OIL DISASTER IN THE GULF : DAY 31 OF OIL SLICK AS IT REACHES SHORES...

In Louisiana it is time for the Pelicans to go to their Breeding grounds, but the Oil Slick has now reached the Louisiana's Shores.People on Twitter have been writing to BP begging and nagging them to use HairBooms ( MatterofTrust.org) and Hay and Absorbent Booms. Scientists are worried about the 600 Species at risk in the wetlands, marshes and Gulf. It was hoped that BP would use any and all tactics to absorb the Oil and Stop the Leak. There is too much at stake. In the Photos below today photos were take of the Oil , but also how Some Absorbent Booms laid out might help protect the Coastline.( Today's Post is all about the Oil Slick reaching the Coastlines and Shorelines in Louisiana , yesterday's post is about the Dispersant and Volume Issues, and Health and Wildlife Updates).
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Coastline with NO Absorbent Booms, you can clearly see how damaging the Red Oily Goo is ( BP describes it in the brochure as "Mousse", it looks nothing like mousse, it clearly looks toxic. These three photos are from Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.

Oily Red Gooey Blobs have reached the Shores in Louisiana, it's really striking and very visible. On the BP hand outs ( I will include link on bottom of page-BP says that it wants to "verify" the Oil, and that it "might be easily confused with Algae" -yes they said that....) To me , even miles away , it is obvious that the Blobs on this Beach are indeed OIL. Governor Jindal's office of Emergency has a photo slideshow of the damage to marshes and wetlands that is a must see.
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More Booms-some sort of shredded Fiber being used ( I will be following up with the Photographer to ask about the Fibers and absorbent Booms deployed on this shoreline). The Governors Office has been giving updates on the Situation on Twitter, @GOHSEP , they have continued concerns about shortage of boom west of MS river, pushing the @USCG & @BP_America for more Booms and better protection.
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Wed. May 18th, Booms deployed on shoreline-3 Types- Even HAY piles. I am encouraged to see ANY and ALL Absorbent Materials Tested and tried, I would point out by the Brown Pelican nesting grounds and other birds nesting grounds to be really careful and not use Materials that Looks like GOOD bedding for the Pelicans, hopefully the International Bird Rescue and Audubon experts are being dialogued with.
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CBS Evening News had been threatened with Arrest when they tried to film Oil reaching Louisiana's Shores last night, but today they filmed and brought us the story. CBS,Sharyl Atkinson and Katie Couric have continued to investigate and report this unfolding story of the Gulf,covering the Impact on people, the ecosystem and the Fishing Industries.Do watch this Video below as Governor Jindell as he sees the Damaged Shoreline and wetlands.

Watch CBS News Videos Online
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BP Official Bob Dudley speaking on PBS today saying that "Leak will be capped in about a week" .He is saying this as of Day 30,
and we still don't know how much Oil has been spewed into Gulf.

