Greenpeace vs. Shell: Duelling vessels

 head for Arctic from Seattle

Jun 12th, 2012

by John Donovan.

By Bellamy Pailthorp

Seattle's Elliott Bay is the epicenter of a global energy fight.

The Shell Oil Company has two rigs docked here, the Kulluk and the Noble Discoverer. Also in Elliott Bay is the Greenpeace vessel, Esperanza.

As soon as the ice clears, Shell's rigs will head out for the Arctic. They'll be the first to conduct exploratory drilling there in more than two decades. Greenpeace plans to shadow them, using submarines.

"… to bring back some of the baseline science and some of the information demonstrating what's out there in this pristine environment that really has never been explored by anyone before and yet, a place where Shell wants to begin drilling," says Jackie Dragon, the lead campaigner for Greenpeace's polar expedition.

Shell says there is no real risk.

"If we couldn't do this safely and responsibly, we wouldn't consider doing it," says Shell Spokesman Curtis Smith.

He declined KPLU's request for a tour of their rigs. But he says Shell has invested in retrofitting them to leave the smallest possible impact on the environment, for example, by making sure they capture the mud and cuttings from drilling, so the waste is not discharged in the path of migrating whales.

(KPLU was allowed on the Greenpeace vessel and our summer intern Lindsay Lowe shot this video of the crew preparing one of its two submarines for a test dive in Puget Sound.)

Ice rules

The Shell spokesman says the oil company has taken nothing for granted in its response plan for the remote seas.

"And that's why we are bringing everything that we need with us. Not just the drilling rigs and the personnel, but the on-site and the near-shore and the onshore oil spill response fleet, that in the very unlikely event it was called upon, could begin working and recovering oil within an hour," Smith says.

Greenpeace insists this is not enough. Dragon says the biggest risk is an accident at the end of the drilling window, when ice could prevent any of the response ships from getting to a gushing well.

"And if that occurs and they cannot get to it, and cap it off and drill a relief well, they stand to have an oil gusher that could go on for years," Dragon says. "And that would be devastating to the environment up there."

Shell says they won't let that happen. That's why they've been waiting for the ice to melt before pulling out of Seattle. Shell's drilling window begins "whenever the sea ice clears or on July 15, whichever is sooner," Smith says.

Not their first battle

Shell has a restraining order against Greenpeace. The activists have to respect a federally-mandated exclusion zone and stay one kilometer away from Shell's vessels. That's after some of them were arrested earlier this year for boarding an oil rig in New Zealand – and Shell sued.

(Photos of KPLU's visit aboard the Greenpeace ship Esperanza. For larger images and captions or if your device does not support Flash,see the gallery on our Flickr page.)

SOURCE

Posted in: Alaska, Arctic, Associated Press, Environment, Litigation, Oil, Pollution,Royal Dutch Shell Plc.
Tagged: Alaska · Arctic Ocean · Beaufort Sea · Chukchi Sea · Greenpeace · Oil · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

← Greenpeace, Shell show off Arctic assets in Seattle

Giant Port Arthur refinery unit seen shut for months →

TALUMPATI NI P-NOY SA ARAW NG KALAYAAN

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

MY HEART WILL GO ON

My Heart Will Go on – Celine Dion Song Lyrics

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

Safety Message: Mercury...

From: Alfred Clayton

Date: Sun, Jun 10, 2012 at 8:58 AM
Subject: FW: Safety Message: Mercury...

This is TOTALLY GROSS!  However, If you have a weak stomach you may not want to view.  But thinking about safety – I wanted to pass the word along to be VERY CAREFUL with these new light bulbs.  Pix are extremely graphic.

---

 Use care when changing hot light bulbs
"H"

This is hard to look at!!!!

    

Shell's 'crimes against humanity'

Jun 6th, 2012

by John Donovan.

FROM A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR

I have been reading with some interest your main-stream media posts and the accompanying discussions in your blog regarding Shell's complicity with the Nigerian government (or the Nigerian governments complicity with Shell) in the obvious political repression that occurred in the Ogoni tribal region. There was political repression, torture of dissidents, murder, rape, etc., all intended to intimidate and cow the Ogoni into 'acceptance' of the 'pillaging' of the natural resources found on and under Ogoni tribal lands. Furthermore, the resulting environmental damage has severely inhibited the traditional methods by which the Ogoni provided for themselves through fishing and farming, etc.

