Reply #11: Thought I Would Add A Word Or Two... I Live A Little South Of Sarasota...

[ChiciB1]

in a small community known as Nokomis. Bradenton, Sarasota, Osprey, Nokomis & Venice run north and south down 41 in a stream. Very RED county which makes it difficult to be politically active since the local Democratic Party is pretty lame IMO!

However, the Gulf is just up the road from my house and I really was devastated about the "gusher" and remain cynical to this day! While I have yet to see any tar balls, my son-in-law who works in the ER at Memorial Hospital has told me that people have been coming in with rashes and various other complaints after swimming in the Gulf! Mostly rashes that he says they assume come from the dispersants that are not visible!

I plan to get to the beach soon to see for myself since I can basically ride my bike there. My husband is a native and we've lived here for 25 years and I HAVE seen the beaches erode and get dirtier as time has passed. Siesta Key is touted to have the "whitest" beaches in the world, even though Pensacola also makes the claim. Still Siesta Key is regularly named either 1st or 2nd and the best beach to visit in the world. The sand is pearly white and I still wonder if it will remain that way.

Since once again we are hearing more "negative" news about BP, I personally feel that even we will be impacted in some way. My cynicism is showing I fear. It's said that it will bypass our area and go further down to the Keys and then back up the east coast because of the loop current.

What REALLY needs to be pointed out is that THE GULF OF MEXICO is home to all manner of life! From an ecological standpoint to breeding grounds for so many types of wildlife and fish! Even IF I don't see tar balls, I know in my heart that irreparable damage has already taken place and nothing can make it whole again! What IS NOT seen by the naked eye is what will make all too many people FORGET in a short while how much damage has already occurred! Dispersants sank to the bottom and only time will tell the REAL STORY! Just last week a shark beached itself up the road!

Not too many years ago, we went to the Keys every year during lobster season and I KNOW simply from diving what lives under the water. I've walked in the grass flats many times and just thinking of the make-up of the place is almost too much to bear! If you have been there you would understand what I'm saying! So many islands off the Keys are home to all types of living creatures who depend on reefs and all that go with it! I can't begin to give you a list of all that will be impacted!

Already I've seen reports stating how many other beaches are dirty and yet people still swim and dive without problems. BUT, messing up the GULF of Mexico is a SUPER BIG PROBLEM because of what it represents!

I'll quit for now, but I AM ONE extremely IRATE Floridian because I know too many will forget all to soon and too many won't UNDERSTAND!!