Oil Spill(s). Is Anybody Paying Attention?

1. 79

   RooBeeposted 12 years ago

   The repercussions of BP's nasty oil spill 2 years ago in the Gulf of Mexico are just beginning to be felt by the people and other life in and around the Gulf. Dolphins are dying, shrimp and crab populations have seen sudden and rapid decline, fish are exhibiting genetic defects, and scientist have found that it is very likely that swimmers and beachgoers are absorbing not only oil - but also the chemical dispersants used to "clean" it - into their bodies. I'm sure in the not-so-distant future, we will begin to see the cancer clusters caused by this.
   
   Yet, we as a country (in the U.S.) are all but turning a blind eye. I won't even go into the "issues" that most people consider to be important in our bizarre culture. Thankfully, many groups - including the attorneys general of some of the gulf states - are vowing to fight BP with everything they have and to hold them accountable for the grave destruction that has been caused - and the continuing health and environmental costs that will stretch far into the future. This isn't just about BP. This is about setting a precedent, so that corporations will no longer see it as more cost-effective to ignore safety regulations in favor of paying less expensive settlements later after injury and death have occurred.
   
   What do you think? Do you care? Do you agree that it's time to send a message to these gigantic, nearly-untouchable corporations the world over who reap ridiculous profits at the expense of our very limited natural resources and our very health and livelihoods? Is my bias showing? You bet! But I welcome any and all opinions/comments/silly dances you may have to contribute to the conversation.

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      Sooner28posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      When BP has bought many of the politicians in our government with secret gifts and campaign contributions, I doubt they will ever pay the true cost for their incompetence.

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2. 60

   Eric Newlandposted 12 years ago

   I've been boycotting BP ever since the incident, not that it's been difficult because there aren't many BP stations around me.
   
   I do think the company deserves to be made an example of, especially since they've been running ad campaigns that more or less use the bench level gas station employees as human shields against accountability for the crimes further up the corporate ladder.

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   1. 79

      RooBeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your input, truly. I guess my question has been answered. One person is paying attention.

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      John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      How do you know you've been boycotting BP?
      It may well be that BP is all you can buy!
      Don't be fooled by the name on the gas station, they all take gas from the same distributors.

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      1. 79

         RooBeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Sadly true. Thank you for commenting on this piping hot thread!!

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            John Holdenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Weekends are always slow here, it'll heat up during the week
            I now boycott all petrol and travel mostly by tram or foot!

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3. 70

   Hugh Williamsonposted 12 years ago

   If the cost of oil spills and atmospheric carbon pollution were added on to the price of gasoline, oil would be one of the more expensive sources of energy.
   
   But, BP will end up paying for only a fraction of the total damage that they did.

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4. 66

   maxoxam41posted 12 years ago

   Another oil catastrophe stroke an oil platform (Elgin) in the Northern sea. A gas leak impossible to contain is the legacy of Total's submarine exploitation. Total or BP, the same contempt for life!

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      Sooner28posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      But but but.......
      
      Republicans have been saying DRILL BABY DRILL.  And and and, they have been telling us that it is completely safe and responsible to drill everywhere there is even a remote chance of finding oil.  HOW COULD THEY DECEIVE ME...?

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      Dr Billy Kiddposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thankss for the tip on French OIl Giant Total. I lkie what they said. They're going to leave the fire burning on deck of the platform despite they natural gas wiffing up from the leak: http://www.euronews.com/2012/03/29/tota … eak-drama/  I guess the bet is--will it blow or not?
      But to get to your question, there's a lot of work being done to make underwater drilling safer for the environment. In fact, if you lived in Louisana or Texas, you'd probably say too much work is being done on this! Yet, we're drilling with more rigs, on land and sea, than we ever had in the U.S.. So if it's really dangerous, you'd think we'd hear about more disasters.

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