As Herculean efforts to stop the Deepwater Horizon oil flow, and stay a’top the clean up using heavy bureaucratic red tape, pundits and media have had to content themselves with finger pointing, pointing out the finger pointing, and deciding who was the best villain to demonize that day. The favored culprit to assassinate in the media has been BP. So it comes as no surprise that prolific yellow journalism, evidenced by poor (or lazy) research, does the proverbial hit and run – splashing the headline that “BP Buses in 400 Workers During Obama’s visit”, then ignoring the facts and follow up.
Fueled by Jefferson Parish Councilman John Young and Chris Roberts, the local officials insisted the presence of what they claim (by hearsay) was 300-500 workers at the Grand Isle beach when Obama shuffled thru on his rare appearances was all BP smoke and mirrors, and some sort of conspiracy theory/photo op. Leftist and right wing blogs alike jumped on the same “scandal” headline. The left used it to further bash the image of BP, and by proxy, big oil, for their green agenda. The right used it to slyly suggest it was Obama, himself, orchestrating the scam.
Everyone bought eagerly into the hype, and virtually no one cared enough to check up on the timeline: when the oil first washed ashore at Grand Isle, who had been there prior, who was doing “the hiring”, the mandatory training involved for the volunteers, how many local volunteers *are* trained and ready, or even the legality of bringing “posers” to a hazardous area for even a day’s faux work.
The extra workers were brought in for Friday only, at a rate of $12 an hour, [Jefferson Parish] officials told WDSU. They were mostly from Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.
Jefferson Parish Councilman Chris Roberts didn’t buy into the cleanup effort. “They must think we’re all fools,” he said. Roberts called BP’s efforts “shameful.”
“The level of cleanup and cooperation from BP in the last week in no way compares to the effort shown on the island today,” Roberts said. “This is a total shame that a mockery has been made of this visit by the executives of BP.”
Talk about “shameful” and being the fool… neither councilman did a lick of homework before getting their face time before the cameras. And perhaps it would be more credible if they weren’t sticking their political necks out based on hearsay.
BP Chief Operating Officer and spokesman, Doug Suttles, attempted to explain to an unwilling press that the events were coincidental. No one apparently wanted to believe him.
But the fact is, BP subcontracts tasking needed volunteers and workers to the locations. And in the specific case of Grand Isle, that contractor is Environmental Safety and Health, Inc.
Donald Nalty, spokesman for ESHINC, is no stranger to the emergency clean up industry. He was with Oil Mop LLC – then the largest of six response organizations in Louisiana – when the CG called them in following the 911 terrorist bombings in NYC, as well as the anthrax clean up on one of the nation’s largest post offices following those events.
Nalty, the consummate professional, had a very busy day following Obama’s exit from LA… “cleaning up” not polluting toxins, but the viral accusations that sprung from a lazy, derelict media and network of bloggers from both sides of the political aisle. Local Fox affiliate Ch 8 ran a verbal dual between Councilman Roberts and Nalty… where the latter confirmed that – following the oil land fall at the beach one week earlier – BP had requested teams to that location back on May 23rd after an operations meeting.
In a later CNN Newsroom interview with TJ Holmes, he expounded further.
So my first question is, how many workers before the President’s trip on Friday had you had working in this area on a day-to-day basis?
DONALD NALTY, CONTRACTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY GROUP (via telephone): We had 200 — approximately about 250 workers working there prior to — for the past two and a half to three weeks.
HOLMES: So — so this — and what the councilman is saying, he said that these guys were bussed in, he actually put the number at around 300 to 400 but maybe around the same number you’re saying. He says they were actually bussed in, recruited not long ago just to be for the president’s photo-op if you will. And you’re saying that what’s been happening for the past Friday is no different than what’s been happening for the past couple of few weeks there.
NALTY: We — we’ve had a plan, we’ve put together a plan on the 23rd to increase the number of personnel that’s going to be in the Grand Isle, Fourchon and (INAUDIBLE) area. Actually yesterday, we brought in another 400 to Grand Isle, another 100 to Fourchon and 90 to (INAUDIBLE), Louisiana to go into the Terrebonne Bay area.
~~~Mata Musing: More cogent data on the above paragraph another report from the local ABC affiliate:
But Donald Nalty with Environmental Safety and Health, contracted by BP to hire the workers, says Roberts doesn’t have the facts. “They were not pulled because they just got off the job at six o’clock this evening. They’re working six to six.” He says workers are being ramped up to address all the oiled areas. But he says workers have always been there. “We had roughly 260 people out there. We just moved it up another 400 on Grande Isle, another 100 in Fourchon, another hundred in Cocodrie,” says Nalty. Still, Roberts says he’s keeping a close eye on where, when and how many people are working along the coast.
