Boycott BP: Drillingf for oil is risky business but BP should take full responsibility

Boycott BP: Drilling for oil is risky business but BP should take full responsibility

The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon which killed 11 people and has resulted in the biggest oil spill in US history should have taught us that drilling for oil is risky business. This is not child’s play, but a deadly game. The risks increase with off shore drilling operations; the deeper beneath the surface one drills, the greater are the perils as has been clearly demonstrated by the sinking of Deepwater
Horizon.

Indeed, the name Deepwater Horizon has now taken upon a whole other meaning, one that is ominous in nature rather than symbolic of exploring new horizons. Just like the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank upon its maiden voyage, the Deepwater Horizon has exploded, sank into the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and has now polluted the pristine gulf waters, threatening to destroy the lives of fishermen, those who depend upon the associated tourist industry, and to further destroy the beaches, wetlands and wildlife of the Gulf Coast ecosystem.

How should we respond to this ecological disaster? How should money granted to the various states by BP be used? What can we each do to lessen the hurt and harm done by this catastrophe? Should we just pout and blame Obama, trying to turn the BP oil spill into Obama’s Katrina? Or should we look for ways that we can each help those who have been hurt and harmed the most by this tragedy?

I suggest that after praying for the victims of the oil spill and their families, that we each try to help in whatever way we can. I personally think everyone should boycott BP, cut up their BP gas credit cards, and use alternative sources of
gas and energy where possible. This should include using the money granted to the various states to invest in clean, renewable sources of energy, like wind generated power and solar power. We should not waste this money on trying to advertise to get people to come to Mississippi at a time when oil threatens the gulf coast. Rather, we should invest that money wisely to promote small businesses in Mississippi which foster alternative sources of energy. Also the funds might be spent to support the rescue of wildlife, fisheries, and other projects that will help in the recovery of the hurt, harm and damage done by the oil spill to marine animals, birds and other wildlife.

Yes, drilling for oil a mile beneath the ocean’s surface is risky business, as is coal mining deep within the earth’s surface. There are great risks associated with any large operation such as building a damn to harness hydroelectric power or maintaining an electric power grid to supply power to homes and businesses everywhere. The fact that there is risk associated with any given utility provider or large industrial operation does not mean we should stop
developing our natural resources. But it does mean we should learn from our mistakes, value life as most precious, and not cut corners. It also means taking responsibility for our actions!

BP has indicated they wish to pass blame to others, to be responsible only for clean up, and not all other associated damages with respect to the megalithic oil spill. That is where I take issue with BP. I think BP should be held accountable for all damaged, for all hurt and harm associated with the oil spill. The $25-million dollar grants to various Gulf Coast states, though a large sum of money, does not even begin to compensate for the loss many people are suffering. The fishing industry and the tourist industry are billion dollar industries and it may take generations to recover from the BP oil spill. Thus $25-million dollars is a drop in the bucket, a mere bribe to politicians and the various states to move forward with fossil fuel power production rather than invest in clean,
renewable energy development. Why it was only days after receiving this grant that the Kemper County coal burning power plant, which had been put on hold given Mississippi Power agree to restrictions, was permitted! I smell a rat!

We should learn our lesson and stop giving in to the big oil and big utility companies! We need more restrictions, more safety, more responsibility, not less! Therefore I feel a boycott of BP is warranted. Plus every state effected by
the BP oil spill should seek the maximum amount of money they can from BP. Louisiana is already asking BP for some $325-million. Mississippi, Alabama and Florida should do the same. But I believe each state should be asking for at
least a billion dollars because it is going to take that much just to begin to recover from all the mess, goo and pollution this oil spill has already cost.

I would not put it past BP to change their name to something like “AmeriOil” after this mess, that they can try to disassociate themselves with the biggest oil spill in US history. After the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the oil tanker was renamed so that it would not be associated with that largest of oil spills. We should not let BP get away with the hurt, harm and injury they have done to people, to wildlife, and to the ecology by the massive oil spill which threatens to tarnish and darken what is a wonderful region, that jewel and treasure which is the Gulf Coast of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida! All who live or visit this great natural resource fall in love with the sea, the white sand beaches and the relaxed lifestyle. To think that that may all be lost by the irresponsibility of BP to accept ALL THE BLAME for this ecological disaster is simply NOT ACCEPTABLE!