I don’t know much about this man Jack Rudloe except for what I have just read. But all I can say  is I can’t help but love a man who’s saving the lives of the little creatures on Earth. Rudloe is our modern day Noah.

Rudloe who lives in Florida, is starting “Operation Noah’s Ark”, a four-acre facility an hour south of Tallahassee to preserve more than 350 different specimens. Although the BP oil rig has been capped, Rudloe doesn’t believe the oil is gone. I don’t either. So I applaud him for his efforts, and I HOPE that he gets the funding needed to save these precious little beings, and preserve the many species that we could possibly loose because of BP’s fatal “accident”.

‘Operation Noah’s Ark’ Tries To Rescue Gulf Sealife

PANACEA, Fla. - On the chance that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill threatens some sea creatures with extinction, naturalist Jack Rudloe hopes his laboratory can save them.

Rudloe has launched Operation Noah’s Ark, using his four-acre facility an hour south of Tallahassee to preserve more than 350 different specimens - everything from sharks to starfish, shrimp and batfish - in an environment that includes a grassland and duplicates high and low tides. And he’s not doing it two-by-two. The fiddler crabs, for instance, number around 50,000.

“We have this endless supply of critters and water out there,” said Rudloe, 67, whose enchantment with the Gulf and its inhabitants date back some 40 years. “We have to get as many animals in there as we can and then if the conditions permit, be able to put some of them back and get some things started.”

Though the broken oil rig has been capped since mid-July and little heavy crude is visible on the Gulf, Rudloe said he’s still committed to the project.

“I don’t believe that the oil is gone,” Rudloe said. “It’s still out there in cold water, little tiny droplets that could come spilling up here in the wrong conditions of one or two hurricanes.”

Rudloe’s Dickerson Bay laboratory is about 20 miles from the easternmost point where oil has been reported on Florida’s Panhandle. Still, he worries about oil fouling his 50 tanks, which use saltwater pulled through an 800-foot pipeline from the Gulf. He is installing filtration systems just in case.

“If everything is dead, the marshes are black, the water is foul … we still want to keep the place going,” Rudloe said. “We would have to have live support systems where we can keep things alive.”

Rudloe estimates the project could cost $1.2 million. He can’t afford that kind of financial hit, coming at a time his wife - noted marine biologist Anne Rudloe - is battling a serious illness. The nonprofit, licensed facility, which attracts about 18,000 visitors annually, depends on admission fees, memberships and donations.

“We’re bleeding green,” Jack Rudloe said.Rudloe said he hopes BP PLC will help fund the project; BP said it couldn’t provide information on Rudloe’s claim.

“If anybody should come to anybody, BP should be coming to him and say ‘OK,’” said Robert Seidler, a Sopchoppy, Fla., filmmaker who has observed the Rudloe’s operation for decades. “Nobody has the collective knowledge of the area like the Rudloes do. Every trend, storms, floods, red tides. He knows all of that.”

Rudloe, who provides specimens for university and medical research, is well known nationally among marine biologists.

A New York native who moved to Florida in his early teens, Rudloe, who is self-taught, has joined with his wife to write books on the Gulf ecosystem along with articles for National Geographic, Sports Illustrated and other publications.

Rudloe has gotten some outside help since the spill. Pennsylvania-based Martin Marine shipped a $25,000 water-oil separator that Rudloe said could save the day, sifting out petrochemicals.

“We have a way to fight back. We can clean our water and go on living.”

He will also use roughly 50 large water tanks to store “healthy seawater” to maintain hundreds of other critters, including sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sponges, sea horses and spinybox fish.

The BP spill isn’t his first clash with oil companies.

In 1989, Rudloe cut his Exxon credit card in half and put it inside a plastic sandwich bag filled with oil to protest a spill created when the Exxon Valdez tanker dumped an estimated 32 million gallons of crude oil into pristine Alaskan waters after it grounded on a reef.

But that doesn’t come close to the disaster threatening the Rudloe’s lifetime of work.

