Robert Redford Weighs In On Gulf Disaster: Join the Live Chat
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Actor Robert Redford is speaking out about the Gulf oil disaster. He says it was perhaps necessary to "wake us up" and get us to force the "politicians in the government that are in collusion with the energy companies" to move America towards a clean energy future. Redford talks with Anderson for tonight's "Big 360° interview." Plus, we give you an up close look at the efforts to save the animals impacted by this disaster.
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Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
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I have to agree with Robert Redford. There must be strict rules and regulations for the oil companies before we allow any more drilling on our shores.
Anderson, I am truly amazed that anyone is still covering what Tony Hayward says. He and BP have misrepresented the entire situation since day 1 so why give him an ounce face-time. This guy is a weasel! I don't feel like all the pressure you can bring the company will do any good. If he wasn't nervous about accountability he would grace you with his presence.
Lastly, I think people in Gulf are showing signs of true victimology. They remain intimidated and controlled by Big Oil, their attacker, even to the point where they want to end the moratorium. It’s like playing Russian Roulette. Hopefully, they will learn that one can’t place a price tag on saving lives and remember that previous generations managed to survive without Big Oil once, and they can use their famous Cajunuity to learn how to do it again.
Also, who knew that oil could be more addictive than drugs and alcohol. The President was very brave in admitting that America has a problem, which has lasted more than 100 years. It is an important step in the 12 steps to recovery. Let us be brave enough to take the next step and go to eco Rehab.
It's nice to hear someone else who thinks the blame needs to be shared with the govt, and not JUST Bp. Great Interview Robert Redford!
Hi. What are the white things folating in the water on the webcam? Does any one know what BP is doing on the webcams?? thank you
In Pa. I could take you to oil wells that were drilled before my birth 51 years ago. Around these drill sites the ground is desolate, nothing grows. They are still seeping oil even though they are capped into all waterways. What would make one think that wells that have been drilled in our oceans whether capped or running would be any different? Oil companies are a business and profits overpower all else.
@ Emily, I am sure APC is right in it's defense (but only from legal perspective)!
The CEO of APC could have addressed the shareholders and all other parties involved before the share's tanked and lost 4.5 billion in value! He did not have to do it last week or wait until after the hearings of BP and other oil companies.
Connect the dots and it's easy to see that they (APC) are trying to gain support if the issue arises for them to pay – they are just using the anti-BP sentiment like every one else...business is business and will keep ethics out!
Anderson, please focus some future reporting on the details of the cleanup effort. As suggested on Meet the Press yesterday, we should be seeing a proportional response to this catastrophic spill - fleets of barges and tankers recovering the oil. This is something that could be done while we all wait (hoping and praying) that BP will plug the hole. Wet vacs in the marshes, rakes and shovels on the beaches, booms, etc, should be the last line of defense...
Where are all the animal activist? World Wildlife fund, HSUS, PETA et all! Come on out!
Who is going to pay for all the workers who get sick because they aren't being equipped with proper protection while cleaning up this oil mess?
Gloria,
There is lot of policy right now...... I think energy will have policy take care or protect the wildlife or birds......... I think should have policy help clean up.
Wow, got to love that Tony Hayward. He is definitely becoming one of my favorite Pinocchio CEO. It’s no wonder, the President didn’t want to talk to him before now.
I think the President is doing a great job handling this oil assault and the other issues (Financial Reform, Healthcare Reform, Unemployment, Immigration, International Relations) and Red tape that have been clogging our system for decades and not even Joe the Plummer could be doing a better job.
Please don't overlook the family pets that are being turned over to shelters and rescue groups because the owners cannot afford pet food. The shelters and rescues don't have room for all of the pets. They are being forced to turn them away.
Relief and assistance is desperately needed. This disaster is going to be bigger than Katrina was in terms of the pets.
I just got back from DC with a group called Gulf Voices, sponsored by Clean Energy Works, who were trying to lobby our senators to speed things up and adopt a comprehensive energy plan. It was very frustrating because most of the senators blew us off and we had to meet with staffers who averaged under 30 years old. We all need to start a massive letter writing campaign to our congressmen and women and tell them to kick the repsonse into super high gear. We must stop the oil from reaching the marshes and the estuaries now. Also, as soon as the Dutch skimmers arrive, stop using dispersants. It's causing the oil to sink which is killing way more sea life than we see on land.
Why didnt they just crush the entire thing? Or bend the pipe into more of a kink to cut off more flow instead of opening it as wide as possible? anyone who's ever washed a car without a nozzle knows how to keep the water flow from spraying out. It wouldnt surprise me if these relief wells suddenly spring leaks too. The whole thing is a catastrophe and BP is doing as little as possible to address this. Or, should I say, as little as economically feasible.
I wonder if that will be lifted?
NOLA really depends on oil, seafood, & tourism ... right now, it seems like they are going to have to rely on oil for their main source of income...
It doesn't matter at this point about how much oil is escaping. I have't heard anything about plans for capping the leak. Please, show me the way!
