The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[OakesCS]

National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling

The Commission shall be composed of not more than 7 members who shall be appointed by the President. The members shall be drawn from among distinguished individuals, and may include those with experience in or representing the scientific, engineering, and environmental communities, the oil and gas industry, or any other area determined by the President to be of value to the Commission in carrying out its duties.

apparently 'other' was most important. 3 scientists (being generous), 0 engineers, 0 oil & gas industry reps (being a director does not provide oil industry experiencce).

there are, however, 4 lawyers - none of whom have any technical education or experience (i.e. they're policy wonks).

The scientists are 2 environmental types and 1 condensed matter physicist. Substituting a geologist and a mechanics person for a couple of the lawyers probably would've been more productive.

quite clear that this commission doesn't have quite the intellectual and technical power of the Challenger (Rogers) commission.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Commission_on_the_BP_Deepwater_Horizon_Oil_Spill_and_Offshore_Drilling