Hurricane Cleanup in Aisle 2

Was I was correct the other day to say that Compass 'resigned'? Quite possibly.

Compass says he was fired by Nagin. Go figure.

After announcing his retirement Tuesday, New Orleans Police Superintendent Eddie Compass told several high-ranking officers that he had been forced out by Mayor Ray Nagin, the officers said Wednesday.

They said Compass told them the decision came on the heels of a heated confrontation with the mayor. The officers spoke only on condition that they not be named.

Reached Wednesday by e-mail, Nagin said that those accounts were "inaccurate."

Compass could not be reached for comment.

Surely, this could be spin on Compass' part, but Nagin didn't deny it - only that it was inaccurate. Nagin sure has a way with words...

Meanwhile, the oil and gas industry was in even worse shape than previously indicated. Nearly 100% of all oil production has ceased in the gulf, along with 80% of gas production. Many rigs are still unaccounted for, and many others are well out of their original positions. It will be months, if not years, before the production is fully restored. However, the refinery situation may not be as bad as feared. This is excellent news, since the bottleneck and cause for price increases hasn't been production, but refining capacity. The sooner that the refineries get back on track, the sooner that prices will stabilize.

Meanwhile, Tulane University expects to reopen for the January semester.

UPDATE:
Solomon continues following the levee repair work.

Technorati: flood aid; hurricane katrina; katrina aid; oil production; impeach bush; slidell; biloxi; gulfport; compass; nagin; blanco; barbour.