Like a lazy adolescent with senioritis, BP had been intimating that they might not need to finish up drilling the relief well that would permanently stop the Macondo well in the Gulf, arguing that the heavy drilling mud, cement and other containment strategies are holding. Admiral Thad Allen gave that idea the big no-go today. [...]

Administration officials and even BP emphasized that the $20 billion dollar shakedown escrow account for the BP oil spill did not represent a cap on damages. Which is a good thing, because the costs continue to mount, and the estimates continue to rise, especially if the Justice Department files criminal charges in the case. Based [...]