I was unaware until today that our government is asking for our help re: BP Oil Gusher

[izzybeans]

My impression of the response was quite different in fact. I've been told they are doing nothing.

http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/543103/

I think any enterprising journalist may want to contact the Joint Information Center so that we can get a better picture of how all those resources listed at the above are actually being used. From the website it appears there are lots of things happening that we are not aware of. I'd like to know more, personally.

More importantly, if you know anyone impacted by the oil, the helpline for claims is below as well.

-snip-
* For information about the response effort, visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
* To contact the Deepwater Horizon Joint Information Center, call [phone].
* To volunteer, or to report oiled shoreline, call [phone]. Volunteer opportunities can also be found here.
* To submit your vessel as a vessel of opportunity skimming system, or to submit alternative response technology, services, or products, call 281-366-5511.
* To report oiled wildlife, call [phone]. Messages will be checked hourly.
* For information about validated environmental air and water sampling results, visit www.epa.gov/bpspill.
* For National Park Service updates about potential park closures, resources at risk, and NPS actions to protect vital park space and wildlife, visit http://www.nps.gov/aboutus/oil-spill-response.htm.
* For Fish and Wildlife Service's updates about response along the Gulf Coast and the status of national wildlife refuges, visit http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/.
* To file a claim, or report spill-related damage, call BP’s helpline at [phone]. A BP fact sheet with additional information is available here. For those who have already pursued the BP claims process and are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, can call the Coast Guard at [phone]. More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance on procedures to seek that compensation can be found here.

[liberal N proud]

1. Talking heads sure have a way of making everyone think the same thing

[gateley]

2. Apparently Chris Matthews keeps saying Obama is just 'observing' -

that is obviously not accurate. I've no doubt they're all working fast and furiously and sincerely are trying to do what's best.

[izzybeans]

3. We'll I wouldn't include him in that class of journalists I'd call enterprising.

That's for sure. Making that phone call requires work.

[johnaries]

4. Yes, the response has been HUGE. But everytime someone

tries to point this out, we get shouted down by the "Obama has done nothing" crowd.

Unfortunately, the magnitude of this catastrophe is much larger than most people realize.

As several people have pointed out, it should not have been allowed to happen in the first place. And our government (not just Obama) is responding to that, also. They have already begun investigations, planning more investigations, and already begun to take action.

But some people who want to make this all about Obama shout that down, too.

[izzybeans]

6. I'm inclined to think that the media is laying an egg larger than anyone else on this issue.

[johnaries]

56. The coverage does seem to be quite one-sided, doesn't it. nt

[Radical Activist]

5. So even liberals are being manipulated by MSNBC and the corporate press?

Amazing. Never saw that one coming! :hurts:

[NNN0LHI]

15. Bush's 90+ percent approval rating blew the lid off that one

[G_j]

7. aren't those vessels just sitting on 'standby'? nt

[izzybeans]

8. That's a good question. Maybe someone will chime in with the answer.

I'd like to know. I've heard that speculation, but then I also see other information that tells me that some may be on standby while others are working. On what? I have no idea.

[G_j]

9. that comes from a news spot I saw

the fisherman was furious, saying they've been waiting for days and days to offer their help.

[Swamp Rat]

20. Local officials commandeered BP-hired boats because they were just sitting idle for days

GRAND ISLE, La.

Jefferson Parish Emergency Management has commandeered all of BP's hired boats on Grand Isle, parish Councilman Chris Roberts confirmed in an e-mail to WDSU on Saturday.

(snip)

http://www.wdsu.com/news/23646158/detail.html

[izzybeans]

23. I wish I could click on "like" for particular posts

though, the fact that they had to be commandeered just to be put into service is totally f'd.

[ShamelessHussy]

12. speculation

i find it interesting that independent reports are characterized as 'speculation' while reports from BP's PR HQ is quoted as 'information'

consider your sources

[izzybeans]

21. Your comment raises a question as to who is in charge at the unified command.

http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/541571

I'd like to know how this operates, who is calling the shots, etc. Because it's not a BP website its a separate entity containing BP, Transocean, and all the government agencies working on this thing. It's the only website I've found linked to from the White House that contains the typical disaster response information, like what I put in the OP.