To a degree there are a number of parallels between the conduct of the Nigerian government and Shell against the Ogoni, and the way the Soviets treated the Ukrainian Cossacks (Kulaks) in the 1920′s. No rational person could convincingly argue against the notion that Stalin was a brutal dictator and that his policies, which led to perhaps 20 million deaths in his own country, did not constitute 'crimes against humanity'. The man was a mass murderer.

Now, if we fast forward to today and look at what is happening in Syria it is obvious that Syria leadership is engaged in wholesale political repression, which includes torture, murder, rape, etc. No rational person could argue against the notion that the Syrian government, upon orders of its dictatorial leader, is engaged in 'crimes against humanity'. Assad is likewise a mass murder. His ordered actions have simply not killed as many people as Stalin or Hitler, etc., did. He would completely depopulate Syria if he did. But there is no doubt that the man is a thug and a butcher.

So, if we revisit the situation in Nigeria, past and present, we must come to the same conclusion about the Nigerian government, and its various leaders, with regard to their treatment of the Ogoni's. Furthermore, Royal Dutch Shell was an active partner/ co-conspirator and instigator. This conduct by Royal Dutch Shell is really no different than IG Farben's conduct during WWII.

From what I know about Royal Dutch Shell, and I know a fair amount given that I once worked for the outfit, it is clear to me that Royal Dutch Shell  leadership should be held accountable for their complicity in what are clearly premeditated 'crimes against humanity'. Management at Royal Dutch Shell clearly has a neo-colonial attitude when dealing with peoples of the third world, their only goal being to make as muchmoney as quickly as possible, and give as little as possible back to the people whose resources they are plundering. It is a classic f*** you, rape, ruin and run philosophy, and so very typical of the oil industry.

I, for one, am delighted to see that the US Supreme Court is going to take up the matter. They can then take up the matter of Royal Dutch Shell's conduct in Brazil regarding pesticide production and pollution.

It is high time Royal Dutch Shell management be held accountable for their conduct.

Posted in: Corporate Governance, Human Rights, Litigation, Nigeria, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, United States.
Tagged: Human Rights · Militant Attacks · Niger Delta · Nigeria · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

← Shell and The Future of The Ogoni

Shell moves to help enable exploration off Zanzibar →

CEMETERY WATCHMAN

From: Alfred Clayton <clayalf@msn.com>
Date: Wed, Jun 6, 2012 at 4:30 PM

Thanks just isn't enough.....
Cemetery Watchman .

My friend Kevin and I are volunteers at a National cemetery in Oklahoma and put in a few days a month in a 'slightly larger' uniform. Today had been a long, long day and I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's and have a cold one. Sneaking a look at my watch,

I saw the time, 16:55. Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day.

Full dress was hot in the August sun Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever--the heat and humidity at the same level--both too high.

I saw the car pull into the drive, '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory-new. It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace.. An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed; she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers--about four or five bunches as best I could tell.

I couldn't help myself. The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste: 'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right now!' But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.

Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old biddy along, we might make it to Smokey's in time.

I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.

I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman's squint.

'Ma'am, may I assist you in any way?'

She took long enough to answer.

'Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.'

'My pleasure, ma'am.'

(Well, it wasn't too much of a lie.)

She looked again. 'Marine, where were you stationed?'

' Vietnam , ma'am.. Ground-pounder. '69 to '71.'

She looked at me closer.

'Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine. I'll be as quick as I can.'

I lied a little bigger:

'No hurry, ma'am.'

She smiled and winked at me.

'Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off.. Let's get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name's Joanne Wieserman, and I've a few Marines I'd like to see one more time..'

'Yes, ma 'am. At your service.'

She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flower bunches out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone.

She murmured something I couldn't quite make out.. The name on the marble was,
Donald S. Davidson, USMC:
France 1918.

She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek.

She put a bunch on a stone; the name was,Stephen X. Davidson, USMC, 1943.

She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944.

She paused for a second and more tears flowed.

