BP Gulf Coast Oil Spill Two Years Later

Y'all come on down to the Gulf Coast and help make 2012 an even better year for tourism. Everything is just fine after the BP oil spill. The President and his family flew in, went for a swim in a harbor leading to the Gulf of Mexico, played Putt Putt Golf, and ate some seafood (warning graphic).

Not! 

Eyeless Shrimp and Fish with Tumors:  The Horrific Consequences of BP's Spill

Two Years later communities are still suffering from the BP oil spill.

Just like Katrina.

Wednesday Must Reads

In honor of Earth Week please read Taking America back from the Polluters  aka the gop.

We must finally put an end to the days when dirty interests — who put their own short-term profits before the long-term health of our country — have more influence than the people.

America belongs to everyone. It’s time to take our power back from the polluters.

On the first anniversary of the BP/Gulf Oil disaster please read Lax Congressional Response to BP Oil Disaster Another Gulf Tragedy?

One year ago today, an explosion aboard the BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig claimed the lives of 11 workers and initiated the worst oil disaster the U.S. has ever seen. Thousands of animals in the Gulf of Mexico were killed, many of which were endangered or threatened already, and oil and toxic dispersants continue to impact coastal communities and natural habitats.

Despite recommendations from the Presidential Oil Spill Commission, Congress has yet to pass legislation that ensures safer operations in any water depth, provides better spill response, lifts the existing liability cap or secures funding for restoration efforts in the Gulf.

There is no pretty way to say it...women, strike that, poor women are under attack by rich white men aka republicans. Read Give me your money and your conscience , then read how the gop wants poor women to Trust their Twat to Walgreen's big H/T to Writechic.

Not content to have a go at gutting tenure, the red TeaPublican Alabama state legislature is also looking into having a go at the Teachers Retirement System too. If you can read this thank a Teacher. If you can't read this thank the TeaPublicans.

Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, the House leader, praised the bills, which are set for review Wednesday by the House Ways and Means -- General Fund Committee.

"I believe we've long needed to update the members of the boards overseeing those funds, to make sure they make sound, professional decisions and ... look out for the taxpayers," he said. The state expects to pay a total of $964 million to support the TRS and ERS this year.

Mac McArthur, executive director of the Alabama State Employees Association, said the ERS board doesn't need fixing. "I don't know why anybody would want to fix something that's not broken," McArthur said.

The Birmingham Skews is back with a vengeance after it's Hack Attack! Read, Don't Take it Out of the Oven-It's Half Baked
Power to We the People!

Recently, I wrote a post about the difference between blogs and the big newspapers and why I favored blogs. Reading Archibald’s column today, it occurred to me that blogs allow us (as in “we, the people”) to serve the function that the newspapers once ostensibly served: holding those with power accountable. I see no reason that the Birmingham News and its journalists should be exempt. They have power. And influence.

Check out this headline from The Birmingham News (not to be confused with the Birmingham Skews)Birmingham's Nation of Islam leaders call for firing of officers involved in latest video-taped incident which prompted comments like this;

The Nation of Islam is a joke. Who really gives a rip what they say?

And this

Religious leaders are social gagsters (sic) prey on the weak of mind.

And this

"Granted the police shouldn't have kicked his tail . . . " - I happen to disagree with you: They SHOULD have kicked his tail! They should have kicked it longer and harder! They should have kicked it enough for him to be coming forth with an apology instead of a lawsuit!

Notice how public opinion is focused on the Nation of Islam and not the actions of the Birmingham Police Department?

What are you reading today? Knowledge is power. Share the knowledge.

Redeye's Weekend Round Up

Won't be watching THIS.

The House Negro Cometh. O-tay?

Where are the J-O-B-S the TeaPublicans said they were going to create?

All war all the time, UNfair and UNbalanced.

There's a whole lot of U-G-L-Y going on.

About that ongoing oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico....

I swear that you just don't know who to trust these days.

Word. You just don't know who to trust these days. *Sigh*

O.I.L.

