Something that is instantly noticeable when you enter a local establishment is the friendliness of the people engaged in various aspects of their lives.
From workers to customers a person can easily detect the vibe of a community while interacting with locals.
A recent early morning chatfest' was brewing at a local coffee dispenser in the Metro area that became a bit nasty when the talk turned to world events, and was rife with contempt for British Petroleum. you know, the giant oil company with a gargantuan size problem festering in Gulf of Mexico with no concrete end in site. The mere suggestion that any of that oil spill could possibly make its way up the eastern seaboard and into our waters is enough to make locals change the subject. It seems to fathom such a conjecture is unacceptable.
John was enjoying his regular morning meeting with co-workers before heading off to the job site and the topic could not be avoided as the latest pictures and videos show the extent of devastation that is threatening an entire habitat and way of life for thousands of people that reside along the Gulf shores. As bad as it looks, some would consider it an indication that things will likely get worse before they will start improving.
Dylan is a co-worker joining in this pow-wow' that is still trying to understand how this could have happened in the first place. he says, "What I don't get is how they went ahead with (allowing this type of extraction) and not be ready for this kind of problem."
Paul was a third member of this team of repairmen and he was upset with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams for making some interesting comments.
"Oh yeah, there he was telling folks that if the same thing with the rigs of Newfoundland that they would be in the same fix."
According to the unlikely contributor it appears the premier was answering questions in the provincial legislature when he admitted, "If the government had insisted the oil company would need to have duplicate rigs ready to cap this kind of catastrophe the prosperous off shore oil industry being created there wouldn't be taking place because the cost would be to high."
Paul continues asking, "How can anybody be ready to take such a high risk? these executives and politicians must play a mean game of poker," he opined.
As for John, well, he was the quietest of the trio but had the most to say using the fewest words. "Thing is, there are other rigs like this in gulfs and oceans around the world. you know stuff happens."
And with that a quick time-check and out the door they went with a box full of treats for later.
There are standards in place for everything these days from boot-straps to NASA abort plans. Where are the safety standards here? What went wrong? Henry was in early for his cup of java and couldn't resist voicing his concern that could be termed cynical and maybe extreme.
He indicated how, "When something goes wrong there is usually an outcry from one industry or another to act and pretty much do whatever it takes to solve a problem. you know when a car company notices a problem there is a recall. This is not the same thing, this disaster affects everybody and it's amazing to me that other companies are standing idly by instead of working with BP to find a solution. you know at times like these all the so-called experts need to come together, it just seems to me that more could be done and by the governments too."
The gentleman, from Ontario in town visiting family, continued referencing a news item he saw. "I was watching some of the coverage last week and I wish I could remember exactly which network when I noticed one of the reporters telling that not long ago there was a problem similar to this one off the coast of Saudi Arabia and practically nobody knew about it. you know they do things differently and decided to move, I think it was two big oil tankers, maybe more, to the area and collect much of the leak or spill whatever it was."
Realizing this disaster is much more serious he pauses for a moment and adds, "If they were able to minimize the damage, well, so could these blokes. Where is the co-operation that is so badly needed here?" Hank urges.
* Terry Parker's column appears daily. Terry can be heard weekdays hosting the Morning Show on CKO 107.3FM from 7-10 a.m. Want to contribute to Terry Parker's People with your questions and comments? Contact Terry at 859-2356 or terryp62@gmail.com.