Environment
May 8, 2010, 3:44 pm
Problem for Containment Dome in Gulf
By LIZ ROBBINS
Dr. Alan Phillips, Response
NO ADDITIONAL OFF SHORE DRILLING, WITHOUT STRICT ACCOUNTABILITY
The Gulf of Mexico, even after the initial dome fix effort, continues to bear mute testimony to a pathetic lack of corporate accountability when it comes to drilling for oil along some of the most valuable wildlife areas in the world. Whether viewed from the sea or air the value of the Gulf of Mexico and its ultimate destruction is simply too high a price to pay for unsupervised corporate drilling.
When sloppy drilling is added to the wildlife habitat along with some of the world's most beautiful beaches and their possible destruction from many months of pollution a perfect environmental storm is arising. We are now more aware of the BP governmental lobbying efforts and the dollars expended to obtain waivers from those genuine safe guards required to protect the environment. This lobbying campaign has resulted in a disgraceful series of horrible compromises allowing the Gulf to be threatened. We must say to politicians and agencies, never again will we permit any corporate lobbying to compromise the gulf's environment.
Many are explaining that BP will pay the price for the gigantic spill cleanup effort. In the arena of massive environmental deception and destruction dollars alone do not comprise a cogent or meaningful recovery plan. It is only government and volunteer resources that can provide the muscle and effort to stop a future cataclysm. We must demand of corporations planning to drill in the Gulf a detailed thoroughly documented corporate drilling plan.
Starting today, May 8, 2010, prior to any new deep water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico an extensive plan must be presented and reviewed by the EPA. This type of corporate plan can be fast tracked and checked for various provisions including drilling safety, well blow out protection, personnel, immediate plans for oil spill containment and recovery, as well as corporate reporting to the government, public. Any drilling plan must include a truth in telling provision which accommodates any realistic assessment of potential damage to the environment. We must make it clear to the companies concerned that we will no longer waive safety requirements for their lobbyists and dollars.
In addition to strict accountability for corporations it is necessary for the federal government to supervise drilling by other countries in the Gulf region. The idea that Russia, China, Vietnam and others are drilling in the Gulf of Mexico without state and federal supervision is at best alarming and at worst potentially disastrous. The Gulf of Mexico has far more value to our nation than strictly the oil held deeply beneath its waters.
This growing national tragedy serves as a wakeup call to each of us that without strong supervision and accountability accidents and spills will spoil and may well destroy the Gulf of Mexico's pristine resources. The seafood industry, tourism, and beauty of the area must not permit any additional poorly supervised deep water drilling. The nation can ill afford another of these massive uncontrolled oil spills. If there is to be drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, it must be strictly supervised and monitored by all entities concerned with the process or we will lose an aquatic gem which can never be replaced.
We as Americans have the will power to make absolutely certain that the Gulf is protected from shoddy drilling. Drill baby drill, will need to be tempered by chill baby chill, until we get to the bottom of this tragedy. We simply cannot afford to ignore the Gulf of Mexico.
Dr. Alan Phillips
Bloomington, IL
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
NY Times, Suspect Said to Train in Pakistan
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
N.Y. / Region
Bomb Suspect Said to Train in PakistanBack to Article »
By WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM, SABRINA TAVERNISE and JACK HEALY
Faisal Shahzad, 30, a U.S. citizen from Pakistan, faces charges including attempting to use weapons of mass destruction.
Dr. Alan Phillips, Response
THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR VICTORY IN THIS WAR
From the very moment the twin towers in New York City were attacked on 9/11 we have been at war. Our enemy has not given one inch in their determination to ultimately destroy the people of the United States. Our way of life, and continued support of the nation of Israel have literally guaranteed us an armed conflict that we can and must win. It is unrealistic when many in political leadership refuse to use the word terrorism. This is a type of denial which unfortunately will not make the jihadist problem disappear.
The planting of the bomb this week so close to Disney's presentation of the Lion King, clearly points to our enemies intent to kill and maim women and children. Apparently, the terrorist's opinion of the United States continues to focus on our weak political leadership, their lack of resolve and determination to do battle. The time is soon coming when we as a nation will need the very strongest leadership and determination to defeat this foe.
Enemy combatants conspiring and attempting to kill Americans are not entitled to constitutional rights, Frankly, war is not a matter for the justice department, our military are trained and superbly equipped to wage and win this battle. We have some of the finest military personnel and weaponry in the world. It's past time that we stop disarming, appeasing enemies and begin to use the military strength of the world's greatest democracy.
Since our most recent encounter with the terrorist trained in Pakistan it has been interesting to watch and listen to newscasts featuring talking heads afraid to admit to the truth, we are at war. War is tough and demands strict and often drastic measures. Who can fault President Kennedy for making it plain during the Cuban missile crisis that any missile launched from Cuba against the United States would be considered an attack by the Soviet Union on America demanding a full retaliatory response by our country on the Soviets.
