Humint Events Online: Reminiscent of Katrina, When Aid to New Orleans Would Be Stopped for Ridiculous Reasons

Friday, June 18, 2010

Reminiscent of Katrina, When Aid to New Orleans Would Be Stopped for Ridiculous Reasons

BP Oil Spill: Against Gov. Jindal's Wishes, Crude-Sucking Barges Stopped by Coast Guard

Eight days ago, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal ordered barges to begin vacuuming crude oil out of his state's oil-soaked waters. Today, against the governor's wishes, those barges sat idle, even as more oil flowed toward the Louisiana shore.

"It's the most frustrating thing," the Republican governor said today in Buras, La. "Literally, yesterday morning we found out that they were halting all of these barges."

Sixteen barges sat stationary today, although they were sucking up thousands of gallons of BP's oil as recently as Tuesday. Workers in hazmat suits and gas masks pumped the oil out of the Louisiana waters and into steel tanks. It was a homegrown idea that seemed to be effective at collecting the thick gunk.

"These barges work. You've seen them work. You've seen them suck oil out of the water," said Jindal.
(snip)

"The Coast Guard came and shut them down," Jindal said. "You got men on the barges in the oil, and they have been told by the Coast Guard, 'Cease and desist. Stop sucking up that oil.'"
(snip)

But the Coast Guard ordered the stoppage because of reasons that Jindal found frustrating. The Coast Guard needed to confirm that there were fire extinguishers and life vests on board, and then it had trouble contacting the people who built the barges.


And this is somewhat reminiscent of the 9/11 cleanup: oil cleanup workers told they'll be fired if they wear respirators, even though the oil fumes are very toxic.

(thanks to j for the links)

6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

maybe time for the states to revolt against the feds - i saw somewhere that the feds are now suing AZ for their new immigration policy.

1:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Spooked:

I don't recall 9/11 responders were threatened if they used respirators??

I know lied to and maybe discouraged, but I don't recall threatened?

6:37 PM  
Blogger spooked said...

6:37 PM-- yeah, that is why I said "somewhat reminiscent". I just meant the respirator issue in general is similar.

8:40 PM  
Blogger spooked said...

... meaning the use of respirators being a controversy, is similar.

8:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

thanks

10:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The life jacket thing was a few days ago. Yesterday it was the threat of lightning (not a cloud in the sky at the time). Same ole, same ole.

2:03 AM  

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