Hey Andy the dens control the federal goverment they can pass anything they want. Oh and tell Bob that Cheney has not been in office for 18 months
It would be nice to see something about the long term effects of the Ixtoc I spill in Mexico – it's still the largest ever ocean spill, the well in water off the Mexican coast in the Gulf was uncapped for almost a year. The Texas beaches were covered with oil. The long term effects? none.
How about all these people on small talk shows that are showing that there are ways to help the animals down here...there are solutions that actually work.
Why isn't BP using these?!?!?!?!?!
Tony went sailing – Barack went golfing; sounds like a commercial we are all in good hands
@ trish
They put this Admiral Allen in charge (coast guard I think) but he seem to be a BP patsy.
@John Dow~ Good point! Where is PETA when you need them? They should be raising the roof!
We are in such bad shape, I am sorry for all those who are feeling the effects of this disaster!
300 to 400 hundred gallons sucked up in half a day. come on, thats peanuts and almost meaningless. Even 100 times that, really?
Sarabeth,
I agree with you, Me either....... People have wore mask protect air or smell maybe have to wash birds away oil off.
A lesson from history – in the last 10 years, the big oil companies have totally paid about 200 million dollars for various political campaigns!
Congress is said to have guarded interests of these companies very well. We pushed them into deeper waters for more royalties over the oil and not worrying about the imminent risk!
BP's lawsuits on the defense will have mention of all these aspects is what i am hearing these days
Why hasn't the Navy taken over this operation?
Hello Redford, what's in the energy policy?
I totally agree with Mr.Redford. We must revamp the entire energy policy. New energy will create new jobs.
We in the United States do not realize the true cost of oil, until we do there will never be a mass exit from fossil fuels.
@Sree,
"In this case though if APC can prove BP was negligible and did not maintain the well per rules set forth, it will be BP who will have to pay."
I read about that part – that this is exactly what they're going to do.
They (APC) sound very confident.
Good to hear Billy Nungesser is feeling a bit optimistic. I didn't know the Jackup boats were boats with living quarters, that's important to know. Also I didn't realize the need for the people working the spill to be able to get off the water quickly. All of this and the pt he made about picking up oil on the islands before tide ries show how involved it is to work the spill along the shore.
Anderson,
To be fair, Mr. Obama visited the Gulf coast for the first time Memorial Day weekend and stayed a few hours. He then went 'on vacation' to Chicago. BP executive (PhD by the way) went sailing with his son June 20th after spending time non-stop in the gulf.
Redford is right on!!!
I cant believe the PETA and ASPCA hollywood spokesmen isn't all over this disaster has destroyed over a trillion organized life forms... animals and plants the animals need
y not give the oil that is currently being captured to the victims of the coast- this might begin to make it right........put it in resoivors and sell it and give it to the victims ........its discusting 2 think bp is still profiting off of this horible nightmare!!!
Robert Redford is such a wonderful activist. I love seeing celebs using their influence to help in these disasters.
Redford is right. We should have been already had a new energy policy. Mr. President and congress are you listening?
Betty Ann
Thanks!!!! 🙂 Me too...... I love Coast Guard, too. 🙂
Dan,
Yes.
I disagree. Listen to EVERYONE EVERYWHERE: They are all talking as if "in August" the oil will be stopped.
I can't believe that the people aren't given masks, this is terrible. How is that even fair, giving your time to help the gulf and save future disaster, when disaster is occuring in every helper's body while they try to help out.
If BP can't care about the people's health, then they need to come down here and take a day of trying to do what all these people do...then see what you think.
I'm no BP defender, but the fact that they had a worst-case scenario of 100k before the spill is really irrelevant. A wide-open hole at the bottom of the ocean would certainly spew a lot of oil. You damage your own credibility when you pile on. Please focus on digging up information that will really help the gulf.
When the wells in Iraq were blown up at the start of the Gulf War, we had crews in there capping off all the wells in a short period of time. Why is this not happening in with the explosion in our own Gulf?
At this time and per the available knowledge, the relief wells are the only solution. Whether they will cut off the leak and be effective and whether BP can build a rig over them to make money is all up in the air!
The relief wells are being dug to a total of 14000 feet and will connect to the mail well's line! But, yes, there is some risk per skeptics like me, who worry that there is a remote chance that it might not work!
But I truly hope that the relief wells will do the job they are built for
Robert Redford is right, BP lied to celebrities and media, too.
@David,
"A beautiful rendition of John Lennon's Imagine by Herbie Hancock and India Arie on the Telethon for the Gulf"
Indeed, it was...that was the only part that I had a chance to see & I'm glad that I did.
BP is supposed to be drilling 2 relief wells that angle in to the rogue well, they have to drill I believe 3 miles under the sea bed, and it could fail......thats why it is so important that they do it right.........It makes me sick. I love the Gulf Coast especially the La. coast, it is teeming and alive with vitality, a way of life that just cant be replaced....my heart is heavy but we must give our neighbor a helping hand, and give to those who are in charge of our animal friends.
I understand that BP now reports recovering 80,000 barrells a day, I say the profits of ALL THE RECOVERED OIL should be given to gulf coast I understand this is a large reserve I know I would rest better at night in Alabama, knowing that BP doesnt profit from thiswell
Glad to hear that some help is finally arriving to clean up the oil. It's just disscusting that it's taken so long.