I cannot look at the pictures of the animals caught in the oil spill.

[Are_grits_groceries]

I don't need to. I can remember other images from previous tragedies.

It has created a black hole that I have to fight not to drop into and drown. I have something in my eyes a lot these days.

[northzax]

1. The guilt is tremendous isn't it?

Has it convinced you to sell your car and buy a bike?

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. I would seriously die in the heat

in the summer in SC on a bike. I drive a lot less now.

[northzax]

3. Well, I gotta say

Since this was done in your name, to enable your lifestyle (just as it was for me and mine, although I have sold my car) it only seems fair you notice the dying. They're dying for you, after all.

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. You seem to think that selling your car

is the most magnificent gesture in the world to announce yourself as more pure than others. You have no idea what people have done in the way of actions over the years to try to help the environment. Nor do you have any idea of the other sacrifices people have made of objects or methods that require oil.

I didn't know this was a contest for a medal. You may have the high honors as you ride your bike in glory. I will keep trying as many methods and ways that I can.

And by the way, they are dying for ALL OF US not just me. You and your bike are not exempt.

[sarge43]

7. Pssst, self righteous, that computer you're using has a lot of plastic.

Any of your clothing synthetics? Use plastic shopping or garbage bags? Have any other electronic equipment? None of the components on your bike plastic? Any of your CDs or DVDs in jewel boxes? How's your home heated or air conditioned?

They're dying for you, too. Don't try to dodge the blame.

[northzax]

10. See where I said 'just as it (the drilling) was (done) for me nbd mine?

Where I said that everything applied to me as well? Oh, you skipped that? Huh. See, we all use fossil fuels every day. And we can sit around and complain that there are no alternatives, or we can structure our lives to use less. I, for instance, walk or ride a bike. If that's not feasible, I take transit. Why? Well it's cheaper. And I don't pay a dime directly to the likes of BP. Yes, I pay indirectly, but it feels good.

Do you really not understand that humans are killing the planet to provide us with our standard of living? You don't look at an oil stained seabird and think 'this is our fault, what can I do to reduce the number of animals that die to support me?' BP is an energy company. Almost their entire raison d'être is to extract fossil fuels and turn them into usable forms of energy. That's what the Deepwater Horizon was doing, you know? Extracting crude oil to turn into energy? The less energy you and I and everyone else uses, the less needs to be extracted. Are you planning your life, at least in part, around this? Or are you just going to wait for someone else to solve the problem?

[Are_grits_groceries]

13. No.

We're all just a bunch of ignorant anti-environmentalists. We think 'green issues' are about Kermit the Frog. Meh!

I have been working and protesting since the first Earth Day, and I took environmental courses and a couple of petroleum engineering courses while getting my degree in geology. So I have a very slight knowledge about the issues in which you have chosen to lecture us as if we are in junior high. A lot of other people at DU are extremely versed in these issues and have worked a lot more for the environment than I could dream of.

This statement of yours is telling, "Yes, I pay indirectly, but it feels good." Doing something that still affects BP's profits, but not directly makes you feel good??? Now that's a stance to admire.

In addition, you have NO idea about people and what transportation forms are available to them. A bloody bus doesn't come anywhere near my house. I can't afford the huge cab fare either, and I still would be using gasoline. You also have NO idea about people's physical conditions or whether they carpool or whatever.

You walk and ride a bike. Bully for you. As I said, it isn't the only way to conserve energy. It's just an obvious way that you use to lord over everybody who still has a car. I won't lecture you on the other ways we can conserve oil besides not using a car. Google.

[KittyWampus]

9. Sanctimonious drivel.

[northzax]

11. What, that we, collectively and individually

Need to take responsibility for our actions and face up to the consequences? That's 'drivel' to you? How sad.

[GentryDixon]

12. Agree.

[boobooday]

4. Me too.

It hurts to look. :cry:

[sarge43]

6. I can barely stand to think about it.

Even the ones that survive the slick itself are on borrowed time. Their food sources and habitats are being destroyed.

[northernlights]

8. you're not alone...

I refuse to look now. I can't bear it.