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With the centrifuges in the current system, and not counting the 2nd filtration they will have to do (minimally) to appease the EPA, the amount is estimated at 128,000 barrels of oil/water processing daily.

That's equivalent to 224,000 gallons per hour. That WolframAlpha site is darned handy....

The notion that the four barges/supply tankers couldn't clean the entire Gulf would be valid... if there was a need to clean the entire Gulf.

NOAA regularly posts trajectory maps, and you can see the the latest one here, forecast to June 29th.

Pay careful attention to the color coding of the amount of oil in that trajectory... the majority is light, spotted medium, and the heavy concentration at the well site itself.

The Gulf is the 9th largest body of water in the world, and this spill doesn't even come close to heavily saturating the majority of it. With the centrifuge OWS systems, they can attack the heavy and medium concentrations, as well as the more vunerable marshlands. Sand can be replaced for beaches.

Add Mother Nature, always at work as well. You needn't vacuum the entire areas because, if you break up the spills sufficiently, the ocean's micro'organisms digest the oil and get fat and happy. Add a well placed storm that churns the water, speeds up the degradation process, plus drives the oil further offshore (trajectory towards the Florida panhandle and to the east of the spill) and you could have a perfect "perfect storm" clean up.

I might also ask why you have the impression that running these OWS systems is so costly for energy. The barge is equipped with ample generating power, and the savings from having the smaller skimming boats burn fuel for a ga'zillion more trips to shore is obvious.

You may be thinking of Kennan's 1993 book, Around the Cragged Hill. However, at VTCommons is article honoring Kennan post mortem by Thomas Naylor in Aug 2005. This includes excerpts from some of his last letters that you may find interesting.

Oh... I see... you and your pal upchuck have your knickers in a twist by the misspelling of tantamount and temperament. Hang, I don’t check this site until I’ve finished polishing the one on FA.

Perhaps you don’t get how the FA to Freep cycle goes. Sometimes we edit after it gets posted on FA since it’s easier to see in the final formatted version. But in between that time, Starman posts it here - with errors in that version.

So, Ms. Outlaw Woman, I suggest that if it’s “bad enough to get through some of this crap” without some uncorrected spelling errors, I shan’t feel personally compromised if you don’t bother attempting to do so in the future. There’s certainly plenty of other news blurbs here, and it won’t be like we’re missing some constructive or enlightening input.

Apparently the rest of the commenters get it... calling up Congressional hearings for SEC mandated behavior to combat fiscal reality is yet another desperate attempt to hide the major flaws in their rushed, nanny social welfare net bill.

upchuck, me thinks you need to explain what’s bothering your butt that requires an “editor”. Such vague commentary/criticism is counterproductive. You have a problem with the content? Or is this some sort of grammarical classroom cyber lecture?

While I concur with you as a lay person on constitutional principle.. and that is supported by at least 38 states introducing constitutional amendments INRE federal health mandates.... the proof in the puddling still falls before the courts.

With the winds of so many disgruntled states at their back, I find it hard to believe SCOTUS can side step a question they have concertedly avoided directly addressing as often as possible for years. But now, they should have a direct challenge based on this legislation.

The government mandate could, and should have been addressed after Clinton made Medicare enrollment mandatory in the early 90s, PLUS tied that mandate to receiving your social security benefits. But no one challenged that in the courts until last year in Hall v Sebelius, still being fought.

But the SCOTUS opinion will be purely dependent on the cogency of any arguments brought before them. In other words, if it’s a lousy presentation by equally lousy lawyers, it can be a limited and unrevealing opinion.

What will be interesting is if SCOTUS packages all into a group argument to address federal mandates to citizens in a more sweeping manner. In which case, this may be the only silver lining to this travesty... finally getting SCOTUS to define more clearly states rights, and Congressional overreach of constitutional powers. They are a weird bunch... if you don’t ask right, they don’t give you the direct answer.

In the meantime, at my age, I guess I’ll plan on being a social welfare golden age citizen (and an ornery one at that), plus buy risky ocean front property to live out the rest of my “non-productive” citizen years. Hang... if I’m not worthy of saving, and just worthy of medicating for treatment, I might as well have a great view on the way out.

The General that came up with the plan would be McChrystal. Yes, he is an Obama appointee. However since the largest offensive in Marjah has been launched, the media still concerns itself with other subjects. Compare that to when the Iraq surge commenced, and the media was daily searching for body counts to report on.

If you read my complete post, which gives links to more about the plan that focuses on civilian security and not alienating the population (which also detests the Taliban), you’d know why they broadcast the offensive. They did so in order to allow the population to get out of harm’s ways... when the Taliban would let them out, that is. They were very reluctant to let their human shields leave, and most had to sneak out.

It’s a bit difficult to hide 7500 troops, and 7500 approx support troops... plus a convoy of 70 ton ABVs and their “tow truck” tanks.... when they’re headed your way. You want stealth? It’d have to be suprise air raids which kept them busy while ground troops and equipment began their travel to Marjah. From Kabul, that’s over 350 miles as a crow flies... not accommodating for roads with IEDs and sandstorms. Even from Kandahar, it’s about 125 miles, on a direct path. There is no “direct” path in roads. Indeed, it’s hard pressed to say Afghanistan maintains a road more than hours with IED mine fields along every route. The road to Marjah had a $3.5 mil make over several years ago... think it’s still intact? Road building is a constant there.