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Must read Article by Bill Finch called "The Slick We Didn't See" asks many of the questions that so many have been asking , especially Scientists as to why BP is not really attempting to STOP the leak-merely slow it ?" and really not examining all that damage that is occurring by the hour.
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Truthout has been doing an amazing job tracking the Oil Disaster as for lack of monitoring, and exploring the dangers with other Rigs. Jason Leopold did an amazing post with a Whistle blower from the Atlantis Rig, and now he has a new post up tonight that raises new concerns about Other Problems with BP that again were not properly investigated by the Bush Administration. "How Bush's DOJ Killed a Criminal Probe BP That Threatened to Net Top Officials." is a MUST READ.
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MORE UPDATES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW:
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Other Updates from this Week
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Kevin Costner has been working on investing in an Innovative Company that is studying Oil Seperation. He is willing to put more money into this research and help the Gulf. Do read this link about his efforts, it would be wise at this point for everyone to be willing to be creative and help the Gulf. I hope that BP, NOAA , EPA and the Coast Guard realize that Disasters of this scope require Transparency and Problemsolving involving the Public.
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Oil Drum has the latest updates on the Siphon process that is worth reading and the Comments are really educational as well. I for one am very confused, if they are gathering one or two thousand barrels a day, but if they are Siphoning and collecting that oil,shouldn't there be easily accessible Data ?
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LA Times has their latest update and it focuses on what the efforts are and how the slick is presenting new challenges.
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Another copy of the Full Letter Senator Markey wrote to EPA Director Lisa Jackson regarding Concerns regarding Dispersants being sprayed on the Gulf.
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As this disaster continues and Fishermen and Coastal People volunteer to assist with the Clean Up I think we need to make sure that their welfare is protected and respected as they volunteer to help with a situation that may indeed be unhealthy. OSHA has printed guidelines that I hope BP is using and honoring.
OSHA fact sheet has ALL the information that people living and working along the Coastline should read as the Slick Grows and fumes and oil has and is reaching shore.
More Revelant Posts re; HairBooms and EPA work etc. See Below:
The Governors Office of Louisanna has Twitter page has updates that are really helpful about staging,damages, organized efforts. Worth checking a few times a day.
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WSJ reported that the TransOcean is trying to limit it's Liability to 27Million.
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BP is still refusing to even TRY HairBooms or HairMats to absorb the Oil Slick ( which astounds me -as they Leak Gushes on with no Relief and they talk about shooting golfballs and tires at it ?) Science Daily explains how the Hair Booms Work. And in spite of BP's stubborness on this issue, Matter of Trust Org is already collecting hair for this cause as they know it has worked on the California Coasts, I encourage you to read their website.
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BBC is asking questions about the Delay in the Disaster Response, asking why was the Response delayed.
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Oil spill video: Times-Picayune reporters give latest updates and coverage.
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Audobon Magazine has update on sealife,
Spill update: Oil might've killed 87 sea turtles, 18 birds, 6 dolphins; oil industry tax hike; leak video.
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Once again Huffington Post has devoted a whole page to this situation. It is to be noted that Think Progress and Truthout and Raw Story and many other blogs have really been tracking Whistleblower concerns, Animal damage and reports from the Gulf States.
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Seafood Resturantes and Suppliers have already started to Sue BP, this has not been reported by Big Media, but local media on the Gulf is starting to Report.
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If you want to help,Volunteer or Donate you can still read more of this post. Thank you for caring for the Gulf.
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Please do scroll down as all the posts below explain about the Volume and the Sat photos explain about the Oil Spill Entering the SE Loop. I will be updating later on Thursday.

GULF OIL DISASTER UPDATE FROM WEEKEND...(Scoll down for more from Weekend)May17th,2010

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Satellite from COSMO-SkyMed satellites image from 5.16.10 shows the spill is growing.... Business Week is carrying Story "Is BP burying it's head in sand regarding Size of Spill ? Looking at these Images-which one can compare to images of just a week ago, one has to ask the same questions. The Post from yesterday down below has some disturbing articles asking hard questions about actual Volumes of Oil being spewed into the Gulf at this point.
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Do compare Sat.Image above to the NASA photo of May4th, and it is clearly showing that the plumes are growing, and that spill has increased in size and proximity to Coastline.

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Yet this is the NOAA 5.18,10 photo-different than the NASA photo-because it show the TAIL of the spill that is headed to the Loop

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Deepwater Horizon: NOAA Projected Oil Spill Trajectory Map for May19 does already line up with this Image from above, which raises questions is the Plume growing faster than we know ? Deep Water Horizon Projection maps that had been posted on Sunday were pulled late Sunday night -so I can not post them.
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When looking at the Images above, it is also good to keep in mind that Hurricane Season is mere weeks away,
and USGS is already creating projection maps trying to track the possible Plume Paths, and landfall. There were new concerns expressed over weekend regarding the Plumes and the Current Projected paths, including concerns for the Florida Coast and the Keys and even the path projected to Atlantic. Geologist from DiscoverNews weigh in about the Huge underwater plume and what it means for the marine life under or near the plume, he also has video posted with story.
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From BBC Monday May 16th,2010 ( You can look at this map and compare it to Sat Image)
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BBC's post on "US not happy with BP's curbing efforts" regarding the Latest siphoning efforts. Sunday Afternoon both HLS and the Dept of Interior raised concerns and questions via Statements. ( We have not heard what those statements have resulted in as to responses from BP).
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Ap video about the Siphon Process from MrWells of BP Sunday Afternoon, there is no actual video/photos of Siphon Process:

