My daughter sent me an e-mail...

[RC]

"I saw an article that quoted some surfers who were so depressed because they can't surf in the gulf safely anymore.
Which is clearly a disaster. nevermind the fish, dolphins and birds that are being contaminated and killed by the oil, or the entire ecosystem of the gulf coast which is going to collapse. What is that compared to not being able to surf?"

My daughter gets it. But then she is neither a Republican nor a BP executive.

[lunatica]

1. The truth always hits people where they live

[SJC55]

2. K&R

[alsame]

3. Earlier today I saw a segment on CNN with children

in Louisiana, they were probably 8-10 years old. They were all upset about the Gulf and expressed fears ranging from the death of wildlife to the possibility of losing their homes. One boy said he is now afraid of the gulf because if he gets stuck in the oil he will drown. It was heartbreaking.

[Ilsa]

4. I don't think it is fair to pass judgment on surfers based on an article which may

have neglected to quote them about how horrible they think it is that the birds, fish, etc are dying. Without a link, we have no way of knowing if they were quoted about the entirety of the problem, or if the source is unreliable or biased. Or if they are a bunch of rich surfing mokes who don't give a shit about anything else.

I hung out with surfers in college (along the Gulf Coast). They were biology, science, and marine biology majors. They might even be some of the defenders of sealife in the Gulf Coast right now.

[Webster Green]

5. All the surfers I know are environmentally consious.

That little snip is kind of out of context. I wouldn't assume they don't care about the sea creatures, the human victims or the ecosystem.

Check it out: http://www.surfrider.org/

[obxhead]

6. As a beach lover and one time surfer, you are exactly correct.

EVERY beach trip I take I always pack more trash off the beach than I bring. My friends and I have always been active in trying to maintain the health of the ocean and all of it's creatures as well.

[CoffeeCat]

7. Exactly...

I don't see how missing the surf and caring about the animals are mutually exclusive.

I assume that surfers have a deep love--and respect--for the ocean and everything in it.

[Webster Green]

8. The ones around here have a deep respect.

The Northern California coastline is extremely gnarly. Lots of big waves, jagged rocks and great whites. They call it "The Bloody Triangle" because its a great white breeding ground. The average here is about one surfer a year gets in a tangle with a GW.

I've gone swimming there, but even that gives me the willies.

[HopeHoops]

9. K&R - that says it all!