Anyone else absolutely sick to their stomach over the oil "Disaster?"

[Peregrine Took]

I can hardly think of anything else I'm so upset. I don't give a rat's ass about the $$$ which is all I hear about. All our thoughts must be on getting the frigging thing stopped. Best and brightest minds from all over the world - 24/7 emergency conferences should be being held, etc.

The idea that it might never stop makes me want to throw up. What will become of the planet? It seems like everything is coming apart - floods, earthquakes and the Gulf of Mexico...

I never heard Obama say anything about the horrific loss of birds, animals, marine life, etc. Only about the money and the businesses affected.

[rurallib]

1. yep

I am sick because of the unknowns - like how big it is, will it stop, will the sea floor collapse etc.
And then to see the animals covered in oil makes me want to just heave.

[grantcart]

2. It makes me nauseous

It also sickens me that there is no anger from an increasingly docile younger generation.

If this had happened in the 60's or 70's there would be millions in the streets.

We are raising a passive younger generation at great peril.

[Prism]

34. When you construct a prison, don't complain there are prisoners.

Seems common sense to me.

[grantcart]

36. Doesn't wash

When I was in High School there was much more demand and control to establish conformity.

And we rebelled.

The passivity isn't being created by the teachers or the school, although they are complacent, but at home with an increasingly gadget oriented consumer society.

You want to see anger, resentment and rebellion? Take away your kids cell phone or cut off thier texting.

I was at the beach last Saturday. Parents next to us had two kids 8-9 years old.

Set them up. Blanket check. Folding chair check. Soda check. Chips check.

Finally they got their kids all situated and comfortable and then gave each one of them hand held DVR players so that they could watch some motion picture length cartoon about - fish and the beach.

I was there for an hour and the kids never lookd up and saw the ocean.

Prisons have people trying to get out.

Prisons have riots.

This younger generation is completely passive and docile and yes the schools and teachers are complicit but its the parents that programmed every minute.

We have become entirely self centered and materialistic and nothing has shown this more clearly than the lack of outrage and massive demonstrations over what is happening in the Gulf.

[Prism]

40. Before going any further, let me ask you a question

I was not alive during the 60s and 70s, so I'd like some input.

What was your perception of government during that time? Who controlled it, who were the powerful, and how much ability did you feel any social movement had to effect change? Also, how much did the media play a role in these perceptions?

The argument I'm prepared to make rests upon certain ideas I have from books and testimony I've read from those who grew up during that era, but I'd like to know yours in case my current understanding is incorrect.

[grantcart]

46. Your focusing on government as a controlling factor and that is misplaced

Starting in the 50's Television became a mass instrument and had a more controlling impact on society.

After WWII there was tremendous social pressure for social conformity, this was in the context of hysteria that swept the country after the Soviet Union successfully stole nuclear secrets and became a competiting super power and engaged in high profile confrontations.

A major controversy was whether or not I Dream of Jeanie could show her belly button on TV or not (she could not).

Heffner and Lenny Bruce started challenging conventional norms. This was brought into the political sphere by Dr. King and the civil rights movement. By the 1968 there was a full blown rebellion across the land. I went to a conservative college and the police had no intention of coming on campus.

We held veto power over school decisions.

Attending the last protest of Nixon we stood on police cars to make our screams heard and the police just stood watching as the roofs of their cars caved in.

Vietnam was presented uncensored on the TV every night and it lit the match.

Now here is the key difference - there was a draft so war was not an academic point any male could become cannon fodder and even conservatives turned against it.

Now added to all of this they lowered the voting age in 1972 and this caused a one time change in demographics so that the politicians were catering to the young vote as well.

Nixon was just like kerosene and every time he did something it just blew up. Then he bugged the Watergate and we watched the hearings day by day as they deconstructed all of these powerful people, many who went to jail.

From 1966 to 1975 there was something major happening every day and the civil rights movement got people questioning basic assumptions and the draft made people pay attention to politics like they never had before.

Conservatives were not particularly well organized then, they had not formed their "Moral Majority" network through the churches but the Universities were well organized. Also in the Spring it was easy to pull a crowd. People had been in doors all winter and wanted to get out and have some fun.

[Carolina]

48. Exactly, plus journalism was a real 4th estate then

so that as you said: "Vietnam was presented uncensored on the TV every night and it lit the match."
Also, seeing police brutality directed at peaceful protestors AGAINST the Vietnam War and FOR Civil Rights lit a match. I can still remember the tear gas.

Also as you said "the draft made people pay attention to politics like they never had before." When the sons of the comfortable middle class (as contrasted with the blue collar middle)and the wealthy were subject to being sent off to war, it made a huge difference!!!!!!!!!!!

[Prism]

55. What do you think changed?

As a gay man, I'd really like to know how the social movements proved so successful and why similar movements today seem so haphazard and diffuse.

