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Crudely speaking, it'll pale in comparison.
Author: Raine
Date: 04/29/2010 12:55:59
Yesterday, it was revealed that in order to protect fragile wetlands on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the United States Coast Guard began a 'controlled' burn of the leaking oil from a BP owned oil rig that has sunk to the bottom of the Gulf. We have been told that it is leaking 5,000 barrels a day, not the original 1,000 a day that was originally estimated by Deepwater Horizons (the operator of the rig) and BP. Even more unsettling is the appearance of a third leak.
In 1989 the Exxon Valdez spilled 10.8 million gallons. At 42 gallons per barrel that comes to approximately 250,000 barrels of oil. 5,000 barrels a day would take 50 days. The rig off the coast still spewing crude in the gulf has either been burning or leaking for 7 days. What does that mean? In 43 days, if not stopped, it will have spilled as much oil as the ship that destroyed Prince William sound. Doesn't seem likely, but it is. The oil may reach land much earlier than expected according to Coast Guard sources. They are deeply concerned that Friday the oil will make landfall.
So am I. The BBC is reporting: Governor Bobby Jindal has request federal aid to assist the residents of Louisiana, and I am sure other gulf states will follow.
There are already investigation as to what happened to cause this off-shore oil rig to explode. Officials are investigating why this happened in the first place. It should not have failed, and even worse, in my opinion, BP should have been prepared for a disaster of this magnitude-- but they aren't.
I'm angry at BP for lack of preparedness. It's infuriating that they are already arguing with the Coast Guard over the number of barrels that are spilling directly in the Gulf. Fortunately, we have the National Guard ready to do what it takes to get this undercontrol, but time is running out. Drilling an auxiliary well will take 2 months. Just to put this all in perspective take a look at these charts:
Who is going to pay for all of this, I wonder? The mammals, fish, shellfish, plants and birds - the entire ecosystem - are already paying for this. The economic costs both short and long term will be huge. Is it all worth the risk of expanding offshore drilling?
The likelihood that this will make the Exxon Valdez disaster look small is a reality. It's already too late it seems. So go ahead, drill baby drill, then spill here, spill now. If only the ecosystems had a choice about offshore drilling.
I'll let you get back to your regularly scheduled MSM produced outrage now: All Teabaggers and Immigrants, all the time.
and 
Raine
In 1989 the Exxon Valdez spilled 10.8 million gallons. At 42 gallons per barrel that comes to approximately 250,000 barrels of oil. 5,000 barrels a day would take 50 days. The rig off the coast still spewing crude in the gulf has either been burning or leaking for 7 days. What does that mean? In 43 days, if not stopped, it will have spilled as much oil as the ship that destroyed Prince William sound. Doesn't seem likely, but it is. The oil may reach land much earlier than expected according to Coast Guard sources. They are deeply concerned that Friday the oil will make landfall.
So am I. The BBC is reporting:
The "controlled burn" of surface oil took place in an area about 30 miles (50km) east of the Mississippi river delta, officials said.
But Mike Miller warned that burning off leaking oil was not a long-term solution at all.
"The object of this game is to shut off the flow," he said.
Engineers are believed to be working on a dome-like device to cover oil rising to the surface and pump it to container vessels but it may be weeks before this is in place.
There are already investigation as to what happened to cause this off-shore oil rig to explode. Officials are investigating why this happened in the first place.
Tony Hayward, BP chief executive officer, said learning why the blowout preventer didn't activate was a key question in the investigation.
"This is the fail-safe mechanism that clearly has failed," Hayward told the Journal.
Speaking Thursday on NBC's "Today" show, an executive for BP PLC, which operated the oil rig that exploded and sank last week, said the company would welcome help from the U.S. military.
'
"We'll take help from anyone," BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles said.
I'm angry at BP for lack of preparedness. It's infuriating that they are already arguing with the Coast Guard over the number of barrels that are spilling directly in the Gulf. Fortunately, we have the National Guard ready to do what it takes to get this undercontrol, but time is running out. Drilling an auxiliary well will take 2 months. Just to put this all in perspective take a look at these charts:
Who is going to pay for all of this, I wonder? The mammals, fish, shellfish, plants and birds - the entire ecosystem - are already paying for this. The economic costs both short and long term will be huge. Is it all worth the risk of expanding offshore drilling?
