Thursday, June 24, 2010

I can't believe it (or can I?)!

2 months. 2 MONTHS! I cannot believe this disaster has been going on for over 2 months. As I type those words, I have a hard time wrapping my brain around it. Even though everyone has been (rightfully) doubting BP from very early on, I really didn't expect to be sitting here, the 4th of July right around the corner, and still no end in sight! Everyone has been criticizing BP's crackpot attempts at closing this well, and as bad as I loathe everything about that company, I have been hoping that one of these times something would actually work how they said it was going to work!

Now the oil is rapidly coming ashore in not only Louisiana, but all the way east to Pensacola, Florida. Still I see people filling up at BP stations! WHY???? And I am so sick of people telling me it hurts the 'mom & pop' station owners. First off, as a consumer, I can choose to spend my money wherever I damn well please, and second of all, the vast majority of these stations aren't small family run businesses.

Today, not only were there sad stories about more dead sea creatures, there was the news of the Fishing Boat Captain who took his own life.

By the time they finally figure out how to cap the oil well, it will only be a small victory. No one knows how widespread this disaster is and how long the effects will last. Unfortunately, only time will tell.

Like so many other significant news stories, people will fall complacent to it. Sometimes it is easier to do that, than to deal with reality.

How are you all doing? If there is anything I can do to help, or if you have any personal accounts you would like to share with all of us, email me at: BoycottBP2010@gmail.com, and I will post to the blog.

Thanks again for your continued support.

S.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Oil Pollution Act Amendment

I know many of us are feeling helpless about this disaster, and I encourage contacting your Representatives and Senators about how you feel. Take note of how they are voting and responding to the BP disaster and let your friends and families know their responses. Remember this come November when elections roll around.

There was a vote in the House of Representatives on June 10, 2010 to amend the Oil Pollution Act. I received the following information from Congress.org

This legislation would allow the Obama administration to withdraw more money from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund in order to better respond to the Gulf of Mexico oil accident. The Senate approved the bill the previous day by voice vote, and the president is expected to sign it.

This legislation passed 410-0. 20 House Members did not show up to vote. My Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann was one of them. I am going to write her a letter and inquire as to why she didn't bother to show up. I am going to list the others as well, and I encourage you to contact them if they represent you and ask why they didn't show up and how would they have voted if they had shown up.



CALIFORNIA

Susan Davis (D) www.house.gov/susandavis

Anna Eshoo (D) eshoo.house.gov

Gary Miller (R) garymiller.house.gov

Henry Waxman (D) waxman.house.gov


FLORIDA

Vern Buchanan (R) buchanan.house.gov

Bill Posey (R) posey.house.gov

Adam Putnam (R) adamputnam.house.gov


GEORGIA

John Linder (R) linder.house.gov


ILLINOIS

Danny Davis (D) davis.house.gov


INDIANA

Steve Buyer (R) stevebuyer.house.gov


MASSACHUSETTS

William Delahunt (D) www.house.gov/delahunt


MICHIGAN

Peter Hoekstra (R) hoekstra.house.gov

Carolyn Kilpatrick (D) kilpatrick.house.gov


MINNESOTA

Michele Bachmann (R) bachmann.house.gov


NORTH CAROLINA


Patrick McHenry (R) mchenry.house.gov



PENNSYLVANIA


Bill Shuster (R) www.house.gov/shuster


SOUTH CAROLINA

J. Gresham Barrett (R) barrett.house.gov

Bob Inglis (R) inglis.house.gov


TEXAS


Ruben Hinojosa (D) hinojosa.house.gov


WISCONSIN

David Obey (D) obey.house.gov




Thanks for taking the time to read this!

BoycottBP

Monday, June 14, 2010

Response from Senator Franken

I recently wrote to my Senators regarding the BP oil spill. This is my response from Senator Al Franken:


Dear S.,

Thank you for contacting me about the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns with me on this critical issue.