The Bush Doctrine reared it's ugly head again last week. You know, the doctirne that says we (The United States of America) must kill innocent men, women children in Libya to protect them from an evil dictator. The United States of America must spend millions of tax dollars for bombs but not a penny for books, health care, or heating for the elderly. It's all war all the time, Unfair and Unbalanced.

The UN Security Council voted on Thursday to authorize a “no-fly zone” over Libya – a surprise to the author, who had predicted in the this column on Tuesday that China and/or Russia would veto the move. The measure gives the OK to “all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Moammar Gadhafi's forces – wording the U.S. and its allies will undoubtedly treat as a mandate to apply as much force as they wish.

The righty's are already calling the US led enforcement of the UN sanctioned No Fly Zone Obama's War in a lame attempt to equate Bush using our grief over 911 to send our sons and daughters to Iraq and Afghanistan, and firing cruise missiles.

"I feel like in two days max we will destroy Gadhafi," said Ezzeldin Helwani, 35, a rebel standing next to the smoldering wreckage of an armored personnel carrier, the air thick with smoke and the pungent smell of burning rubber. In a grisly sort of battle trophy, celebrating fighters hung a severed goat's head with a cigarette in its mouth from the turret of one of the gutted tanks.

I don't like it. I don't support it. I don't care who the evil Dictator or the President IS.

It's a simple point, but an important one, and one that gets overlooked. Whether or not you think a particular war is moral and good, the fact remains that war is illegal. Actual defense by a country when attacked is legal, but that only occurs once another country has actually attacked, and it must not be used as a loophole to excuse wider war that is not employed in actual defense.

There is Oil in Lybia. Black gold. Texas Tea.

Oil reserves in Libya are the largest in Africa and the ninth largest in the world with 41.5 billion barrels (6.60×10^9 m3) as of 2007. Oil production was 1.8 million barrels per day (290×10^3 m3/d) as of 2006, giving Libya 63 years of reserves at current production rates if no new reserves were to be found. Libya is considered a highly attractive oil area due to its low cost of oil production (as low as $1 per barrel at some fields), and proximity to European markets. Libya would like to increase production from 1.8 Mbbl/d (290×10^3 m3/d) in 2006 to 3 Mbbl/d (480×10^3 m3/d) by 2010–13 but with existing oil fields undergoing a 7–8% decline rate, Libya's challenge is maintaining production at mature fields, while finding and developing new oil fields. Most of Libya remains unexplored as a result of past sanctions and disagreements with foreign oil companies.[1]

Cumulative production through 2009 was 27 Gbbl.[2] Given the stated number, this would be 65% of reserves.

The drilling of oil wells in Libya was first authorised by the Petroleum Law of 1955.[3] The National Oil Corporation is the largest oil company of Libya

Speaking of O.I.L, a LARGE new OIL SLICK is under investigation in The Gulf of Mexico.

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating reports of a large oil sheen 20 miles north of the site where BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded last April. Multiple reports indicate a sheen nearly 100 miles long and 12 miles wide originating near the site of the Matterhorn SeaStar oil rig, owned by W&T Offshore, Inc.

Country first?

I cannot let these brazen lies stand

Since I am being accused of hacking into mooncats LiA account and posting a diary calling out Senator Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III(R. Azalea Trail Maids) for his opposition to the DREAM ACT like that's a bad thing, I am compelled to correct some of the brazen lies contained in comments by Sessions apologist/supporters.

mooncat

Jeff Sessions opposes educating brown kids (+)

Jeff Sessions is the GOP point man against the DREAM Act, which is pretty fitting considering his past racist statements. Sessions has authored a "white paper" with 10 point talking points against the act.

Brazen lie #1

While I support any immigrants right to become a citizen, why should we make it even more complicated than it already is by adding loopholes to naturalization process? If a Democrat had come up with the "white paper" instead of Sessions, I would agree with it still, just the same. And by the way, the majority of Democrats support Sessions points.

I don't know what "majority of democrats" the commenter refers to, but here is the OFFICIAL Democratic Party position on immigration reform.

