Alabama Opens Mobile Bay to Shrimping Claims Seafood Safe to Eat

In an attempt to "stay ahead of misconceptions and rumors" state officials held a town hall style meeting in Daphne, Alabama with a panel of "experts" to answer questions and assure the public that seafood from Mobile Bay is "perfectly fine" to consume.

Bruce Freeman, chairman of ADEMs Office of Emergency Response, seems to be in full crisis management mode and seeks to dispel the issues raised by Corexit, the chemical dispersant employed by BP. But he never uses the word Corexit publicly (privately yes), he simply states that the shrimp in Mobile Bay are "safe" because no oil has been found in the state geologists testing.

That is partially good news if it is accurate, but with all the red flags raised by numerous credible sources about the government's potential cover-up of the effects of Corexit, Alabama seems to be bungling public relations rather than getting ahead of the issue.

The perception in the public eye is that there is not enough information on the long term effects of this chemical and no one trusts the government (local or federal) to tell them the truth.

Nalco, the maker of the chemical dispersant, and the EPA did not publicly release the MSDS on Corexit until intense pressure from Congress forced them to do so. Both have since tried to downplay the risks and Nalco lists everyday ingredients such as shampoo and soap as having the some of the same chemicals as Corexit.  The EMC and ADEM have an equally spotty track records with the citizens of Alabama, and more often than not, has rarely acted out of an abundance of caution.

What the real driving impetus is behind this maneuver is remains to be seen--perhaps it is designed as another way to limit additional liability for BP similar to their ploy to "buy up" the University of South Alabama's entire department of experts, (60 total and they refused) who are qualified to address the effects of this disaster. Or maybe this is originating from Governor Riley's office in an attempt to stop the bleeding of lost revenue to the state from tourism and the local shrimping industry.

Perhaps as was reported by Pro Publica on July 19 from Gulf County, Florida, there is an inside relationship going on here and some of the Alabama officials and/or family members are working for BP contractors in addition to their official local and state duties:

Freeman said a $25 million grant given to the state by BP does not in any way limit the company's culpability or liability in the spill, response or cleanup, but will help fund city or county projects such as boom deployment to defend critical shoreline from contamination. He said any costs incurred by the county, including salaries of employees shifted to work in the response and overtime, would be paid by BP. County officials said they would submit bills to ADEM monthly and the claims would be passed on to BP.

"There's no limit on the pot of money," Freeman said. "BP has told us they will take everyone and make us whole."

"No limit to the pot of money." That sure makes everything about this action highly suspect given the history of this state.

But what this isn't is a prudent move-- Alabama is flaunting its arrogance to the country-- by appearing that they know better than highly credentialed experts, that have warned the EPA is covering up the true effects of Corexit, and they are more than willing to take a big risk to "prove" it.
BPsSchemeToSwindleTheSmallPeople