent supporter of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party, he holds a large amount of political sway. Jamaica's 'dons'
He keeps the area, which is also Prime Minister Bruce Golding's constituency, loyal to the party.
The government initially turned down the request, saying the evidence for the extradition had been gathered illegally.
But following calls for Mr Golding's resignation, after it became clear he had sanctioned a US law firm to lobby against the extradition, he announced the order would be signed the following day.
The warrant for the arrest saw fortifications being put round West Kingston.
The tough inner city communities of Kingston are not called garrisons for nothing.
Controlled by an "area leader" - the island's euphamism for the criminal bosses who are better known as "dons" - local strongmen can control a few blocks to whole swathes of the city.
The power they have stretches from the gully to the Gordon House, the seat of government.
The prime minister says the security forces will be swift and decisive in re-establishing law and order but, as the violence spreads, many wonder if they can handle the criminals who are taking on the state.
-------Jamaica PM promises to end unrest
BBC News, Kingston 5-24-2010
As I drive through the city, my taxi driver tells me that he is going to have to charge extra: "Everywhere is blocked up, it's just turn, turn, turn."
I am just trying to get into the main commercial district of the capital, New Kingston, but the journey provides a snapshot of the situation the country finds itself in.
As we head up one road we spot the few vehicles on the road doing sharp U-turns. Then I hear it, the sound of automatic weapon fire.
We head back down the road to go around the trouble, and we are suddenly surrounded by police. A shot-up Toyota is parked up by a petrol station.
We continue. Towards the centre of town the streets are quiet - it is a national holiday, Labour Day, a time when communities get together to do work in their areas.
But everywhere is empty until we pass the main army camp as truckloads of soldiers in convoy head out, sandbags loaded on their vehicles, to a city under seige.
Steve the driver, like many Jamaicans, has a nickname. His comes from his time in the Jamaican defence force: Sojey, the patois for "soldier".
After seven years in the army, he recognises the sound of the M16s fired in our direction. Tight control
The old police station at Darling Street had stood in West Kingston for over a century. Now it is a ruin, firebombed and looted in an brazen daytime attack. Parts of the capital are under a state of emergency with two police officers killed overnight.
Jamaica had been gearing up for trouble from the moment the country's Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, announced he would address the nation a week ago.
He promised to explain his handling of an extradition request from the US for Christopher Coke, better known as Dudus.
He also goes by the other aliases of Shortman and President, the last one an indicator of how he is viewed in his community of Tivoli Gardens in West Kingston.
Before the violence which came to a head on Sunday, I had spent time in the community of Denham Town, and I was surprised by the reaction from many residents.
The area had been called the "mother of all garrisons" by a former head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force yet when I spoke to people, I was struck by the loyalty and support people had for the Dudus.
"Nobody can steal round here without his say-so, nobody carries out rape round here, they'd be dead."
I was worried for my safety but was told that nobody would touch me and in the early hours of the morning I walked out of the community, something that would be unheard-of in other more volatile communities on the island.
He was seen as the boss who cared for his community, providing what the state had not: safety.
Fast-foward to nine months ago and the US put in an extradition request for Christopher Coke, a man Washington claims is the head of the Shower Posse, an infamous gang that made and earnt its name in the 1980s by spraying bullets like water when they attacked rivals.
It is believed they are responsible for more than 1,400 murders in the US.
His extradition would see him facing charges of drug-smuggling and gun-running but, as a prominent supporter of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party, he holds a large amount of political sway. Jamaica's 'dons'
He keeps the area, which is also Prime Minister Bruce Golding's constituency, loyal to the party.
The government initially turned down the request, saying the evidence for the extradition had been gathered illegally.
But following calls for Mr Golding's resignation, after it became clear he had sanctioned a US law firm to lobby against the extradition, he announced the order would be signed the following day.
The warrant for the arrest saw fortifications being put round West Kingston.
The tough inner city communities of Kingston are not called garrisons for nothing.
Controlled by an "area leader" - the island's euphamism for the criminal bosses who are better known as "dons" - local strongmen can control a few blocks to whole swathes of the city.
The power they have stretches from the gully to the Gordon House, the seat of government.
The prime minister says the security forces will be swift and decisive in re-establishing law and order but, as the violence spreads, many wonder if they can handle the criminals who are taking on the state.
