I am still a little misty over what happened today in my very office.
We have a man at the NH who's been there for several years. I'm sure in his day, he was brilliant, witty and over the top darling. He now only has those moments rarely. Frankly, he's become somewhat of a curmudgeon and don't even get me started on his crazy wife, but she's another thread. There are few of us that want to deal with this man on a regular basis because he is so difficult and he never lets things go.
Today, I went on and on at lunch about the oil spill and how now I can't even sleep because of it, etc. My administrator, God luv her, listened patiently, but I could tell she didn't share my passion. Later in the afternoon, she pages me to my office. I get there and there she is with this man...we'll call him Bob. She proceeds to inform me that Bob too is outraged by the happenings (or lack thereof) in the Gulf. She says she thought we'd make good "partners". She's standing behind him and I am giving her looks that could kill. She slinks out and leaves me with him. He proceeds to tell me how they can get tankers to suck up the oil. "It was done in the Persian Gulf, and we never even knew about it". He then tells me he wants to call all the Governors of all the Gulf states and solicit their support and aid in making this happen. I am still cursing the administrator, but I agree to help him. He already had a list of phone #'s. I dialed all the numbers and he did all the talking. He told them about the tankers and that the President needed to take another look at using them and would the Governor please urge him to do so. Tomorrow, he wants to call the Wall Street Journal.
Now, I realize that his plan is not gonna go anywhere, but how sweet that an 85 year old man in a NH wants so desperately to do SOMETHING.
Tomorrow, I will help him dial the WSJ--and I won't even give the admin any dirty looks.
Replies
17
SoWal Expert
It is a very valid suggestion - like so many others being put forward and ignored. The oil separates in the tankers and is even usable, instead of wasted.
I am getting really pissed - Aleonard posted that they should do that weeks ago, but wouldn't because of the cost and it was the same suggestion the FORMER PRESIDENT OF SHELL OIL suggested on the TV last night.
I hope he bends the ear of the right people - I'll even buy him a calling card if that helps!
I am getting really pissed - Aleonard posted that they should do that weeks ago, but wouldn't because of the cost and it was the same suggestion the FORMER PRESIDENT OF SHELL OIL suggested on the TV last night.
I hope he bends the ear of the right people - I'll even buy him a calling card if that helps!
margarita brocolia
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Absolutely awesome story!
Please repost it in the Oil Rig Explosion & Leak thread too.
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Absolutely awesome story!
Please repost it in the Oil Rig Explosion & Leak thread too.
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SoWal ExpertAuthor
It is a very valid suggestion - like so many others being put forward and ignored. The oil separates in the tankers and is even usable, instead of wasted.
I am getting really pissed - Aleonard posted that they should do that weeks ago, but wouldn't because of the cost and it was the same suggestion the FORMER PRESIDENT OF SHELL OIL suggested on the TV last night.
I hope he bends the ear of the right people - I'll even buy him a calling card if that helps!
Well, like I said, he never lets things go...who knows, maybe someone WILL listen.
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Absolutely awesome story!
Please repost it in the Oil Rig Explosion & Leak thread too.
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10-4
Beach Fanatic
I regularly listen to WWL radio out of New Orleans which, as you might imagine, has been closely monitoring this debacle. Plaquemines Parish president Billy Nungesser is on most mornings with updates. As you probably know, he's been in meetings with BP and the Feds since the beginning and he contends that the reason BP has continued to reject this option is because it enables an accurate assessment of how many gallons of oil are out there, and BP does not want that number to be known.
I heard on another station that the help line available for suggestions has received in excess of 30,000 calls. Now, I'm no expert, but you can't convince me that not a singe viable option exists among 30,000 options.
Loved your story, DD. I now work in an assisted living/memory care community, and there's never a dull moment. I hope "Bob" gives 'em hell.
I heard on another station that the help line available for suggestions has received in excess of 30,000 calls. Now, I'm no expert, but you can't convince me that not a singe viable option exists among 30,000 options.
Loved your story, DD. I now work in an assisted living/memory care community, and there's never a dull moment. I hope "Bob" gives 'em hell.
SoWal ExpertAuthor
I regularly listen to WWL radio out of New Orleans which, as you might imagine, has been closely monitoring this debacle. Plaquemines Parish president Billy Nungesser is on most mornings with updates. As you probably know, he's been in meetings with BP and the Feds since the beginning and he contends that the reason BP has continued to reject this option is because it enables an accurate assessment of how many gallons of oil are out there, and BP does not want that number to be known.
I heard on another station that the help line available for suggestions has received in excess of 30,000 calls. Now, I'm no expert, but you can't convince me that not a singe viable option exists among 30,000 options.
Loved your story, DD. I now work in an assisted living/memory care community, and there's never a dull moment. I hope "Bob" gives 'em hell.
