$20B just to clean. You can put another $20B if you put the ecosistem loss. This cannot be recovered. Just because they didn't want to spend 500K in a safety valve.

Yes, Brazil doesn't have oil in land, only under the sea. But this kind of exploration is done here since decades ago. Exploration is not allowed (licence not given by the government) without these valves here. Enviroment laws here are usually pretty hard. Not always followed thou, especially when it comes to deforestation (it is decreasing considerably lately, but still not enough). But these big investments usually follow the protocol. The thing is that BP had the choice of not using that safety device. They'll think twice next time.. If they don't go bankrupt.

Here's a comment from today's British newspaper The Daily Express. Quote : The valve that was supposed to shut off all supply the instant anything went wrong malfunctioned. It was designed, made and operated by a 100% American company Haliburton Inc. How come not one syllable of the above ever passes President Obama's lips? Unquote. What happened was a tragedy of epic proportions. All the facts aren't in yet, so a little early for laying blame specifically. Very risky deep water drilling gives North America the cheap gasoline it craves. Unless that changes more accidents weather through negligence or the unforseen will unfortunately happen. Planes crash all the time despite a multitude of inbuilt safety measures. Why shouldn't oil rigs and tankers blow up or sink? It's what we need and the way we humans are.THAT IS THE PROBLEM!

Jules, It is very unfortunate that people make this an America vs British thing. Half of all BP stock is owned by Americans. So when BP loses 75 Billion in capitalization then Americans hurt just as much as British. It seems the valve would never had been needed if BP took TransOcean engineer's advice and followed all safety parameters. instead BP put profit before safety. Blaming Halliburton for this catastrophe would be like blaming Toyota because their airbags didnt work when someone crashed driving 120 miles/hr. BP was reckless according to all reports. But believe me, as someone who is at ground zero for the spill right now: all we care about is that the gushing oil stop and protecting the ecosystem. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/17/city-florida-panhandle-taking-oil-matters-hands/ Norm Norm

Norm. Your right !. Pointing and wagging fingers aint gonna solve the problem. What's needed is an alternative to the internal combustion engine so we can forget this so called " black gold" and all the problems this stuff causes. I sincerely hope the impact of this spill has minimum impact on your community. Keep us updated and all the best. Jules.

ok sort of geting back on topic ...... so sorry guys ... tree boa; I've seen females in several species giving birth while you'd think they were way too small to breed, I'm seriously interested in the studies you mention, I'd appreciate it if you could send me those. I'm not doubting anyones knowledge/ experience, just trying to expand my knowledge :wink: Jurgen

Jules: I hope our British friends realize that this is something most intelligent Americans blame on Big Corporate Culture and NOT anything British. I don't think BP, Exxon, or any big oil company has much allegience to anything other than those who run the company....the rest of us are truly "small people". Jurgen: getting back on track: I dont see why a 7 year old female that has good fat stores even this small could not have babies. She is so cute despite her lack of notable markings.

I would assume if she was physiologically capable of becoming gravid, that is your answer. I would put her with a male and see what happens. The worst that should come of it is a strike out. If she's not she won't.

Norm, I would at least give her another year. I think a female should have the girth of an average side plum or 1 1/4 diameter to 1.5. Ed M.