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Yesterday I went to GRITtv and spoke with host Laura Flanders and Louisiana author Jordan Flahrety about BP’s exploitation of working people in the Gulf Coast. We discussed just a few of the many problems facing fishermen, recovery workers, and residents of the Gulf that are all at the mercy of BP. Though OSHA issued limited standards for respirators, with health problems prevalent in the Gulf, OSHA says illnesses are heat-related. I also discussed problems with the claims process, ways fishermen can get screwed by BP, and how some are organizing to fight back. Jordan also makes some interesting points about the problem of historical exploitation of Gulf Coast communities by the oil industry, and what needs to happen for people to reclaim their lives back from Big Oil.
Check out our discussion in the video above, and much thanks to GRITtv and Laura Flanders for the great discussion.
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About Work in Progress
Very effective – you’re getting better and better on camera.
Great Interview Michael
Thank you ellie and egregious. I had someone wiping sweat from my face inbetween segments, so that helped very much. :)
Great work Michael.
One of the best presentations that I have seen in describing the dilemma and really powerlessness of ordinary working people in the face of government big business complex. And the Faustian deals made.
The sad story for Louisiana is that it is the generations of political corruption that has sold out the interests of the people, the country, even the world for the filth the oil industry brings. I hope these folks will direct their attention to their state and local government that continues to shill for drilling and letting the destruction continue.
What more evidence do you need America that your Govt,is a corporation.
BP is not doing this all by their lonesome,The WH is heavily involved.And we the people are being screwed.
This is slightly off topic,but when progressives start shillin for Harry Reid,you have been officially fucked….up is now down….I just saw a segment of Ed Shultz’s show…you know the guy who hosts the Ed show…well his show has become a commercial for Harry Reid’s re-election,when you have to support Harry Reid who hasn’t done squat for working people but for corporations….brace yourselves for more corporations boots on your necks.
There is no betterment on the horizon…..It’s what I have been saying all along…the corporations know they can stick someone on a show..call it a progressive show and they can get most of us who identifies with that label to support the corporate agenda unknowingly….reminds me of what’s the matter with Kansas.. for the record if I watch 20 minutes of Rachel Maddow ,Olberman & Shultz put together I need to have my head examined.
They are all tied in with the corporations.
Ha anyone else noticed that all of the media of the beach clean up workers are blacks and their only “protection” is yellow vests? Why am I not surprised?
The whole scene sucks!
All of these problems that seem to be with BP, have been Ok’ed by some part of Our Government.
Yes BP is the Devil, Villian, and the cause of all of this, but even the well that blew up, was oK’ed by Our Government.
We just keep thinking that Our Government works, and is there to defend us, and will protect us from the bad guys.
Yet at every stage of this disaster right up to the present day, our Government is aiding, defending, and allowing all the bad to happen.
Not one of the Government Agencies involved has done it’s job, worked for the people, or even been honest with us. Even NOAA has lied and given false statements, to make the spill look less of a problem.
The Coast Guard has been a total disgrace from the start, and Thad Allen needs to be perf walked off in handcuffs, for what He has done in all of this.
Even the Corp of Engineers has been a disgrace by keeping people from trying to protect themselves, and dilly dallying while the oil came in.
From the MMS, the intire Interior Dept, Homeland Security, OSHA, the EPA, and all the rest have acted like they were on BP’s payroll. Even President Obama talks a tough, but nothing changes or gets better. He has not fired one person, even directed things work better, or put people in charge to get things done.
There has been calls for months for this be like fighting a war against the oil, and it’s more like boy scout troop picking up debris from a vacant lot.
BP should get no defense, and those in our Government taking pay checks, while failing to do their jobs should all be prosicuted to the fullest extent of the Law.
That’s why it’s a farce to expect the DOJ to go after BP execs….the DOJ will come up with some kind of charge for some poor foreman or supervisor…but the big fish will walk….
The real negligent homicide has been committed by Salazar & his crew at Interior but nothing will come of it.
Sending Eric Holder down to the Gulf coast was PR….and Ed Shultz on MSNBC was happy to do the Administration PR to quiet the progressive base.
This is all Kabuki theatre to make you feel there is a Govt…there is a Govt but it’s a Corporate Govt.It does the bidding of the wealthy.