Field Trip!

One of the things I love about my job is the opportunity to learn about things I would otherwise never give a second thought. This month's training came from a "fieldtrip" to Houston where a group of legislative staff were introduced to natural gas drilling rigs. We stopped off and toured a rig in the field and then spent half a day at the Schlumberger facility in Sugarland where they have a drill for training purposes.

The technology and process used in recovering natural gas is fascinating in itself. The engineers at Schlumberger were able to explain the complex process in language even I could understand. But, perhaps the most interesting time for me was not so much learning about the process, as being reminded (once again) that different people looking at the same things do not actually see the same thing.

One of the lobbyists who was with the group also represents BP, the company who is the not so proud owner of the oil spill in the Gulf. Naturally, that was a discussion on several occasions. BP is currently spending money at the rate of the federal government to get the spill contained. They have blown past the billion dollar mark and estimate the cleanup cost will run as high as $12 billion. The difference in BP and the federal government is that BP is good for it.

But, the discussion at dinner one night ran to punitive damages to the oil company for allowing the spill. The purpose of punitive damages is to provide an incentive so that the behavior does not reoccur. With BP's stock dropping like a rock, my question was when your stock value is dropping like a rock and you are paying to clean up after yourself, why do they think BP needs incentives to not let this happen again?

And, on a note that has nothing to do with my point, let me tell you about oil and gas companies and their commitment to safety. This is not my first experience with "field trips" with the industry. Each stop we make we are given detailed safety instructions, issued safety equipment (hard hats, eye protection, and ear plugs) and notified the evacuation route to take and the muster point in the event of an emergency. When we were at the rig in the field, we were more closely chaperoned than a kindergartener's field trip. Even when we were sitting in corporate offices in Houston, the first presentation was on evacuation routes and muster points. Safety is not a second thought with these companies. It is a culture. I digress.

At lunch the next day, the issue of the impact of the health care bill came up. Schlumberger took a $40 million hit in the first quarter. They are concerned about the future impact the legislation will have. On the bus, several of us were discussing the issue. One person said, "You know what I wanted to know when he complained about the $40 million? Just how much does he make?"

My response, "What difference does it make how much he makes?"

"They can afford the $40 million."

My head almost exploded. I had forgotten that some people believe government policies should be dictated by people's perceived ability to pay rather than controlled by the principles of the appropriate role and scope of government. Can any of us really afford for our government to do the wrong thing?

But, the reason the exchange of ideas was important to me was that I felt no overwhelming urge to attempt to change their minds. We were in a fellowship environment, not a policy debate. And, at the end of the day, my new found friends were probably as confounded by my thinking as I was by theirs. There was a time (maybe as recently as last
year
month
week earlier in the day) when insisting someone understand (i.e. agree with) my position would be more important than developing a relationship.

So, in humility, I'm celebrating my tiny little victory, hoping the unusual becomes habit for me.

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5