-------Jamaica PM promises to end unrest
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Brown switches vote to advance financial regulation overhaul
Posted by Stephanie Vallejo May 20, 2010 03:44 PM
By Matt Viser, Globe Staff
WASHINGTON – Senator Scott Brown switched a key vote from yesterday and joined 57 Democrats and two Republicans this afternoon in advancing a massive financial regulation overhaul.
The Massachusetts Republican said that over the last 24 hours he received assurances – from the chief negotiators in the House and Senate, Senator Christopher J. Dodd, and Representative Barney Frank -- that changes he was seeking would be addressed. Those assurances came during a phone call with Frank last night, while the Newton Democrat was working out in the House members gym. Brown was further convinced during a 40-mile bike ride he went on this morning with Senator John Kerry.
“We recognize that there’s going to be some fixes here, more than likely, and the conference committee,” Brown said after voting. “I’m satisfied that all of our efforts – Senator Kerry and my efforts – will benefit and protect jobs in Massachusetts.”
“I spoke at length over a 40 mile bike-ride with Senator Kerry about it,” Brown added. “He’s a very good athlete.”
Brown’s vote was the key in making the difference after Democrats tried unsuccessfully yesterday to shut off debate and move toward a final vote. Brown was criticized, though not by name, by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for breaking his word and not voting for the measure. Reid and Brown met this morning.
Brown said yesterday that he opposed the measure to end debate because he did not have assurances that several changes would be made, including one that would ensure that some of the new regulations would not apply to certain financial institutions.
Brown has tried to protect some of the insurance and mutual fund companies in Massachusetts from falling under the so-called Volcker rule, which could restrict the investment options of large institutions, including preventing them from owning private equity funds.
Brown argues that those restrictions should be designed to curtail the risky bets placed by big Wall Street firms, not the more traditional practices of the Massachusetts-based companies.
One of the key difference-makers was assurances that Brown received from Frank, who told Brown last night that he would ensure that the changes were made in conference committee. Frank, chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, wrote legislation that the House passed last year and will be the top negotiator in reconciling differences between the House and Senate.
The financial overhaul legislation, which has been debated for several weeks, is designed to crack down on some of the risky practices that contributed to the financial downturn. It would create a consumer protection bureau that seeks to help people avoid trouble with mortgages and credit cards they cannot afford. The legislation would also establish a council that would be charged with monitoring the system for potential problems.
Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.
By Matt Viser, Globe Staff
WASHINGTON – Senator Scott Brown switched a key vote from yesterday and joined 57 Democrats and two Republicans this afternoon in advancing a massive financial regulation overhaul.
The Massachusetts Republican said that over the last 24 hours he received assurances – from the chief negotiators in the House and Senate, Senator Christopher J. Dodd, and Representative Barney Frank -- that changes he was seeking would be addressed. Those assurances came during a phone call with Frank last night, while the Newton Democrat was working out in the House members gym. Brown was further convinced during a 40-mile bike ride he went on this morning with Senator John Kerry.
“We recognize that there’s going to be some fixes here, more than likely, and the conference committee,” Brown said after voting. “I’m satisfied that all of our efforts – Senator Kerry and my efforts – will benefit and protect jobs in Massachusetts.”
“I spoke at length over a 40 mile bike-ride with Senator Kerry about it,” Brown added. “He’s a very good athlete.”
Brown’s vote was the key in making the difference after Democrats tried unsuccessfully yesterday to shut off debate and move toward a final vote. Brown was criticized, though not by name, by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for breaking his word and not voting for the measure. Reid and Brown met this morning.
Brown said yesterday that he opposed the measure to end debate because he did not have assurances that several changes would be made, including one that would ensure that some of the new regulations would not apply to certain financial institutions.
Brown has tried to protect some of the insurance and mutual fund companies in Massachusetts from falling under the so-called Volcker rule, which could restrict the investment options of large institutions, including preventing them from owning private equity funds.
Brown argues that those restrictions should be designed to curtail the risky bets placed by big Wall Street firms, not the more traditional practices of the Massachusetts-based companies.
One of the key difference-makers was assurances that Brown received from Frank, who told Brown last night that he would ensure that the changes were made in conference committee. Frank, chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, wrote legislation that the House passed last year and will be the top negotiator in reconciling differences between the House and Senate.
The financial overhaul legislation, which has been debated for several weeks, is designed to crack down on some of the risky practices that contributed to the financial downturn. It would create a consumer protection bureau that seeks to help people avoid trouble with mortgages and credit cards they cannot afford. The legislation would also establish a council that would be charged with monitoring the system for potential problems.
Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.
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