BP Throws Brick Through 'Window of Opportunity'

Oil spill experts frequently refer to what they call the 'window of opportunity' with respect to response operations. By this we mean that at any given time, if you're lucky, one or two, perhaps three response options will work. You must take advantage of these windows of opportunity while they last, i.e. before the window closes, and before catastrophic damage occurs. Well, three weeks into the Deepwater Horizon incident, BP has essentially thrown a brick through this incredibly long, by oil spill standards at least, window of opportunity. A three week period in which Mother Nature cooperated by somehow keeping the bulk of the spilled oil offshore. In that time, the polluter, aka the Responsible Party, has failed to stop the flow of oil from the seabed. They've had more than ample time, but they seemingly frittered away this natural advantage they were granted. And even if they find a stopgap solution this very minute, there'll be significant quantities of oil out there on the water for days, if not weeks or even months to come. Unfortunately, the window of opportunity, principally the fair weather and favourable winds, will not last forever. And so that precious gift of a 'picture window', as one might call it, could soon pass. And that's when the real blame game and finger pointing will start- when the oil starts washing ashore, fouling the beaches, killing the birds and the turtles and the dolphins and the fish. But let's continue to hope and pray that never happens, and that Lady Luck continues to cast her welcome, if somewhat fickle gaze on the Gulf.