WHY WE MUST STOP DRILLING

The volcano of oil (it is not a spill) that will now erupt for several more months in the best case scenario, and may destroy forever, the ecosystem and economy of the Gulf region, has not deterred some in the deep water drilling business from howling at the current moratorium placed on such activity.

One local supporter likened the BP made volcano to the airline business, arguing that we don't halt aircraft traffic due to one crash. That person is unaware of or has conveniently forgotten that the worst aircraft disaster in US history, a DC 10 that claimed 279 lives thirty-one years ago outside O'Hare, caused the grounding of the hundreds of DC 10's for many weeks so the government could determine and fix a design flaw and maintenance procedure. The airlines didn't squawk over the economic hardship it posed them because they had the decency and morality to comprehend that the federal government's role in protecting the public was paramount to their thirst for profits.

The unfettered capitalism, small government crowd driving America to ruin should be made to dip their consciences in the Gulf Goo to feel a tiny moment of the pain and suffering that will be a constant companion of the locals there for a long, long time.

Also published in the Daily Herald, June 8, 2010 and the Chicago Tribune, June 9, 2010