The likelihood that this will make the Exxon Valdez disaster look small is a reality. It's already too late it seems. So go ahead, drill baby drill, then spill here, spill now. If only the ecosystems had a choice about offshore drilling.
I'll let you get back to your regularly scheduled MSM produced outrage now: All Teabaggers and Immigrants, all the time.
and Raine
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 04/29/2010 13:09:56
wickedpam on 04/29/2010 13:09:56
Morning 
Blogging from home - new fence is being put in today - yeah!
Blogging from home - new fence is being put in today - yeah!
Comment by 
BobR on 04/29/2010 13:13:58
BobR on 04/29/2010 13:13:58
spill, baby, spill
ain't THAT the truth...
ain't THAT the truth...
Comment by 
Raine on 04/29/2010 13:53:00
Raine on 04/29/2010 13:53:00
Seriously? This caller is blaming ALAN GRAYSON for passing health care? WTF?
Comment by 
TriSec on 04/29/2010 13:59:26
Ah, but you forgot about the NIMBYs and Cape Wind!
Not to point at the natives, but the Wampanoag are leading the anti-wind fight...ready for this one?
The proposed site, Horsheshoe Shoal, may have been dry land at one time. (We're talking pre-ice age.) The Wampanoags argue that there may be undiscovered sacred burial sites on what was once dry land, so they don't want anything built there.
No, really.
It's been a long time since there was a significant oil spill in the New England area...but the old-timers will remember the Argo Merchant.
Something Raine posted last night (you could look it up.) I'd put these yahoos in the same category as the "Shhhhair" people who moved to Lexington and were STUNNED to find a working airport in the next town.
I wish to hell the President would transfer a tactical fighter wing there; that would shut them the hell up right quick, wouldn't it? Same thing; Cape Wind should say "OK, we give up. We hereby invite BP to set up oil rigs to see what they can find."
Gah!
TriSec on 04/29/2010 13:59:26
I'll let you get back to your regularly scheduled MSM produced outrage now: All Teabaggers and Immigrants, all the time.
Ah, but you forgot about the NIMBYs and Cape Wind!
Not to point at the natives, but the Wampanoag are leading the anti-wind fight...ready for this one?
The proposed site, Horsheshoe Shoal, may have been dry land at one time. (We're talking pre-ice age.) The Wampanoags argue that there may be undiscovered sacred burial sites on what was once dry land, so they don't want anything built there.
No, really.
It's been a long time since there was a significant oil spill in the New England area...but the old-timers will remember the Argo Merchant.
Something Raine posted last night (you could look it up.) I'd put these yahoos in the same category as the "Shhhhair" people who moved to Lexington and were STUNNED to find a working airport in the next town.
I wish to hell the President would transfer a tactical fighter wing there; that would shut them the hell up right quick, wouldn't it? Same thing; Cape Wind should say "OK, we give up. We hereby invite BP to set up oil rigs to see what they can find."
Gah!
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2010 14:54:41
Raine on 04/29/2010 14:54:41
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 04/29/2010 15:10:00
Will in Chicago on 04/29/2010 15:10:00
Good morning, bloggers!! Thank you, Raine, for an excellent blog today. I fear that the people of the Gulf Coast are going ot be devastated by a disaster again -- only this time it is oil.
I think it is time to start doing more in terms of alternative energy. We can produce the equipment and create jobs here.
As for myself, this is a rare day that I am not in a classroom. So, I will check in frequently.
I think it is time to start doing more in terms of alternative energy. We can produce the equipment and create jobs here.
As for myself, this is a rare day that I am not in a classroom. So, I will check in frequently.
Comment by TriSec on 04/29/2010 15:10:31
TriSec on 04/29/2010 15:10:31
Say now, idle thought about Arizona....
Suppose a well-to-do couple from Mexico decides to visit Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
On the way up the lonely road to Tusayan, they're pulled over by a state trooper.
Of Course they won't have citizenship papers; they're foreign nationals. What's going to happen to them?
"Sorry for the trouble, enjoy your visit" is something I just don't see coming out of the trooper's mouth.