“Where are the protections these companies were supposed to build in?” Rudloe asks. “I don’t think anything really has been learned. We’re just as dumb now as we were then.”

**********

Readers: 1.2 million for this project is 5 minutes of profit for BP. I’m with Seidler, I think BP should fork up the cash to help him - don’t you? It’s the least BP can do.

Harris: I would expect to hear nothing less.

Gloria: Excuse my lack of editing in my rush yesterday morning. As Zen Lill expressed, I meant to say “easy on the eyes”. Did you check Doug out? :)

Nancy: First of all, I am married, and even if I weren’t, Brad is too young for me to consider regardless of all of his “assets”. As far as “growing up”, remember, men are boys until they decide not to be. :) I HOPE you two continue to have fun together.

Doug: Nicely said.

George: You are still a typical hypocritical bigot whose words are empty of logic and fact, and filled with anger. I guess you’re still getting over the fact that your wife left you for a real man…a man who could satisfy her the way you never could. How about deciding to grow up? It’s time.

Zen Lill: I got your text message but I have been running since Friday, and have not had a moment to respond. So I will here. In answer to your question, I have no idea. All I can say is that my readership must be much larger than I thought.

Montana: Interesting article. Thanks for posting. You must be new to my blog. Welcome. FYI: In the future, it is best if you post your comment on the “present” day instead of on the day of a specific write that your are responding to, if that write doesn’t happen to be on the present day. That way it will be contemporary and all of my readers will see and read your comment.

And that is it for my comments today. I’ll reserve the rest for tomorrow.

Have a beautiful day - Peace out.

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. - International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

The BP disaster has been an upset in my life since the day it happened. I’m sure it has been in yours too. I’ve blogged about it, complained about it, and quite a few times, cried about it. Now…finally the cap is on.

I don’t know why it took so long. Obviously no one came up with the idea of using an agile youngster with nimble fingers who has mastered hand/eye coordination from years of video games, to put that cap on. Or we would’ve had it capped a month ago. Oh well, it’s done. And since the cap is now on tight and secure (?), the least I can do is breath a sigh of relief and HOPE that the worst of it is over.

But now, many more questions arise. Is it safe? Is it seeping?

Since pressure readings on the cap weren’t as high as expected — was a leak elsewhere in the wellbore, meaning the cap may have to be reopened to prevent the environmental disaster from becoming even worse and harder to fix.

And if so,  will the capped reservoir force its way out through another route causing an even worse disaster? If it is leaking below the bedrock, how will we ever stop a leak that we can’t even see, let alone get to? Lastly…Just when will this relief well be in place? They say within a month. Let’s HOPE so.

Not to be negative, but these questions are valid and real. And those in power and in the know have differing views when it comes to answering these questions, and taking action. Here’s an article from the Huff Po:

BP Well Cap: BP, Feds Clash Over Reopening Capped Gulf Oil Well

NEW ORLEANS (Associated Press) - BP and the Obama administration offered significantly differing views Sunday on whether the capped Gulf of Mexico oil well will have to be reopened, a contradiction that may be an effort by the oil giant to avoid blame if crude starts spewing again.

Pilloried for nearly three months as it tried repeatedly to stop the leak, BP PLC capped the nearly mile-deep well Thursday and wants to keep it that way. The government’s plan, however, is to eventually pipe oil to the surface, which would ease pressure on the fragile well but would require up to three more days of oil spilling into the Gulf.

“No one associated with this whole activity … wants to see any more oil flow into the Gulf of Mexico,” Doug Suttles, BP’s chief operating officer, said Sunday. “Right now we don’t have a target to return the well to flow.”

An administration official familiar with the spill oversight, however, told The Associated Press that a seep and possible methane were found near the busted oil well. The official spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because an announcement about the next steps had not been made yet.
The concern all along — since pressure readings on the cap weren’t as high as expected — was a leak elsewhere in the wellbore, meaning the cap may have to be reopened to prevent the environmental disaster from becoming even worse and harder to fix.

