Yesterday, President Obama, belied his 'nice guy' image and berated American farmers for polluting the Gulf of Mexico. Apparently, scientists report that the mighty Mississippi(*) pours into the Gulf 198 million gallons of water every minute and this is replete with all the nitrogen-heavy polluted run-offs from farms in the mid-west who border the river and which creates an enormous 'dead area' in the delta. This inflow of chemicalised water compares to BP's paltry 172 million gallons of oil over three months. Then he tore into American fishermen for ransacking fish stocks by over-fishing and trawlers raking the sea bed in their greedy pursuit of profit. His most bitter attacks were reserved for the citizens of Louisiana who, in a century of irresponsible behaviour, have stripped the wetlands of native trees and reclaimed the natural habitat in order to create farmland at an annual rate of between 25 to 35 square miles per year. He has urged Congressional committees to haul in the farmers, fishermen and mayors of coastal Louisiana townships for a ritual humiliation in front of the cameras whilst he instructs his adminstration to undertake punitive legal action against these violaters of America's land and sea. NOT!
Here's a rarity, a word of praise from D&N to the American press, or at least, one member of it, the Associated Press, who have canvassed a wide range of opinions and facts from a variety of scientific sources with expertise in the Gulf's ecology. I am grateful to those very naughty boys at 'IHTM' for pointing me in the right direction and they will be allowed to stay up late tonight!
(*) Thanks to my e-pal, 'JK', for pointing out my spelling mistake, now corrected, and I was so chuffed a few weeks back when I managed to spell Massachussetts Masachusets Masachusetts Massachusetts correctly - pheeew! Anyway, I'll get on with the 100x lines now, shall I?
Actually I kinda like the way you've spelled 'Ol' Man River' 'cause that's the way us Arkies say it - however, and you can thank an American teacher for this:
"M I double 'S', I double 'S', I double 'P' I."
Posted by: JK | Monday, 23 August 2010 at 16:23
Thanks, 'JK', see note above!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 23 August 2010 at 17:26
Since there's only a single email address (I'm aware of) for an American teacher in your contacts list, I think sending her a 'Thank You note' should be sufficient.
Posted by: JK | Monday, 23 August 2010 at 18:57
I want to see your HANDWRITTEN practice of your American states and rivers before you can go to recess!!
Mrs. Oliver
Posted by: Jeanie Oliver | Monday, 23 August 2010 at 19:47
Oh, no, now I'm in real trouble!
(Typical of that sneak, 'JK', always trying to be teacher's pet. Just wait 'til I get him in the playground.)
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 23 August 2010 at 22:42
David
Hvae party, have everyone try to spell Mississippi. If they get it wrong they have to down a strong drink. Be sure no one is driving home until sobered up. It will be a very jolly affair.
Posted by: hank | Tuesday, 24 August 2010 at 03:05
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-08-22/gulf-seafood-test-results-clean/?cid=hp:mainpromo5
Posted by: JK | Tuesday, 24 August 2010 at 03:53
Hank, can't think of a better way to get legless!
'JK', thanks for the linkk, all this good news is really depressing the alarmists to whom I cannot wait to pass this latest installment.
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 24 August 2010 at 13:33
http://www.baxterbulletin.com/article/20100825/UPDATES01/100825003/New+microbe+discovered+eating+oil+spill+in+Gulf+
Posted by: JK | Wednesday, 25 August 2010 at 18:08