Musings of a Malcontent: EXXON ROCKS!

“Musings of a Malcontent” is a weekly op-ed by GlobalWarmingisReal contributor Carlyle Coash

Yes, I am going out on a limb and making sure I REPRESENT. (Sorry – channeling the hood there for a second)

As you all likely know by this point, on Friday July 1^st an Exxon pipeline running under the Yellowstone River in Montana burst, causing a huge swath of oil to float down the river. By Sunday it had sent a plume 25 miles downriver. Since there has been record flooding in the area, there have been delays in getting to the pipe or starting any kind of real clean up.

Awesome.

The best part of the AP news report I read showed how the numbers can be spun regarding the amount that was spilled. Pam Malek, an Exxon spokesperson, said 750 to 1,000 barrels. Other Exxon officials estimated it at 42,000 gallons.

1,000 or 42,000? I’m keeping that spokesperson around the next time I cause an environmental disaster. She can low-ball my destruction of the planet anytime. Just make sure to use the measuring system that sounds the least damaging.

A barrel is about 42 gallons, but who’s counting. Already Exxon is downplaying it, saying that the situation is not all that bad. Like we’re going to believe them. Large organizations and truth – not a great track record.There is even blame being put on the river. Yes, my friends – the Yellowstone River is the true villain in this story. I know – I could not believe it myself. In a ploy to destroy the natural environment, the river over the last several days has conspired to flood its banks. In a statement, the Yellowstone River claimed it was the sky’s fault for sending so much rain – but we know better. The water levels rose, likely “exposing” the pipe to debris, which split the pipe. In typical river fashion the Yellowstone refused to bend to criticism.

Jokes, satire, and puns – I use them all.

I imagine that the Exxon spin team is already hard at work with the “upsides” to the spill, so that by next week we will all be convinced it was a good thing this happened. A few that popped into my head:

• More Omega 3 – The fish of the Yellowstone will benefit from the new oil enriched water of the river. It will totally boost their Omega 3 content! So for all you health conscious folks out there, make sure to stock up on genuine Yellowstone River oil fed trout this summer. GOOD EATS!
• Watery Water – Scientists from Exxon, along with experts from the EPA, determine that the water of the Yellowstone River before the spill was too “watery”. “Too much water type substance in that water. It needed more character”, stated a lead spokesperson. “Thanks to Exxon, the river’s content is more diverse. Oil adds just the right qualities to make the river’s ecosystem really shine. Literally.” As a result, the EPA is giving Exxon a “Best Water Enrichment” award for their innovation and moxie.
• Fireworks Display the Best Ever – Thanks to all the oil fumes in the air from the Yellowstone River spill, the fireworks this year in nearby Laurel, Montana were amazing. The fumes, which ignited when the fireworks exploded, flashed magnificently in the July sky. Although a relatively small town of 6,500 residents, Laurel hosts a huge 4^th of July fireworks display. It is not uncommon for 50,000 or more area residents to attend. “It was incredible this year!” said one resident, “the flames arching across the sky were just the right touch. Thank you Exxon!”

Laugh now, but just wait.

Comments? Suggestions for articles? Let me know!

Related articles

• Oil Spilled into Yellowstone River from Ruptured ExxonMobil Pipeline (planetsave.com)
• EPA finds oil 45 miles downstream of spill on Yellowstone River and says endangered sturgeon could be affected (summitcountyvoice.com)
• Yellowstone River Spill Not Good for Wildlife, But Could Be Worse (news.sciencemag.org)