The official, who would not clarify what is seeping near the well, also said BP is not complying with the government’s demand for more monitoring.

Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the Obama administration’s spill response chief, demanded BP provide results of further testing of the seabed by 9 p.m. EDT Sunday night.

“When seeps are detected, you are directed to marshal resources, quickly investigate, and report findings to the government in no more than four hours. I direct you to provide me a written procedure for opening the choke valve as quickly as possible without damaging the well should hydrocarbon seepage near the well head be confirmed,” Allen said in a letter to BP Managing Director Bob Dudley.

When asked about the situation earlier Sunday before the letter was released, BP spokesman Mark Salt would only say that “we continue to work very closely with all government scientists on this.”

Allen insisted Sunday that “nothing has changed” since Saturday, when he said oil would eventually be piped to surface ships. The government is overseeing BP’s work to stop the leak, which ultimately is to be plugged using a relief well.

Allen decided to extend testing of the cap that had been scheduled to end Sunday, the official who spoke on condition of anonymity said. That means the oil will stay in the well for now as scientists continue run tests and monitor pressure readings. The official didn’t say how long that would take.

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security referred questions to a statement issued by Allen; neither he nor BP officials could explain the apparent contradiction in plans.

Suttles’ comments carved out an important piece of turf for BP: If Allen sticks with the containment plan and oil again pours forth into the Gulf, even briefly, it will be the government’s doing, not BP’s.

The company very much wants to avoid a repeat of the live underwater video that showed millions of gallons of oil spewing from the blown well for weeks.

“I can see why they’re pushing for keeping the cap on and shut in until the relief well is in place,” said Daniel Keeney, president of a Dallas-based public relations firm.

The government wants to eliminate any chance of making matters worse, while BP is loath to lose the momentum it gained the moment it finally halted the leak, Keeney said.
“They want to project being on the same team, but they have different end results that benefit each,” he said.

Oil would have to be released under Allen’s plan, which would ease concerns that the capped reservoir might force its way out through another route. Those concerns stem from pressure readings in the cap that have been lower than expected.

Scientists still aren’t sure whether the pressure readings mean a leak elsewhere in the well bore, possibly deep down in bedrock, which could make the seabed unstable. Oil would be have to be released into the water to relieve pressure and allow crews to hook up the ships, BP and Allen have said.

So far, there have been no signs of a leak. ”We’re not seeing any problems at this point with the shut-in,” Suttles said at a Sunday morning briefing.

Allen said later Sunday that scientists and engineers would continue to evaluate and monitor the cap through acoustic, sonar and seismic readings.

They’re looking to determine whether low pressure readings mean that more oil than expected poured into the Gulf of Mexico since the BP-leased Deepwater Horizon rig exploded April 20, killing 11 people and touching off one of America’s worst environment crises.

“While we are pleased that no oil is currently being released into the Gulf of Mexico and want to take all appropriate action to keep it that way, it is important that all decisions are driven by the science,” Allen said in a news release.

“Ultimately, we must ensure no irreversible damage is done which could cause uncontrolled leakage from numerous points on the sea floor.”

Both Allen and BP have said they don’t know how long the trial run will continue. It was set to end Sunday afternoon, but the deadline — an extension from the original Saturday cutoff — came and went with no word on what’s next.

After little activity Sunday, robots near the well cap came to life around the time of the cutoff. It wasn’t clear what they were doing, but bubbles started swirling around as their robotic arms poked at the mechanical cap.

To plug the busted well, BP is drilling two relief wells, one of them as a backup. The company said work on the first one was far enough along that officials expect to reach the broken well’s casing, or pipes, deep underground by late this month. The subsequent job of jamming the well with mud and cement could take days or a few weeks.

It will take months, or possibly years for the Gulf to recover, though cleanup efforts continued and improvements in the water could be seen in the days since the oil stopped flowing. Somewhere between 94 million and 184 million gallons have spilled into the Gulf, according to government estimates.

