No quick fix for BP's Gusher in the Gulf

I'm hearing they might have successfully captured the leaking oil from the sunken BP rig. Their first attempt at this "big straw" didn't work so well, but here's hoping second time is a charm. Of course, that only addresses the oil slick on top of the water and even more disturbing is the oil under the water.

Scientists are finding enormous oil plumes in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, including one as large as 10 miles long, 3 miles wide and 300 feet thick in spots. The discovery is fresh evidence that the leak from the broken undersea well could be substantially worse than estimates that the government and BP have given.

And the worst case scenario on all that loose oil is damned frightening. Apparently if it gets into the mangrove swamps, we're effectively talking a forever oil spill. And I'm sure you'll be shocked to learn that cronyism played a role in which dispersant was used. BP went with the least effective, most toxic product to keep the money in the "family."

On the bright side, if they do they do manage to cap this leak, maybe this irritating meme about the Obama administration not doing enough to deal with the gusher will disappear from the media narrative. I mean, how much more could they have done?

[More posts daily at The Detroit News]