Here's what I have learned from personal friends at the company: there wasn’t a huge explosion, the platform was shut in and not producing at the time, and there was no drilling rig, therefore no drilling going on. Because it is a natural gas platform, there was only minimal storage capacity for oil/condensate, none of which they think spilled. It sounds like the fire started because a painting crew was doing routine maintenance and sandblasting and got too near a sensitive piece of equipment (called a glycol treater) and caused a spark that set it on fire. Because it had some of the residual flammable liquid in it a fire started and burned up all of that equipment. The crew safely evacuated without incident and was pulled from the water soon thereafter.
RT, nice to hear a bit of info not filtered through the media.
NOW, what I find interesting is this: if RT's info is correct and it was just a simple accident, look at how many people are perceiving it as a conspiracy... everyone I've asked, tons of reader comments on the various news websites.... there seem to be an awful lot of people mistrusting the government nowadays. Even when they're not screwing us over, we think they are.
The EPA will shortly be addressing the issue in the interest of us all. It's only good cautious sense that they ban the use of all sand-blasting equipment and declare sand a threat to our health, thus they'll need to take control of all property laden with sand.
I can't see any humor in that, nor can I understand why there is so much hatred toward GB. When I read Overton Window then followed up on some of the refference guides in the back, I found a lot of respect for his message. It's easy to be cynical toward this administration when you learn the facts behind it. The people I know who are not suspicious of the Obama gang, have forcefully turned a blind eye to it, preffering to remain in ignorance. These onion people are sick.
Those who hate Glenn Beck, have most likely not read nor listened to him. The hatred stems because it is the popular thing to do. Listen to what Howard Dean said the other day. Despicable.
The irrational hatred of Fox News is similar. Obama tried to make them an object of derision and the Leftists bleeted in chorus.
I dislike Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow, not because someone told me to. I watch them and listen to what they say. Then and only then, do I puke.
Sorry, guys, Beck is an entertainer, just like so many other "commentators" on TV these days. He is in it to make money and to make the network money, and you would be a fool to believe otherwise about any of these talking heads. And funny is funny (it's entertainment, remember - not news) - don't be hypocritical and get miffed about an Onion vid, just cuz you like the guy. I can laugh at someone doing a good job of making fun of anyone - including myself. Hopefully you all can, too.
There's a big difference between humor and wishing someone dead while calling it humor. Not blaming you for the video (other than spreading it), but the Onion should have higher standards. I would feel the same way if the video targeted BO.
Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2010 - 01:02 am:
Beck just an entertainer?
Didn't we just have this discussion? Didn't we explain that he is a LOT more than just an entertainer?
If that is your characterization of the man, then it's obvious that you are not familiar with his work. His discussions about America's founding and the subsequent course of our government are nothing short of brilliant.
The left hates him because he reveals in entertaining and enjoyable fashion their insidious drift and desire for the nanny state at the expense of freedom and prosperity.
Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2010 - 11:27 am:
Faith, Hope and Charity are not a platform of entertainment. It's a message, and applicable to us all! If you are just entertained by a call to return to God and to practice Faith, Hope and Charity in your life, then you need to turn up the sound and listen to what is being said.
"Paranoia will destroy ya!" 