Suppose a well-to-do couple from Mexico decides to visit Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
On the way up the lonely road to Tusayan, they're pulled over by a state trooper.
Of Course they won't have citizenship papers; they're foreign nationals. What's going to happen to them?
"Sorry for the trouble, enjoy your visit" is something I just don't see coming out of the trooper's mouth.
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2010 15:19:34
Raine on 04/29/2010 15:19:34
Comment by Will in Chicago on 04/29/2010 15:20:00
Well, TriSec, it can get worse. I was talking to Jeff Farias on his show and the subject of spring training came up. Some ball players may not speak English well, so imagine what would happen if someone at one of the camps is picked up in Arizona. Or some of the tourists.
Arizona is going to face a lot of trouble over this law.
Will in Chicago on 04/29/2010 15:20:00
Quote by TriSec:
Say now, idle thought about Arizona....
Suppose a well-to-do couple from Mexico decides to visit Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
On the way up the lonely road to Tusayan, they're pulled over by a state trooper.
Of Course they won't have citizenship papers; they're foreign nationals. What's going to happen to them?
"Sorry for the trouble, enjoy your visit" is something I just don't see coming out of the trooper's mouth.
Well, TriSec, it can get worse. I was talking to Jeff Farias on his show and the subject of spring training came up. Some ball players may not speak English well, so imagine what would happen if someone at one of the camps is picked up in Arizona. Or some of the tourists.
Arizona is going to face a lot of trouble over this law.
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2010 15:20:54
Hope the weather is treating you well, Will.
And even better -- glad to hear that it is rare. That is very good news.
Raine on 04/29/2010 15:20:54
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!! Thank you, Raine, for an excellent blog today. I fear that the people of the Gulf Coast are going ot be devastated by a disaster again -- only this time it is oil.
I think it is time to start doing more in terms of alternative energy. We can produce the equipment and create jobs here.
As for myself, this is a rare day that I am not in a classroom. So, I will check in frequently.
And even better -- glad to hear that it is rare. That is very good news.
Comment by BobR on 04/29/2010 15:22:17
I remember commuting home one day about 10 years ago and waiting on the exit ramp for the light to change. A trooper had pulled over a beat up old truck with about 4-5 obviously hispanic (and likely "undocumented") men in it. I overheard them tell the officer they were in town "on vacation".
I've been to many countries on vacation (and on business) and I've always left my passport in the hotel room safe for safekeeping. I guess vacationers in AZ will need to take theirs with them so they can show the stamp they got when entering the country legally.
That is - if they even bother stamping passports at the US/Mexico border.
BobR on 04/29/2010 15:22:17
Quote by TriSec:
Say now, idle thought about Arizona....
Suppose a well-to-do couple from Mexico decides to visit Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
On the way up the lonely road to Tusayan, they're pulled over by a state trooper.
Of Course they won't have citizenship papers; they're foreign nationals. What's going to happen to them?
"Sorry for the trouble, enjoy your visit" is something I just don't see coming out of the trooper's mouth.
I remember commuting home one day about 10 years ago and waiting on the exit ramp for the light to change. A trooper had pulled over a beat up old truck with about 4-5 obviously hispanic (and likely "undocumented") men in it. I overheard them tell the officer they were in town "on vacation".
I've been to many countries on vacation (and on business) and I've always left my passport in the hotel room safe for safekeeping. I guess vacationers in AZ will need to take theirs with them so they can show the stamp they got when entering the country legally.
That is - if they even bother stamping passports at the US/Mexico border.
Comment by TriSec on 04/29/2010 15:34:25
Count me in on that list....I doubt a marquee star like Manny or Big Papi would have any problems, but how many dozens of Latino players labor on in relative obscurity, completely unknown outside their home markets?
This will turn into a huge embarassment for not only Arizona, but probably MLB as well. Much has been made about the NFL pulling a superbowl back during the MLK boycott....I would hope MLB does the same with the All-Star game next year if this is still going on.
TriSec on 04/29/2010 15:34:25
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Well, TriSec, it can get worse. I was talking to Jeff Farias on his show and the subject of spring training came up. Some ball players may not speak English well, so imagine what would happen if someone at one of the camps is picked up in Arizona. Or some of the tourists.
