August 2nd, 2010
10:14 AM ET

On the Radar: Beginning of oil's end?


End of the oil? We might be at the end of a chapter in the long saga of the BP oil spill, which began April 20. Officials say that on Monday night they'll begin the first of two efforts to seal the ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico. The "static kill" will happen first, followed five to seven days later by a "bottom kill."  BP's CEO Doug Suttles says he's "confident" these techniques will do the trick, but federal officials caution that nothing is guaranteed.

"We should not be writing any obituary for this event," said Thad Allen, the retired Coast Guard admiral who heads the government's response to the spill.

U.S. Iraq drawdown - According to a prepared speech President Obama is expected to give in Georgia, U.S. troops in Iraq will be reduced by 50,000 by the end of August. The U.S. military mission in Iraq will switch from combat to a support role in Iraq, including training of Iraqi national security forces, the speech says. Want to see a breakdown of U.S. resources in Iraq?  Read CNN's Security Brief.

The U.S. and Iraq disagree on the level of violence in the war-torn country. While the U.S. military reports that bloodshed has decreased, data Iraq released Saturday indicates that July was the deadliest month for civilians since May 2008. Specifically, Iraq says 396 civilians, 50 Iraqi soldiers and 89 police officers were killed last month.

In July, there were 81,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and 87,000 in Afghanistan.

Pakistan disaster - Flooding in Pakistan has killed more than 1,100 people, government officials tell CNN. At least 30,000 people were stuck on rooftops and other higher areas as they tried to escape rushing floodwaters. "We've got the government sending boats and helicopters to try to reach people and bring them to safety at the same time as trying to deliver emergency relief," said Nicki Bennett, a senior humanitarian affairs officer for the U.N.

C'mon, get happy! - After all that seriousness for your Monday morning, how about some good news? Yes, we said good news - or at least several websites that will make you feel better this week. Try a site that compiles happy news, or todaysbigthing.com, which today features a kid who wasn't thrilled with his trip to the zoo.

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Filed under: BP • Gulf Coast Oil Spill • Gulf Coast Oil Spill economics • Gulf Coast Oil Spill environment • Louisiana • Oil disaster solutions • On the Radar • Pakistan
soundoff (3 Responses)
  1. ronald mercer

    Dealing with BP

    BP is a business oligarchy BP’s unions are elected oligarchies. Government safety regulators are bureaucratic oligarchy. All three oligarchies failed, 11 died, and the Gulf of Mexico is turning into a tar pit. All three oligarchies must be fired. Here’s how.

    Corporate BP is responsible for the homicide of 11 employees. In addition to answering to criminal charges, BP, US branch corporate, must be reorganized before BP is allowed to continue drilling in the gulf. This reorganization provides half voting power to elected employee executives at top management board level. The details of reorganization are responsibility of the justice department.

    Never again will profit trump safety. Never again will employees be put at safety risk. Never again will BP management be accomplice to homicide of BP employees.

    This business model benefits from the advantages of an oligarchy and democracy. Corporate provides oligarchy and employees provide democracy to an equal power divided governing board. This structure is not entirely “union/employee” and not entirely “management”. It is a functioning hybrid taking advantage of oligarchy and democratic strengths.

    This business model is revolutionary reform of corporate business structure. All BP employees should immediately boycott/strike BP and demand half vote representation on the BP governing board to stop the murder of employees. No work without representation.

    With death tolls, it’s time for a revolution. It’s not time for tired oligarchy legal battles endlessly cluttering the courts. Criminal action is demanded. Fines are demanded. Large settlements are demanded. Revolutionary corporate reform must also be demanded to create lasting change that cuts deeply to the problem. Profound corporate reform guarantees victims and families meaning for their sacrifice.

    If oligarchy won’t go to democracy. Bring democracy to oligarchy.

    Citizen is coach to team democracy. Coach is responsible for success. It’s your call, coach.
    http://coach-1640280.newsvine.com/

    August 2, 2010 at 10:34 am | Report abuse |
    • BreakingNewsBlog.us

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      >>> the giant shears that will CUT the BP's testicles >>> http://bit.ly/99rkKC
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      August 2, 2010 at 10:48 am | Report abuse |
  2. BreakingNewsBlog.us

    I often wondered why I didn't have any testicles.

    August 2, 2010 at 11:19 am | Report abuse |
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