~~~HOLMES: Now where did you all — did BP direct you to beef up? I guess, whose idea was it that that you need to focus more resources on these particular area?
NALTY: Well, this — it all goes into the operational planning and the meetings and based on the projects — of the projectory of the oil that we’re properly staffed to handle any impact that comes on.
We made the decision on the 23rd that we need to add additional people. We are making as much of an attempt to hire as many local people as we can which means that we have to train them so we — it takes us a few days to number one, process the people and train them.
HOLMES: Now, this very area we’re talking about — and I want to make sure we’re clear here because some of the accusations are — well, have been made quite clear by some down in Louisiana.
You are saying at no point did BP or anyone else tell you, hey, the President’s coming. This is where he will be. Let’s make sure we beef it up on this area, this area and this area because the cameras are going to be around. No one at any point, nor did you make a decision because of the President’s trip?
NALTY: Absolutely without a doubt, no. I had no idea about the President. Whether it’s the President or whatever dignitary that’s coming into the area, it makes no difference to us. We’re there to clean up Grand Isle, clean up Louisiana, and that’s what we need to do. We have to get the proper personnel and equipment out there to do it. That’s BP’s commitment and that’s what we are doing.
Below is a video of the Grand Isle clean up the day following Obama’s appearance – May 29th – from NECN
Compare the above to the WDSU video included with their late breaking accusation story… Despite the anchors’ promises they would follow up, to supposedly get to the bottom of it all, they have not. They did the hit, and then they ran.
Remember that comment by the ill-informed councilmen INRE t-shirts above? Note that the workers wear either blue or red shirts – mostly likely designating the hierarchy of the crew on site. Also that the workers are wearing HAZMAT suits… of which they are limited in the hours of wearing during the heat of the Louisiana days.
What is perfectly plausible to those who read before they report is the coincidence and timing. As I pointed out above, the oil only started washing ashore last weekend at Grand Isle. Ground crews are deployed as the situation calls for. Secondly, you can’t just bus in a bunch of posers and hand off tees and HAZMAT suits. Anyone involved in clean up of hazardous substances – which includes oil – are required to have a degree of HAZWOPER training courses and certificates relative to their function… voluntary or not.
As, the OSHA issued training documentation explains in their publication, Training Marine Oil Spill Response Workers Under OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response Standard, there are state and local standards that cover even uncompensated volunteers.
HAZWOPER Requirements that Apply to Marine Oil Spills The NCP defines oil as any kind of oil in any form, including petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes but not dredged spoil (dirt or rock). Response actions conducted under the NCP must comply with the provisions of HAZWOPER. You’ll find this requirement in 40 CFR 300.150.
Therefore, if your workers are participating in a response action under the NCP, you must have an occupational safety and health program consistent with HAZWOPER and you must train your workers according to HAZWOPER’s training requirements. This applies whether the responsible party or a government agency is directing the cleanup.
The Councilmen above insist these faux workers were paid $12 per hour to showboat… which would mean that not only would Nalty/ESHINC be guilty of a sleazy photo op (supposedly orchestrated by either BP or Obama, depending on which flavor blog you’re reading…), but of a more serious violation of OSHA and EPA standards that would entail exposing untrained workers to a potentially environmentally hazardous zone without the proper training. This is why Nalty makes his point above in the CNN interview as to the time needed to train volunteers.
This mandatory training is also well documented in the many sites that help direct those that wish to volunteer… such as Oil Spill Volunteers… with links for volunteers in not only Louisiana, but Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. Jefferson Parish had started setting up training locations back on May 3rd, but there are no indications of how many volunteers received their certifications for either that parish, or Louisiana. Thus, if not enough locals had received the necessary OSHA training, they would indeed be busing in certified and trained volunteers from elsewhere. Once that location was under control, they would move the bulk of their volunteers elsewhere to a new location requiring the numbers.
NewsBusters’ Noel Sheppard was also sniffing something foul with the Councilmen’s accusations since one of the witnesses says these poser/workers came in via school buses…. vehicles they could not obtain without the parish’s knowledge.
What is, perhaps, most appalling is that few (if any) chose to entertain the possibility – even for a nanosecond – that the reality and fact was exactly as was stated. We have become a nation of disjointed, scattered tabloid news as the norm. And that is a dangerous trend.
All of this could have been easily researched prior fostering scandalous yellow journalism headlines which go viral in hours. None of the reports contained any historic fact, but instead fed the hate oil/hate BP hype to depend upon “hits” or reading audience. The low bar of what can be considered journalism these days creates a hazardous area for we, the citizens, to navigate. And yes, that low bar also transitions to blogs of all stripes as well.
So read voraciously, and further research those presentations that strike your gut as insidiously wrong… because your gut is likely correct.
But apparently, few of the media or bloggers will go back and clean up their toxic yellow journalism errors.
