I just heard Thom Hartmann say the BP did not provide the workers cleaning

[Arkansas Granny]

the oil spill any protective equipment. I looked around and sure enough, here's what I found.

Reporting from Venice, La., and Los Angeles
Some fishermen who have been hired by BP to clean up the gulf oil spill say they have become ill after working long hours near waters fouled with oil and dispersant, prompting a Louisiana lawmaker to call on the federal government to open mobile clinics in rural areas to treat them.

The fishermen report severe headaches, dizziness, nausea and difficulty breathing. Concerned by the reports, Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asking the agency's help providing medical treatment, especially in Plaquemines Parish, a southern region where many fishermen live.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-oil-workers-sick-20100526,0,4604887.story

[joeybee12]

1. Doesn't matter, we're doing the right thing, keep BP in control, everything is being

done that can be done...repeat ad nauseum.

[laughingliberal]

2. How can anyone question BP is trying to get out of this as cheaply as possible?

If they're too cheap to provide protective gear to the cleanup crew, that pretty well answers any questions I have about why we don't have a fleet of tankers pumping the oil out of the Gulf right now.

[Greyhound]

3. How completely unsurprising.

I posted this http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8406267">thread along these lines and it was ignored as well.

The excuses for this mindset of helplessness that dominates American life are almost surreal in their contorted reasoning.
:kick: & R

[aquart]

4. Mac McClelland said only cleanup workers in front of cameras had hazmat suits.

The ones behind the police barricades where reporters were forbidden had none.

[laughingliberal]

5. ...

:nuke: