The STAY query critique contest has been extended for another week! Allie's being linked in some other blogs and we agreed to keep 'er open. Thanks for your patience, entrants. Mwah! More exposure for STAY = good.
Now, I don't know about you, but I can't seem to pry my eyes away from the oil depress-a-thon that is the Gulf coast. Just ask my husband--I won't shut up about it.
Gawd. How awful/frustrating/infuriating/horrifying. I think the worst part is that, with a few exceptions, we all seem to be a bit underutilized, waiting for BP to do what's right. And they just won't.I even got disgusted enough to email the White House and all the state volunteer registration sites. I told to them I'm *very* good at organizing volunteers, and I can work down there all summer, for free. I've organized for many a benefit and I would love, LOVE to do it for something non-fancy-party related. If they take me up on it, I'll let you know. I'll totally go! It would at least give me some new and exciting blog topics.
I bet I'm not the only person with something to give. Maybe not weeks of free labor, but something, right?
I know not everyone can take off work and fly down to the coast, but if you could do something, what would you do? Wash that bird up there? Hold a fundraiser for oystermen? Lay some boom?
Are you as pissed off as I am?
15 comments:
yes. it makes me want to vomit. like, all the time.
I love nature and animals. I definitely would wash as many wild life as I could.
I would also put together an event to raise money for the materials in saving the wild life and a place where we could put them.
It just makes me ill in watching the oil gush out into the ocean.
I live in South Louisiana, and it is incredibly depressing to watch this all unfold.
70% of households in my town rely on the oil or fishing industry.
Beaches can be cleaned. There is really no way to clean the marsh. Almost all of LA's coast is marsh (there is only one recreational beach in the whole state).
When the marsh grass dies, more of our coast erodes (which has been going on for years at an alarming rate already). Marshes provide a natural speed bump for hurricanes. With further wetland loss, even more of the low-lying areas (read ALL of southern Louisiana) are threatened.
And the animals. And plants. Storms this year are supposed to be bad. It's all so heartbreaking.
Very. But I think the best thing for me to do is not use so much pollution causing fuel. Perhaps drive less, don't fly anywhere this year....
The amt. spilled would keep the US fueled for only a couple of hours. We are too dependent on the stuff.
It is tragic. My thoughts are with you. Good for you for wanting to help out. Hope things get better soon.
moonrat--Doesn't it? I just get so mad!
Emeila--That would be great. I wish we could.
Caroline--Oh, I'm so sorry. My house is next to an estuary (in Long Island) and I would just die if I saw oil washing in. I feel for you.
Jennifer--Very true.
Purple Cow--Thanks for your thoughts, sent all the way from Greece. :)
I'm mad at myself, because I bought BP gas without even thinking a few days ago.
I'd have to think about it before coming up with what I could offer. There's something though, I know. We all have something to offer.
Totally. I just want to sweep up all the wildlife and take them somewhere safe.
Don't boycott BP - even though it's totally tempting. I don't want them to lose money that can go towards the cleanup. I know that despite the media frighteners to the contrary - they are nowhere near bankruptcy, but I'd hate to give them an excuse to stop paying out to those who need it.
I hope they let you organize, make sure you let us know if they do - I'd totally be down there with you for as long as work would permit.
It would be interesting to set up my tent at the Gulf Shores State Park and go to 'work' at the beach each day. I'd totally do it if I could get away with it. We had a team from our church leave yesterday to help in Haiti. This would be lots closer and no immunizations and long plane rides. (8 hours of driving)
WandaV
in Northern Alabama
Every day that I see that slick getting bigger makes me more sad.
If I could, I would pack up both children and fly over and sift sand, clean birds and do what ever. I think it would be great for all of us to pitch in for free.
Unfortuatly, school doesn' let out until 22 July over here in the UK for us then we are booked solid until school again.
I'm doing what Jennifer suggested and drive less.
The saddest thing to me is that there are many many many people and companies who want to help and unfortunately and for reasons I do not understand, I'm learning that our government is turning them down so that BP will "have to" take care of it. Why not have the people who are willing to help do so and then make BP pay for their services? I have a hard time looking at pictures like the one you posted, Wendy. It's sickening and disgusting. Those poor animals.
I am actually quite upset as well. I have already made plans to fly down to Louisiana (I live in MA) as soon as my summer internship is over. I hope to help wash animals for a week or so. Every time I see one of those terrible pictures, tears well up in my eyes.
Janna--If it makes you feel any better, I think most of the stations are franchises, so they are individually owned.
Suze--I'll let you know! Not holding my breath at this point.
WandaV--I hadn't even thought of pitching a tent. Good idea. My plan was to lean on some distant relatives in Mobile.
Mother Hen--:) We'll just take your continued good wishes over here.
Laura--I find that the most frustrating part! So many people and companies are dying to help. Let them and worry about billing BP later!
JM551--Good for you. I registered and found a lot of information at www.volunteerlouisiana.gov. They also list hotels giving good deals to volunteers.
I regularly visit your blog.
Keep on challenging!
Post a Comment