When we flew home from our cruise (Tampa to Salt Lake) we could see the spill in the gulf, and it was a bit horrifying.
I think what is particularly interesting about this spill is that even the people who ordinarily don't care one lick about the environment are getting irate about this spill because it is going to have such a huge impact on the economy in the gulf coast.va
These images make me sick to my stomach. There is a lot of "discussion" going on here in Houston. Some side with the big oil companies and being that these companies employ so many in this region, they are pretty loud. Then there are those who can see this disaster's destruction and the impending devastation and surprisingly, they aren't completely made up with the stereotypical environmental activist types. It's been refreshing to see so many different kinds of people rally around the gulf shoreline that they love. People that I wouldn't have guessed have rallied around rescue and clean up efforts. Unfortunately, I am not sure if it will be enough. I hope I am wrong.
Whenever the spill is mentioned on the news, I'm tempted to go into ostrich mode and tell myself it really won't be too bad.
I suspect there are a couple reasons for this: 1) It's hard to fathom that that much damage could occur, so I try to pretend it CAN'T occur (illogical, I know), and 2) I hate feeling so darn helpless to stop it.
Sigh - humans aren't as rational as we like to think we are. No wonder Vulcans find us amusing.
On a side note, this spill has solidified my opposition to nuclear power plants. Accidents happen, and accident + nuclear reactor = big trouble.
Oh, Nan. I am heartsick over this. My Mom even proposed a family fast specifically dedicated to this issue, in the hopes that a solution could be found. Quick. How is it not already too late, though? The images are sickening. Dead sea turtles and oil-covered birds, and now the photos of the beautiful marshes filling up with the goo. I admire people trying to help in whatever tiny way they can help. I know salons all over the country are sending hair to soak it up. (I donated a couple of inches last week.) But seriously, you look at these photos, and realize the problem is so much bigger than we can understand. I know it was an accident, and that I have no affiliation with BP, but I still feel guilt. Do you know what I mean? Because I am a gas-guzzling American, I feel guilt.
Interesting, KimBlue. I feel just the opposite about nuclear energy. This has emphasized to me the need to diversify and find a more balanced approach to our energy "needs."
When we lived in Miami, we received all our power from Turkey Point, where our good Bishop was a nuclear engineer. It was a good, clean source of power. Nuclear plants provide 20% of U.S. power, despite the fact that we haven't built any in decades. I'm all for it.
Perhaps it's time I do some reading about nuclear power. I hesitate to call something "clean" that produces nuclear waste, but I should probably study the details a bit more before passing final judgment.
Any suggestions where I might learn more about nuclear power's pros and cons?
Yeah, clean may not fit perfectly, but in contrast to fossil fuels, it still has some application. I like this site as a fairly neutral starting point: http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm
Thanks for the tip, Mike. KimBlue: I'm also going to follow up with my father-in-law for suggestions. He has spent his career as a nuclear engineer. There was even a business trip to Russia in the 90's where he bought a missile. Truthfully, I don't even think his wife knows all the details about his job. Security stuff.
10 comments:
When we flew home from our cruise (Tampa to Salt Lake) we could see the spill in the gulf, and it was a bit horrifying.
I think what is particularly interesting about this spill is that even the people who ordinarily don't care one lick about the environment are getting irate about this spill because it is going to have such a huge impact on the economy in the gulf coast.va
These images make me sick to my stomach. There is a lot of "discussion" going on here in Houston. Some side with the big oil companies and being that these companies employ so many in this region, they are pretty loud. Then there are those who can see this disaster's destruction and the impending devastation and surprisingly, they aren't completely made up with the stereotypical environmental activist types. It's been refreshing to see so many different kinds of people rally around the gulf shoreline that they love. People that I wouldn't have guessed have rallied around rescue and clean up efforts. Unfortunately, I am not sure if it will be enough. I hope I am wrong.
Whenever the spill is mentioned on the news, I'm tempted to go into ostrich mode and tell myself it really won't be too bad.
I suspect there are a couple reasons for this: 1) It's hard to fathom that that much damage could occur, so I try to pretend it CAN'T occur (illogical, I know), and 2) I hate feeling so darn helpless to stop it.
Sigh - humans aren't as rational as we like to think we are. No wonder Vulcans find us amusing.
On a side note, this spill has solidified my opposition to nuclear power plants. Accidents happen, and accident + nuclear reactor = big trouble.
Oh, Nan. I am heartsick over this. My Mom even proposed a family fast specifically dedicated to this issue, in the hopes that a solution could be found. Quick. How is it not already too late, though? The images are sickening. Dead sea turtles and oil-covered birds, and now the photos of the beautiful marshes filling up with the goo. I admire people trying to help in whatever tiny way they can help. I know salons all over the country are sending hair to soak it up. (I donated a couple of inches last week.) But seriously, you look at these photos, and realize the problem is so much bigger than we can understand. I know it was an accident, and that I have no affiliation with BP, but I still feel guilt. Do you know what I mean? Because I am a gas-guzzling American, I feel guilt.
Interesting, KimBlue. I feel just the opposite about nuclear energy. This has emphasized to me the need to diversify and find a more balanced approach to our energy "needs."
When we lived in Miami, we received all our power from Turkey Point, where our good Bishop was a nuclear engineer. It was a good, clean source of power. Nuclear plants provide 20% of U.S. power, despite the fact that we haven't built any in decades. I'm all for it.
Perhaps it's time I do some reading about nuclear power. I hesitate to call something "clean" that produces nuclear waste, but I should probably study the details a bit more before passing final judgment.
Any suggestions where I might learn more about nuclear power's pros and cons?
Yeah, clean may not fit perfectly, but in contrast to fossil fuels, it still has some application. I like this site as a fairly neutral starting point: http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm
Thanks for the tip, Mike. KimBlue: I'm also going to follow up with my father-in-law for suggestions. He has spent his career as a nuclear engineer. There was even a business trip to Russia in the 90's where he bought a missile. Truthfully, I don't even think his wife knows all the details about his job. Security stuff.
Brilliant commentary.
From Whitney (signed in as Miranda)
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