Most of the weekend there were various stories regarding the Siphon process, and the reports were varied and confusing.It is unclear how siphoning helps close/cap the actual leak ? By 6PM Sunday BP was reporting to CNN that the Siphon process was "marginally effective" and that the next plan was to do a "MudKill-shooting Drilling Muds at the Spill and then a Junk Shot would be attempted" ( This was read on air by CNN reporter, but there was no presser given by anyone explaining these new alternatives.) I am posting the AP video because it is really all I could find as an official Presser on the BP Strategies from the Weekend. We also were told that More Dispersant had been approved to be used, as of Saturday-but there was never any update as to whether 216,000 more gallons were to be added to the 476,000 gallons already used. ( Multiple people like me are still requesting that the Waters,Necropsies and Sediments be also tested for the Dispersant Products/Ingredients, not just fuel chemicals). This is my post from last week that explains or questions about the Dispersants and their use, and needed testing in /near fragile egosystem. I did write to EPA and BP and ask questions about the heavy metals and cyanide with no response as of yet.
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I spent the weekend researching Technologies trying to better learn if the Junk Shot or the Mud Kill or the Siphon was the best that we could look forward to ? I am also puzzled why Hairbooms or Hay are not being supported for the Coast ? or Why Absorbent Booms or Tankers being used like they were for the Valdez Spill ? I stumbled across this Article questioning the antiquated Strategies being used still today that trace back the Valdez Spill ? After Exxon Valdez, is technology still same? Houston Chronicle: "Decades after Exxon Valdez" .
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Last Night on 60 Minutes they did run a 15 Minute story on the Explosion on the Deepwater Oil Rig and interviewed a Survivor. This story is worth seeing and reading carefully, as it illuminates many safety issues and concerns that we did not know about before. It also explains the Missing Safety info that we are now learning about the Prevention Protections that were not in place. You can see the Segment Here and also read the Related Materials and interviews.During the Segment they also reported about the Safety concerns of another Oil Rig, The Atlantis, many of us know of that story from Jason Leopold of Truthout, and his story is linked to the Piece or you can read Jason Leopold's Whistleblower here to learn more about the Atlantis Situation.
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Today AP reported that the previous Fed Inspection Reports were/are also in Question.
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Nature News Last post from journalist Mark Schrope on board a research vessel studying the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is a must read for anyone wondering what it really looks like in the Gulf right now.
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Latest from NOAA on Sea Life that is being monitored and the efforts put forth ( including Sea Turtles update). Still have not located the Necropsy Reports for the Turtles found dead. ( Not sure who has them if NOAA has them , Fed Fish&Wildlife or BP ?)
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JMCosteau posted Videos from the Field that are very helpful and give a better picture of what is at stake and happening. ( Videos from may 15th and posted to Twitter).
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Think Progress posted more over the weekend about Sea life at risk, including this post regarding Dolphins found dead in the Gulf.
Snipett:
"As ThinkProgress has documented, the BP oil spill off of Louisiana’s coast threatens more than 400 species, with the potential “devastation beyond human comprehension.” Already, brown pelicans, sea turtles, and various types of fish have turned up dead. Now, the National Marine Fisheries Service is reporting that six dolphin carcasses have also been found in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama since May 2".
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If you want to help,Volunteer or Donate you can still read more of this post. Thank you for caring for the Gulf.
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More Updates Later today.....stay posted. ( I will also post about Gulf Aid's Benefit last night to raise funds and awareness.

President Obama Fuming in Rose Garden Blasts BP (Friday May 14th)

News Junkie has a good post about the President speaking in the Rose Garden on Friday May 14th.