Vietnam era Navy wife, indy/conservative, and an official California escapee now residing as a red speck in the sea of Oregon blue.
Thanks Mata. Facts count.
DONALD NALTY, CONTRACTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY GROUP (via telephone): We had 200 — approximately about 250 workers working there prior to — for the past two and a half to three weeks.
FACT: the oil only started washing ashore last weekend at Grand Isle.
So, if the oil only started washing ashore last weekend, why would ESHINC have people “working the area” for the last two and half weeks or more.??? Are you okay with the fact that ESHINC had 200-250 people standing on the shore for over two weeks waiting for the oil to come ashore? and that ESHINC had no idea that the President was going to visit Grand Isle?? If Donald Nalty says he didnt know the president was going to visit, I am calling him a LIAR. and whomover buys Nalty’s crap I am calling an IDIOT. Who you supposed to believe, Donald Nalty, spokeshole for ESHINC or common sense logic.
Ugly, you need to try decaff.
I’d respond beyond this, but will sit back with some popcorn and watch as Mata cuts you to ribbons.
@UglyinLA…..
Wow… after 20 years in California, I could swear there were unwritten laws on the books that you weren’t allowed to reside in Los Angeles if you were Ugly or old… LOL. And yes, I know you are referring to Los Angeles, and not Louisiana. So we won’t be allowing you to play “informed local” here because you share an abbreviation.
People would be constantly patrolling vunerable beachhead and marsh areas. Or perhaps you think the oil sends a Twitter, alerting everyone to it’s arrival and location? Computer models only do so much… and have been wrong most of the time.
Well now, that’s an embarrassingly piss poor, desperate attempt at spin. That’s not what Nalty said…. Most locals claim there were only “dozens” working the beach at the most prior to the 28th. I would wager that if you have the capability to multiply say even 20 people by 14 days, you’d be coming up with over 200 people that had worked that beach in the past weeks.
Had you followed even a few of the training links I provided, you’d find the cost of even the minimal certification ain’t cheap. I sincerely doubt that ESHINC has the time, or enough trained human resources, to allow a bunch of relatively expensive volunteers to lollygag and sun bath on the beaches instead of working areas where the oil came ashore prior to Grand Isle.
And I guess you missed that there is about the same size crew – via pictures – that was there after Obama’s visit. Or perhaps you didn’t notice that the local stations are backing away from this story by just trying to ignore it, in light of the facts?
Nalty is a busy guy, Ugly. Perhaps he missed the Gibbs Tuesday WH presser that announced Obama’s spontaneous decision to visit just days later. Nor did they say where, specifically, the POTUS was going to warm his tootsies in the sand. I suspect that Obama’s tour of sites was arranged by local officials.
Let’s recap for you, shall we? Oil arrives 21st/22nd… mitigation plans made at sit-ops meeting on the 23rd, the big zero announces his drive thru on the 25th, schedule of locations determined by local honchos in the period between the 25th and his arrival AM on the 28th… two and a half days.
If they had informed Nalty, he could only have know 24-36 hours in advance at most.. and that was already days after the crew schedule was set.
As far as the local JP councilmen – well, they aren’t looking like very bright lightbulbs on this issue so far. Would be hard to notify Nalty since they didn’t know he existed, and believed BP hired these people direct. They didn’t know about the training mandates, or they would have figured out it would be a serious OSHA violation to bus in posers – of which the district officials would have been a party to since they were providing the damn school buses. 🙄
Well, you’ve certainly got the right to call Nalty anything your little O’faithful bleeding heart desires. But if you think you’ve demonstrated a modicum of “common sense logic” with any of your feeble attempts to perpetuate a conspiracy, then that “IDIOT” you mention will be spotted every time you pass a mirror or store front window.
We’re pretty good at recognizing emotional, unmitigated, spittle filled venom when we see it. Apparently you are one of those who needs to have a villain so you can, vicariously, play the victim role.
So I’ll be believing the consummate pro, Nalty, over you, or even the local dolts that function as the Jefferson Parish councilmen (no doubt up for election this year)… thank you for asking.
OSHA extends its training reach to workers through its various Outreach Training Programs. Through these programs, qualified individuals complete an OSHA trainer course and become authorized to teach student courses.
Screw a bunch of hippie cry babies….Drill, baby , drill. Who needs regulation anyway?
You people have your heads so far up your butts you can’t see how wrong you are.
Pity the man that cant’ admit to a mistake.
Witness the lack of discussion over the spill!
I’m dashing off to work so I only have a mini-post for now.
First, I am standing by my claim that Nalty is lying if he says he didnt know and didnt care if Barry was visiting. If Barry announces his Gilliganesque 3-hour tour on the 25th, then its already been in the works well before then. Their advance team is on the phone with BP. Where’s the oil going to hit. We need oil on the beach or else the BP/Presidential photo op will be ruined. We need Barry to bend over and pick up pieces of sludge and look pensive and angry. Get workers on the beach before the cameras get there. Bus them in if you have to.