Arizona is going to face a lot of trouble over this law.
Count me in on that list....I doubt a marquee star like Manny or Big Papi would have any problems, but how many dozens of Latino players labor on in relative obscurity, completely unknown outside their home markets?
This will turn into a huge embarassment for not only Arizona, but probably MLB as well. Much has been made about the NFL pulling a superbowl back during the MLK boycott....I would hope MLB does the same with the All-Star game next year if this is still going on.
Comment by 
livingonli on 04/29/2010 15:35:04
livingonli on 04/29/2010 15:35:04
Hello everyone.
And will the righties continue to push Drill, Baby, Drill if more of these disasters happen?
And will the righties continue to push Drill, Baby, Drill if more of these disasters happen?
Comment by Will in Chicago on 04/29/2010 15:41:32
Will in Chicago on 04/29/2010 15:41:32
Raine, I am working a lot. I am also following up on a lot of leads for full time work, in and out of teaching. (I am applying to federal jobs locally, as I can't relocate now. However, if I do end up working for the Feds, I will try to check out the DC area as soon as I can.)
The weather has been a little cool, but is warming up. I am a bit amused that I am still adapted to the Midwest after living in Arizona for a year.
Later, if I have time, I have to add a profile to Facebook. (Do you advise making it only visible to friends?)
The weather has been a little cool, but is warming up. I am a bit amused that I am still adapted to the Midwest after living in Arizona for a year.
Later, if I have time, I have to add a profile to Facebook. (Do you advise making it only visible to friends?)
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2010 16:18:38
Raine on 04/29/2010 16:18:38
Say now -- remember this from WAY back in November?
BP Faces Record Fine for ’05 Refinery Explosion
The same BP that manages this oil rig---
BP Faces Record Fine for ’05 Refinery Explosion
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the largest fine in its history on Friday, $87 million in penalties against the oil giant BP for failing to correct safety problems identified after a 2005 explosion that killed 15 workers at its Texas City, Tex. refinery.
The fine is more than four times the size of any previous OSHA sanction.
Federal officials said the penalty was the result of BP’s failure to comply in hundreds of instances with a 2005 agreement to fix safety hazards at the refinery, the nation’s third-largest.
According to documents obtained by The New York Times, OSHA issued 271 notifications to BP for failing to correct hazards at the Texas City refinery over the four-year period since the explosion. As a result, OSHA, which is part of the Labor Department, is issuing fines of $56.7 million. In addition, OSHA also identified 439 “willful and egregious” violations of industry-accepted safety controls at the refinery. Those violations will lead to $30.7 million in additional fines.
Contacted Thursday night after federal officials disclosed the OSHA citations to The New York Times, BP said it was disappointed.
“We continue to believe we are in full compliance with the settlement agreement, and we look forward to demonstrating that before the review commission” which has the power to modify OSHA penalties, BP said in a statement.
The same BP that manages this oil rig---
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2010 16:19:29
Yes. Make it as private as you can.
Raine on 04/29/2010 16:19:29
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Raine, I am working a lot. I am also following up on a lot of leads for full time work, in and out of teaching. (I am applying to federal jobs locally, as I can't relocate now. However, if I do end up working for the Feds, I will try to check out the DC area as soon as I can.)
The weather has been a little cool, but is warming up. I am a bit amused that I am still adapted to the Midwest after living in Arizona for a year.
Later, if I have time, I have to add a profile to Facebook. (Do you advise making it only visible to friends?)
Comment by TriSec on 04/29/2010 16:41:30
TriSec on 04/29/2010 16:41:30
One for Raine...
Local reaction to Cape Wind
Pssst....I also posted that in the forum. Remember that? Go on, click the big "Forum" button up top....
Local reaction to Cape Wind
Pssst....I also posted that in the forum. Remember that? Go on, click the big "Forum" button up top....
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2010 17:10:01
Raine on 04/29/2010 17:10:01
Ugh-- Sorry Thom -*click* I cannot stand to listen to this knuckledragger.
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2010 17:16:53
WHy is this for me tri?
