Gulf Oil Slick

[AtLast]

Ummm... if my facts are correct... I remember President Obama receiving the bodies of fallen soldiers at about 4 am early in his term. I believe (if I am wrong, do tell me), that this was the first time the bodies of the fallen were greeted by a US President upon arriving home since the start of both the Iraq & Afghanistan Wars.

During both Bush admins (maybe Clinton, as well), this did not occur.

Yes, facts.... seems we in the US have no use for them any longer. Personally, I am sick of what so called news reporting has become. It isn't!

I did a personal experiment last week because I realized my BP is not as good as I need it to be (even on medication, loosing weight, eating well, etc). The economic tide of the Great recession is taking its toll on me (and everyone). So, in an attempt to be more in touch with what shoots my BP up, I started taking it pre and post watching my usual news programs. I actually watch several different ones.

Yup, my BP soared post watching! And it didn't matter what show I watched... Rachael or Anderson, Keith, or Chris or Ed. I sometimes take a look at faux news programs so I can get a feel for all the fact reporting.. not much difference in how high my BP rose compared to the other programs!

I am cutting down on all news programming! No matter what I watch, there are discrepancies with facts. The only programs that seems to agree with my BP is the News Hour, Democracy Now, NPR and BBC coverage as well.

Guess I need to stay away from talking point types...

[Jet]

I could cry

Several photos are released on Yahoo today

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Animal...788f972a9e2e99

[MsDemeanor]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

Ummm... if my facts are correct... I remember President Obama receiving the bodies of fallen soldiers at about 4 am early in his term. I believe (if I am wrong, do tell me), that this was the first time the bodies of the fallen were greeted by a US President upon arriving home since the start of both the Iraq & Afghanistan Wars.

Yep, that's what happened. There is an official 'ceremony' (not the right word, but it's too early for the dictionary side of my brain to work) for each casket - part on the plane and part once on the tarmac. Though the cameras were there for only one or two of these, Obama stayed all night.

Also, until Obama, no cameras had been allowed since 1991:

President George H.W. Bush's administration imposed the ban on media coverage of the arrival of fallen troops' remains at Dover Air Force Base during the Gulf War in February 1991. It came about after a controversy arose when Bush held a news conference at the same moment the first U.S. casualties were returning to Dover the day after the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989, and three television networks carried the events live on split screen, with Bush appearing at one point to joke while on the opposite screen the solemn ceremony unfolded at the Delaware base.

Both Republican and Democratic administrations have upheld the Dover ban, but both have also made notable exceptions, which some observers view as politically expedient. For example, under President Bill Clinton in October 2000, the Pentagon distributed photographs of coffins arriving at Dover bearing the remains of military personnel killed in the bombing of the USS Cole.

linkyloo

[Diavolo]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

I am cutting down on all news programming! No matter what I watch, there are discrepancies with facts. The only programs that seems to agree with my BP is the News Hour, Democracy Now, NPR and BBC coverage as well.

Guess I need to stay away from talking point types...

I turned off my cable about four months ago. I search out my news online and listen to NPR when I'm driving. (I drive a lot for work) I'm happier and better informed.

[Linus]

Interesting graphic that suggests possible outlook of the flow if it continues for an extended period (until relief wells are built)

[chefhottie25]

I am a chef...and with the fishing industry on hold, it has been impossible to get any seafood from the gulf. I also saw on the news tonight that BP just spent 5 million dollars to make a commericial apologizing for the disaster. That money could have been spent on the rescue of wildlife, or the effort to stop the leak. I can't believe this happening.

[Glenn]

Originally Posted by chefhottie25

I am a chef...and with the fishing industry on hold, it has been impossible to get any seafood from the gulf. I also saw on the news tonight that BP just spent 5 million dollars to make a commericial apologizing for the disaster. That money could have been spent on the rescue of wildlife, or the effort to stop the leak. I can't believe this happening.

