July 23, 2007
Bob Looks at BP, the Chicago Tribune, and Jobs
Subcomandante Bob has learned of an article in the Chicago Tribune that attacks his good friends at BP. This is a company that has long been in the forefront of producing television spots that promote corporate environmental responsibility. Just kidding. Those cats at BP really do care about the environment, and it pains Bob to see them get singled out for unfair treatment by the likes of the Chicago Tribune.
The Tribune article discusses some exemptions to environmental laws that BP will receive in exchange for $3.8 billion in new investment and the creation of an estimated 80 new jobs.
That's $3.8 billion, kiddies. Investment like that does not come along every day for a city like Whiting.
The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, has come out in favor of the move, arguing that the decision to place economic security and energy independence "seems justified." BP has also issued a fact sheet criticizing some of the statements in the Chicago Tribune piece. The company especially takes issue with the Tribune's use of the word "sludge" to describe treated water that empties into Lake Michigan:
Now, Subcomandante Bob is all about taking care of the environment, and he frequently sleeps outdoors in one of Toledo's fine public parks. But the bottom line here is the bottom line: people need to have jobs so they can eat. So, BP? Do your stuff. Give those folks in Whiting some decent employment, and make sure that you live up to your corporate ideals, or Bob will personally drive to BP world headquarters and go medieval on you.
The Tribune article discusses some exemptions to environmental laws that BP will receive in exchange for $3.8 billion in new investment and the creation of an estimated 80 new jobs.
That's $3.8 billion, kiddies. Investment like that does not come along every day for a city like Whiting.
The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, has come out in favor of the move, arguing that the decision to place economic security and energy independence "seems justified." BP has also issued a fact sheet criticizing some of the statements in the Chicago Tribune piece. The company especially takes issue with the Tribune's use of the word "sludge" to describe treated water that empties into Lake Michigan:
What is released from our refinery is treated water that is more than 99.9% water - not sludge. All sludge is treated separately, according to state and federal requirements, and never discharged into Lake Michigan.BP notes the amounts of ammonia that can be discharged under the proposed permit will still be below federal guidelines, and so we are not going to be bombarded with stories about dead ducks washing up on the beaches of Lake Michigan.
Now, Subcomandante Bob is all about taking care of the environment, and he frequently sleeps outdoors in one of Toledo's fine public parks. But the bottom line here is the bottom line: people need to have jobs so they can eat. So, BP? Do your stuff. Give those folks in Whiting some decent employment, and make sure that you live up to your corporate ideals, or Bob will personally drive to BP world headquarters and go medieval on you.
