After spending two weeks in a southern American State, I realized just how drastic, horrifying, and complicated the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico actually is. Being so far north and away from the drama, the UK and other countries are talking more about football and Sex and the City 2 than the crisis in the Gulf. However, if you live in Florida or Louisiana, and it’s all you’ll hear about.
People are angry. They’re confused. Fisherman who only know how to, well, fish are having their livelihoods threatened. Businesses who depend on beach tourism are having their way of life ruined. And thousands of fish, birds, and other sea life creatures are dying.
This is the biggest oil spill in American history.
If you watch Fox News for more than three minutes, you’ll know that conservatives (and even those who voted for Obama) are blaming the current administration for the problem. Obama is apparently “in bed” with BP, and that is why they were allowed to drill at 5,000 feet with out a proper back-up plan.
Naturally, finding out who to blame has become an national obsession. There are plenty of Tony Hayward Vodoo dolls out there, and Obama has quite a few as well.
There was outrage over Obama not being mad enough. And then when he said he was “furious” and was “looking for who’s ass to kick” over the matter, he was then “not using the language of a a president”.
And now, conservatives have another oil-covered fish to fry over the matter: Hollywood.
Last week, Fox & Friends argued that Hollywood wasn’t doing a “Support the Gulf” telethon because they didn’t want to upset Obama, who Hollywood is a big fan of. Bloggers are also calling Hollywood’s apparent bluff, pointing out all that they’ve done for Haiti, the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and the victims of the tsunami in Thailand – and how little they’ve done for those affected by the oil spill.
My first thoughts were that the oil spill is a manmade disaster, littered with politics and corporate crap, and the other disasters were all natural and incredibly unexpected. The oil spill is very different to a hurricane or an earthquake – and while I don't think it's fair to say Hollywood isn't doing more because they love Obama, I think it’s fair to say that they should be doing something.
James Cameron went on Larry King, a bunch of other celebrities have made statements – but it’s as if none of these disgustingly rich people in Los Angeles can be bothered to help out even the innocent animals affected by all of this. PETA is pissed, but apparently celebrities like Pamela Anderson and Alicia Silverstone (and a bunch of ladies wrapped in lettuce) would rather “go naked than wear fur” in highly advertised PR campaigns than get their hands dirty helping out oil-drenched pelicans.
It’s rare that I agree with things said by those with conservative policies and view points, but some of the commenters on the BigHollywood blog rightfully point out that Hollywood doesn’t care about the oil spill of the floods in Nashville because it doesn’t affect the “chosen groups”. It affects African Americans, and fisherman and immigrants and those who don’t make a lot of money. Plus, both of these disasters happened in the South – which is only inhibited by stupid, Bible-thumping, illiterate red necks, right?
Sophie B. Hawkins recently “broke the Celebrity silence” on Fox News, and said that Obama should be communicating better with the American people, and telling them to get on buses and go down to New Orleans so that they can be trained to throw hay on the Gulf.
She then went on to sing a called "The Land, the Sea & the Sky". With a drum.
So commendable, right?
Or would it have been more commendable if Sophie B. Hawkins herself were on a bus headed for New Orleans to throw some hay on the Gulf instead of beating her drum and complaining about Obama on Fox & Friends? Sure, all of the proceeds of her single will go to those affected by the oil spill, but...well, am I the only person who has never even HEARD of Miss Hawkins!? I DIDN'T THINK SO.
Yes, we need a telethon. We need to help those people regardless of political bullshit. Let’s get some celebrities raising some money. But more importantly, let’s get volunteers to help where help is needed, and let’s get a little less song singing on cable news programs, and little more proactiveness.