Ding Dong the Leak is Dead

After months and months of watching the Gulf oil spill reek havoc throughout the surrounding region in real time, the world's most depressing reality show is finally over (allegedly). Now before everyone starts poppin' champagne bottles and giving chest bumps to each other, I think we should all pause and reflect on what occurred over the last few months and what needs to change in the long run to prevent such a disaster from happening again. The collective memory of this country is extremely short, and don't think that BP doesn't know this. Deep sea oil drilling is still on the horizon, but I haven't heard much about how regulations have changed, improved, or become more stringent. Cutting corners is what got BP into this mess and I personally don't trust them to choose safety over profit. The federal government needs to be a true watchdog in this area. Global corporations don't get to where they are by having a conscience. Representative government, on the other hand, is an entity that should go about its business with the interests and values of the American people in mind. However, if we don't speak up and become passionate about this issue, nothing will truly change. It's great that the oil leak seems to have been stopped, and there's nothing wrong with celebrating this, but don't forget that something like this CAN happen again.