The Oil Spill

I know I haven't been paying close attention this last month or so, and I looked, where is the oil spill thread? It's not possible that something this big would go by without a rip snorting knock down dragout thread.

Maybe I missed it and it's already been closed. There have to be enough people here from the gulf states alone to make it an epic thread.

 

Bear,my kids live in Louisiana,and i will be down there to see the devastation first hand the third week of June....not looking forward to it....TRAGGIC!!!

 

:doh: I spilled some slick fiddy in my driveway over the weekend, don't tell anyone.

 

This is a tragedy of epic proportions. Wildlife, marine life, (un)employment (fisherman, etc.) you name it.

We're officially in hurricane season as of June 1, and its predicted to be a very active season due to the warmer than normal water temps. If a hurricane comes along and picks up that surface water and drops it all over land, I could see this being one of the most devastating losses in US History.

Since the time of the Exxon Valdez, I put them on my personal boycott list and probably have not spent more than $50 in the last 20 years. BP has officially made my personal list too. I can't support a company that makes a $12B profit in a one quarter, then refuses to spend every last dollar to try and stop this mess.

 

If you feel that BP bears part--or all--the blame, then boycott their products, CASTROL oil, for example. I've switched oil brands because i just won't buy any BP.

 

I do feel that BP bears a huge roll in this - if we can believe what the media tells us.

I realize that my own little boycott of the "gas station" product does little to nothing. I also know that BP (presumably) has petroleum products that are used in anything from the glue on a "post it" note to fishing poles. I can probably think of more reasons not to boycott them, but I have to go with my gut on this one. I can't willingly support a company that has done little to fix this, and has already filed for protection in the courts to try and limit their liability.

 

What else are they part of? I sure as hell will boycott everything they have their hands into.

 

We all use oil products in general.So if we were not so dependent on them there would be no spill because there would be no oil rig to have one in the middle of the ocean.To say that BP is fully to blame is stupid.....

 

See link.

BP - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You can find a list of their products about half way down: Gas, Castrol, Convenience Stores, etc.

 

1st of all I never said they were fully to blame. But what I will say is I will boycott their products because I believe that they should have done much more in containment of the spill before it got to the shores. Could they have stopped it all? No, but some effort may have made some difference.

The entire world is dependent on oil products, that will never change.

You are entitled to your opinion, as I am mine.

 

Thank You Pliskin

 

I say we boycott the U. S. Gubment. They're the a-holes who require drilling in 5,000' of water, while every other country in and around the gulf drills in shallow water. I have to believe it would be a hell of a lot easier to cap a well in 100-200' of water as opposed to 5,000' of water.

 

^^^ You know it.

Most of the other countries also require a second drilling point next to the initial one. For exactly the reason that we have - something breaks on the main line, you switch it.

 

You cant jsut boycott BP, you have to boycott all big oil. They all share crude, refineries, product, etc. Demand is the driving force for drilling in deeper water b/c the shallow tapping points will run out. At this current rate of fossil fuel consumption, science and engr cannot develop quickly enough the clean alternatives that would greatly diminish the former. As a whole, starting on this motorcycle forum, we're not willing to give up our VFRs, nor is the rest of the world willing to go back to horse drawn carriages and working the farms by hand - just ain't going to happen, beaudreax~

You can boycott BP all you want but when that reserve light is blinking and the only station in site says "beyond petroleum", you know what you're going to do.

Drill baby drill is a reality and an unfortunate necessity.

 

Yes it would be Knife and I agree. The depth limit for a commercial diver is 1000' feet. So of course this is way below our reach. If this tragedy had happened at a much shallower depth this thing would have been killed within 2 days. I too do beleive BP is dragging their feet and trying to control an out of control situation. Most of the oil rigs are west of the Mississippi River so the effect to them is small in comparison to the problems that Al, Ms, and Fla are and will be having . (Im not saying that La. doesnt have the same problem Im just saying that the current and wind/waves will carry most of the slick to those states). I have been lucky so far and not seen the slick but from what I understand their is oil in the area of the home port of the boat Im on. (Fourchon 50 miles west of New Orleans). I am/ my company has contracts and work south and west of Lake Charles (150 miles west of New Orleans). This is a disaster of epic proportions and not only effects Marine and Wildlife but also economic and human health and safety. This is something that we would love to wish away but this is going to effect the people and enviroment of the Gulf States for a very, very long time. F*&k BP. They are a joke and so is the handleing of this tragedy. Someone from BP needs to see the inside of a prison.

 

Hey Tox. Look me up when you come down. First beers are on me.

 

As an aviation guy, this accident reminds me of an airline accident. so rare, but huge casualties and repercussions. BP is only one of many different companies drilling offshore and for the most part, they are successful (just my view)

 

Boycotting BP will do something. It will give a bad perception of BP to Wall Street and their stock will go down, as it's doing now. Which means shareholders are leaving and taking their money. Which hurts BP big time. Hopefully not enough to go bankrupt.

As far as the government regulators, they knew in 2000 what the worst case scenario was. This was a plan for Shell oil by the Interior Department's Mineral Management Service, the regulatory agency. Over the last decade the government had the attitude of drill baby drill without over site. In 2001 GWB passed an executive order May 18th for more deep water drilling. There are hundreds of deep water drill rigs out in the Gulf. Bp cheapened the safety pieces parts/procedures to save money. So yes they are the lone responsibility that caused the spill. The government is responsible for relaxing the regulations.

The government now is responsible for not acting soon enough or big enough to keep the oil from our coast line. I think they don't have a clue. Gee where is the big EPA at? I haven't followed this closely so I don't really know what all the government is trying to do now. Is the Navy involved? If not, why not??

Can we say "cluster fuck" all around?