Permafrost Friday: Jindal's jingoism & more

With neighbors like these...

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is apparently going to make BP pay. No, not for legitimate damages but for everything from schools to roads to tourism money if he has his way.

This past week, just days after saying how important the revenue was to the state as a result of offshore drilling, Jindal was over heard telling his key staff, "get your wish lists out, were going to BP."

The fact is that BP has already stated they'd pay legitimate claims, but this over heard conversation shows just how much it's not about the environment or those front page pictures of Jindal dragging a net through some oily marsh, its about taking advantage of an already bad situation.

Discovery discovers political pressure 

Word has it the Discovery Channel had approached BP about doing some filming of cleanup and strategy sessions to air while the spill was happening.

BP said yes. Then the White House called BP and expressed concerns that it wouldn't be appropriate. BP disagreed that having cameras around would be bad for the public.

Several hours later, out of the blue, the Discovery Channel called BP back and said they were going to pass on the opportunity to air it right away but would tape go ahead and tape the segments.

Pressure from the White House?

"So Sorry Uncle Albert, but the kettle is on the boil and we're so easily called away from your twenty year old permits" 

       "Come in, come in Mr. Walker, do you read me or FERC?"

Last week FERC finally came out in public and said what some of us have been saying for months; the twenty year old LNG permits that have been touted by GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Walker are no longer valid.

In one decision, FERC has turned the Backbone Group into the wishbone group.