My theory is that part of it is the pervasiveness, variety, and ability to personalize mass media. The internet alone is a giant sponge for discontent. I reckon if you wanted to protest, to feel like part of a group or movement in the 60s, you had to physically go somewhere to be with people. Nowadays we have e-mail lists and social networking and blogs and message boards that allow people to feel included in something greater than themselves. I don't think the sentiments changed at all, but our expression of them has.

But isn't this generation also facing a much steeper uphill climb given the media? The Iraq war had millions of Americans marching, and yet it didn't ultimately seem to result in anything of consequence. I see the images of millions of immigrants and their citizen allies gathering in rallies, and yet it often warrants maybe a ten second mention on news. Last year, I'd attend health care rallies and marches, and then find no tv coverage and maybe a paragraph or two in the major papers.

Do the old methods still apply, or do we need to figure out a better way?

[Ignis]

57. Have you read Mander on Television?

Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television:
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Arguments_for_the_Elimination_of_Television
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Arguments-Elimination-Television-Jerry-Mander/dp/0688082742

[Art_from_Ark]

62. March 1968

That was probably the pinnacle of American politics.
Bobby Kennedy had announced his candidacy for President. We had a good chance of keeping the Great Society, and getting out of Vietnam at the same time. My friends and I were giddy with joy because Bobby was going to do things. And he wasn't just a rock star. This was the guy who had taken on the Mob as Attorney General. And his visits to places like Bedford-Stuyvesant and migrant worker camps convinced him to put more effort into the War on Poverty.

And then...
April 1968, Dr. King was assassinated. Bobby proved himself to be a leader by helping to defuse a potentially volatile situation with his speech at Indianapolis.

And then, two months later, Bobby himself was assassinated. And then things just seemed to fall apart. And even to this day, I still break down when I think of what could have been.

[Mojorabbit]

70. We had sit ins when I was in 8th and 9th grade

protesting the war. Radio stations helped coordinate a lot of the protests for the next few years.
Most of the school participated and no cops were called to arrest anyone. Made the news as it was meant to do.
It is so weird looking back now and thinking about what would happen if kids tried something like that now. The other thing that strikes me is at that age we were involved. I can't see that happening now either.

[Mimosa]

45. ^ GC, it's as though many aren't living in the moment anymore. ^

Yours is a superb description of zombie-fied people. They always have to be 'amused', listening or watching, or yakking on cellphones. Contemplation, thinking, are of the past.

[Carolina]

47. Excellent post and so true

Also kids have been corporatized and want things with brand names. Consumerism run amok.

[Lorien]

65. Yep. As long as they have cable and a few hot video games

they think there's no reason to complain.

All of my friends over 40 have been saying exactly what you just wrote. We NEVER could have imagined such a "can't do" attitude back then.

[cwydro]

3. I heard him say today

that the Gulf coast and marshlands will be "better than before".

I don't know what drugs he is on, but I want some.

Is he aware...are his advisors aware...that there is still oil under the surface in Alaska all these years later after the Valdez?

Better than before???? wtf???

And yes, I am physically and emotionally ill from it.

[emilyg]

4. "Better than before" eh - BS

[Individualist]

5. Agree. Destroyed wetlands don't magically regenerate.

When they're gone, they're gone for good.

[cwydro]

18. Of course they don't...

when he makes statements like these, it just totally astounds me.

Does he think there are people stupid enough to believe that?

[Catherina]

21. I've hears so many shocking statements that I don't want to hear anymore n/t

[cwydro]

23. I know

what you mean.

So many lies.

[nashville_brook]

24. with even more shrimp shacks! mmm, toxilicious!

[Carolina]

51. Obama is such a tool

Bush was an idiot and we used to think that at least Obama was smart. Now, I wonder...

[Lorien]

67. Wasn't that pretty much what Bush said after a few disasters during his reign of terror?

"your chocolate rations have been increased from 3 ounces to 2.5 ounces..."

[Baalath]

6. I think it sickens everyone.

Has anyone else noticed a cloud of despair over people. I think we go about our day and don't say much about it because we don't know what to say or do and we know we can't say or do anything that will help. It feels hopeless.

[fl_dem]

7. words cannot describe the enormity of my grief

I live on the coast between Pensacola and Destin. The thought of that reaching our beaches sickens me. 11 men died and countless mammals, sea and coastal lives have perished along with the livelihoods that many on the coast depend on. And BP has been ineffective in stopping the leak and the landfall of the spilled oil. As much as I respect and support our president, there has to be more he can do. I don't have any answers, I just know I don't care who is in charge. I want the oil leak stopped and spilled oil siphoned or caught before it makes landfall and before a hurricane gets in the gulf and makes matters worse.... And I want BP to pay for every dime it takes to do so.