We will extend the promise of citizenship to those still struggling for freedom. Today’s immigration laws do not reflect our values or serve our security, and we will work for real reform. The solution is not to establish a massive new status of second-class workers; that betrays our values and hurts all working people. Undocumented immigrants within our borders who clear a background check, work hard and pay taxes should have a path to earn full participation in America. We will hasten family reunification for parents and children, husbands and wives, and offer more English-language and civic education classes so immigrants can assume all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. As we undertake these steps, we will work with our neighbors to strengthen our security so we are safer from those who would come here to harm us. We are a nation of immigrants, and from Arab-Americans in California to Latinos in Florida, we share the dream of a better life in the country we love

Brazen lie #2

First of all, pandering to immigration by the Republicans, Democrats, liberals and conservatives is just a vote buying game. The majority of Democrats oppose naturalization of illegals and support some type of substantial border protection.

First of all, unlike republicans, democrats don't do things in order to "buy votes", which I assume is another way of saying pander for partisan political gain, democrats support the DREAM Act because it's the right thing thing to do. The second point has already been refuted.

Then you have people like Mo Brooks that didn't go overboard with his immigration rhetoric like Peterson & James, but they still campaigned on something they cannot possibly deliver. But they sure did drive home the point of how the illegals take American jobs and such. (trying to appeal to the racist voters) When finally Mo Brooks, Robert Bentley and others outlined just how they would solve the immigration problem, all they came up with is e-freekin-verify. That idea's not worth the paper it's printed on. All that does is create a bigger market for hackers and fake ID makers. The only way to stop illegal immigration would require at least one million troops along the border. And that would be MUCH too expensive.

Brazen lie #3

The white exodus from the Alabama Democratic Party is for exactly the same reason, only here mooncat is playing the role of Joe Reed.

Nope, the reason for the white exodus from the Alabama Democratic Party is there are more of them than there are of us. There are more white democrats (and I use that term loosely) who care more about sending them there illegals back to Mexico than they do their city, county, state and country. The playing the role of Joe Reed race baiting was meant as a slam but it's actually a complement to mooncat for calling out the racist racism.

Brazen lies #4,5,6,7

I'm tired of trying to talk reasonably with Democrats. You guys complain about previous administrations spending habits but are now ok by doubling down on the spending. You argument? They spent us into this recession... We can spend ourselves out.

The fact of the matter is, our social entitlements programs are struggling as it is. You want to pour millions of more people into these programs without finding a way to shore up our current obligations. Its just plain ignorant.

Why is it impossible to work to improve the situation for all Mexicans? Not just the ones who break our laws? If all you bleeding heart liberals out there really stood behind what you say instead of just pandering for votes then you'd be pushing for America to work with Mexico to improve its impoverished. To improve its economy, to improve its job market so that suddenly America isn't as appealing to break into. But nah, if they are in Mexico, then that means they can't vote democrat.

is type of rhetoric. The ADP converted an 100+ year reign in the majority into a republican super majority. I guess all us racist white folk got tired of the status quo.

I guess it depends on what the meaning of to talk reasonably with democrats IS, if it's listen to and adhere to right wing talking points and tortured logic, no we democrats aren't hearing it. We democrats were right (no pun) to complain about the previous administrations out of control spending on all war all the time, raiding the deficit to give the rich a tax cut and creating debt as far as the eye can see.

The fact of the matter is without those "social entitlement programs" righty's rail against like Medicare, Social Security, and aid to dependent children people would suffer and die.

Instead of trying to tell another country what to do, why not enact comprehensive immigration reform in this country? In other words let America run America and let Mexico run Mexico. We don't believe in "nation building", remember? It's Country First. A country founded by immigrants. Remember? If you want immigrants to vote republican instead of democrats, give them a reason to vote for the gop instead of against the gop.

Please do continue this type of rhetoric. The ADP converted an 100+ year reign in the majority into a republican super majority. I guess all us racist white folk got tired of the status quo

Translation: STFU and let us continue to oppress black/brown and red folks and maintain the status quo.

mooncat asks

What would the GOP do without Southern racists to carry their water?

What indeed.

