Comments for THE SYSTOCRAT PAPERS

Comment on BP Corporate Subhumans Continue to Use Deadly Controlled Burns In Gulf by Cindy

Cindy — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:40:43 +0000

BP is disposing of the evidence just like any criminal would try to do. Business people insisted that business be run in a manner that allows most all behavior. They said that the system would be, if you make a mistake, you pay a fine. BP accepted that such a system (fees to punish wrong-doing) was how they wanted to do business. Now they’ve f’ed up, and they’re doing everything in their power to avoid the fines – by burning the sea turtles and hiding high-resolution flow-footage from the experts. (Which would be used to charge BP per endangered species death and per gallon of oil spilled.)
This is the kind of brutality our current economic system encourages. The Republicans said they were a party of smart business-people. Now they are supporting a business that enacts horrible practices and makes a mockery of any concept of “compassionate conservatism”.
I gotta thank Joe Barton. That was a mighty nail he pounded into the coffin of the Republican Party!! Thanks Joe!

Comment on Ozonix – A Better “Frac” In The Gulf by Paddy

Paddy — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:01:05 +0000

What is BP waiting for let them down there and also Costner’s vacuum. Could they really do more damage than BP has already done?

Comment on Gulf Jackassery by Cindy

Cindy — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:31:43 +0000

Victor: I agree with you that the public does not put enough pressure on the regulatory process. My understanding of the environmental regulatory system is that it has been set up to be a “dialogue” between development versus environmental protection interests. However, the public-at-large is not aware that they NEED to provide input and participate. They need to comment on the reports, request that the developers are following Best Management Practices and ensure that accident-response measures are in-place. As I understand it, IF the business says (in their permit applications) that their BMPs are adequate, and IF no one in the public strongly disagrees, the oversight agency can NOT hold up the permit, because that would violate the regulatory system, which says that, if no public interests complain, then it is to be assumed that the business is doing the best it technologically can…
On another matter, I’ve read that other petroleum companies are embarrassed by BP’s spill response. They are publicly stating that they believe BP could do better. (http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/06/14/4506926-bp-exec-admits-clean-up-technology-is-dated)

Comment on Gulf Jackassery by TD

TD — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:58:41 +0000

Vic:
I agree completely – “blind and brainless” is right. What kills me is that this “don’t tread on me” mindset has been successfully sold to working/middle class Americans that would otherwise benefit from the protections that effective regulations can provide.
The Tea Party libertarians need to read up on American history, particularly the days when there were no meaningful labor regulations. Without effective government regulation, big business takes over and the profit motive replaces rational decision making.

Comment on Gulf Jackassery by Victor Weisser

Victor Weisser — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:06:45 +0000

i hope folks don’t lose sight of the big picture.
The one thing that made this sort of disaster virtually inevitable is the anti-regulatory attitude that permeates American society and public policy. The basic nature of our economic system puts enormous pressure on businesses to maximize profits- particularly in the short term- and minimize costs. To expect business to vountarily provide adequate resources for environmental, health or safety in the face of the inexorable drive to maximize profits is naive. Only government regulation- backed by heavy financial disincentives for EHS failures- can act as a counterbalance to the profit motive.
It’s the blind and brainless “Get Government off our backs” approach toward public policy that needs to be addressed in the long term if we are to minimize the number and impact of these horrendous events.

Comment on Common Sense and Health Care Reform by Mary K

Mary K — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:11:49 +0000

Like shelter and food, Humans need to have health care. Why is this such a argument!!!! We should be taking care of each other, this is not a government issue, it is a human issue.

Comment on More Late Night TV!! by TD

TD — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:06:40 +0000

True that! What did he bowl – a 37 or something? Pathetic. He doesn’t really know how to drink beer either – needs coaching on how to hold the mug/bottle, etc.

Comment on More Late Night TV!! by PaddyO

PaddyO — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:40:56 +0000

You forgot he can’t bowl either.

Comment on Open Letter To Jimmy Carter by TD

TD — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:47:11 +0000

Perfectly reasonable point Chris – the answer is that I don’t know. What I do know is that when I turned on my television this morning, the cable news channels were still running with it. Health care reform was not mentioned nearly as much, notwithstanding the fact that Sen. Baucus just released his proposal.
In terms of distraction, I completely disagree. One thing the last 30 years has shown is that people in this country are easily distracted away from what’s in their best interests. Look at the way the right has sold working class Americans on social issues through the front door while screwing them royally with their fiscal policies via the back door.
President Carter should have known that the media would seize on his comments and that they would elevate this conversation to front page status, to the detriment of health care. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I have no problem with folks speaking out about race, but his timing is just awful.

Comment on Open Letter To Jimmy Carter by Chris_J

Chris_J — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:39:33 +0000

And when did we all develop OCD to the point where the nation can have dialog on only one subject at a time? If someone can drive while talking on the phone, drinking coffee, and combing their hair, I think a multi topic discussion should be perfectly reasonable.