'Two more, son, and we'll be done'

I almost didn't say anything, but, 'Yes, ma'am. Take your time.'

She looked confused..

'Where's the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way.'

I pointed with my chin.

'That way, ma'am.'

'Oh!' she chuckled quietly.

'Son, me and old age ain't too friendly.'

She headed down the walk I'd pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on, Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968, and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970.

She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn't make out and more tears flowed.

'OK, son, I'm finished. Get me back to my car and you can go home.'

Yes, ma'am. If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?'

She paused.

'Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my Husband, Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all Marines.'

She stopped! Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know.

She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.

I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.

'Get to the 'Out' gate quick.. I have something I've got to do.'

Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get us down the service road fast. We beat her.

She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet.

'Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost.

Follow my lead.'

I humped it across the drive
to the other post.

When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice:

'TehenHut!

Present Haaaarms!'

I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye--full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud. She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice far beyond the realm of most.

I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.

Instead of 'The End,' just think of 'Taps.'

As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer:

'Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas.

Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.'

Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy.

'In God We Trust.'

Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too!

If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under!

The decision

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

Sen. Francis Escudero explains his vote

SEN. FRANCIS ESCUDERO: 

EXPLANATION OF 'GUILTY' VOTE

29-May-12, 8:53 PM | by Sen. Francis Escudero

OTHER NATIONAL STORIES

• CA defers confirmation of PH envoy to Syria due to incomplete SALN

• Producers to initiate hog, chicken, vegetable 'market holiday' if smuggling not stopped

• Enrile almost correctly predicted who would vote against and for Corona

• Supplies for kinder kids enough, student-books ratio at 1:1 - DepEd

• Package containing a grenade left at Ombudsman Morales' residence

InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

It is written… Do not judge lest you be judged, for the measure you measure with will be measured back to you. (Matthew 7:1-2)

While I do not approve of the manner and way which the House of Representatives initiated, proceeded and handled this impeachment, when they filed the complaint for impeachment before the Senate, the House, in the exercise of its wisdom, determined that non-declaration in one's SALN is an impeachable offense.

Ibig sabihin nito, mula ngayon, pwedeng nang tanggalin sa pwesto ang punong mahistrado pati na rin ang pangulo at ikalawang pangulo at iba pang impeachable officers kapag meron silang di dineklara sa kanilang SALN.

Matapos aminin ni Chief Justice Corona na mayroon siyang $2.4M at P80M na hindi niya dineklara sa kanyang SALN, naging simple na lamang po ang kailangan naming pagpasyahan… Ito po ay: HINDI NGA BA ITO KELANGAN IDEKLARA DAHIL SA R.A. 6426 o FCDU LAW?

Kung sasang ayon kami sa posisyong ito ni Chief Justice Corona, dapat namin siyang ipawalang sala at kung hindi naman, ay dapat mag-gawad kami ng hatol laban sa
kanya.

Ikinalulungkot ko na di ko po masasang-ayunan ang posisyong ito ni Chief Justice Corona.

Para sa akin, maliwanag ang mga batas natin at di ito nagbabanggaan.

Ang pinagbabawalan ng FCDU law na mag-release ng impormasyon ukol sa dollar deposits ay ANG MGA BANKO AT DI ANG DEPOSITOR.

Samantala, ang KONSTITUSYON at R.A. 6713, pinag-uutos na ideklara ng lahat ng opisyal ng pamahalaan ang LAHAT NG KANILANG YAMAN AT PAGKAKAUTANG.

Kung ayaw mo ito ideklara, eh di huwag kang tumakbo para sa, o tumanggap ng anumang, pwesto sa pamahalaan. Subalit kung ikaw ay nasa pamahalaan, kelangan mo itong ideklara.

Dahil dito, mabigat man sa aking kalooban, kailangan kong mag-gawad ng hatol laban
kay Chief Justice Corona.

Maging ganoon pa man, nais ko pong batiin muli si Chief Justice Corona dahil, sa kasaysayan ng bansa, siya ang kauna-unahang opisyal ng pamahalaan na nag-execute ng waiver para buksan ang anumang deposito nya sa banko.

