Recently my family and I enjoyed a vacation in Pensacola, Florida. We had an opportunity to spend time at the beach. While there we saw two schools of sting rays with about 40 in each group. Some of the residents in the area suggested the sting rays were that close to shore because the oil is pushing them closer to land. The experience frightened my children and it didn’t sit well with me considering my cousin spent time in an emergency room one week prior after being stung by a sting ray.

I’m not an expert so I can’t say for sure the oil pushed the sting rays closer to land. However, I do know that this disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has caused considerable damage. It could be years before the oil is cleaned up and even longer before the sea creatures’s lives return to normal. All of this will probably cost Americans extra money at the gas pump.

I don’t have all the answers but I do know that we (American consumers) must hold BP accountable. They need to reimburse those whose businesses and livelihood are affected by the spill. Many business leaders in the Gulf have expressed that BP is not doing enough. If BP refuses then we (American consumers) must help them accept responsibility by buying gas any and everywhere accept BP.

Dr. 3