BP and wildlife and politicians

[e_moon60]

It's become very clear that BP has no interest in saving wildlife of any kind, and cares only about its TV image.

From an LA Times article of a few days ago: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2whekyu

And this from an organization supporting restoration of endangered sea turtles: http://www.seaturtles.org/article.php?id=1660

It's clear that BP is not

Comments

[mirtlemist]

The grief I feel for what's happening in the Gulf is so deep, I have no words. If the company had stepped up and done the right thing from the very beginning, they could have been such heroes. Their stock would have soared. Instead, BP and their apologists have repeatedly demonstrated to the world just how little conscience they have.

[rowan_ree]

I'm right there with you. It just hurts to see the wildlife and coastal areas suffer like this and yet be so helpless while those who can do something, do nothing (or at least do nothing helpful).

[hugh_mannity]

It's interesting that in Arabic, one "accidents" things. It's not a passive thing that happens to one, but something one makes. (e.g. "I accidented that tree with my car" or "I made an accident with the chainsaw" )

The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico was not an accident, it was a lethal combination of greed ("this is costing too much --cut another corner"), hubris ("we're too smart to need to pay attention to details") and failure to consider the inevitability of Murphy's Law.

The miracle is that of the 4,000 or so wells out there, there have been so few spills in the past 30 years.

[gifted]

Well said, Hugh. :|

[mayakda]

One of the most worrisome (to me) of BP's actions is the use of dispersant. All dispersants are toxic, and don't "clean up the oil" -- just mingle it MORE with the water. And Corexit is one of the most toxic dispersants around (and happens to be manufactured by BP). It will get into the food chain, be subject to bioaccumulation and biomagnification, and a few years down the road we will be facing unknown genetic effects as it eventually consumed by humans.

And to speak of inactions, why hasn't the government suspended/waived the Jones act so more skimmers can help?
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0619/Jones-Act-Maritime-politics-strain-Gulf-oil-spill-cleanup

[jordan179]

And to speak of inactions, why hasn't the government suspended/waived the Jones act so more skimmers can help?

Obama has in general shown very poor management skills in this crisis. Looks like the Republicans had a point when they said that his lack of executive experience would cost the country dearly if he was elected.

[entp2007]

The main culprits are BP, Halliburton, and TransOcean. Do not forget that. They only care about one thing. Profit. BP went into damage control mode the minute the Deepwater Horizon went down. They started trying to pay off fisherman before oil reach the marshes, forcing survivors of the rig to sign statements, and spraying a dispersant (banned in the UK) at depth to hide the magnitude of the leak. They've continually lied about how much is leaking. They prevented workers from wearing protective gear

[jordan179]

President Obama has done a pretty amazing job since he's been in office.

Really? Name some of his "amazing" achievements, aside from merely being elected President.

But he's been dealing with crises since day 1 in office, and it is Republican stonewalling that has prevented him from accomplishing more.

They have refused to blindly sign on to every one of his proposals. Did the Democrats treat George W. Bush better?

If I'm unhappy with the Federal response and President Obama, it's because of the corporate corruption and malfeasance that is keeping them from doing their job.

How exactly did "corporate corruption and malfeasance" force the Federal government to refuse to suspend the Jones Act, and to stop Governor Jindal from deploying his own protective booms?

Drill Baby Drill on BP's mouth

[ndozo]

What can we do to hurt these people that are so careless and heartless? I don't mean long-term, like conserve, drive less, etc., I mean one day of loud, public concerted action that will make it clear to everyone from Obama to the shrimpers around the Gulf that the country is furious about this, that BP and all the oil companies must pay and prepare for the next time this happens. A day of rage is in order here. I think the internet is sapping the collective energy of thoughtful people. All the well-crafted posts in the world accomplish little compared to a coordinated public action. And although it is not my style and I don't support or endorse is, there are many times when I think that the old 'brick through the window' of BP corporate HQ might make the message clearer. We need a metaphorical brick with a really clear note wrapped around it. I don't know what to do to make it happen but I hope someone does.

[galbinus_caeli]

Thank you for putting it so well.