Wait Just a Goddamned Minute

I have two issues under that heading, one big and national, one small and local.

First, the national issue, under the sub-heading of “Confirming your distrust of BP,” or perhaps, “Start trembling with rage.” It involved the statements of Kindra Arnesen, the wife of a Louisiana shrimp fisherman. For some unknown reason, probably a misguided attempt at PR, BP gave Ms. Arnesen complete access to their cleanup operations, including staff meetings. She was, as she says in this video “a fly on the wall.” What she heard and saw confirms our worst suspicions about the unstated attitude of BP towards the disaster. This includes BP officials emphasizing cost cutting, before the spill is even under control. It includes the practice of Potemkin cleanup, using a phrase that I hope will become a national watchword: “Ponies and balloons.” What it means is that whenever a government official is about to show up, BP deploys all the cleanup resources available. When the official leaves, 75% of the equipment and personnel leave as well. Arnesen also mentions BP restricting the use of respirators among its cleanup workers, despite widespread evidence of illness among people working on and downwind of the spill. She also addresses new illnesses among the residents of coastal Louisiana, including her own children. She paints a picture of a corporation that doesn’t give a damn about anything but its own bottom line and state and federal government officials willing to be bullied and fooled. If you had any doubt that major corporations run the show, cease doubting. And start working for campaign finance reform.

The second issue came to me courtesy of the flyer for the Vermont Mozart Festival. The Vermont Legislature, in its desperate search for revenue, passed a bill that includes a 6% sales tax on tickets to musical events put on by non-profits such as the VMF. I know we have a deficit, but wait just a goddamned minute. They aren’t making any money. Tickets only account for 40% of their revenue, the rest being sponsorships and donations. The last thing organizations like VMF need is in times like these is downward pressure on their ticket prices. Next time you talk to your favorite Vermont legislator, you might mention this in passing.

Comments

[jld]

May be you were just naive about BP?
It's all about PR, not at all about technology, ecology, responsibility or whatever do gooders would fantasize about.

[Minor Heretic]

No, I wouldn't call myself naive about any corporation. My suggested subheading is "Confirming your distrust of BP." It all still angers me.