British Petroleum, Disenfranchised, Gulf Coast, Katrina, New Orleans, Oil Spill

An Audition: British Petroleum’s Public Relations Department

By now many of us have read of British Petroleum’s increased ad spending in the months following the April 20th Deepwater Horizon Explosion. Rep. Kathy Castor was especially upset by this, saying “BP is overdoing it, it’s really making people angry. Every day you get up and see these full-page ads in every newspaper and the TV ads…while BP’s advertising campaign ramped up, businesses and the … Continue reading An Audition: British Petroleum’s Public Relations Department

Drake ToulouseSeptember 22, 2010September 22, 20103 Comments

British Petroleum, Coast Guard, Democracy, Disenfranchised, Escrow Account, Gulf Coast, Ken Feinberg, Macondo Well, Oil Spill, Supression of Science, Thad Allen

The Problem with Sandcastles

While many, myself included appreciate that the Macondo Well is “effectively dead,” considering the claims that no oil has been leaking from the site since mid-July it is a bit anti-climactic. Many bloggers, myself included have been far more focused on the cleanup activities or lack thereof, the oil still washing up on the beaches and permeating the Gulf, the dying sea life, the increasing … Continue reading The Problem with Sandcastles

Drake ToulouseSeptember 20, 2010September 20, 20107 Comments

British Petroleum, Coast Guard, Control the Information, Disenfranchised, Macondo Well, Oil Spill, Plug The Leak, Tony Hayward

Tony Hayward Speaks at British Commons…and a response

So, couple of days ago, Mr. Hayward was questioned about British Petroleum’s safety record in England by the MPs and apparently, he had more to say to his local pol’s then he did when Congress had their go a few months back, you remember, when he gave an hour-long version of “Oh, I didn’t know.” This time around, he offered up these gems: In discussing all BP had … Continue reading Tony Hayward Speaks at British Commons…and a response

Drake ToulouseSeptember 18, 2010September 19, 2010Leave a comment

Barack Obama, Bobby Jindal, British Petroleum, Coast Guard, Control the Information, Disenfranchised, Gulf Coast, Katrina, Macondo Well, Oil Spill, Restore the Wetlands, Supression of Science

Changing Course in the Gulf: Bad Lessons in Money and Politics Pt. 2 – Bobby Jindal, Sand Berms and the Shaw Group

Over the past five months, Gulf Coast residents have been treated to a number of decisions with direct impact on their lives. They weren’t asked to give input at the time these decisions were made. They weren’t asked how they thought it might affect their future. The decisions occurred above their heads and most times, without their knowledge, but they are the ones now paying … Continue reading Changing Course in the Gulf: Bad Lessons in Money and Politics Pt. 2 – Bobby Jindal, Sand Berms and the Shaw Group

Drake ToulouseSeptember 12, 2010September 14, 20102 Comments

British Petroleum, Control the Information, Disenfranchised, Gulf Coast, Macondo Well, Oil Spill

Responding to BP’s Report…a related story

British Petroleum unleashed their 193 page report yesterday, accepting a small part of the blame for the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon, while at the same time pointing eleven fingers at Halliburton and Transocean. The report held a number of key findings, but focused a great deal of attention on the improper cementing of the well, something it should be noted British Petroleum had nothing to … Continue reading Responding to BP’s Report…a related story

Drake ToulouseSeptember 9, 2010September 9, 2010Leave a comment

Barack Obama, Bobby Jindal, British Petroleum, Control the Information, Democracy, Disenfranchised, Escrow Account, Gulf Coast, Macondo Well, Oil Spill, Supression of Science, Tony Hayward

Changing Course in the Gulf: Bad Lessons in Money and Politics Pt. 1 – BP and Corexit

In the past five months, Gulf Coast residents have been treated to a number of decisions with direct impact on their lives. They weren’t asked to give input at the time these decisions were made. They weren’t asked how they thought it might affect their future. The decisions occurred above their heads and most times, without their knowledge, but they are the ones now paying … Continue reading Changing Course in the Gulf: Bad Lessons in Money and Politics Pt. 1 – BP and Corexit

Drake ToulouseSeptember 8, 2010September 8, 20101 Comment

Barack Obama, British Petroleum, Coast Guard, Control the Information, Democracy, Disenfranchised, Gulf Coast, Headlines, Katrina, New Orleans, Oil Spill, Plug The Leak, Sarah Palin, Supression of Science

Headlines: Gulf Coast and Beyond

Criminal charges being considered against BP in Gulf oil rig tragedy – Times Picayune Hurricanes May Carry Toxic Chemicals from Crude Oil and Dispersant Inland – Washington Blog FDA’s standards for Gulf seafood may be lower than those in past oil spills – Press Register John McCain Says He’s Too Old and Tired for Any New Ideas of His Own – HuffingtonPost ‘Censoring’ of Craigslist … Continue reading Headlines: Gulf Coast and Beyond

Drake ToulouseSeptember 6, 2010September 6, 2010Leave a comment

Disenfranchised, Katrina, New Orleans

An Afternoon With Charlie, An Evening With Mayor Landrieu

The Sunday afternoon after Rising Tide found me in a bar on St. Claude Ave, having a drink or three and talking to a guy named Charlie who was splitting a pitcher of beer with his friend. Charlie lived in the St. Roch neighborhood, born and raised in New Orleans and he was telling me about the lives lived on either side of St. Claude … Continue reading An Afternoon With Charlie, An Evening With Mayor Landrieu

Drake ToulouseSeptember 2, 2010September 2, 20102 Comments

Disenfranchised, Katrina, New Orleans

Rising Tide 5…Thank You

I just wanted to say, on a personal note, thanks to all who were a part of Rising Tide 5…everyone who had a hand in the planning, the operations of the day and all the speakers who gave up their time to be there…yes, even Ronal Serpas…:) It was probably one of the more valuable days I’ve spent recently and I learned even more than … Continue reading Rising Tide 5…Thank You

Drake ToulouseSeptember 1, 2010September 4, 20103 Comments

Barack Obama, British Petroleum, Coast Guard, Control the Information, Disenfranchised, Escrow Account, Gulf Coast, Headlines, Macondo Well, New Orleans, Oil Spill, Supression of Science, Thad Allen, Tony Hayward

Well Hell…Turn Off the News for Five Days and the Official Narrative Goes to Shit…

I thought the oil was gone. I thought the relief wells were on target. I thought emergency relief payments were to be issued within 48 hours, the blow out preventer was coming to the surface, British Petroleum’s internal investigation had found itself innocent, Corexit was biodegrading, the oil plumes had disappeared, the Gulf’s waters were being reopened because all was clear, nobody was really getting … Continue reading Well Hell…Turn Off the News for Five Days and the Official Narrative Goes to Shit…

Drake ToulouseSeptember 1, 2010September 1, 20101 Comment