I believe that, MC, about BP not wanting us to know exactly how much is really out there. And I agree with your second paragraph 100%.
Wow...didn't know you about your new career!! Never a dull moment is right!!! I'll keep y'all posted on "Bob".
Beach Fanatic
I 
Bob and DD!!
Bob and DD!!Beach Fanatic
I've always been a fan of the grumpy old man-especially when he's on our side! I too hope he gives'em Hail!
Beach Fanatic
My wife has asked me a couple of times now, why don't they try to suck it up into the tankers? I told her it is possible but don't know why they have not tried it.
SoWal Expert
The reasons I have heard for not using the tankers is both cost and an accurate accounting of oil spilled.
Sadly both are far too believable, the latter much more so in the CYA corporate mentality.
But what really frosts my cookies (yes, it's a long list) is that these are not just random kid's science fair suggestions people are thinking up at a bar - sucking it up with a tanker, hay, the hair booms, these are things that have already been used successfully on other spills for years and are being suggested by people with experience and rather impressive resumes.
It's one thing for us to bat ideas around on Sowal, it's another when the former President of Shell Oil publicly says "This is a proven method, I don't understand why they aren't doing this."
Sadly both are far too believable, the latter much more so in the CYA corporate mentality.
But what really frosts my cookies (yes, it's a long list) is that these are not just random kid's science fair suggestions people are thinking up at a bar - sucking it up with a tanker, hay, the hair booms, these are things that have already been used successfully on other spills for years and are being suggested by people with experience and rather impressive resumes.
It's one thing for us to bat ideas around on Sowal, it's another when the former President of Shell Oil publicly says "This is a proven method, I don't understand why they aren't doing this."
SoWal Insider
Keep us posted DD!! ;-)
SoWal ExpertAuthor
Keep us posted DD!! ;-)
Ok...today we called:
Fox News
Washington Post
Pozzi
National Wildlife Federation
Coast Guard
Gulf Restoration Network
I think that's it. I have to say I didn't hang around for all the conversations..I had work to do and I had to use my cell while he was in my office, but I will say that most people just barely listened to him and didn't even take his name. BTW....my bad.....he's 92, not 85.
Beach Fanatic
Awesome story DD! Thanks for sharing and being so kind to the gentleman. You earned a gold star.
Beach Fanatic
DD, my love for you has grown to magnitudes unheard of! I worked Geriatrics for a lot of years and I was he one who listened to the grumpy old men and women rant. I love them with all my heart! Funny thing is, those old people were our age once and some that I knew invented things like compressors used by NASA now and products used in grooming and such!
I am so glad you let him make the calls and I pray like crazy that just one of the right people heard his words. Why not let him write a letter and mass mail it or even e mail it to all of those same people. Also send it to local news networks and radio stations there and even here in Sowal. Just a thought.
I am so glad you let him make the calls and I pray like crazy that just one of the right people heard his words. Why not let him write a letter and mass mail it or even e mail it to all of those same people. Also send it to local news networks and radio stations there and even here in Sowal. Just a thought.
SoWal ExpertAuthor
DD, my love for you has grown to magnitudes unheard of! I worked Geriatrics for a lot of years and I was he one who listened to the grumpy old men and women rant. I love them with all my heart! Funny thing is, those old people were our age once and some that I knew invented things like compressors used by NASA now and products used in grooming and such!
I am so glad you let him make the calls and I pray like crazy that just one of the right people heard his words. Why not let him write a letter and mass mail it or even e mail it to all of those same people. Also send it to local news networks and radio stations there and even here in Sowal. Just a thought.
I asked him today if he wanted to send out emails and volunteered to let him dictate to me, but he said "no, dammit, I wanna talk to them in person". I may try to convince him to compose something though.
Beach Fanatic
Just read this DD!!
SoWal Insider
Ok...today we called:
Fox News
Washington Post
Pozzi
National Wildlife Federation
Coast Guard
Gulf Restoration Network
I think that's it. I have to say I didn't hang around for all the conversations..I had work to do and I had to use my cell while he was in my office, but I will say that most people just barely listened to him and didn't even take his name. BTW....my bad.....he's 92, not 85.
92 and a Delight! Probably not always a delight, right? I've been so fortunate to have wonderful older people in my life with passion like this gentleman. It teaches me so much!!
I'll volunteer, DD, to help type out his letters or I can print and mail them from Atlanta. Thank you for keeping us posted!! ;-)
SoWal ExpertAuthor
92 and a Delight! Probably not always a delight, right? I've been so fortunate to have wonderful older people in my life with passion like this gentleman. It teaches me so much!!
I'll volunteer, DD, to help type out his letters or I can print and mail them from Atlanta. Thank you for keeping us posted!! ;-)
So sweet, LuLu.
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