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- OH MY GOD REPUBLICAN PARTY, TODAY I HATE YOU SO HARD
Quoted from Organizing for America: In his opening statement, Barton, the top Republican on the committee overseeing the oil spill and its aftermath, delivered a personal apology to the oil giant. He said the $20 billion fund that President Obama directed BP to establish to provide relief to the victims of the oil disaster was a "tragedy in the first proportion."
WHAT. WHAT. WHAT? - CNN caught onto the race fail that is Hollywood. I wish I was surprised to see them actually debating whether or not it is okay to cast white actors in roles that call for PoC. But I'm not. Oh CNN, I have a whole bunch of links you should read...
- I saw Karate Kid today. It is fantastic. I don't have the energy to review it properly, but it is really good. I am really impressed with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. (brb fanboying Jackie Chan forever). I highly recommend it.
- Interdisciplinary classes. My college does exclusively interdisciplinary courses, and it works very well, but something I do feel a bit like this.
The Oil Spill Day #57
Jun. 16th, 2010 02:43 am- The oil spill continues to be horrifying and out of control, despite BP's assurances.
Oil estimate raised to 35,000-60,000 barrels a day
Government scientists Tuesday increased the estimate of oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico to between 35,000 and 60,000 barrels per day, up to 50 percent more than previously estimated. That translates into 1.5 million gallons to 2.5 million gallons per day.
Obama addresses the nation on the oil spill from the Oval Office
Gems include:
Tomorrow, I will meet with the chairman of BP and inform him that he is to set aside whatever resources are required to compensate the workers and business owners who have been harmed as a result of his company's recklessness.
And this fund will not be controlled by BP. In order to ensure that all legitimate claims are paid out in a fair and timely manner, the account must and will be administered by an independent third party.
Now, one place we've already begun to take action is at the agency in charge of regulating drilling and issuing permits, known as the Minerals Management Service.
At this agency, industry insiders were put in charge of industry oversight. Oil companies showered regulators with gifts and favors and were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections and write their own regulations.
And so Secretary Salazar and I are bringing in new leadership at the agency: Michael Bromwich, who was a tough federal prosecutor and inspector general. And his charge over the next few months is to build an organization that acts as the oil industry's watchdog, not its partner.
Cherie Priest has a list of ways you can help - Meanwhile, the FDA says our seafood is safe. I don't know about you, but I find this hard to believe. I am a firm believer in the marvels of modern medicine, but there are all kinds of things we can't scientifically prove. And it seems perfectly clear to me, regardless of what any scientist may say, that eating animals that have spent weeks in oil-polluted waters is a terrible idea.
- Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword trailer. I am excited by this trailer because a. yay moar Zelda! b. it acknowledges the retelling, adding on to, and evolution of the Zelda story which is exactly the kind of thing that gets my academic penis hard.
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furiosity on claims that having to not be offensive is ruining fandom. - ETA 2:51am Adorable otters of pure adorableness. I AM DEAD OF CUTE.
More on the oil spill
Jun. 3rd, 2010 06:30 pmWhite House sends BP a $69 million bill.
The Obama administration is making BP financially responsible for the cleanup of the oil spill in the Gulf. While this is only secondary to the actually issue of stopping the oil flow and cleaning up, I'm glad that BP isn't getting off without additional consequences and leaving the burden on American residents.
Also, Obama in response to accusations that he doesn't care/isn't upset enough.
"I would love to just spend a lot of my time venting and yelling at people, but that's not the job I was hired to do," Obama said. "My job is to solve this problem and ultimately this isn't about me and how angry I am. Ultimately this is about the people down in the Gulf who are being impacted and what am I doing to make sure that they're able to salvage their way of life."
On a different note, here's some photos of what the oil spill is doing to our wildlife.
It's looking like all of BP's short-term fixes are failing. We may have to just wait until the relief well is finished in August and hope for the best.
The Obama administration is making BP financially responsible for the cleanup of the oil spill in the Gulf. While this is only secondary to the actually issue of stopping the oil flow and cleaning up, I'm glad that BP isn't getting off without additional consequences and leaving the burden on American residents.
Also, Obama in response to accusations that he doesn't care/isn't upset enough.
"I would love to just spend a lot of my time venting and yelling at people, but that's not the job I was hired to do," Obama said. "My job is to solve this problem and ultimately this isn't about me and how angry I am. Ultimately this is about the people down in the Gulf who are being impacted and what am I doing to make sure that they're able to salvage their way of life."
On a different note, here's some photos of what the oil spill is doing to our wildlife.
It's looking like all of BP's short-term fixes are failing. We may have to just wait until the relief well is finished in August and hope for the best.
- I've been meaning to put together a bunch of links regarding the oil spill, but somebody has already beaten me to it. Here's a brief overview of the situation. In addition, have some photos of the damage, and a ray of hope: the government has opened criminal and civil investigations regarding the spill. At least people will [hopefully] be held accountable. No definitive word on whether or not an end is in sight though. (Last two links via cheetahkeys)
- Apparently there have been many complains that Obama isn't doing enough on the LGBTQ front. I haven't heard much of this, although I have heard complains that Obama isn't keeping his promises on DADT and equal marriage rights. But anyway, here is a very heartening list of the many ways Obama has been fighting for our rights. He's been especially great about trans rights, given the current track record. (Please note that I don't necessarily agree with all the opinions voiced in this essay). via rm
- Save libraries. jbnowles has a wonderful essay on why libraries matter. Also, libba_bray has a list of things you can do.
- Sushi Cat. You will explode of adorable.
- Been watching White Collar. This show is turning me onto dom/sub so hard. Also Neil. Neil is my favorite ever. After Chrestomanci. And Caius. And- I have a thing for poncy, smartass, gay-ish gentlemen, can you tell?
- I HAVE AN ARC OF DRAGONSOUL BRB DEAD FOREVER. Thank you to Jen who is my favorite person in the entire universe.