Let them define themselves, let them reveal who they are~Rep. Maxine Waters

Redeye's Week in Review

Shhhh! It's a super secret contract between the Alabama Democratic Party and Left in Alabama. We can't tell you the details but we're sure you'll like it. NOT.

This is why transparency and accountability are important. Not knowing the details and the specifics of the contract leads to speculation and not fact.
But regardless if the contract is for peanuts or if it's volunteer work, why the secret? How, why and when was LiA chosen? Sunlight is the best disenfectant.

I consider it a personal slap in the face for the Alabama Democratic Party, of which I am a member, to support a blog that won't allow me the same rights and privileges of other commentors. I also consider it a slap in the face to the Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ron Sparks, Dr. Joe Reed, Dr. Paul Hubbert, The Alabama Education Association, The Alabama Democratic Confeference and all the other African American elected officials and traditional democratic base the blog administrators frquently treat with disdane and disrespect. Left in Alabama is not a liberal blog, it is a progressive blog, and there is a difference. Those who support the democratic party and it's agenda get the shaft, but LiA gets a contract. What's up with that?

Oh those pesky, deranged, whining Professional Lefty's. I wish they would just STFD and STFU. It's not like they've been right (no pun) along about practically everything from the Iraq qWagmire, to the Afghanistan qWagmire to the tax cut for the rich, to Gitmo, to health care reform, to gay rights, to immigration reform, women's rights and labor. I mean how dare they criticize President Obama, after all the alternative is so much worse. It's not like they are the Tea Party or something. Those are real American activist. The Professional Left should just STFU and continue to enable The Professional Right to obstruct President Obama's agenda. The Professional Left is the Enemy of the State. *Big Snark*

To the extent that the White House has failed to take advantage of these opportunities, I think the primary reason is ineffective staff work. Often, it seems too many staffers are driven by a 1990s mindset about how politics works. Ultimately, though, President Obama is the only one who can turn the ship around. I know it must be frustrating for people in the White House to be held to such high standards; after all, by ordinary standards, they've accomplished a tremendous amount, and yet they are still receiving incoming fire. But fair or not, these aren't ordinary times. These are times that call for greatness.

Under the radar. BP's Oil Spill dumped on communities of color. I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you! Not.

Tons of BP's oil waste sent to the Chastang Landfill in Mount Vernon, Ala.: 6,008

Percent of residents in a one-mile radius who are people of color: 56.2

African American Democratic Legislators Charlie Rangel (NY) and Maxine Waters (CA) tell the ethics committee to Bring it on. Did you know that Alabama Congressman Jo Bonner (republican) was the ranking member? Are Democrats and Republicans trying to Ruin Black Politicians?

The double standard with respect to how Republicans and Democrats are being treated in regards to ethics violations sends mixed messages to the African American community. First it looks as if the white Democratic leadership, in concert with the GOP, is targeting blacks singularly. Second, it lets the world see America’s hypocrisy in regards to how Republicans are treated compared to black political officials, especially if one happens to be the first African American president of the United States of America.

I'm just saying.....

Redeye's Week In Review

Artur Davis, I mean Terri Sewell is the democratic congressional nominee from the 7th district. She was quoting Shirley Chisholm on Wednesday and announcing she wasn't going to be a rubber stamp for President Obama on Thursday. Now we see why Emily's list was so *ahem* invested in 7th district congressional race. If the republicans were smart, and I'm not saying they are, they would run a social liberal, fiscal conservative candidate against Sewell in the fall and take a "safe" democratic seat. But why should they bother to run a candidate when they have Artur, I mean Sewell? I wonder if Sewell is going to vote for Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the house? Naahhh. This is messed up on too many levels to enumerate. The voters in the 7th district don't deserve this. If the Alabama democratic party were courageous, and I'm not saying they are, they would run a real democrat as an independent in the fall. With democratic nominees like Sewell who needs republicans?

Speaking of Artur Davis, he's exhibiting the learned helplessness democrats are famous for in Alabama.

U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, praised Robert Bentley for his victory in Tuesday's runoff election and predicted the Republican Party nominee will be tough to beat in the general election.

