It takes no (zero - none - zilch ) bravery for a Louisiana governor to talk about the environmental responsibilities of oil and gas companies in a world post-Deepwater Horizon.

Hurricane Katrina cost New Orleans at least $100bln. The Deepwater Horizon spill is at $37 billion so far. Louisiana's GDP is only $216bln, of which less than ten percent comes from oil and gas. Deepwater cost Louisiana more than the oil and gas industry makes for Louisiana in two years.

Know what big, conservative industry first declared global warming real? the reinsurance industry. The guys who underwrite all the other insurance companies, the ones at the top of the risk chain. And they ran their numbers, and they ran their models, and they said "it's going to cost everybody more to live on the coasts" not because they're bleeding-heart liberals but because they're businesspeople.

There comes a time when businesspeople need to recognize that the future New Orleans is pointed at is Chittagong and unless they want "cajun" to be synonymous with "Stygian poverty" they're going to have to face the reality of geography.

He's a leader. His job is to lead.