To go with your suggested “surprise” attack, air raids wouldn’t give the population any time to escape, would it? This defeats the strategy of population and village security, and enlisting their assault and policing against the Taliban.

So yes, the Taliban knew about the coming of the offensive. What they did not know is the moment of it beginning. The strategy is to clean out the opium den, rebuild infrastructure, train locals and Afghan police to hold the fertile farmland in Afghanistan, and sever the Taliban’s main communications and weaponry supply line. That a bunch of cockroaches escape because they had warning will not affect that end goal.

It is a multinational relief effort, Sir John. However only the US military possesses the capability of installing rapid communications for a non-operable airport in a matter of 28 minutes after arrival. The port and alternative docking... plus replacement of cargo cranes for unloading... are also being addressed simultaneously. However, as I said, you open the main and fastest route by air to get the aid flowing while working on the rest. The challenges are different, and can not be completed within the same timeframe. They are not, however, being ignored.

All the volunteers and workers from all over the world may show up in Haiti - ready to work. But without the US military, they couldn’t get supplies and heavy equipment into the country in a timely fashion. And as long as we have a superior military, we will remain the only ones capable of doing so with maximum results.

By the weekend there should be 3500 US troops in Haiti with various tasks. They are there not only for security (for Haitians, plus the relief workers of all nations, including our own), but also to assist in debris clearing, basic reconstruction, etal. I may be wrong, but I do not foresee this being some unwitting or long term “occupation”.

I fully comprehend the diversion of resources complaint. Having this discussion with an AFPAK friend parallel to this, as a matter of fact. However I do have to ask the same question here What strategic foreign policy wisdom is there to ignore our backyard - 750 miles from the Florida Keys - by refusing to pledge allegiance and aid for our NA hemisphere neighbors for budgetary reasons? Especially a nation where approx 45,000 American citizens (or estimated 5% of total population) were in residence?

And one might consider the broader repercussions. Considering that most theatres of war require military, intelligence and diplomatic cooperation internationally, what happens to future relations if we choose to turn a blind eye to humanitarian aid for natural disasters this close to home?

And have you considered the very real possibility that if we do not provide aid to our North American neighbors, some other undesirable source (ala Indonesia and the jihad movements with money) fills that void instead?

You are correct, Sir John. The port does need addressing, and if you read the complete post, you will find out it also is in the works.... along with some shallow water vessels by Maersk nearby.

There are also other airports that could increase the air traffic supply, also being address. Then you also have to remember, Gitmo isn’t far... Jamaica is near by. The southern Florida airbases are also in range. Haiti is only 750 miles from the Florida keys.

All are being addressed, however not everything can be handled at once, and instantly. However you open the “main road” to get it going, then open the feeder roads to increase the supply flow.

“Confusion” and miscommunication noted, Jim from C-town.... And appreciate the clarification. Was truly confused, and quite happy this is not a slight towards our military accomplishments.

Gotta what that headline only syndrome. Can bite you in the butt, ya know.

To those of you who noticed, my thanks for acknowledging this was a post designed to honor the talents and accomplishments of our military... sans any statement on the politics of repercussions of Haitian aid. No matter what one believes is the repercussions, it’s hard for me not to note the ... dare I use the word... “extraordinary” performance of the US military.

Perhaps, Jim from C-Town, you’d like to point out how many times I have used “extraordinary” as a superlative on the subject content in my FA posts? Since I have my archive at fingertips, I’m curious to see just how seriously your follow my particular posts.

Or is it you are simply blowing smoke out the rear orifice for temporary effect? In which case, I’d suggest you sit down quickly and block the oxygen feed before it flares up into something quite serious.. as in pants on fire.

Scott Brown is not against O’health care... save for convenient talking points. He plainly states he believes all Americans are “entitled” (per the Hannity interview) and “deserve” (per his website) health care. He’s also a Romney care supporter. He believes in the mandates, just disagrees with some of the o’healthcare details. The heart of the plan is A-OK with him. Can you say compromise bunny?

Per the Hannity interview, Brown believes that since MA has already got Romney care, they (MA) do not need to pay for the rest of the nation’s road to the same. Instead, the rest of the states need to follow MA down Romney’s road.

Brown is a prime Dem compromise candidate on liberal issues. His energy and gun stance is questionable, via his own website. One must guess what “reasonable” regulation of gun ownership is, as well as “reasonable and appropriate development of alternative energy sources “ that protects open spaces and prevents pollution. Perfect example, he... like Romney... opposes the Cape Wind farm off Martha’s Vineyard, saying it’s like putting turbines in the Grand Canyon. Romney and ol Ted joined forces to oppose that one for potential property value declines for the rich and famous. Scott Brown is right there with ‘em... Romney Jr.

Simply stated, Brown is another RINO... or Republican/MA style. Might be the best you can pull from that state, but a far cry from conservative.

The only gain here is the coup of usurping a long held Kennedy seat legacy, losing out to the GOP. It’s a GOP merit badge, if that’s enough to float your boat. But expect little from his performance other than being another MA RINO as a Congressional member. Sorry if that’s not enough to get me excited.

Look to LTC Allen West in Florida, if you want the profile of a conservative, ex-military man.