With democrats like Davis who needs republicans?

Republicans and *ahem* progressive cats won't have Dr. Paul Hubbert to kick around anymore since he is stepping down as the State Party Vice Chair. He is public enemy #1 because he is an effective advocate for public schools, public school students, teachers, administrators and support staff. Dr. Joe L. Reed is public enemy#2 because he is responsible for "gerrymandering" them there black voting districts thanks to that there Voting Rights Act.

Districts with huge majorities of minority voters? Not good. Those are intended to actually dilute the effect of minorities at the voting booth and shouldn't be tolerated by anyone on the progressive side of the map.

With progressives like these who needs democrats.

The political career of Bradley Byrnes is over, thanks in large part to democrats and the AEA. Yep, those so called anti corruption, anti gambling corporate candidates crashed and burned. Schnauzer I join you and Mrs. Schnauzer in your childish delight

So we hope you will excuse our childish delight at the thumping corporate candidates have taken at the election box recently in Alabama. The battle for honest governance is far from over--in Alabama and beyond. But we must admit to feeling a tiny bit of vindication today--and even a sense of "up yours" to those who have soiled our democracy.

The NAACP called on the Tea Party Gang to reject the racist elements and found themselves under attack from the mainstream media. That's right (no pun), the organization that fights racism is under attack for exposing the racist elements of the Tea Party gang at the same time the media is doing everything but ironing the white sheets, lighting torches and getting the rope for Mel Gipson. So, how come the media, which is predominately white, gets to defend the Tea Party Movement, attacking the NAACP and convicting Mel Gipson? Who made them the arbiters of racism? This is the same media who painted anti war protesters as anti American, anti military, namby, pamby, tree huggers and Cindy Sheehan as a traitor because she dared ask why her son died in Iraq.

President Obama is cautiously optimistic the oil well gusher is plugged in the Gulf of Mexico. Republicans voted lock step against extending unemployment benefits and financial reform. The Tea Party candidates crashed and burned. And republicans still think think they are going to regain control of the government in November.

Ain't that a dip?

Redeye's Week in Review

Who Shall Represent the Pettus Bridge in Congress, Corporate Attorney Artur, I mean Terri Sewell or Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Smoot? That is the question voters in AL CD 7 will answer in the democratic primary on July 9. It's no secret I consider Terri Sewell to be the female version of the previous CD 7 Congress Critter and after reading the concerns raised in this informative diary I have agree with the author:

unless I were to see some solid answers to the concerns I have raised, my gut instinct is that Smoot would be a more loyal member of both the Democratic majority, and the Congressional Black Caucus, and would thus serve her constituents better.

Welcome to my Blog roll Wanted Alabama Democrats.

Speaking of the soon to be former ex CD 7 Congress Critter, Artur Davis wants to become a white collar criminal defense lawyer.

U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, said that after he leaves Congress he wants to practice law as a white-collar criminal defense lawyer, possibly in Washington, D.C.

I think it's important to define white collar crime just to be clear;

lawbreaking by salaried worker: theft, fraud, embezzlement, or some other nonviolent lawbreaking act perpetrated by a salaried employee or senior manager of a company or organization

I think it's also important to identify some infamous white collar criminals

Speaking of white collar criminals, what do Enron's Jeffery Skilling and former Democratic Alabama Governor Don Siegelman have in common? Well, the Supreme Court just ruled prosecutors *ahem* erred;

MONTGOMERY — Attorneys for a former Alabama governor convicted of bribery and other charges say a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a white collar crime law could lead courts to throw out at least some of counts against him and a former Health South CEO.

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that prosecutors erred in using the "honest services" law in the prosecution of former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling.

Ex-Gov. Don Siegelman and Richard Scrushy were convicted in 2006 of bribery and other charges in a federal government corruption case.

Siegelman attorney Vince Kilborn said the "honest services" law was also used in the prosecution of both men and that the ruling might encourage the court to look favorably on their appeals.