[lamp_shade]

8. No. I'm too old and have seen too much to let this get me down.

[jdlh8894]

16. I agree!

Over 50 years ago my Grandpa told me - Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.Has served me well!

[lamp_shade]

33. Guess I'll go eat werr errr errrms.

:hi:

[jdlh8894]

35. Not for me

Ashes to be spread across where ever.(might soak up some oil)

[Mojorabbit]

71. I am in my mid 50's

and this is like a death in the family to me. I live in Florida. Maybe that is why it is hitting me so hard.

[Robb]

9. It reminds me, and not only a little bit, of a recent death of a friend.

I go for hours each day, forgetting that it happened. Then it comes back, like a fist to the stomach.

Terrible.

[cry baby]

10. yes...feeling low on energy and extreme sadness

from helplessness and hopelessness. I thought about tuning out for a while, but it is too important to be paying attention and learn from this disaster - plus, I'm waiting to hear when volunteers will be needed to help.

Also, paying attention might help to make me more creative on how to conserve energy and maybe shrink my carbon footprint a bit.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

11. The Gulf Spill tragedy, carnage in Afghanistan, and how outsouring has impacted our economy

are the three main issues that keep me awake at night.

I'm trying very hard not to be depressed, but I grow more and more weary everyday.

And here I thought that the economy and Iran were going to be the biggest challenges faced by the country when Obama took office.

Seems like everything around us is falling apart.

There's no good news to report. Nothing good happening in the world today.

[FLPanhandle]

12. I've gone through all the stages of grief

From denial, to anger, through to acceptance.

Now, it's all about the fight to save what can be saved and fuck BP and the Coast Guard and the government if they get in the way.

[Mojorabbit]

72. +100 nt

[NNN0LHI]

13. Shock and Awe did it for me a long time ago

I've been absolutely sick to my stomach ever since. Honestly. And Abu Ghraib was the icing on the cake. And then when Bush had a +90% approval rating, well I gave up on my fellow Americans at that point.

That is the truth.

Don

[RadiationTherapy]

14. No. I am done feeling that stuff.

There is no change, there is no attempt at change, and no significant interest in stopping our lives for a while and recalibrating our social impact on the environment.

[Big Blue Marble]

15. I am in deep despair, beyond words.

This is fast becoming one the greatest tragedies in human history. Thank you for starting a thread that allows us to communally share our deep grief.

I, too, am troubled that Obama has not more publicly grieved for the loss of animal life in this disaster. He seems strangely detached.
as we are losing millions of creatures and even whole species, a and ecosystem that most likely will never recover. These animals are dying
horrific deaths, after suddenly being thrust into an unimaginable alien environment. Daily, I cry for their suffering and for the loss of our
beautiful gulf. Perhaps, he will speak of this tonight.

[AnArmyVeteran]

17. Obama better give a great speech followed by SEVERE actions!!!!'

[FLPanhandle]

20. +1 on the actions

IMHO, he can skip the speech and move straight to doing something if we wants to get a head start.

[Catherina]

19. Nauseated. Disgusted. Pained to the soul. Angry.

And very intolerant of fluffheads and coverups.

[Nikki Stone1]

22. It's more than a disaster; it's the Worst ecological disaster in the US ever.

Leadership is necessary at a time like this.

[City Lights]

25. Not just sick to my stomach. Completely depressed...almost hopeless.

I don't know how much more I can take. :-( My heart and my spirit are broken. :cry:

[bunny planet]

26. My insomnia which I'd kicked years ago

has come raging back. I'm not nauseous so much as overwhelmed with grief and anxiety about it. Grew up on the Gulf, it is devastating each and every day contemplating the destruction of that beautiful place and the creatures that live and survive there.

[RockaFowler]

27. This is my home

I grew up on Marco Island, FL and the Gulf has been my home my entire life. So, my home is dying and it's killing me. We (humans) have killed a beautiful ocean. For What?? So we could pay a few cents less on gas each week?? At what cost did we destroy not only human life as we know it, but the birds, plants & fish. So sad :(

[lamp_shade]

28. My Good Sweet Jesus > >

Put the knives down people.

[guitar man]

29. Yes

I spent my high school years on the beaches of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It just makes me sick :(

[damntexdem]

30. Is anybody on here NOT absolutely sick to their stomach over the oil armageddon?

It's not just money and business, nor just fauna -- it's flora, including flora that maintain marshland, as opposed to open ocean. It's also a loss of social and cultural life in the affected region. It's potential loss of a large part of a major region, and it's the loss of the life (however defined) of a much larger area.

[mnhtnbb]

31. Yes. We littered Iraq with depleted uranium--waging war for oil--

and now we have destroyed one of the most beautiful seas in the world--for oil.

I have a raging, boiling, consuming anger over the callous disregard for humanity
and the environment displayed by capitalists.

