How is this oil spill not a big deal?

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Will this affect the west coast of Florida?

Yes.

[LeeNetworX]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Will this affect the west coast of Florida?

I've seen several articles and news clips stating that it may very well affect the Keys, too.

[6doublefive321]

I'm not even sure where to start on this one.

Let's go back to the mining accident a few weeks ago. MSHA had recently written up over 100 violations for this particular mine. Was the mine closed? Nope. Just fined.

Let's look at the regulations and systems that are in place for offshore drilling. Are they sufficient? Obviously not. Since accidents can and will happen, emergency response plans should be in place to contain the accidents. Was the ERP for this rig sufficient? Not even close.

What is the common denominator in both cases? Risks were identified, consequences predicted, and NOTHING was done. Why was nothing done? Because violations and fines are the lifeblood of regulatory organizations and governments. The coal mine should have been CLOSED, not fined. Oil rigs should be SHUT DOWN until countermeasures can be implemented to prevent and / or contain spills. Some will say that these actions are not economically feasible, but 20 families in WV and hundreds of families on the gulf coast will disagree.

At the end of the day, our government has made the decision that money and the economy are more important than human lives. Just call it what it is, and I will be happy.

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by 6doublefive321

What is the common denominator in both cases? Risks were identified, consequences predicted, and NOTHING was done. Why was nothing done? Because violations and fines are the lifeblood of regulatory organizations and governments. The coal mine should have been CLOSED, not fined. Oil rigs should be SHUT DOWN until countermeasures can be implemented to prevent and / or contain spills. Some will say that these actions are not economically feasible, but 20 families in WV and hundreds of families on the gulf coast will disagree.

The 20 families might, but the families of the other miners who are still working there won't. You're talking about one of the best paying jobs in West Virginia, and there will always be people willing to do it

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

The 20 families might, but the families of the other miners who are still working there won't. You're talking about one of the best paying jobs in West Virginia, and there will always be people willing to do it

Yes, there is a level of calculated risk that we all take into account when choosing a profession. My husband understands that his job is dangerous. But, if they are found to just take safety violations as an acceptable cost of doing business at the expense of lives - THAT is wrong.

[EpyonXero]

Originally Posted by LeeNetworX

I've seen several articles and news clips stating that it may very well affect the Keys, too.

Theyve already halted commercial fishing on the Panhandle and all it take is a shift of the wind to blow the oil onshore on the West Coast.

I also heard that the loop current that runs through the gulf is only about 20 miles from where the oil is now. It that current reaches the oil it will take a week for the oil to reach the Florida Straights (The Keys) and another week or two after that it will be off the coast of North Carolina. The Maritimes in Canada and then the UK is next.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by EpyonXero

Theyve already halted commercial fishing on the Panhandle and all it take is a shift of the wind to blow the oil onshore on the West Coast.

I also heard that the loop current that runs through the gulf is only about 20 miles from where the oil is now. It that current reaches the oil it will take a week for the oil to reach the Florida Straights (The Keys) and another week or two after that it will be off the coast of North Carolina. The Maritimes in Canada and then the UK is next.

North Carolina?!?!?! Ok now I'm upset and agree that something must be done!!!

I think that it's tragic but we all sound like a bunch of crack heads that are angry with the drug dealers. We make the demand, all they are trying to do is fill it.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Amber Lamps

I think that it's tragic but we all sound like a bunch of crack heads that are angry with the drug dealers. We make the demand, all they are trying to do is fill it.

Pretty much.

[z06boy]

Originally Posted by Amber Lamps

North Carolina?!?!?! Ok now I'm upset and agree that something must be done!!!

Agreed...I'm heading to Bald Head Island in June...can't have this crap!!


Seriously though... what a disaster...man this sux.

[askmrjesus]

Originally Posted by Amber Lamps

I think that it's tragic but we all sound like a bunch of crack heads that are angry with the drug dealers. We make the demand, all they are trying to do is fill it.

No.

Not pretty much.

We create a demand for many things, but that's no excuse for not having a back-up plan in place for preventing what might be one of the greatest environmental catastrophes in recent memory.

I was watching them build the "cone" that they're planning to drop on the well head, and I couldn't help but think that the time to build that cone, was right about the same time they came up with the idea of drilling 5000 feet under water.

JC