i've been trying to assemble a context that can get used to interpret or explain some of what happened and also what's going on in real time. the center of that context is a functional--but still a bit hazy---image of the regulatory arrangements that hedge round drilling operations in the gulf.
personally, i see that arrangement as the condition of possibility for bp' s "business model" of cut corners now and pay fines later...and both of these elements---the regulatory system and bp's scummy way of playing that system---have blown up along with the deepwater horizon.
that same regulatory system explains the modalities of response and non-response to this catastrophe.
i'm just trying to figure this stuff out.
it's kinda depressing.
===================
by way of the guardian, here's a blog that's providing running commentary on the top kill operation.
it's pretty helpful for interpreting the real-time streams.
http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6515#more
it's interesting because it seems to involve alot of people who have more direct/technical knowledge than is the case in alot of other sources.
all bloggy caveats in place of course.