They are going to completely destroy the planet if something isn't done.

[proud patriot]

32. yes

:-( the stress of it all

[Vinca]

37. Yes. And I'm really starting to feel hopeless about the fate of the planet.

[Mimosa]

38. I've lost some hair over this just like I did after Katrina.

I feel anxious all the time and I worry that the environment of my beloved Louisiana and the lives of the people there will be ruined for many decades. And who really cares?

[anarch]

39. yes

I'm almost perpetually in a state of "don't know whether to puke or cry". This is absolutely awful.

[blindpig]

41. Yes, but I am channeling it...

into white hot anger.

Kill Capitalism

[Brickbat]

42. I'm not.

I think it crosses my mind about once a day when I check to see the latest update. But that's about it.

[cliffordu]

43. I cannot watch. Makes me sick and off the hook with rage.

I think this is bigger than anyone can even guess.

We might have just killed the planet.

And I don't panic easily.

[Tailormyst]

44. It's so horrifying that I can't even wrap my brain around it

[blm]

49. Me. And my 9yo who cries when she sees the news reports on weather channel.

.

[glinda]

61. I gasp and cover my eyes and want to scream really loud.

[Cleita]

50. Yes, for the past 56 days since it happened, it has really upset me in

ways I never thought and I have lived through a lot of doom and gloom history starting with WWII. This seems to not have a happy solution or ending.

[Urban Prairie]

52. The GOM gusher is like a virtual oily sword of Damocles

Dangling over my mind and soul each day that it continues... :-(

[The Midway Rebel]

53. More nauseating than...

my job prospects and economic future, the leaking roof, the over due rent and the wars.

I could only feel worse if I went to the dog pound on E day.

Bicycle rides are nice though...and bunny patrol with my dogs in the garden.

[Curmudgeoness]

54. Everyone---stop it. We can't let this paralyze us.

It is times like this when we have to act instead of wanting to hide under the bed. Do whatever you can---although I doubt any of us can stop the oil (if anyone here can, get off the computer and get to the gulf). But we can exert pressure of the White House, our Congressmen, BP, and anyone else you can think of. Make a promise to yourself to work to make changes in your life, others lives, our government, and the entire Capitalist system. Action will make you feel better.

[GeorgeGist]

56. I think you're beginning to notice ...

that there is a deficit of critical thinking skills in the Obama adminstration.

[Odin2005]

58. It makes to FURIOUS.

:grr:

[Laelth]

59. I have been very distracted of late just from worrying about this mess.

You are not alone.

:dem:

-Laelth

[glinda]

60. No fish, birds, wetlands = NO JOBS. I know.

[Jamastiene]

63. Yes.

I raged and fought with words as long as I could. Now, I'm resigned to the fact that this is happening beyond our control. BP doesn't care. Our government doesn't seem to notice how important the flora and fauna are. No one in a position of power, who can do something about this, seems to hear the Earth dying or care.

If ever there was a void for a great leader, it is now. We need someone to lead us out of this mess and take back our government from the ruthless, heartless mindset that currently controls it.

Deep inside, I feel like we are all about to step off a cliff and have no control over our own fate or the fate of our families or of this planet. The government and most of these corporations are COMPLETELY separate from us. We are on our own. Nobody cares. They'll only pretend to care if it pads their bottom line. Getting people to care about the animals or plants or trees or Earth is like pulling teeth. It feels terrible. They fail to see the connection. They fail to see the value.

The other night, I took my Dawn bottles and read them more closely. It said I had to enter a code to their web site to donate $1 per bottle to cleaning wildlife that has been oiled. I entered the two codes from the two bottles I had and searched all over the house for where I recycled the third bottle. I always reuse them because they are perfect for sharing a bottle of hair shampoo or hand wash. I finally found the third bottle and entered it in. After that, I felt better for about 5 minutes, then the feeling that nothing I can say or do matters at all in the grand scheme of things came back. I've reached the point where I don't know what else to say or do.

[Lorien]

64. It's on my mind constantly. I'm in Florida, so it's on all our minds

and everyone here-on the Left and Right-if furious that they can't make BP step aside to allow a few grown ups to PLUG A FUCKING HOLE!! I'm so sick of the "we can' do it" attitude of the Obama White House and their propagandists. The whole Gulf will die, along with the East Coast, Cuba, and who knows how many other beautiful places if corporate profits continue to be put ahead of the planet and everything that lives on it. Ocean flora provides 65%. The idea that it's can't be stopped is both unacceptable and absurd. We can put a man on the moon and make iPads. We can plug a fucking hole!

[FrenchieCat]

66. Really?

Perhaps he is Satan after all!

[Pooka Fey]

68. Sick to the stomach and sick at heart. nt

[glitch]

69. Yes. nt