Deep Water Horizon Disaster: NY Times' Henry Fountain interviewed on Fresh Air by Dave Davies

This is a very interesting background report on the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

According to this report, cost cutting is always an issue. The fact is that delays and their extra costs should just be part of the equation of deep water drilling. Doing it right should be tantamount, especially with potential consequence. "Hurry up!" and "This is our well. Do it our way, afterall we're the one assuming the risk." We now see that it isn't just a single company that must pay the price- everyone is harmed. Entire industries and ecosystems are wiped off the map. All the way along, no one speaks up for the consequences of pollution and long term damage to wildlife and habitat.

Good Planets are Hard to Find
(Steve Forbert)

Good planets are hard to find,
Temp'rate zones and tropic climes,
True currents in thriving seas,
Winds blowin' through breathing trees,
Strong ozone and safe sunshine,
Good planets are hard to find.

Good planets are in demand,
Clean beaches and sparkling sand,
Land masses with room to spare,
Jet streams and perfect air,
High forests and low wetlands,
Good planets are in demand.

And the mind don't know
If the heart can't see;
Let the blind man go
To his destiny...

Good planets are rare indeed,
Rain fallin' on crops and seed,
Big rivers and good topsoil,
Fuel sources from cane to oil,
Green gardens of all we need,
Good planets are rare indeed.

And the mind don't know
If the heart can't see;
Let the blind man go
To his destiny...

Good planets are scarce and few,
Earthworms and caribou,
Strong food chains and tasty meals,
Textiles and plants that heal,
Iron mountains and skies of blue,
Good planets are scarce and few.

Update: I found this acoustic version of the song that Steve Forbert made available at the New York Times.