Dead dolphins, sea turtles, and sharks are washing up on the shores of the gulf, according to the Associated Press. We knew it was coming, and we know this is just the beginning of the death and devastation already underway under the oily waters of the gulf. Sea creatures are dying by the hundreds daily, now, as the oil continues to gush into the waters that are home to thousands of species.
The same is true for those creatures who call the shore and marshes home. But what about the others, the human creatures who live and work ~ or did ~ on the gulf coast? What about those who, now unable to make a living in their chosen profession ~ fishing ~ are doing so by trying to help clean up the mess?
Well, if you look long enough and watch enough videos ~ even just the ones by reputable journalists ~ you’ll find that the sea and wildlife aren’t the only species endangered by this oil spill. More disquieting still is the fact that these people appear to be living in fear of more than the spill itself.
She’s right. Whenever anything gets done, it starts with one person speaking out. She’s also right to be afraid. I personally have seen video footage of reporters being warned away from the clean-up sites ~ CBS reporters, as late as May 19th, were told to leave or be arrested.
Now, fishermen and others hired to help in clean up operations have been hospitalized in increasing numbers over the past month. Their symptoms: nausea, dizziness, high blood pressure, nasal irritation and nosebleeds, and severe headaches.
According to marine toxicologist, Riki Ott, the dispersants first used by BP are known to cause serious injury and even death ~ they determined the effects of these chemical toxins from studying the carcasses of harbor seals and sea otters. “It actually, literally, fried the brain,” Ott says. The carcasses they studied? Some of those that washed ashore after the Exxon Valdez spill ~ where the same toxic dispersants were used.
BP, however, attributes the illnesses to “food poisoning,” according to a statement made by CEO Tony Hayward. Hayward himself isn’t looking too good these days ~ you can check him out at BPs very own YouTube site. If you do look up the site, it might be wise to take what you hear there with a grain of salt ~ just not salt from waters of the gulf, of course.
From his haggard expression, one wonders if even Hayward believes what he’s saying anymore ~ or maybe it was that dinner he had in New Orleans the other night . . . .
In all seriousness, BP’s disregard for the health and safety of any living thing, including the people helping to clean up its catastrophic mess, is apparently unbounded.
One of the fishermen who was hospitalized, John Wunstell, Jr. has filed a restraining order against BP in federal court, which includes language instructing BP to “refrain from altering, testing or destroying clothing or any other evidence or potential evidence” when workers become ill. Wunstill has also asked that BP distribute masks to others working in the clean up effort and that they not harass those who voice their health concerns.
Graham MacEwen, another spokesman for BP, refused to comment on the restraining order, and said masks wouldn’t be issued by BP because the “extensive” air quality tests BP has been doing since the beginning of the “exercise” show nothing in the air that would require masks.
He added that workers are “free to” wear masks if they like, as long as they receive instructions from their supervisors on how to use them.
Yet, Clint Guidry, President of the Louisiana Shrimpers Association, told CNN that BP had taken a very clear ~ and opposite ~ stance on the issue of masks.
“Some of our men asked, and they were told they’d be fired if they wore masks,” he said.
So the fisherman’s wife and all the others have reason to be afraid ~ which makes her speaking out even more courageous ~ to do what’s right, even though you’re afraid, is the very definition of courage.
Meanwhile, back in Washington, President Obama said yesterday that it is time to roll back billions of dollars in tax breaks for oil companies and use the money for clean energy research and development.
It’s about time.
Unfortunately, it also seems to be time to continue drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, as Federal Regulators also approved the first new oil well off the coast of Louisiana yesterday, according to the Wall Street Journal online.
We have a long history of dependence on oil in this country, and apparently that’s an addiction that’s going to be difficult to break. What we need is more people turning to those renewable energy sources the President was talking about, taking a stand against the continued rape of the environment, speaking out in defense of our world.
We need more courageous people ~ like Kindra, the fisherman’s wife who was brave enough to defy “the king.”
To be continued . . . .
See you on the green ~
Rebecca
For more information, see the articles at courthousenews.com and CNN Health
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