I hear you, Diki. It's hard not to be/sound bitter when you learn that a simple $500k switch/valve could have prevented this disaster. But because it wasn't required by OUR government (many countries, such as Norway, do), a company making 20 Billion in profit in ONE QUARTER, elected not to. So as much as you want to tell people not to be bitter and angry (especially those so affected by this spill), it's really hard not to feel their pain.

Diki, hang in there. We're all hoping for some kind of weather miracle but according to CNN, this thing has TRIPLED in size in the last three days.

Of course it's not just the government or BP to blame. It's everyone from the politicians who cozy up to big oil in return for monster campaign contributions to 'joe the average invester' who insists on and expects unrealistic, unnatural, and impossible returns on their BP stock investments, even if safety has to be compromised to boost the bottom line. We need look no further than the recent coal mining tragedy for an example of how profits trump safety every time.

Sadly, we (our generation) will probably not be around to see a change in this trend. Hopefully, our kids and grandkids will.

BTW, I think Donny is right, in that with the constant threat of terrorism, anyplace and any time, we all DO need to be vigilant (just not to the point of paranoia). As we saw in the NYC case, it CAN save lives.
Like the saying goes, "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you".

chas



[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 05-03-2010).]

Sorry, chas, but if you can get legally shot dead simply for walking up and knocking on the wrong door in the wrong neighborhood, the paranoia already HAS gone too far in this country.

While news programs report crime about 75% of the broadcast (and the shenanigans of the oil industry and corrupt lobbyists and politicians get brief coverage) the REAL villains in our country slide by with hardly a mention.

I applaud the sharp eyes and prompt action by the street vendor that averted the Times Square disaster, but wish that everybody ELSE was as vigilant and willing to come forward about corporate crime and corrupt politicians.

'See something, SAY SOMETHING' has a lot more important areas to be applied in than just terrorism. Perhaps a hundred or so might have been hurt if the bomb had gone off. But millions are affected by corrupt health care practices, environmental crimes, tobacco and junk food promotion, and many other areas where people seem content to NOT say something.

And vote back in the very people that ignored those that said something in the first place.

Chas,
I wrote -- �Chas, this is no reflection on you, it�s just what your post triggered off in me. Too many people complaining and few are doing much about it�.

My comments was not about you or your post, it was about me and what came to my mind. I do understand what you wrote and I am not in disagreement.

I have listened to people complaining about many different topics and my reaction is always the same, �And what will you be doing about it?�

Russ wrote, �Hey, Chas (you old softee)! You nailed it again, as did Gary. I just picked up my new "adopted" little guy (Andress) from school (didn't feel well)�. He IS doing something about it, beautiful.

I am very much in favor of people discussing negatives with the purpose of growing and understanding. Few people learn from good times so talking about negatives has it�s place, an important place, in counseling my main purpose is to bring people to these areas.

So Chas, it is not you or your post, it�s all about my feelings. And thanks for responding so respectfully.

John C.

I was never a big fan of JFK, however he put it best when he said "Ask not what your country can do for you--Ask what you can do for your country!" Food for thought.

Gary

1st-century B.C. Roman statesman and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero once declared, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country."

and

The sinews of war: unlimited money.
�Cicero, 1st century BC

Peace just doesn't pay that well. Figures...

WAR IS A RACKET

WAR is a racket. It always has been.

It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.

A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small "inside" group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes.

...read the entire article:
http://www.lexrex.com/enlightened/articles/warisaracket.htm

------------------
Bo pen nyang.

A wise man once said.

Change ourselves
Change our family
Change our neibourhood
Change our town
Change our State
Change our country
Change our WORLD

It all starts with ME


Cousin Ken

In that case, I promise to never drill in the Gulf....

OK, problem solved!

The potential bomber lived for 3 years in my current town of Shelton, CT about 2 miles away from my house, then moved to Bridgeport, CT near my parents.

Talk about close

Now that's Scary Frank.....it could be anyone. See something....Say Something !