In 1989, an Exxon oil tanker spilled 10.8 million gallons of oil in Alaska. The result was the destruction of marine wildlife and all fishing opportunities in the area.
Exxon's profit for the year = 40 billion dollars
They were asked to pay = 2.5 billion dollars
They ended up paying = 500 million dollars.
What does this mean?
It means that every fisherman was reimbursed $15,000. This is ALL they have to support themselves and their families for the rest of their lives. Their source of income, fishing, was decimated. Since 1989, 20% of the claimants (fishermen) have died.
Instead of finding fish in this previous sea of plenty, they now find oil on their hands. How can they feed their families like this?
What will these thousands of fishermen do now?...........
Why blog on this?
Because you should be outraged and reminded of the injustice that occurs on every part of the world map.
What're you doing about the injustice in this world with your life?
That's something only you can personally answer.
Brother from another mother,
B-Wunit
References:
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/66647/
NY Times section on the issue
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7473968.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/24/newsid_4231000/4231971.stm
2 comments:
they should just change occupations and become fishers of men.
but for real, big companies = big greed. greeeed. greed.
Haha Matt..... a very Matt type of response and actually a good suggestion ;-)
And yes "for real," big companies... the middle classmen should stop tolerating this and elect a president who'll do away with this crud or at least lessen it.
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