Karma is a b$%ch isn't it? Isn't is ironic O-I-L is washing up on the shores of all the reddest of the red states and they are crying out for some big guvermint aide? What happened to drill baby drill and personal responsibility? I wonder if voters who live on Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida smell the coffee and will stop voting republican to bite off their nose to spite their face?
Naaaah. That would be too much like right. :)

Speaking of those crazy republicans, they KILLED the BILL extending unemployment benifits last night. I don't get it, republicans are anti extending umemployment benifits but don't have a problem funding never ending W-ar. What do they expect people to do? Desperate times make sesperate people do desperate things.

President Obama finally found some a$$ to kick, but I think we need to get our sons and daughters a$$es out of Iraq and Afghanistan before more are killed, wounded or maimed for life. Bring our troops home. NOW. Send the tea baggers, republicans and the media to stop the momentum of the Taliban, stay the course, fight em over there so we won't have to fight em over here blab blab blah blah.

Today marks the first anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson, I haven't figured out how to em bed video yet (hint hint) but I want to close with words from one of e Micheal Jackson last songs,
They don't really care about us.
Gone to soon, RIP Michael Jackson.

What If Wednesday

Black Agenda Report Managing Editor Bruce Dixon ask What if BP were a human being instead of a corporation?

What if BP, the principal corporate entity responsible for the monstrous oil well rupture a mile beneath Gulf of Mexico were a human being, a flesh and blood person instead of a faceless transnational corporation? It's a fair and simple question, and the answers tell us a lot more about the world we live in.

What if they really do hate us for our freedoms? It used to aggravate me to no end to hear Bush/Dick and the Talking TeeVee Pundit heads say the "Terrist hate us for our freedoms" claiming it was why we were attacked on 911. First, we need to figure out who they are.But what if they were right (pun intended) and they really do hate us for our freedom only "they" are not the terrist but our government, because lately those freedoms we love and cherish and who are sons and daughters are "fighting for" in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming under attack.

Do they hate us for our right to vote and have our votes counted?
Do they hate us for our Miranda Rights?
Do they hate us for our right to Habeas Corpus?
Do they hate us because we are a nation of immigrants?
Do they hate for our freedom of speech?

What if President Obama had nominated the most qualified man/woman to the fill the vacancy on the United States Supreme Court? Hate to say it but the Repubs are right (pun intended) about Elana Kagen not being qualified for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. But hey, even a broken clock/watch is right twice a day. Lilian Sergura tells us Six things we may not know about Elana Kagen.

The nomination of Elana Kagen to the Supreme Court has produced many more questions than answers, but that has not stopped the avalanche of news stories, which could take days to sift through. Nevertheless, it seems pretty clear from what we know so far that this is not good news for anyone who hoped that the president might choose a nominee that would continue in the liberal tradition of the justice she's replacing, John Paul Stevens.

Which is why progressives must fight the nomination of Elana Kagen;

For more than 15 months, evidence has mounted that President Obama routinely combines progressive rhetoric with contrary actions. As one bad decision after another has emanated from the Oval Office, some progressives have favored denial -- even though, if the name "Bush" or "McCain" had been attached to the same presidential policies, the same progressives would have been screaming bloody murder.

What if we were investing in America's future instead of all war all the time?

Congress is being asked to vote on another appropriations bill for billions more dollars to fund military operations in Afghanistan despite reservations among many members about the corrupt regime of Afghan leader, Hamid Karzai. Operations that many in the Pentagon are beginning to question from both an tactical and strategic standpoint:

What if 9 Alabama State University students hadn't been expelled under pressure from then Governor John Patterson for protesting off campus? Note to Alabama gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis, these are the "old school" civil rights pioneers who were in the trenches when you were just a twinkle in your mother's eye. These are the "old school" warriors who helped Dr. Joe Reed with the help of African American political organizations pave the way for you to be the sitting Congressman from the 7th district of Alabama. These are the "old school" people you disrespect and threw under the bus to pander to the white, I mean right. Shame on you.

What if I hadn't been banned from Left in Alabama and they really did connect progressive voices for a new direction in Alabama politics instead of disconnecting progressive voices in favor or neo-liberal voices? :)