The spill has prevented many commercial fishermen from their jobs, though some are at work with the cleanup. Some boat captains were surprised and angry to learn that the money they make from cleanup work will be deducted from the funds they would otherwise receive from a $20 billion compensation fund set up by BP.

The fund’s administrator, Kenneth Feinberg, told The Associated Press on Sunday that if BP pays fishermen wages to help skim oil and perform other cleanup work, those wages will be subtracted from the amount they get from the fund.

Longtime charter boat captain Mike Salley said he didn’t realize BP planned to deduct those earnings, and he doubted many other captains knew, either.

“I’ll keep running my boat,” he said Sunday on a dock in Orange Beach, Ala., before heading back into the Gulf to resupply other boats with boom to corral the oil. “What else can I do?”

Readers: Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Blog me.

Anna: And I hope it stays that way. Hafa Adai.

Guill: You are good.

Keith: Yep. Good observation.

Sandra and Harris: They do have power and control and it is up to us to know them, all of them and know them well. Speaking of knowing them well. I hope that you read Evelyn’s comment.

Ming: What planet do you live on? Because here on Earth, it isn’t women that are messing our lives up. If you don’t mind, I suggest you do a little more “observing”.

Hi Evelyn: You are so lucky to have grown up with a mother who was/is so actively involved in the politics of our country, and no doubt the world. (Not to mention all of the other bennies.:)

Great comment and so helpful. Love, love, love the acronym “Karts” -  Kennedy was the only one I didn’t know. And now with this acronym, I shall not forget. But more importantly as you have so clearly pointed out with your examples, “Looking at what side of issues they land on is just as important”. Excellent - thank you.

Helena: I am a big fan of Dr. David Williams. Thanks for the article. Oh, and good job on knowing 7!

Charles: Thanks for being persistent. I am right there with you.

Barbara: Your article is shocking. Lead in juice? “How?”, is the question. Here is another article from the Huff Po if you want to read more.

Mia: I can tell you are upset and rightfully so. Good observations. I can also tell you are a smart girl who can take that energy…that passion…that sick and tired of it anger and turn it into something good.

Got to run everyone. I hope that your Monday is a good one.

Peacin’ out….

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. - International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

The problem that I have is that I am a person who feels so deeply when it comes to the livelihood of the innocent, especially the innocent that do not have a voice.  And I say it is a problem only because my emotions can leave me in total upset, total overwhelm, which is not a good place for me to be.

As I mentioned a few months ago, I was advised to try and not to be overwhelmed by my emotions as it does not leave much room for creative solutions to arise…for a successful resolution to come to mind.  One must not protest, judge, or complain, but merge with the situation…accept that this is the way it is, stay calm, be present, and create the space. I have learned the hard way that tears and upset leave no space for successful resolution.

Anyway…the good advice given, I heed, but it is sometimes challenging in this present day. I have been reminded that a good commander only has seconds to react in situations and a reaction in the form of tears are not an option when trying to find a solution to a problem that calls for urgent attention.

But on a side note, don’t get me wrong, a good cry when one isn’t looking for an immediate resolution can certainly make one feel better. And tears certainly clears, releasing and giving clarity…providing an opportunity to see things from a new perspective.

So…however much there is to get emotional about in our world these days, I feel that I have been pretty good at nipping my tears in the bud so to speak, before my eyes have the chance to leak…before my throat feels caught in a gasp.  But not always.

Last night I watched a video of the BP oil spill on the Keith Olbermann show. John Wathen, took the below video from way above the waters showing us everything from huge oil slicks that run for miles, to burning fires, to dolphins and whales trapped and dying.

I immediately fell to tears, and I didn’t even try to contain myself. Every once in a while I give myself deference to just feel….I gently remind myself I am still a girl first, a girl who when she sees devastation where it once was paradise for certain beings, puts herself in their shoes and who can literally feel what they are feeling: Scared, confused, upset, wondering, ‘What is happening to my world? What will happen to me?”

