The Gulf Oil Spill

The Gulf Oil Spill - What Has Not Been Said (one man's observations)

© June 5, 2010

Richard O Harris

Once again, I begin a subject many will find disagreeable at best. It is certainly not my desire to cause unrest or argument, simply honest reflection. I am compelled to share some of my observations regarding this catastrophe that seem to be continually overlooked and unreported (or is it deliberate misdirection by our government once again?).

No doubt, this is a new and unique event in our history. A history which continues even now to search for ways to decrease the dependency of our nation for any one product on other nations. Realistically, some dependencies will always remain because of the nature of hydraulic despotism.

As has been seen all over the news and other media, BP has been daily pro-active toward finding a solution to the problems without point fingers or blame at others. The other two companies involved have yet to even a single public statement or own their portion of responsibility. I wonder as I watch the daily news if either of the two companies have even been contacted or is the media once again targeting a single corporation simply because of its national and global reputation.

Additionally, no one has yet to come forward and mention those who passed the laws and granted the permits allowing deep sea drilling (namely our government representatives and organizations). Nor have any of these individuals or groups come forward to own their share of responsibility and offer aid in this time of crisis. In fact, it was President Obama himself who not long ago approved offshore drilling off Florida's East Coast (the Atlantic Ocean) and his 6 month moratorium creeps slowly by without any mention from him or others.

Many groups have begun movements to boycott BP businesses due to this crisis not realizing they are not hurting BP since these businesses are privately owned. Instead, their boycott(s) are only causing hardship for people, like themselves, who are unfortunate enough to become a target because of a product they sell or the producers actions. To me, it makes no sense, it is a bunch of people who are losing their businesses and becoming unemployed trying to put another bunch of people at risk of losing their businesses and becoming unemployed without making any impact on those responsible.

These are just a few of my observations as I watch the developments and try to hear what is "not" being said. President Obama can claim outrage over this incident and, no doubt, sincerely so. Yet, what happens when his six month moratorium for offshore drilling on Florida's East Coast ends? No one knows, do they?