Once BP got busted with their little charade, they now have no choice but to keep those 300-400 onsite for the next month or so. and thats only one beach. Based on the size and scope of this continuing oil spill, BP is going to singlehandedly solve our unemployment rate for the next three years. Of course, since Barry claims to have been in charge from day one, he will take credit for all these clean up jobs created. If you have unequivocal proof (not some company hacks word) that 300-400 workers were scheduled to be brought in and out on school buses (possibly contaminating school buses in the process) every day from now until at least 30 days after the oil is capped, then I concede that you are right. Until i see proof positive, I am not in a rush to let Big Zero off the hook.
Speaking of Barry, keep in mind that this is the guy who handed out lab coats so that the audience would resemble doctors. This is the guy who plants operatives in the audience to ask his talking point questions. This is the guy who has his wife pick veggies in the garden and pretends to dine on them while air frieghting in the real dinner veggies from New York City. This is the guy who hires then fires census workers to inflate his “job created” numbers. This is the guy who buses in cheering SEIU members to fill the high school gym.
One thing left to ponder, is BP, like GM, too big too fail?
@OSHA Guide, that is exactly true. And under the HAZWOPER link I provided in the post above is the costs and specifics on that training.
Also, a link I didn’t post, but archived, is one from Breakdown of America’s blog, that lists some local Louisiana places that are accepting applications for the training.
But, as I said, under almost all circumstances, and based on their exposure and proximity to the oiled areas themselves, they must all go thru the training…. and, of course, the health care risk disclosures.
@UglyinLA, I see… you’re of the right wing conspiracy flavor as opposed to the left wing conspiracy flavor. Your rant about the big zero doesn’t necessarily touch on issues where I disagree. However they have nothing to do with this particular chain of events. Nalty doesn’t take his marching orders from Obama, but from BP. And those marching orders were in place prior to the WH announcement (and notification) of Louisiana. You think, with all that’s going on, this is booked like a vacation, two weeks in advance? With the bad press going on, I’ll disagree with you, and wager Barry did this on a spontaneous moment because of bad press.
Of course the problem with your desired take on this depends upon Obama being able to get to Nalty direct to arrange the stage show. BP is unlikely to want the heaviest oil soaked shores, which puts that in direct conflict of what you say Obama wants. But then if Obama twists Nalty’s arm, that’s not “BP busing”, is it? And it requires a man and organization to add political slime to their clean up efforts when they are really nothing but emergency responders. There’s nothing to gain, and everything to lose for them to cooperate in a scam.
You demand proof that the plan was in place – as it would be in the course of oil coming ashore and events – but then you concoct some imaginary conversation between BP and the WH to scout oil laden locations… and pronounce that as fact in your mind.
Then you demand no facts from the councilmen … despite they have been wrong on so many counts already. (i.e. school buses, who was hiring and coordinating the volunteer help, etc). You ignore that fact that busing in fake volunteers on district buses places them in direct violation of federal regulations. Instead you eagerly seized on their half truths, and created your own “logic”.
Interesting litmus test for “truth” you have there….
That’s your perogative, of course. Obviously, there are some, like yourself, who will cling to a conspiracy for some political/emotional need – despite any exposure to facts and logic. I’ve provided the facts and logic here with the timelines and training requirements. You continue to wage battle with a dedicated belief on two local councilmen who weren’t even there, and imaginary conversations and schedules.
And speaking of that… none of the photos we have of the Obama event on Friday show enough clean up crew to support their hearsay claims of “up to 500”. I have no doubt that, with “da won” present, there were that many folks milling about to catch a glimpse of the chosen one. But they were not the clean up crews who, according to Nalty, start work in the early morning hours at 6AM to avoid the oppressive Louisiana heat and humidity. Being a former resident of Florida, I’m here to tell you that can sap one’s strength.. .especially if you’re wearing those suits. Very different than your California high desert dry heat.
Nalty has been around the block on major clean ups, and is no novice. He and BP planned the Grand Isle clean up, timed to happen after the oil actually hit shores… and with a crew that fit what volume existed. All of that doesn’t happen in a 24 hour turnaround time. And speaking of volume of oil, one might take a close gander at the May 29th clean up video. You will notice that it’s not a solid line of sludge along that beach line, but that the spots were random and intermittent. I daresay the concentrations of oil are worse in other area pockets.
This is no evil doing either by BP or Obama… it was just the events that were going to transpire, whether or not Obama inserted himself in the mix. You better force the issue of Sestak if you intend to travel the conspiracy route. The motives, timing and puzzle pieces of facts INRE Grand Isle simply do not fit the conspiracy theory mold.