As you know, on April 20, 2010, an explosion occurred on the Deep Water Horizon oil rig off the coast of Louisiana, leaving 11 workers dead. The rig caught fire and sank, spilling millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. This oil spill is a travesty -- it has devastated the environment, the economy, and the way of life for many communities along the Gulf Coast. I've been deeply disappointed by BP's neglect of safety and lack of progress in stopping the leak in the Gulf. This accident has also exposed the federal government's woefully inadequate oversight of the drilling industry.

First and foremost, every method at our disposal must be deployed to contain and clean-up the ongoing oil leak. Just as importantly, BP must be held responsible for all costs incurred as a result of the oil spill. By all accounts BP had no viable plan in place to deal with an accident of this magnitude. This is unacceptable, and taxpayers must not be left holding the bag. That's why I've cosponsored S. 3472, the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Unlimited Liability Act, which would eliminate the oil spill liability cap that currently limits economic damages paid by oil companies to $75 million. I am also an original cosponsor of S. 3462, which would grant subpoena power to President Obama's Oil Spill Commission that is investigating BP. This will ensure that the bipartisan commission has access to all the evidence it needs to fully investigate the causes of the spill and make meaningful recommendations on how to prevent similar disasters.

This spill is a call to action -- it is time to pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation to end our country's dependence on fossil fuels and transition to clean, renewable energy sources like wind, biofuels, and biomass from Minnesota. Please be assured that I will continue to closely monitor the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and will keep your thoughts in mind should legislation regarding offshore drilling come before the Senate for consideration.

Thank you again for contacting me, and I look forward to hearing from you in the future on this or any other matter of concern to you.

Sincerely,

Signature

Al Franken
United States Senator



-------------------------------------------------------------

Have any of you written to your Senators or Representatives? If so, what type of response did you receive?

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

BP Buying Ad Space All Over The Place

Yesterday it was reported that BP had bought up a bunch of ad space on Google and Yahoo. When you search for anything related to BP or the oil 'spill' a link to BP's Gulf Response PR page will be at the top of your screen.

I was just on my personal Facebook page and came across this gem:




All Facebook ads are posted with a little 'x' in the upper right hand corner. If you click on the 'x' it will bring up a question asking you why you don't like the ad. Your options are: Uninteresting, Misleading, Offensive, Repetitive, Other. I had a very difficult time choosing between Misleading and Offensive, but decided to go with Offensive. And since I did that, I will never have to see that ad again. A small, yet satisfying victory.

If only this advertising money was going towards saving wildlife and cleanup costs and the fishermen and everyone else affected by this disaster.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Seize BP Protests This Week

Updated: 6/7/10 to include Seattle, Washington.



All the details can be found here at Seize BP


If you come across any more, let me know and I will add to this list.




Below is a partial list of newly announced actions. Details for additional events are still coming in and being compiled, so check our website regularly for updates.

CALIFORNIA

Claremont, California
Thursday, June 10, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Arco station
701 E. Foothill Blvd (Corner of Foothill and Claremont Blvd)
Contact: Claudia Strauss, straussri@aol.com

Costa Mesa, California
Wednesday, June 9 at 12 noon
Northeast Corner-Bristol and Sunflower, 3929 Bristol
Contact: guyparalegal@sbcglobal.net

Long Beach, California
Wednesday, June 9 at 4:30pm
Long Beach Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Way (Aquarium Way & Shoreline Drive)
The Aquarium, which claims its mission is "to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems" just took $1 million from oil criminals BP and unveiled a "BP Sea Otter Habitat." This sickinging double-standard shows the utter bankruptcy of the Aquarium's board of directors and attempts to provide cover for BP's crimes.
Contact: 213-251-1025 or la@seizebp.org.


San Francisco, California
Tuesday, June 8 at 5 p.m.
BP Offices
90 New Montgomery St. (near Mission St.)
Contact: 415-821-6545, sf@seizebp.org


IDAHO

Boise, Idaho
Thursday, June 10 at 3:30 pm
Downtown Boise (Corner of Capitol & Front St. in front the Grove Hotel - approx. 245 S. Capitol Blvd)
Rally to show support of seizing BP Assets to aid the Gulf Coast Oil Spill clean up efforts.
Contact: boiseseizebp@gmail.com - www.myspace.com/boiseseizebp - www.facebook.com/boiseseizebp - www.twitter.com/boiseseizebp