The American people realize that we are at war with an enemy that wants to exterminate the United States and its people because of our way of life and continued support of the Jewish state. Changing terrorist's minds with soft words, threats of sanctions and appeasement will not impede their relentless attacks. Let the historical record show that it was the terrorists that brutally attacked this nation on 9/11. The only thing these butchers understand is a response that defeats them and achieves total victory. The use of the word "victory" seems as out of fashion with the same liberals that fail to use "terrorists" to describe the enemy we all face.
Appeasement and sanctions are in my opinion inviting more attacks against Americans, their towns and cities. The time for weakness and unilateral disarmament on the part of elected leaders is over and should be condemned by the American people. Are our leaders simply waiting for the day when terrorists having obtained a nuclear weapon will use it against New York, Chicago or Los Angeles?
We are at war, a conflict that we did not choose and presently our soldiers and citizens are in the cross hairs and we must support this effort as a nation. Total and complete victory must be our only goal, bold must be our actions, and strength must be our virtue in response to these barbaric terrorists. Their training camps are not sanctuaries, their lives are not sacrosanct and we must defeat them and rid our planet of the destruction they are pursuing. They must be obliterated and for that task we as a nation will require strong and uncompromising leadership. By God's grace and through divine strength we shall defeat this enemy.
May God bless America and give our nation strong leaders that have the will to be victorious over the enemy.
Dr. Alan Phillips
Bloomington, IL
N.Y. / Region
Bomb Suspect Said to Train in PakistanBack to Article »
By WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM, SABRINA TAVERNISE and JACK HEALY
Faisal Shahzad, 30, a U.S. citizen from Pakistan, faces charges including attempting to use weapons of mass destruction.
Dr. Alan Phillips, Response
THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR VICTORY IN THIS WAR
From the very moment the twin towers in New York City were attacked on 9/11 we have been at war. Our enemy has not given one inch in their determination to ultimately destroy the people of the United States. Our way of life, and continued support of the nation of Israel have literally guaranteed us an armed conflict that we can and must win. It is unrealistic when many in political leadership refuse to use the word terrorism. This is a type of denial which unfortunately will not make the jihadist problem disappear.
The planting of the bomb this week so close to Disney's presentation of the Lion King, clearly points to our enemies intent to kill and maim women and children. Apparently, the terrorist's opinion of the United States continues to focus on our weak political leadership, their lack of resolve and determination to do battle. The time is soon coming when we as a nation will need the very strongest leadership and determination to defeat this foe.
Enemy combatants conspiring and attempting to kill Americans are not entitled to constitutional rights, Frankly, war is not a matter for the justice department, our military are trained and superbly equipped to wage and win this battle. We have some of the finest military personnel and weaponry in the world. It's past time that we stop disarming, appeasing enemies and begin to use the military strength of the world's greatest democracy.
Since our most recent encounter with the terrorist trained in Pakistan it has been interesting to watch and listen to newscasts featuring talking heads afraid to admit to the truth, we are at war. War is tough and demands strict and often drastic measures. Who can fault President Kennedy for making it plain during the Cuban missile crisis that any missile launched from Cuba against the United States would be considered an attack by the Soviet Union on America demanding a full retaliatory response by our country on the Soviets.
The American people realize that we are at war with an enemy that wants to exterminate the United States and its people because of our way of life and continued support of the Jewish state. Changing terrorist's minds with soft words, threats of sanctions and appeasement will not impede their relentless attacks. Let the historical record show that it was the terrorists that brutally attacked this nation on 9/11. The only thing these butchers understand is a response that defeats them and achieves total victory. The use of the word "victory" seems as out of fashion with the same liberals that fail to use "terrorists" to describe the enemy we all face.
Appeasement and sanctions are in my opinion inviting more attacks against Americans, their towns and cities. The time for weakness and unilateral disarmament on the part of elected leaders is over and should be condemned by the American people. Are our leaders simply waiting for the day when terrorists having obtained a nuclear weapon will use it against New York, Chicago or Los Angeles?
We are at war, a conflict that we did not choose and presently our soldiers and citizens are in the cross hairs and we must support this effort as a nation. Total and complete victory must be our only goal, bold must be our actions, and strength must be our virtue in response to these barbaric terrorists. Their training camps are not sanctuaries, their lives are not sacrosanct and we must defeat them and rid our planet of the destruction they are pursuing. They must be obliterated and for that task we as a nation will require strong and uncompromising leadership. By God's grace and through divine strength we shall defeat this enemy.
May God bless America and give our nation strong leaders that have the will to be victorious over the enemy.
Dr. Alan Phillips
Bloomington, IL
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