Sana siya at ang kasong ito ang magsilbing hudyat ng isang bagong simula sa ating bansa.

Isang bagong simula kung saan di na pwede ang dating gawi! Panahon na para itaas natin ang pamantayan ng mga naninilbihan sa pamahalaan!

At dapat pantay nating ipatupad ito di lamang sa kanya kundi sa ating lahat!

Kahapon, i-sinumite ko sa Senado, pabor sa Ombudsman ang aking waiver upang ilakip sa aking SALN at hinihimok at hinahamon ko ang mga kasamahan ko sa Senado at sa Kongreso na gawin din ito at ipasa natin, sa lalong madaling panahon, ang ini-akda kong Senate Bill 107 na naglalayon na i-require ito sa lahat ng naninilbihan sa pamahalaan.

Tulad ng sinabi ko sa aking pambungad na salita, ano man ang panukat na ginamit natin sa pag-husga, siya ring panukat na dapat nating gamitin sa ating mga sarili.

Ika nga ni Cong. Farinas, kung di natin pinapalusot si Chief Justice Corona, wag din tayong magpa lusot!

Ito'y hinihiling ko para magkaroon ng saysay, kahulugan at positibong kinahinatnan ang
kalbaryong dinaanan ni Chief Justice Corona, ng kanyang pamilya at ng ating bansa bunsod ng impeachment proceeding na ito.

Dalangin ko po na sana agad na magsimula ang paghilum ng pait, sugat at pagkakawatak-
watak ng ating bansa. Sana naman, pagkatapos nito ay tama na!

Let us move on and move forward.

Pag-tuunan na natin ng pansin ang mahahalagang problema sa ating bansa na may kinalaman sa ating ekonomiya at paglagay ng pagkain sa bawat lamesa.

Ano man ang maging hatol ng hukumang ito, I wish you and your family well Mr. Chief
Justice.

Nawa'y gumaling kayo mula sa inyong karamdaman at patnubayan nawa kayo, at tayong
lahat, ng Diyos.

HAGUE TRIES TO HALT SHELL 'MURDER' CASE

HAGUE TRIES TO HALT 

SHELL 'MURDER' CASE

May 29th, 2012

by John Donovan.

"The allegations are grave: rape, systematic and 

widespread torture, extrajudicial killings."

THE SUNDAY TIMES:HAGUE TRIES TO HALT SHELL 'MURDER' CASE

27 May 2012

WILLIAM HAGUE has been accused of hypocrisy after the government intervened on the side of Shell, Britain's biggest company, over court claims the oil giant was complicit in torture and murder.

The foreign secretary is facing pressure from human rights groups over Britain's role in a case in America's highest court being brought by the families of 12 people from Nigeria's Ogoniland community.

The case puts Britain in conflict with President Barack Obama's administration, which argues the families should be allowed to sue Shell over claims their relatives were tortured and killed by Nigerian troops in the Niger delta in the 1990s.

Evidence released in 2009 is alleged to show that Shell paidthe Nigerian military to stop peaceful protests against pollution and helped police plan "scorched earth" raids on villages. The company said: "We vigorously deny all allegations of wrongdoing."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is now trying to have Supreme Court judges strike out the case.

Lawyers acting for Hague argued that the American courts should have no role in hearing cases against British corporations for alleged crimes committed outside America.

In a letter to Hague last week, Shami Chakrabarti, director of the human rights group Liberty, said the FCO's move "runs dangerously counter to the stated aims of your department and its professed commitment to … human rights".

She added: "The allegations are grave: rape, systematic and widespread torture, extrajudicial killings."

The FCO said it was not taking sides on the allegations against Shell. A spokesman said it "strongly defends human rights".

SOURCE (Subscription Required)

COMMENT BY JOHN DONOVAN

Salient to note that William Hague is a former employee of Shell UK. He is now trying to help his former employer get away with murder.

Posted in: Business Principles, Corporate Governance, GoogleNews, Human Rights,Litigation, Nigeria, Oil, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, The Times, United States.
Tagged: Litigation · Murder · Niger Delta · Ogoniland · Oil · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

← Shell Tackles Gasoline Pump Fraud

Forbes.com: S&P may still cut Shell Group entities →