Thoughts on the Disaster

[Sandpiper]

Hi all,

I have not said anything about the BP disaster to anyone since it happened. I have always been against drilling for oil in the world's waters, and the BP disaster is precisely why. I do not think the solution to our energy problems is how to find more oil anywhere. I think the solution is to convert to other forms of energy, although I do not see any other form at present that does not also have its drawbacks, but aside from nuclear power (do not forget Chernobyl), oil is the most problematic solution. In my mind, drilling in the Gulf or in Alaska or any place else for more oil is like an alcoholic or a drug addict arguing that as long as he can keep his supply coming in for a reasonable cost, everything will be okay!

Since the accident, I have felt very angry, disgusted, defeated, sad, and now, numb. I have been asking myself a lot of questions, such as why have I been recycling everything I was able to do since 1980? Why have I been concerned about air pollution controls and the wide, indiscriminate use of chemicals on practically everything? Why do I bother to pay higher rates to GreenMountain whence I could use another provider who charges less? What use have been my actions, or those of others like me, if this sort of thing is allowed to happen. Yes, it was "allowed" to happen in the first place by allowing anyone to drill in our waters. It has been a ticking time bomb from the start.

Please, no one say that this was not foreseeable. Really, anyone who has ever had an automobile, a lawn mower, or an electric coffee pot knows that all man-made machines break down, often spectacularly, as is the case in the Gulf. All of the conservationists I know, myself included, knew that one accident (and there is no such thing as a "small accident" whence one is talking about an oil spill) would be all it would take to do tremendous, possibly irrevocable, harm to our environment. It was not difficult to foresee. Moreover, no one really has any idea how to stop it!! This could go on for months!!

I have been watching the newscasts showing the spill and the horrible effects it is having on the birds, on the other animals, and even on the insects, as I imagine we all have done, but I want to know what are your thoughts on what will be the long term costs to our environment and our wildlife. Personally, I do not see the environment rebounding in the time I have left on this earth or even in the time of a child born just today. What do the rest of you think? Does anyone think this will be brought under control anytime soon? Is anyone still in favour of allowing more drilling in our waters?

[jwconnie]

I share your anguish as I read your well written comments. I could not have said it better. I know the damage is horrible and far reaching. I also believe it can and may happen again. It is practically impossible to change the way business and government function. I have no confidence in them.
My solace lies in the fact that Jehovah sees how man is ruining the earth and He will repair the damage. Rev 11:18 and 21:1-4.

[Kiwi]

Sandpiper, I agree. I'm also numb. I don't see a solution until the relief wells are in operation.....few months from now; they are predicting August but good grief, we've been fed lies from the onset.

Political correctness aside, I don't understand why it took this long to get the clean-up efforts in action. I'm sick of politics.

If the hurricane season is brutal, our entire gulf region coastlines will be destroyed as oil is carried inland.

And the brown pelicans - just making a rebound and now this? And it doesn't help that many birds are nesting right now.

I read a week or two ago that actor Kevin Costner had purchased these huge separating machines from the government back in 1995 for $24 million (he was upset after the Exxon Valdez disaster back in '89). Kevin's brother is a scientist.

Supposedly, these separating machines work like giant vacuums in sucking and separating the oil from the water; the oil goes into a storage tank while the water is returned 99.9% purified. The last I read, BP is going to allow the machines a go at cleaning up the spill (but as we know, it's going to take decades for the area to recover, even if it were possible to collect all the oil).

Here is hoping for a miracle. Man is destroying God's most magnificent creation.

Kiwi

[Sandpiper]

Sadly today, Memorial Day, marks forty-two days since the exploded oil well began spewing oil into the gulf. The last I read, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that moderate southerly and southwesterly winds this week may start moving oil closer to the Mississippi Delta. They foresee very real damage also occuring in Alabama, Cuba, and Mexico, and of course, if Mexico is damaged, Texas will be damaged, too, and we are facing this possibility now before any big storms have come in from the oceans. I cannot even imagine what things would look like if another Katrina hit the Gulf now.

I am very sad to say so, but it has occurred to me, and probably to a lot of other folks as well, that this may continue to the end of the year or beyond! Does anyone know how much oil is supposed to be underneath that well? This spill could end up being like those fires that rage on for literally years....

One thing I do not quite understand is why the U.S. is not accepting help with this problem from all countries who really could help. We share the same planet, and ulitimately, this hurts everyone on the planet. The only reason I have been able to think of as to why we are not accepting help from all who have offered it is national security. Has anyone else heard any reasons why we have turned down help from other countries?