The beach BP won't allow reporters to visit

[G_j]

http://theweek.com/article/index/203315/the-beach-bp-wont-allow-reporters-to-visit

The beach BP won't allow reporters to visit
Mac McClelland at Mother Jones gives a gripping on-the-ground account of BP's efforts to keep journalists away from the oil-soaked beaches
posted on May 24, 2010, at 7:15 PM


For all the articles being written about the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, there is still relatively little detail available about the situation on the shoreline, where waves laden with crude oil are lapping against beaches and marshland. Perhaps, suggests Mac McClelland in Mother Jones,
http://motherjones.com/environment/2010/05/oil-spill-bp-grand-isle-beach
that's because BP is making sure that even though it can't seem to plug up the oil leak, it can stem the flow of damaging news stories emerging from the Gulf coast:

"It's Saturday, May 22nd, a month into the BP spill, and I've been trying to get to Elmer's Island for the past two days. I've been stymied at every turn by Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputies brought in to supplement the local police force of Grand Isle, a 300-year-old settlement here at the very southern tip of Louisiana.

When I tell Barbara I am a reporter, she stalks off and says she's not talking to me, then comes back and hugs me and says she was just playing. I tell her I don't understand why I can't see Elmer's Island unless I'm escorted by BP. She tells me BP's in charge because 'it's BP's oil.'

'But it's not BP's land.'

'But BP's liable if anything happens.'

'So you're saying it's a safety precaution.'

'Yeah! You don't want that oil gettin' into your pores.'

'But there are tourists and residents walking around in it across the street.'

'The mayor decides which beaches are closed.' So I call the Grand Isle police requesting a press liason, only to get routed to voicemail for 'Melanie' with BP. I call the police back and ask why they gave me a number for BP; they blame the fire chief.

I reach the fire chief. 'Why did the police give me a number for BP?' I ask.

'That's the number they gave us.'

'Who?'

'BP.'"

[charlesg]

1. When did BP purchase the Louisiana shoreline?

[RoccoR5955]

2. Dontcha know that corporations are people

and they now own the entire country?

[dgibby]

3. The same time they bought Washington, DC. n/t

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

6. You break it you buy it...

[G_j]

7. I didn't think it was for sale... nt

[donco6]

9. I guess if their oil is laying on top of it - it's theirs. n/t

[Lorien]

15. When did BP purchase the US government? nt

[bvar22]

17. When did BP purchase the US government?

Under Reagan and the Republicans,
but the sale was finalized under Clinton and the "Centrist" Democrats.

[jotsy]

4. Just when I thought I had no more tork left in me.

Not a surprise I'm enjoying much this morning.

Did none of these folks read the story of King Midas growing up? Their gold promises to bog down everything else precious, but still 'authority' yields to affluence.

Thanks for posting G_j.

[Ganja Ninja]

5. Good Luck trying to keep people off the beaches all the way from Texas to North Carolina.

:shrug:

[Swamp Rat]

8. Cleaning up the scene of BP's crime

[Usrename]

12. Yep, it's their fucking crime scene.

So they get to say who comes and goes.

[cliffordu]

13. Great graphic...I',m sorry it had to be created.

:cry:

[Swamp Rat]

14. ...

:cry: my god

[Vinnie From Indy]

10. Why in the world would local LA folk be so gung-ho to do BP's bidding?

These folks need to understand that more press coverage is GOOD thing for their situation now and for the lawsuits to come.

[chill_wind]

11. K & Recommended. It's quite a read.

eom

[TexasObserver]

16. Those who hold police power give it up to major corporations.

This rolling over submissively for big companies is an unsightly reminder that far too many who hold political or police power are merely errand boys for monied interests.

[OnyxCollie]

18. K&R. nt

[happygoluckytoyou]

19. IN A RELATED STORY... teabirthers throw T-Bags into the gulf to soak up oil

[RedCloud]

20. note to Wash. D.C. Tell BP we won the war. We are not their colony.