I need to get this off my chest re: the MANMADE oil disaster.

[Skidmore]

I know that a lot of little people have run up against the big corporation in the Gulf states and are on the losing end now. What sticks in my craw is that for decades these very people have supported every permutation of "let's get more oil and in anyway possible".


http://www.google.com/webhp?rls=ig#q=Gulf+states+support+of+offshore+drilling&hl=en&rls=ig&rlz=1W1TSHB_enUS329US329&tbs=tl:1&source=lnt&sa=X&ei=5_AITKHlLJOQNtbL5LUE&ved=0CBgQpwU&fp=1&cad=b


They have voted in politicians who actively campaigned for offshore drilling, advocating moving further and further out. These people have supported political leaders who were willing to shout down the science of the environment and who were willing participants in deregulation and corruption on behalf of the oil industry. These people are among the states that are first to descry "big gubmint" and were avid supporters of the Big Oil Administration of the Bush years. Look at the graph for articles on that search for when the most articles were written about offshore drilling--during the Bush (41&43) adminstrations. That is when the pushes occurred to deregulate and set the scene for offshore drilling. There comes a point at which someone needs to recognize that there IS a responsibility to be held by the citizenry of these states as well. You see time and time again references to California and Florida resisting the call for offshore drilling to preserve their coastlines.

This is not to say that the nation as a whole doesn't share responsibility for its energy consumption demands. There is plenty of blame to go around. After all, the nation collectively sneered at Carter's warnings. Some listened and incorporated those lifestyle changes, but most sneered and hung the man out to dry over an international incident that arose because of this nation's will to exploit other nations for oil.

Flame away but we've put up with decades of the strong arming of the Old South in cultural, economic, and environmental issues. Unfortunately, when this die was rolled we all ended up with snake eyes.

[NYC_SKP]

1. This is a classic problem across so many industries, Fisheries, Lumber, Coal...

It's by no stretch limited to petroleum in the Gulf States.

I blame it partly on ignorance to the consequences, short term self interest, poor representation at state and federal levels.

And ridiculously disproportionate influence by corporate and business interests, of course.

:patriot:

[BeFree]

2. man made is right

Corporate Caused Catastrophe

That there is deregulation washing up on your beach, son.

[BeFree]

3. BP on the beach?

Big Pile of Bush Petroleum