From the Advocate:
Louisiana agencies are preparing for the worst from an oil slick steadily heading toward the state’s shoreline and marshlands.Yesterday, I wrote about the restaurant industry rebound in New Orleans after Katrina and the federal flood. A major disaster for the Louisiana coast looms with the approach of the oil slick. What about the oysters, shrimp, crabs, and fish in the coastal waters and marshlands? What about the birds and animals? What about those who make their livings from fishing and harvesting seafood?
Some experts estimate it could reach Pass a Loutre wildlife management area as early as Friday and Breton Sound on Saturday, Gov. Bobby Jindal said Wednesday.
“Just like we do in a hurricane, we are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,” Jindal said at an afternoon news conference.
Earlier in the day, Jindal said he had been briefed by the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and BP who are involved in the cleanup and containment of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
About 42,000 gallons of oil a day are leaking into the Gulf from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig which exploded April 20, burned and then sank two days later. Eleven workers are missing and presumed dead.
Jindal said federal and state officials are scrambling to do what they can to prevent the oil from reaching the state’s fishing and wildlife areas, but on Wednesday predictions had the oil headed toward the state.
“It’s still early and these tracks could change,” Jindal said. “We will know more tomorrow.”
Pass a Loutre and Breton Sound where the oil slick could hit are home to concentrations of wildlife, especially nesting birds, Jindal said.
We can point fingers at the oil companies and the oil supply companies. We can blame the federal and state governments for permitting offshore drilling. But, in the end, we must point to ourselves, and our greed for energy, and our failure to seriously address conservation and demand that our government do the same, and our failure to pressure our leaders to implement policies to find and subsidize the development of safer alternative sources of energy.
There isn't any oil drilling without the possibility of oil spills. The current slick menacing the coast is part of what Louisiana signed up for. As you point out, it's part of what we all signed up for.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we'll ever understand that our consumer economy is an awful lot like slavery days; both based on exploitation without paying the deadly consequences. We're not the masters of this earth. The mine collapses, the oil rig blows up and people die, so we can all "save big money" according to the teevee.
The same thought, that the buck stops with each of us, occurred to me while reading, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteHow awful though. Alas for the birds and other wildlife.
I guess all I can do is pray and try to cut down on the carbon footprint.
There isn't any oil drilling without the possibility of oil spills.
ReplyDeleteJosh, of course not. In addition to the risk of spills, Louisiana is disappearing into the Gulf of Mexico partly because of the pipline canals. The bulk of the oil and gas goes out of the state to supply power for the rest of the country. And yes. Louisiana signed on for all the drilling, but we're all in this together.
Cathy, I shudder to think of the living creatures that will be harmed or killed by the spill.
Dear Mimi, you've been much in my thoughts from the start of this slick's increase and migration.
ReplyDeleteThis morning I imagined God saying, "Look. I've given you sunlight and wind and water all as sources of energy; and there's a very good reason I buried all the other stuff you insist on using instead!"
God protect you and the land, and the sea!
Tobias,thanks.
ReplyDelete...there's a very good reason I buried all the other stuff you insist on using instead!
Too true!
Prayers for all who live in the path of this oil slick - birds, fish, and animals - and prayers that we might all wise up.
ReplyDeleteFor now: prayers, prayers, prayers. Politics later.
ReplyDeleteWV: Forginme.
Indeed.
my prayers continue too....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the prayers, my friends.
ReplyDeleteWhen I walked this evening, I smelled oil in the air.
Prayers for all creation affected by this, and for you, Mimi, amid this disaster accentuated by your great love for southern Louisiana, and during these days from the anniversary of Gayle's death to her birthday. A huge long-distance hug and a bouquet of virtual roses.
ReplyDeleteI am AN AMERICAN SHRIMPER>>>> This is just another way to make sure that you only eat God knows what that these importing countries have on the menu... I'VE been shrimping for 30 yrs.. YOU THINK that 500 gals a day has anything to do with the gobal supply... that wouldnt run a truck for 6 months.... but... it just GAVE the big people an excuse to run fuel prices back up to 5.00 a gal.. and to finaly get rid of the AMERICAN SHRIMPER ONCE AND FOR ALL>>>... Despite all my effforts I have Called and E-Mailed every gov Agency involved, offering my help with this mess... ALL PH# I CALLED WERE EITHER BUSY OR WOULD NOT Answer... TRIED FOR 10hrs... JOHN NORMAN. MISS GULF COAST SHRIMPER
ReplyDeletecorrection>>>>>>>> I ment 5000, gal a day even 10000 will not effect the global supply but it will put us out of buisness for years to come.. Don't get envolved, go ahead and eat that junk from china and vietnam that containes stuff known to cause cancer and is illegal in the US but they turn there heads and let us eat this crap anyway...
ReplyDeleteMegabubba, welcome. If it helps at all, we do not eat the imported shrimp. I always ask before I order if the shrimp are from Louisiana, and if they're not, I won't order the dish. We buy nothing but Louisiana shrimp for freezing. Our thought is to support the local shrimpers, but also we do not like the taste of the foreign imports.
ReplyDeleteI know that you are from Mississippi, and I hope that your local people, restaurants, and supermarkets support you.
I am involved, and there's not much skulduggery that I would put past the oil companies. I view them with a jaundiced eye.
The shrimpers and fisherman in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast have my deepest sympathy and compassion. I know that your very livelihoods are at stake here. Be assured of my continued support and prayers.
I've been watching this on T.V. with growing alarm. It seems to have been handled badly from start to finish.
ReplyDelete