Goldman Sachs somehow knew the fish would be gone. They sold 250 million of BP stock before the spill, which was 46 per cent of their holdings. RawStory.com

[MsDemeanor]

Originally Posted by popcorninthesofa

Goldman Sachs somehow knew the fish would be gone. They sold 250 million of BP stock before the spill, which was 46 per cent of their holdings. RawStory.com

This looks more like a case of the internet focusing on one number, sans context, and turning it viral. on 3/31/10, 5 institutions and one fund linkyloo each sold over 1M shares of BP. This was the day that Obama announced opening coastal waters to offshore drilling linkyloo , and the day after BP let $500M in contracts as part of it's new plan to drill in Iraqi oil fields linkyloo. Trading volumes were fairly normal that day, and the stock price was on an upswing.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc? Get all the facts, then decide.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Linus

Interesting graphic that suggests possible outlook of the flow if it continues for an extended period (until relief wells are built)

This is not just going to effect the US. This oil and the toxic chemicals used by BP will be inour food chain .... globally. The oil will be damaging eco sytems worldwide.

oil drilling and exploration as well as its use is a global issue. We have to start realizing this and work together globally in dealing with these matters.

Seriousness about cutting the need for oil in our lives starts on a personal level. Implementing some really simple changes by many makes a difference. However, what about the monied elite? The belief that being able to buy whatever you want no matter what it does in terms of environmental issues and energy-use just because you have the bucks is a big part of the equation.

I have been going nuts trying to figure out what to do with my beloved T-Bird. Yes, I admit, I love big, fast, Detroit engines. I know they must go, but, it hurts. But, this is not a good thing. I have less than 8000 miles on this car (bought it in 2003 and these have stopped being built). I don't drive it much. I have thought about selling it. Then, I realize that most likely someone who buys it will have it on the road more. I had wanted to give it to my niece eventually, but the same applies. I did some research with collectors (only ones that do not drive their cars and have public show rooms for car enthusiasts. And found out that I might be able to do an upon my death contract, in which a collector will buy it, and put it in their collection and give the money for the car to this niece. Just have to get the details worked out. Worth a try.

Originally Posted by chefhottie25

I am a chef...and with the fishing industry on hold, it has been impossible to get any seafood from the gulf. I also saw on the news tonight that BP just spent 5 million dollars to make a commericial apologizing for the disaster. That money could have been spent on the rescue of wildlife, or the effort to stop the leak. I can't believe this happening.

I know, this pissed me off! Rescue efforts or how about cutting some checks to the people that are loosing their livlihood- as in the fishing and resturant businesses? Probably best for efforts to save the critters. There are several organizations trying to clean as many birds as possible in the Gulf.

[Rockinonahigh]

I drive a big o caddi and im not givein it up.One reason is I always wanted one..now I got it.Two its easy on my back to ride in..besides I dont go all that far in it and its in perfect shape.Im glad I dont still have the old gas guzler of an suv I had,it knew where all the gas pumps in town were.In reality I havent found smaller more effecent cars comfy at all..anyway its paid for.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

I drive a big o caddi and im not givein it up.One reason is I always wanted one..now I got it.Two its easy on my back to ride in..besides I dont go all that far in it and its in perfect shape.Im glad I dont still have the old gas guzler of an suv I had,it knew where all the gas pumps in town were.In reality I havent found smaller more effecent cars comfy at all..anyway its paid for.

It's OK, Rockin. I hear ya about comfort. Cars that are kept tuned make a big difference. Have had multiple back surgeries and a couple of kinds of arthritis, plus, I'm old. And as you say, how much we drive a vehicle matters. Also, commuting. Public transporatation, car pools, van-pools all help with folks that have to go a long distance for work. But, we have dropped tghe b all in the US about transportation infrastructure all over the place. I use public transportation here because it is actually easier, saves time and is less expensive. In some places, that just isn't so which needs to change.
Also I get some more walking in taking BART trains into SF and stolling to my destinations. I'm retired, however and this system is nearby. Then, again,
more fuel efficient transportation systems need to be utilized, too. And I have to say, I want these systems using US manufactured vehicle materials. the losses of manufacturing in the US makes me sick.

The car thing, can get into class differences, too. Some of these new hybrids cost mega bucks. Far more than the average person can afford. Look at average income levels and add all the other costs we have to put out and a lot of people are just not going to plunk down (or finance) $25000 and up for a car.

And I know that larger kinds of vehicles are needed let's say in the farming industry, etc. But, the technology to have even large commercial vehicles more fuel efficient has been around for awhile, but not utilized. Hummm... think oil companies have had a hand in this? There are hybrid SUVs now. And some people are just not OK with small cars due to safety concerns.