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June 28 - The rehabilitated pelicans were flown out to Florida today. Bear and I washed our first sea turtle by ourselves. Bear held him while I soaped him up and rinsed him up. He didn't try and retract his head into his shell, which isn't a good sign. His defense mechanism to protect himself wasn't there. I made sure there wasn't one spot of oil on him, but I have a feeling he isn't going to make it. Bear sang a healing song to him nonetheless. The birds and turtles who are coming in are in worst shape because there is more oil out there than there was when the rig first blew. Devon was reassigned and is now working with John building bird cages. He was spending too much time shaping his panty hose into legs, and the woman in charge thought he would do much better anywhere else but in her warehouse. ha ha
June 29 - Mom made coffee this morning. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee has always woken me up at home. When I woke and saw it already brewed, I realized the only thing I can now smell is oil. I never work without a mask, yet oil is all I smell. We decided we need take a weekend away from the smell of it. New Orleans is only 45 miles from here, so we're going to spend the weekend there. The big guys (21 & over) want to catch some jazz and eat Cajun food. Devon, Bear and I want to go swimming in clean water. We also want to see Eclipse, the new Twilight movie. We've been in Grand Isle for 6 days now. We'll be here another week and then head on to Mississippi. Mom will head back to Portland. Devon and his dad will be in Mississippi with us for a week and then head back home. Devon has a summer camp he needs to get to, and his Dad has his work to return to. Only two pelicans were brought in today, and both looked like they were on deaths door. Our turtle didn't make it. He was in the crate this morning. I HATE BP. The weather reports the storm they have named Alex is turning into a hurricane, but it looks like it's going to hit Texas and escape us. We're still on alert.
June 30 - Very windy and stormy last night. Bear, Devon and I stayed up late telling ghost stories. Got to sleep after midnight. John woke us up at 3 a.m and said to pack up. The storm had turned into a hurricane somewhere over Mexico. While it wasn't expected to hit Grand Isle, the wind and waves were going to be bringing in more oil and toxic fumes. By the time we were heading out, the winds had picked up and the sky was filled with lightning streaks. We were able to see the boom that had been lining the beach. It was scattered all over the place. I wanted to scream. Nobody would be around to help with the animals. Nobody spoke during the drive to New Orleans. We were all stuck in our own heads with out own private thoughts. I could see tears running down John's cheek.
July 1 - Mom decided "the kids" needed to have some "normalcy," as if that is possible. She rented two hotel rooms; one for the two of us and one for Bear and Devon. The men are in the RV. We went out for pizza and saw Eclipse. I was so grateful. I loved the film and was actually able to lose myself for a couple of hours. Since we've gotten back, I've been watching the storm coverage live on CNN. The more I watch, the more helpless I feel. Scientists are saying the hurricane is actually a good thing because the rough seas and winds could actually help break apart the oil and make it evaporate faster.
President Obama has accepted help from at least 22 nations, including Britain and Kenya. Their generosity comes with a price tag. According to CNN, they are requiring the U.S. to reimburse their countries for materials and expertise. Only Mexico, with all its poverty, offered the U.S. anything for free. Britain, who is supposed to be our closest ally, said it would sell chemical dispersants and containment boom. Russia, which received millions in U.S. aid last year said it could send boom, oil containers and ships if the U.S. paid for them. China offered containment boom for a price. When they were hit with a major earthquake we gave them money for relief supplies and also donated over a half a million dollars through the U.S. embassy in Bejing so the Red Cross could buy and deliver emergency supplies there. Israel receives billions in U.S. military aid and other assistance. They also said they would send containment boom, if the U.S. paid for it. France offered to send chemical dispersants and equipment to clean oil off birds but only for a price. Kenya, which received more than $24 million in U.S. aid last year and $11 million in 2008 for humanitarian aid, offered to send fire boom but only if the Obama administration paid. Vietnam offered a ship with oil-collecting sweep arms if the U.S. paid for it. Romania made a general offer of support but asked the U.S. government for payment. Croatia offered to send technical experts and plans, for a price.
It took something like this catastrophe to open up my eyes to what a sorry ass world we live in. Maybe the next time one of these nations is fighting to keep a dictator like Hitler from conquering them, we need to stand back and wach. The U.S. is going to pay for the help, and "No," they are not going to charge BP for this help. Obama isn't going to because he promised Cameron he was not out to bankrupt BP. These nations should all be ashamed of themselves.
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