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. Admiral Thad Allen was designated as IC, that is Incident Commander

having done that job, in a less complex situation myself, his job basically comes down to making sure every plays well with each other, and that time lines are kept.

They are having a problem with both, as an outside observer, or at least that is my impression. But impressions as outsiders are just that... sometimes what looks like a well oiled response is a clusterfuck, and what looks like a clusterfuck is a well oiled response... and of course it goes without saying... sometimes a clusterfuck is a clusterfuck.

[izzybeans]

26. Thanks.

Since you did or still work in disaster response/planning you may find the incident response plans interesting on the website, btw. It appears there were already protocols in place in NOLA and several other cities in that part of the Gulf.

:)

[ShamelessHussy]

31. yes, and to date no one can get a straight answer from them, and there are the multiple cases of

reporters being denied access to beaches on orders from BP.


here is one reporters experience trying to find out who owns the content and messaging of that site...

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2010/05/oil_spill

BTW: if the GOV was in charge, this would be on gov servers (e.g. .gov)

[ShamelessHussy]

10. that is coming straight from the corporate PR site - if it were true we would see an INTERNATIONAL

FLEET of skimmers, and boom boats out there in the gulf and an ARMY of folks on shore, but we don't.

and the folks on the ground are complaining about being stymied in trying to do more, wether it's reporting or working on the problem.

in fact local governments are actually going off the reservation as they are tired of waiting on BP and the FEDs.

now who should we believe?

the PR men

or

the unaffiliated People on the ground

being in corporate marketing a long time, i will go with the independent sources and my own eyes and ears, every time.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Perhaps I missed it but when was the coast guard privatized?

This is THE GOVERNMENT RUN SITE, but what would I know?

[ShamelessHussy]

14. sorry, but that site is registered with godady, and no one can get a straight answer when calling

as to who is responsible for the content and messaging on the site.

at best it is a joint corp/gov venture, but all indications thus far is that BP is calling the shots.

fyi

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Yeah :LISTNING to the INCIDENT COMMANDER

right now on the TV and that site was set up by the Coast Guard... and it is a joint venture of MANY entities.

[izzybeans]

22. It's the Unified Command - which apparently is made up of both government and oil industry

entities. They are apparently in charge: hence why I chose to link to it.

I hadn't seen it before and thought I'd share.

[ShamelessHussy]

28. "They are apparently in charge" - ah, so they are both in charge

interesting

[izzybeans]

30. That's where we need clarification

though in disaster response a strictly "command and control" model isn't always efficient. Especially with highly complex and dispersed problems.

The Adm. of the Coast Guard is technically in charge, but turf wars could be holding things up. The article Swamp Rat linked to up front where locals commandeered BP boats because they were idle tells me that resources aren't flowing flexibly, so...However, it happens from what I've read (research lit.) so long as this "center" acts as an enabler for anyone pitching a hand their way then its doing "all it can".

I, however, just learned of this today and want more information.

[ShamelessHussy]

34. and that is what people are complaining about... they can't get any straight answers - LINK

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2010/05/oil_spill

people have been following this for over a month now, and i am sick and tired of what i am seeing and reading about.

it is beyond obvious now that BP is trying to manage this disaster as a PR incident, and the gov is helping them do just that, when this ongoing disaster demands much bolder action take place.

i was pissed at bush that it took him a week to respond to katrina, and it's been over a month now, with BP still at the helm.

sorry, but this is unacceptable.

