Storms on the Horizon

Today's thunderstorms kept me from aiding in anyway whatsoever. I knew i wasn't the only one, so I tried to make the best of it. Caught up on the latest news and even found time to read at a nearby cafe for a few hours. I made new friends, drank free wine, and watched the rain drip from the numerous rusty awnings that span the neighborhood as tourists scurried and taxis honked. It was a nice break and for once my brain was not consumed with thoughts of oil, a dying ecosystem, and a lying corporation.

Of course that would change when the news came on after the Preakness finished. BP's latest attempt to plug the spill ran into problems. The newest brainstorm is to stick a smaller pipe into the larger busted pipe and attempt to siphon the majority of oil out. It didn't work out today, but all is not lost yet and they will try again tomorrow. Hopefully BP succeeds in their attempt at underwater intercourse and the blown pipe becomes the first member of the Mile Under Club. But today's failure doesn't bode well. And even if they do plug it, it has become crystal clear that this spill is far worse than anyone could have imagined.

This article from the New York Times should bring even violent criminals to the verge of tears, not just from the news concerning massive underwater oil plumes, but BP's response to scientists requesting physical access to test how much oil is actually dumping into the Gulf. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/us/16oil.html?hp What is going on is pure insanity.

It's quite clear now that BP has tried to downplay this from day 1, when in fact it should have been all hands on deck from the start. The crazy thing to me is that their "image" is already DONE. Why continue to lie? Their only real option to save face was to be honest about this from the start, ask for help, ask for forgiveness and make it a national priority. And failing that, be honest NOW!! But they continue to hide much of what they know as if it will just all go away and no one will notice. I guarantee in the next week we will find out just how much they hid from us.

Storms are in the forecast for tomorrow as well, so i will be packing my bags and heading back north. But the adventure is likely far from over. I received a call from US Fish and Wildlife concerning my experience with HAZMAT. Finally. The irony the call came as the world has learned that more oil is spilling than previously thought and that huge oil plumes have been spotted underwater has not been lost on me. As early as May 26 i could be deployed anywhere between Texas and Florida to work more directly in the clean-up efforts. But for now i will return home, rest and recharge.... after a few last drinks on Bourbon Street of course.