"But Make No Mistake": Thoughts On An "Unprecedented" Oil Leak

I recall a story of a man who once walked on water. But could he walk on oil? Perhaps it is too late for such questions.

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We're all oil experts now.

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The president said this yesterday:

The American people should know that from the moment† this disaster began, the federal government has been in charge of the response effort. As far as I’m concerned, BP is responsible for this horrific disaster, and we will hold them fully accountable on behalf of the United States as well as the people and communities victimized by this tragedy. We will demand that they pay every dime they owe for the damage they’ve done and the painful losses that they’ve caused. And we will continue to take full advantage of the unique technology and expertise they have to help stop this leak.

But make no mistake: BP is operating at our direction.

"But make no mistake." Mr. President, who would do that?

Should I be reassured by Mr. Obama's utterly convoluted language? He must think so, despite the fact his words make no sense. If "the moment this disaster began the federal government has been in charge of the response effort" is meant as a true statement, then how is it possible that "BP is responsible for this horrific disaster"? And if we take Mr. Obama at his word, that "BP is operating at our direction," then this disaster -- and EVERY failed attempt at resolving it -- have come directly from the White House. 

What is evident is Mr. Obama once again uses language appropriate for a super-hero cartoon. He desperately wants to appear omniscient, omni-competent, and all-powerful: from the "moment this disaster began" he and his administration have been "in charge." In over-reaching, trying to gain control of the narrative and deflect accusations he's out of touch and incompetent, Mr. Obama has unwittingly admitted that this whole thing is his fault. He's been "in charge" from the "moment this disaster began." Such a disastrous defense about his handling of a real disaster! "BP is operating at our direction." Holy crap!

Mr. President, this event, this disaster, is like nearly everything you've encountered in your administration; at least according to your own words, this disaster qualifies as another one of those burdens apparently too big for you to handle, being utterly, as you so often say, "unprecedented." How many issues have you faced that you've had to describe as "unprecedented" solely to mask your weaknesses?  

However, I don't think this oil disaster is so much unprecedented as it is un-presidented. 

"But make no mistake..."

Indeed, Mr. President, we beg you to heed your own words. 

For once. 

† Sounds like Congress ought to call for an immediate investigation. Where are the 9/11 Truthers when you need them? Surely here we have a president admitting that the federal government has been in charge of this disaster since the "moment" it began. Damning rhetoric, really. No? 

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