[blogslut]

33. So what if the domain is registered through GoDaddy?

It's not hosted on GoDaddy's servers and the registrant isn't hiding their WHOIS info:

Registrant:
PIER Systems, Inc.
1319 Cornwall Ave.
Suite 200
Bellingham, Washington 98225
United States

Domain Name: DEEPWATERHORIZONRESPONSE.COM
Created on: 24-Apr-10
Expires on: 24-Apr-11
Last Updated on: 24-Apr-10

Administrative Contact:
Inc., PIER Systems
PIER Systems, Inc.
1319 Cornwall Ave.
Suite 200
Bellingham, Washington 98225
United States
[phone] Fax --

Technical Contact:
Inc., PIER Systems
PIER Systems, Inc.
1319 Cornwall Ave.
Suite 200
Bellingham, Washington 98225
United States
[phone] Fax --

Domain servers in listed order:
NS1.PIERSYSTEM.COM
NS2.PIERSYSTEM.COM
NS3.PIERSYSTEM.COM
NS4.PIERSYSTEM.COM

As a registrar, GoDaddy is perfectly legitimate. Our president registered his domain there. I'd much rather our legislators and officials use GD as a registrar than those money-grubbing bastards at Network Solutions.

FYI - Pier Systems is a company that provides web presence for crisis management:

http://www.piersystems.com/go/site/1533/

[ShamelessHussy]

35. they are a PR firm for christ sake, if the Feds were heading this, it would be on a .GOV server

thats what

[blogslut]

43. I would imagine that the site is on a commercial server because

it is a combined effort of government and BP.

I get your frustration but BP is obligated by law to contain and clean the oil spill. The PIER System is known as the go-to provider when it comes to crisis and private industry. It would be great if the US government could take over control but in order to do that, laws must be changed.

If it's any consolation, here is the EPA site concerning this crisis:

http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/

EDIT NOTE: The US Coast Guard links to deepwaterhorizonresponse.com: http://www.uscg.mil/

Can we at least agree that domain registrars really have no relevance to the legitimacy of a site?

ONE MORE NOTE: The PIER SYSTEM is also used for crisis management by government entities such as

U.S. government organizations such as the U.S. Coast Guard, USDA, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, American Red Cross, METRO of Harris County (TX) and the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency; educational institutes such as University of Houston, University of North Carolina, Spelman College, Agnes Scott College, and Western Washington University; and commercial companies such as Albertsons, Allstate Insurance Company, Boeing, and Darigold.

link: http://www.piersystems.com/go/doc/1533/214351/

[ShamelessHussy]

46. it's not only on a commercial server it is on a PR firm's server. If it was Gov led it would be .GOV

not sure what point you are trying to make, but i think the evidence is clear that this op is being headed by BP and that that site's primary concern is PR.

[blogslut]

48. Did you not read

That the US Coast Guard is one of several US government clients of the Pier system?

It's a little bit more than a simple PR firm.

I never denied that BP was in charge of the containment and cleanup. As I stated - they are required by law to do so. In order for the government to take control, the law must be changed. How can you not understand this?

[ShamelessHussy]

51. yes, i read it was a PR firm, and I read how independent reporters are being harassed by gov agents

at the direction of BP. and i read about the inadequate response to this epic disaster, and how the gov is powerless to do any more, which is why I am complaining about it.

folks sending me PR links that tell me, it's all in my head, they are doing everything possible, may be less irritating, but still irritating nonetheless.

can you understand this?

[blogslut]

53. I don't doubt

...that reporters are getting the runaround and are possibly being harassed by BP representatives. However, do you really believe the government wants our coastlines and surrounding waters turned into sludge-filled wastelands?

We've seen with the previous administration just how greedy governments are when it comes to gobbling up control over practically anything. We now have an administration and congress that is trying their best to play by the book. In this crisis, that respect for the law is highly irritating when compared to the smash-and-grab behavior of of BushCo.

[ShamelessHussy]

54. nevermind

this isn't 'possibly' these are the facts on the ground.

have a nice day

[blogslut]

55. I'm sorry you feel that way

I had hoped we could discuss this further.

[izzybeans]

47. I found it through the White House

and the website says right on the "About us" page exactly what you describe.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. Well there you go

pointing us to the actual work being done.

:hi:

Be ready for the usual THEY ARE NOT DOING A THING crowd.

[ShamelessHussy]

16. another lame, yet oft repeated, STRAW-MAN

the issue isn't that they aren't 'doing a thing'.

the issue is...

They aren't doing ENOUGH, and BP shouldn't be in-charge of the operation

Got it?