ANd I know I should go to the forum. I got pretty tired of every damn thread being about guns, last year. REALLY tired.
Raine on 04/29/2010 17:16:53
Quote by TriSec:
One for Raine...
Local reaction to Cape Wind
Pssst....I also posted that in the forum. Remember that? Go on, click the big "Forum" button up top....
ANd I know I should go to the forum. I got pretty tired of every damn thread being about guns, last year. REALLY tired.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 04/29/2010 17:19:49
Will in Chicago on 04/29/2010 17:19:49
Here is an article that Sensischolar posted at UNN:
Populism vs. WASPulism
By Bob Moser
“Populism” is surely the most abused noun in the English language these days. If you’re a white, well-educated sort who detests government and worships the mystical powers of free markets, you’re a populist. If you’re protesting health-care reform and Photoshopping toothbrush mustaches onto images of President Obama, you’re a populist. If you’re Gov. Rick Perry, rhetorically bashing government while using it to enrich the rich, you’re a populist. If you’re Perry’s political paramour Sarah Palin, declaring at the National Tea Party Convention that “We got into this mess because of government interference in the first place,” you’re not merely a populist; according to that paragon of the establishment media, David Broder, you’re espousing “pitch-perfect populism.”
Except that you’re not. You’re doing exactly the opposite.
If anybody ought to understand this, it’s Texans. Populism—the real kind—was born here, after all, when the Farmers Alliance movement was formed in Lampasas in 1877. The Alliance helped spawn the People’s Party, which had a brief but heady national run in the 1890s and dreamed up damn near every significant progressive reform of the 20th century.
Populism was—still is—all about making government a force for economic justice. It’s about class warfare, straight-up and unapologetic. It’s the sworn enemy of the right-wingers now claiming the name. As Peter Beinart wrote recently on The Daily Beast, “The Tea Partiers aren’t standing up for the little guy; they’re standing up to the little guy.”
Lord only knows what these folks would do if we had an actual populist in the White House. “We believe that the power of government—in other words, of the people—should be expanded,” declared the original 1892 platform of the People’s Party, “as rapidly and as far as the good sense of an intelligent people and the teachings of experience shall justify, to the end that oppression, injustice and poverty shall eventually cease in the land.”
Comment by Will in Chicago on 04/29/2010 17:21:40
Will in Chicago on 04/29/2010 17:21:40
Since the economy came up earlier, here are some thoughts on the bank reform efforts from Elizabeth Warren in a HuffPo interview:
Elizabeth Warren: GOP Reform Plan Is A Failure, Republicans Choosing Banks Over Families
Shahien Nasiripour
It's time for senators -- especially the Republicans -- to square their upcoming votes on financial reform with their long-professed desire to protect families, said consumer advocate and federal bailout watchdog Elizabeth Warren on Wednesday in an interview with the Huffington Post.
"Everyone in Washington claims to be on the side of families and to support reform," said Warren, a member of the 2010 TIME 100 list of the world's most influential people. "But the test is who votes to paper over problems with another regulatory system designed to fail and who votes for real Wall Street accountability even if it means that some donors will be disappointed.
"I'm tired of hearing politicians claim to support families and, at the same time, vote with the big banks on the most important financial reform package in generations. I'm deep-down tired of it."
Of all the proposals in the 1,400-page Senate bill attempting to reform Wall Street and protect American consumers, none is more contentious than the one calling for the creation of a consumer-focused agency dedicated to protecting borrowers from abusive lenders.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 04/29/2010 17:26:03
Scoopster on 04/29/2010 17:26:03
Mor......Afternoon all!
Ahhh nothing like the end of the month office sales rush!
Nurse, I'll take that caffeine IV now, and if you can spare 'em a few of those tasty Milano cookies.
Ahhh nothing like the end of the month office sales rush!
Nurse, I'll take that caffeine IV now, and if you can spare 'em a few of those tasty Milano cookies.
Comment by 
velveeta jones on 04/29/2010 18:09:56
Yee- Ikes!
velveeta jones on 04/29/2010 18:09:56
Yee- Ikes!
Comment by livingonli on 04/29/2010 22:13:21
livingonli on 04/29/2010 22:13:21
That's a novel that just went wrong.