Update on Oil Spill

Recently, numerous proposals have been given to stop the oil spill, however the common disunion between our members of government continues to impede the progress of the oil spills clean up. However, when the lives of millions our at stake from the rise of prices of seafood to the death of innocent people from contaminated waters, we must stand united against such a foul foe.

Obama’s administration has attempted to fix the problem by hiring some experts on the environmental disaster. Among his workers are Ken Salazar, Steven Chu, Carol M. Browner, Ray Mabus, and Michael R. Bromwich. Although people have been brought to attempt to solve the problem, no solution or real effort has been aroused to solve this issue. Constantly the news reports of the disastrous oil spill and efforts being considered to end such a catastrophe, but the danger has not been stopped which will eventually pose a threat to all of life in the world.

BP has been one of the few to make an effort to resolve this issue, but keep in mind that because they had started the problem, it is their responsibility to solve it. Currently, BP has lost 86 billion dollars in attempts to solve the oil spill disaster, considering that the explosion of their rig had caused the undersea well to be blown. However, BP says that they will handle the remaining damage claims in 30 to 45 days, by this time the oil spill would be too deadly to prevent any irreversible damage. Some tar balls have been seen recently on Florida beaches, as an example of the nearing danger that approaches even the United States.

Now BP has made a statement saying that in the future they will take and receive people who make various claims within 30 to 60 days. Although this may seem dim, progress has been made because in the past this was not allowed. Also through this disaster we have proven that nations can stand for the greater good. Twenty-two other nations, including Britain, have offered us various machines to clean up the spill. However, these offers all come with price tags that would further the United State’s debt. Although humanity has made some progress in somewhat unifying to solve a world problem, mankind must realize that in order for us to continue to thrive, humanity must not be caught on material wealth, and should strive to assist each other without any conditions.

Bahá'í Outline of Education

In today’s current society education is most often mistaken with instruction. The purpose of instruction is to transfer knowledge from one person to another, much like children and their teachers at school. When one is properly educated this individual will truly understand himself and the world around him. The lesson being taught to the child will also have a profound effect on the child, and make him or her more useful to mankind. The Bahai view upon the purpose of education is that every individual should be considered as a treasure house in which God has deposited jewels that should be manifested through the process of education, thereby benefiting mankind.

Unfortunately, numerous universities do not delve within a child’s mind and attempt to discover the potential within. The most frequent thing done is that if a child cannot learn the material it is presented then he or she will be left behind. The children who eventually are left behind become neglected and therefore left in a wilderness of ignorance. Numerous types of these children will eventually participate in unscrupulous actions and other various wrongdoings due to their lack of true education.

However, each child has a true potential to be manifested through proper education. For example, there was once a king of India who had four sons and wished for his sons to have private tutoring in subjects such as philosophy, mythology, and other subjects for that time period. The teacher had given them a sentence to memorize and write one hundred times for the first lesson and the sentence was “Don’t ever grow impatient, no matter the circumstances, and keep smiling.” After the first lesson one of the four boys reported to the teacher that he had not yet learned the phrase, but the teacher did not wait and continued to teach the other students.

After some months had passed, the king and some ministers had attended class with the four boys. The teacher first explained and said that, “These three boys have advanced very much. They have memorized so many books and homework, but alas, your majesty, this one has not yet learned the first sentence I have given him.” The kind and one of his ministers had rebuked him for his ignorance and lack of success. However, the child had kept on smiling and patiently listening while they yelled at him. His teacher had then discovered that this child was the one who had truly learned and had said, “Your majesty, he is the one who has learned. The others only have memorized.” Thereby, exemplifying the importance of proper education and not instruction in today’s society.

Although the path to true education may not be a viable option currently. The difference between instruction and education must be known for humanity to truly prosper. The children of this century each have numerous qualities waiting to be manifested, but only through the proper education process and not pure memorization. Hopefully, the world will recognize each child’s potential and properly educate each child so that they may be beneficial to the prosperity of humanity.

The Oil Spill Sends A Call For Change

With an oil spill that has been sending oil into the ocean for over a month, a severe threat is presented to the marine life, the local economy, and the future of the oil industry. With such a disaster like the oil spill, the destiny of the world hangs in the balance. The formation of methane ''ice crystals'' (formally known as a methane hydrate) along with the inaccessibility of the oil pipe has created a virtual disaster for BP in its efforts to stop the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The demise of BP can be possible with the propable legal actions to ensue.

The legal problems that BP faces is only a glimpse of the waning oil industry. The need for a global change in the reliance on oil, particularly in the USA, is an issue to be dealt with. The increase in the production of alternative fuels is a necessity to drive the world in a new direction. The picture below stands as a testimony to the horrors of this oil spill and those to occur in the future.

(This photo is courtesy of NewsWeek)

The world must realize that sacrificing the world's natural resources is not worth the short term energy gains from oil. The peoples of the world must realize that the short term gains are not worth the long term losses. Sometimes, the best choices are not the easiest to carry out. In this case, it is clearly visible that offshore drilling is not the remedy to an addiction on oil. More people are using more energy everyday. If the energy capacity of the world needs to grow to meet demand, proper actions must be carried out. A revision in the energy infrastructure of the world is neccessary. The future starts today.

This disaster in the Gulf of Mexico might not be in vain. The possibilities of change are apparent. As a global community, everyone can learn from their mistakes and work together to create a better world. This oil spill is a wake-up call to the world. The world can learn from all of the aspects of the oil spill, and avoid another. The future belongs to everyone, and it is the responsibility of all to ensure a good one.

A Word of Wisdom

O SON OF MAN!

My calamity is My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it. -Baha'u'llah (From the Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah)

Oil Location Forecast