But I only allow myself fallen tears for a minute or so. I know that it does no one any good for me to feel this way, especially the innocent victims of atrocities such as this one. So after my alloted few moments I pull myself together, and I create the space.

Readers: I have yet to read anything about Hurricane Alex this morning, and its affect on the BP oil spill. I’m sure that some of you are in the know. Blog me. What I do know is that what wasn’t included in BP’s disaster response plans, was any mention of any plans should hurricanes and tropical storms affect the rigs etc. I guess BP didn’t feel that they needed to be prepared for storms, just like they felt they didn’t need a shut off valve on the oil rig.

How can people be so irresponsible? When will greed take a back seat to the care of our planet and its inhabitants? BP and other huge corporations whose actions and lack of care need to start being responsible, and care enough to have a plan put in place for all ‘worst case scenarios’. How difficult is it to develop these technologies? Probably not so difficult; but as usual we work from a reactionary position instead of a preventative one….caring more about the bottom line for the few involved, and caring very little about the affects a disaster may have on many.

Marilyn: I like to think that it is the power of intention, but hey if the aliens are helping out, or these are little gifts from the Gods, I give gratitude either way. Perhaps some miracles will come your way too. :)

Hi Mike: Good question. There are plenty of idiots out there. In regards to the one third: It’s like the lynching of the blacks. One third will do it, one third will say they wouldn’t do it, but watch and do nothing, and the other one third will do something to prevent it. The one third that is racist will never put it aside. It’s the middle one third that claims they aren’t racist but does nothing to stop racism, that we need to rally up and do something. Any ideas?

Sandra: So what are you going to do about it? It’s your money too - how about giving to who you want to give to? My guess is you’re already doing just that. Good girl. :)

Reba: Interesting. I tried finding out more on the internet but came up empty. I’m anxious to hear more if you have any more to tell.

Have a beautiful day…xoxo

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. - International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good Morning!

Would you like to travel with Julie Scardina on the final sail of the Kapitan Khlebnikov and see the Emperor Penguins in Antarctica? I sure would if I could! Yeah, but ‘who’s Julie Scardina’ you may be asking? Julie is not only a fellow animal lover, but an Animal Ambassador for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. This could be the trip of a lifetime - wanna go?

So…now that you know and if you answered, ‘Yes!, Yes!’, why not enter the competition and see if you could be the lucky person who actually gets to travel with Julie. How cool would that be? Read on if you’re interested in knowing how:

Turn Your Love of Wildlife and the Environment into a $45,000 Trip of a Lifetime.

Share your passion for the environment in 300 words or less and you and a guest could travel with Julie Scardina on a Snow Island Hill Safari to see Emperor Penguins in Antarctica!

Join Julie on one of the final sailings of the legendary icebreaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov. As Animal Ambassador for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, she will share fascinating behind-the-scene stories of animal training and conservation.

Tell the world why you should Adventure with Julie and encourage people to vote for you. On August 31, 2010, if your entry has received the most votes, you could win! This October 2010 voyage is already sold out, so winning is the only way you can get onboard.

Turn your love of conservation into the trip of a lifetime! Learn more about how to enter and vote below.

And speaking of voting…if you can’t make the trip but would love to support someone in reaching their goal, there are plenty of people who are entering the competition. Peruse the entries and pick your fave. Doug is my fave; he has a big love for animals too. He is such a love with our beloved Lucy, and has been so helpful at home when we have fostered pups…so yes, he has my vote…but then I am a bit partial. :)

************

Jeff: What a delightful poem (I think) You sure your name shouldn’t be ‘Tom’?

Al: I know you are reading. I hope that you are reading the comments to - they could be very helpful for you. I hope that you are doing better. 

Ruth: Thanks for bringing it home. Your addition was a goody. Hope all is well with you. Say hello to Evelyn and the girls.

Anna: I second that. :)

Emily: Good one. I know a few people like Phil :) Welcome back.

Got to go…peace out.