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. BP is not, Admiral Thad Allen is

but he is ALSO explaining WHY you may get the impression that they are in charge...

BLAME REAGAN all you want and the response to the Valdez... but GET THE FUCK INFORMED.

[ShamelessHussy]

27. doesn't sound or look like it from the reports i have been reading

i am glad you abandoned your straw man though :toast:

[MineralMan]

19. Thanks for posting that. The site is interesting and does

demonstrate that things are not stagnant as so many people here have claimed.

[Swamp Rat]

25. Good point, however the oil in our marshes is becoming quite stagnant.

The person in this photo may end up with cancer in a decade, which is why we cancelled our trip today - we don't have hazmat gear. I am sure this oil will remain until all the marshes are dead and the oil will be free to move into the suburbs of New Orleans, or pushed into the City by a storm. Then it will remain stagnant here forever, and we'll all be fucked worse than the damage from Katrina.

[MineralMan]

37. Yes, the destruction caused by this is going to be

extreme and long-lasting. That is a fact.

[ShamelessHussy]

39. thank you

capt. obvious

[MineralMan]

41. I beg your pardon...

I don't take your point.

[izquierdista]

29. I'll let you know

I've submitted my remediation technology and am patiently waiting to hear back. I suspect that my submission is somewhere in the mix, along with those from the yokels in overalls with the hay, the laid-off Russian nuke experts, Todd Palin's brain droppings, and the usual assortment of crackpots. If anyone here wants to hear it, send me a PM and maybe you can help push it too.

[izzybeans]

32. Interesting. I hope you report on your experiences.

My guess is whatever happens with your request will be more enlightening than most things I've read thus far.

[izquierdista]

36. Hey, I've been ready for this spill

I have a remediation technology that works to degrade and decompose oil once it is on land. Right now, I've got enough material to remediate a couple hundred yards of beached oil, and it would take me a few weeks to scale up the operation to be able to treat miles of coastline. It will work in marshes as well, as long as the water is not too deep (as in dry at low tide).

You know that saying about "build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path..."? Well, it's bullshit. I send out letters and write e-mails and make phone calls and I'm still waiting to hear back. Seriously, if any DUers want to promote a promising technology, I sure could use some help.

[izzybeans]

40. No response.

What if you just showed up with it?

Do you have any information online?

[izquierdista]

49. Probably get bounced out

You know, BP and their Coast Guard bouncers who have orders to turn away anyone who isn't on the list.

[izzybeans]

50. What happened when you called the number?

Just curious...Did they just take your info. and say we will call you?

[izquierdista]

52. Yes, it's a black hole

So you keep track of who you called when and what you sent and wait....and wait....and wait...

[ShamelessHussy]

38. "I think any enterprising journalist may want to contact the Joint Information Center" - lol

journalist have all received the PR glossies, but what they can't find out is who is in charge of the content and messaging there.

however, by many of their actions over the course of a month, it has become painfully obvious that BP is calling the shots.

[izzybeans]

42. I think local journalists make that call.

I don't see any of the national media doing anything but interviewing talking heads and PR flaks. I'd like to hear from someone on those ships. lol indeed.

[ShamelessHussy]

44. it doesn't matter, both national and local are getting the cold shoulder and police harassment -LINK

BP information black out spreads like oil spill

more...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8406694

FYI and your welcome

[izzybeans]

45. Thanks. I saw that thread and read that report.

We are wasting resources tremendously even only a handful of Guard troops are being used in this way. Local Police are under the thumb of BP? I've seen numerous reports about that and am baffled.

[merh]

57. They aren't doing anything.

They are just taking a list of the volunteers. It is their way of keeping us complacent, making us feel like we are doing something and are involved. We got to sign up as volunteers you know.

That is why the Jefferson Parish commandeered the 40 boats.

Jefferson Parish Takes Over Oil Cleanup From BP
http://www.abc26.com/news/local/wgno-news-jefferson-parish-cleanup-takeover,0,4982464.story

[HCE SuiGeneris]

58. Hotlines?

Give me a respirator, food and shelter, possibly a stipend (not mandatory), and I will be there within 2 weeks.