Oil Spills and Independence The ramifications of the oil that continues to gush from the BP (British Petroleum) well in the Gulf of Mexico is disasterous on many fronts. The foremost concern is the damage to marine and hospitality industry resources, and the resulting economic losses. Furthermore, human health issues, failed government regulation of drilling and associated oil industry political influence are recurring concerns highlighted by the massive oil spill. Corporate greed, human error and technological overreach are major factors in most man-made disasters. Oil spills in the Gulf and on the West Coast re recurring events. After a Chevron Gulf of Mexico disaster in the 1970`s an investigation found no storm chokes had been installed in many wells. Human error, drunk or incompetent tanker captains account for oil spills in San Francisco Bay and Valdez, Alaska. Off-shore drilling and supertankers will continue to cause problems. The farther off-shore, the greater the problems. Are we prepared for terrorist or pirate attacks on tankers and drilling platforms? A May 17 headline, "BP Spill Responders Told to Forego Precautionary Health Measures," speaks to corporate greed and disregard for oil spill history. Respiratory illnesses among cleanup workers after the Exxon Valdez spill must not be forgotten or ignored. The expendability of cleanup workers would seem to parallel the expendability of marine mammals, seabirds and seafood in the eyes of oil executives. In the coming months oil executives will testify and misdirect blame. Independent experts will testify, regulators will resign, law suits will be filed and politicians will flip-flop. Eventually the BP gusher in the Gulf will be stopped or play out. But if oil is $70, $100 or $120 a barrel, off-shore drilling will continue. Independence from oil will take special efforts. Merely reducing dependence on oil requires legislation and public conservation. The public can elect men and women that can resist the oil lobby in November 2010. The public can support alternative energy sources. The public can reconsider 250 hp outboard motors, air conditioning at 68 dgrees and joy riding on $3.50 gasoline. In the immortal words of Pogo, "We have met the enemy, and they are us." | 