OILSPILL Update Thursday May 6th Evening : The Containment Dome has run into problems,Plume grows, and Fumes hit shore

"The Sea, the great unifier,is man's only Hope. Now,as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the Same Boat."~ J.Cousteau
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CALL NWF To report oiled or injured wildlife in the Gulf Coast area, call 866-557-1401. Read More HERE. If you want to help or Volunteer,there is a whole post on it that you can read here.
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VERY IMPORTANT ::as of 8:30PM AP is reporting Thursday Night that the Containment Box ( Cap/Dome) is not going well tonight, there are problems with the Heavy Oil Fumes are posing Health Risks and Ignition Risks. I have posted the whole article in the Comment section because it is worth reading. In light of the Explosion 3 weeks ago, it is hoped that BP is protecting the workers and that the Ignition Risk is being taken seriously. Air readings are being taken, and the Containment dome has been delayed in it's lowering. But one does wonder if this Rig is to sit 5000 feet over the Spill site,while it funnels the Oil and the Fumes, is this the best practice for this situation ?
Here is the Video the AP posted in the Afternoon:

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4am Video AP of the Dome being lowered.

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BBC has more about the Spill, how it is growing in nature, reaching shore and Islands of Louisiana Coast.The oil is heavy and thick and now starting to clump into long strings through the Gulf, it is sticky and viscous in nature and yet below it is still continuing to gush. One small leak is sealed, but there is still at least an estimated 210,000 gallons a day surging from the leak at seabed level. So if the Seabed leak is gushing atleast 5000 barrels/day, that is 210,000 gallons a day, which over 16 days means that the leak has put out atleast 3,570,000gallons.
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In light of increased fumes on shore being smelt on shore and oil reaching shores, OSHA has a fact sheet that is supposed to be for the Cleanup Workers, but in all practicality all Coastal people being exposed to this Oil Crisis should read the Fact Sheet. At this point winds and heat play a role in how much the Fumes are felt on shore. People with heart or respiratory conditions should have filtered air (AC) and stay inside. No Federal Agency has come forward and offered advice or instructions at this point, although DHHS or FEMA or NIOSH maybe have been told to intervene ? I am unsure as to WHO should give Guidance, but people are starting to ask questions on Twitter. They have been told to call BP, but what purpose that serves is unclear. I have sent emails to CDC,DHHS,EPA and asked What is the Plan for protecting Health. ( I will update in the Comment section the results,so far it has been an empty trail ).
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NOAA trajectory forecast is really a helpful site to go to to track the geographical track of the Gulf Oil Spill and when checked daily really does show the path in a predictable manner.Really helpful for the Gulf Coastal residents. On Twitter Navy News,Coast Guard and NOAA have increased coverage and information. The actual Link to the NOAA PDF shows that Chandaluer Sound and Breton Sound are clearly in the Spill Zone now. The PDF has great diagrams and maps that clearly map the spill.
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Louisiana Fish and Wildlife is has a video that is really stunning and worth seeing.

La. Dept. of Ag & Forestry ships animal crates to Plaquemines Parish for bird rescue due to oilspill
,and you can read more here about that effort.
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(Amazing photo of the Explosion Injured Rig before it sank posted on Twitter by Greg Palast really shows the extent of this event). His latest post on Truthout is a Must Read that explores BP 's responsibilities and problems.
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It is hard to look at the above photo and know that TransOcean made the Drill Rig Workers and Survivors were forced to sign Liability Waivers, and this has been unreported on the News.
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NPR has more information about the Growing interest in Hair Booms I have tried to promote this effort far and wide and sent it to the Cleanup Organizers with no results.But in the days ahead I am hoping that it is looked at as true scientific effort to stop the slick on shore, hair in nylons make booms can work absorbing the slick.
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More concerns arise about the Chemical Dispersant ( Solvent) and it's possible harm to sealife that it indeed may be harmful to fish,muilusks and seabed creature and the Chain of food.
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NolaNews.com has more updates from the day , including all efforts that are being made for the Fishermen and the seafood vessels and industry.
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Robert F.Kennedy Jr's "Sex,Lies and Oilspills" is a must read and explores the Industry's Liability and problems, and history.
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Another Must Read post is from the LA Times, about a Rig Widow, really raises questions about how the families will be cared for. 2nd Harvest in NOLA is already asking for funds due to impact on families in the region.
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Picayune Times is Nola.com on the internet and twitter tonight very late the story came out that safety Fluid was removed before teh Rig explosion, will this be publicly revealed and questioned is another story. As this explosion is investigated it seems that there are more and more pieces that need scrutiny.
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National Geographic Society had some new posts up today, one in particular asks if the Gulf is now a Dead Zone in the making, presenting startling questions about the Damage and longterm effects.
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If anyone is still confused what happened at the Oil Platform, this article and diagrams explains all of it and is very educational. Also raises many questions about our Oil Drilling and Safety.
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Sierra Club has more on what is causing the growing leak, as the Dome is lowered , it points out that we need to ask why this Leak has gown over the past 2 weeks.
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OILSPILL UPDATE MAY4TH THROUGH MAY 5TH..