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. - International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

     

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

 

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Here’s the latest on BP and Obama’s demand that BP pay for the damage that the oil spill has caused to our environment and the livelihood of many:

Republicans on the Hill have calculated that President Obama’s successful demand that BP set up a $20 billion escrow account to pay out claims is ripe for political attack. In the wake of Wednesday’s White House announcement, a host of GOP officials are raising questions about both the process by which the deal was made and the deal itself — going so far as to apologize to BP on America’s behalf.

“I’m ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday,” said Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) during a hearing on Thursday morning with BP’s CEO Tony Hayward.” I think it is a tragedy in the first proportion that a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown — in this case a $20 billion shakedown — with the attorney general of the United States, who is legitimately conducting a criminal investigation and has every right to do so to protect the American people, participating in what amounts to a $20 billion slush fund that’s unprecedented in our nation’s history, which has no legal standing, which I think sets a terrible precedent for our nation’s future.”

“I’m only speaking for myself. I’m not speaking for anyone else, but I apologize,” Barton added. “I do not want to live in a county where anytime a citizen or a corporation does something that is legitimately wrong, [it is] subject to some sort of political pressure that, again, in my words, amounts to a shakedown.”

Airing criticisms against the notion of forcing BP to fork over $20 billion in liability revenue would seem like a fairly risky proposition considering just how reviled the oil giant is in the current political environment. And Democrats quickly jumped on the congressman’s remark, as well as those from other Republicans, as evidence of a lack of sensitivity for the victims of the spill.

“What is shameful is that Joe Barton seems to have more concern for big corporations that caused this disaster than the fishermen, small business owners and communities whose lives have been devastated by the destruction,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. “Congressman Barton may think that a fund to compensate these Americans is a ‘tragedy’, but most Americans know that the real tragedy is what the men and women of the Gulf Coast are going through right now. Members from both parties should repudiate his comments.”

“While the President has worked to ensure that BP is held fully accountable to the families and small businesses of the Gulf, Republicans and Joe Barton are proving that they are only accountable to BP and the oil industry,” added DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan. “While the President has secured a guarantee of at least $20 billion for Gulf Coast residents, Republicans and Joe Barton have lined their pockets with BP contributions and stock dividends. While the President has gotten BP to rightfully apologize to the American people for their reckless behavior, their inexcusable response and their insulting approach, Republicans are apologizing to BP. Republicans could not have this more backward, and it raises serious questions as to why they are on the side of BP and the oil companies instead of that of the American people.”

Readers: The republicans are once again sticking by them and theirs. Just in case BP survives this financially, the Republicans want Tony Hayward to know that they still have his back, that they still support him, and Big Oil. They want to ensure that they can continue to count on Hayward’s contributions to fill their pockets when needed. And they’re just a tad upset because right now they’re seeing their precious future BP contributions saved for the American people, where it should be.

Sometimes a Shakedown is needed to shake things up. Thoughts? blog me. 

Are you kidding me: Hmm…your comments are so familiar - I know who you are. And it is obvious how very little you know about political tact and diplomacy. But yep, I agree with you, there are suckers born every minute…and waiting in the wings is are greedy, self-aggrandizing perpetrators ready to pounce. Which one are you? I get the feeling you’re probably the latter who sits around and does nothing until it affects your livelihood, and then all you do is bitch and blame someone else.  

Zen Lill, Helena:To be fair, I do ask for money, but only in the form of donations to my blog, to which I have received to this day: NONE. I know donations are being sent, but I am not receiving them. That is a story in itself that I care not to discuss.

anon: Evidently you can eat that pork. :) 

Nora: I thought your post was pretty darn funny. 

Hi Mike: Thanks. 

Pearl: My pleasure. Thanks for being a part of it. 

Peace out…I’m off to take Lucy to the beach, and then work calls. Have a lovely day everyone!

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the ‘Donate’ button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. - International readers please see my ‘Donate’ page)

       

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

 

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2010

John Curley Photography

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"