ILLINOIS

Batavia, Illinois
Thursday, June 10, 5 p.m.
Bill Fosters headquarters, 100 block of River St.
Rally in front of Bill Foster's offices to demand the government holds BP accountable, and makes them pay for the damage and devistation they have caused.
Contact: salukiseth@hotmail.com


MICHIGAN

Ann Arbor, Michigan
Tuesday, June 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Federal Building, 200 E. Liberty
Bring signs.
Contact: Catherine Wilkerson at catwilk@sbcglobal.net

Flint, Michigan
Monday, June 7, 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
BP station on corner of Dort hwy and Court Street
Contact: randallwscott3rd@hotmail.com

Muskegon, Michigan
Thursday, June 10, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
BP Station, 3003 Whitehall Road (between Whitehall and North Muskegon, Michigan)
Please feel free to join in at the location.

St. Joseph, Michigan
Wednesday, June 9 at 5 p.m.
BP gast station on the corner of Napier (2501 Niles Ave.)
Contact: jbounds1029@gmail.com




NEW YORK


Syracuse, New York
Friday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m.
Federal Building, 100 S. Clinton St
Protest to demand the federal government seize BP's assets to provide immediate relief to the workers, communities, and environment that have been devastated as a result of BP's criminal negligence.
Contact: Syracuse@SeizeBP.org

OHIO

Columbus, Ohio
Tuesday, June 8 at 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
State House West Lawn
Oil spill vigil. No "moments of silence" are planned. Bring your handheld signs and banners. Signs with sticks or poles are not permitted--the state troopers will attempt to disperse groups with sticks, etc. even when they are just holding up a sign.
Contact: jkress@columbus.rr.com or Emily at 614-519-9491.

OREGON

Roseburg, Oregon
Tuesday, June 8, 8 am until nightfall
2532 NE Stephens Street (on the sidewalk)
We will be walking in between kid cents and umpqua video.
Contact: Wendy Burns at oregonheads@gmail.com or look for us that day and join us live.

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wednesday, June 9 at 5 p.m.
Across from City Hall (15th and Market)
Visibility action
Contact: philly@seizebp.org


VIRGINIA


Williamsburg, Virginia
Thursday, June 10 at 3 p.m.
BP gas station, 1305 Richmond Road.
Demand the seizure of BP's assets to provide comprehensive compensation and relief for all affected people and for cleaning up the environment.
Contact: Dave Koenig at peacesurgeall@gmail.com


WASHINGTON


Seattle, Washington
Tuesday, June 8th, 7:00 PM
Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122
More info here: http://goo.gl/fb/QWlsQ

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

So disheartening....

43 days....and the solution is nowhere in sight. BP, the Government, and the News Media keep talking about how technologically advanced BP is with their drilling operations. What good does that do if you can't fix what you started? To me, it is the equivalent of needing heart surgery and you go to one of the world's best cardiologists. The doctor performs open heart surgery on you with skilled perfection, but ultimately, they haven't figured out how to sew you back up afterward. It doesn't do a lot of good if you can't complete the task.

I'm also seeing increasing reports on the news stating that boycotting BP stores will only hurt the local owners. Whereas I can understand that to a point, it also makes me mad. There should be more outcry about the fishing and tourism industries losing their livelihoods. People are mad and if BP wasn't so busy contradicting themselves, people may have more sympathy. Unfortunately, the gas stations are what have the companies logos on them, making them the easiest target. I have become more aware of my usage of petroleum, and have been trying to cut down my consumption and will continue to pass information along to others.

I didn't start this Boycott BP twitter account until 11 days after the explosion on Deepwater Horizon. From the beginning, BP was busy telling the media that they had it under control. Not knowing what I know now, I chose to believe them. Had they taken responsibility from the get-go, I probably wouldn't be sitting here with this blog and Twitter page.

Please continue to send me feedback of anything you would like to see posted here, and also send along any protest info you may have so I can post it here and on Twitter. As the Twitter page grows, it is getting more difficult to sift through the @replies. Please feel free to send any info or feedback to: BoycottBP2010@gmail.com.

Thanks again for all your support!
Take care.