Photo from Astro_Soichi posted on Twitter from Space Station taken May 4th, 2010
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Nasa Images
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{Enigma Message : I am a huge fan of the Gulf. I spent many summers and vacations on Sanibel Island and the Florida Gulf Coast and in my late teens I discovered New Orleans and the Louisiana Gulf. I swam with dolphins when I was 12 by accident. I have a place in my heart for this part of the Country that I can not deny. So in many ways it is getting harder to Blog this or be objective and report . I will not post photos of oily animals or birds or Dolphins, I just can't. It's not that I am "ostriching " that part of the story, because I will be posting Wildlife Recovery efforts. I will also report and show Aerials because I think Photos from Satelites and from Space really show the magnitude of this event, and BP's Legacy. I will continue to post updates and you can email me info or updates and you can still follow my on Twitter @watergatesummer }
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If you live in Gulf Coastal Regions I do encourage you to read the OSHA Oilspill Fact Sheet for CleanUp workers as the information applies for those living in the region and experiencing exposure to the Oil Fumes. DHHS and CDC and NIOSH have not issued safety warnings yet. (or responded to my emails effectively). I encourage if you have respiratory or cardiac issues, or Immune Problems to not expose yourself to the Fumes and limit outside exposure.Hopefully Health Risks will start to be examined and precautioned soon.
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Skippy's Post " This is not Obama's Katrina This is Cheney's Chernobyl is an great explanation about What went wrong at the Rig and why Cheney and Halliburton are indeed implicated in this Catastrophe.This post is clear and concise and connects the dots and raises new questions.
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Latest New York Times article is really alarming in it's predictions for the Gusher that is still not under control. In some ways it is stunning that their own Safety teams were able to analyze their practices and eliminate a $500,000 safety part, but they clearly had No Worst Case Scenarios Plans. NYT points out that this gusher has been growing by the day and that true amount can not be measured. The truth is that this oil is also heavier and clumps, which raises questions about the Dispersant that is now being used. (The total effects of the Chemical Dispersant also are not fully know as to the dangers,risks and effects on the water, the ecosystem or the animals and sea life). NRDC has more has more information about the chemicals being used and their possible effects, and or damage.NRDC explains that this Solvent was created by Exxon in the 1990s but has never had to be used in this manner.
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And while we are still watching this Slick Expand we also learn that BP has Limited liability, NRDC explains their 75 million dollar limit or cap and what that now means.
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These photos were posted on Twitter yesterday, they are from Jeremy Symons Flicker Page and were posted by NWF and show the red gooey oily water and the effects, from a man-o-war to Dolphins trying to swim. The whole page is stunning.
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The article has more about the Chemical that is being used to attack the Oil Slick. It is important to remember that no situation has ever required such large quanities of the chemical and near such a fragile ecosystem.
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And while all of us are still trying to grasp what exactly has happened in the Gulf, the Republicans are still pushing their DrillBabyDrill Agenda, Do read Boehner's continued push for drilling for more energy in light of recent Crisis. It shows they are astoundingly greedy and merely Energy Mouthpieces. Think Progress nails the ineptitude in this post.
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If you want to help or volunteer in the Gulf Please do read my earlier post and get Training now to assist or help.