The President and BP
It has now been 3 days since the president went on National television, and told us that he was in charge of the oil spill, and that BP would be held accountable. Judging by the chairmen of their board referring to the Gulf residents as the “small” people, and the deliberate attempt to not answer questions when the CEO of BP went before congress yesterday, I would say that nothing has changed at all.
It sounds good to say that BP will put 20 billion into a clean up fund, or set a side 100 million for people, who are laid off because of the oil spill, but it is over 4 years, and people need relief now. What people need is for the spill to be stopped, and now, not later.
Now, there is a new wrinkle in the mix. Scientists say that the natural gas leaking with the oil may permanently make parts of the Gulf of Mexico dead zones for marine life. Apparently, the gas has the affect of cutting off oxygen in the water, and that is what keeps fish and organisms alive. Even if we get up the oil, the harm the gas will do will inevitably be just as bad.
I am especially concerned, because the gas is colorless and odorless, and will not be taken as seriously because it can’t be seen by the naked eye. If there is enough of a gas build up, their could even be a wild fire on the surface of the water. How scary is that?
The government and BP both need to move faster and do more sooner. They need to work together, not blame one an other for the problem getting worse. They both need to listen to the people on the ground that have generations of experience understanding the gulf region and way of life. It’s not just about the amount of money or resources you claim to throw at the problem, it’s about solutions, and answers, today, not five years from now.
