It's hard to turn on the television today and not see something about BP and the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. This is truly the worst manmade disaster of our time. The Valdez oil spill in Alaska is miniscule in comparison to this. It only involved the oil being carried in one oil tanker. This spill is in its 62nd day and continues to pump oil into the Gulf of Mexico as I write this. It is a sad state of affairs to say the least. I saw a piece on CNN yesterday telling of BP building the type of oil rig like the one that exploded 35% of the time. Other oil companies build this type of rig 1-5% of the time. It is the most dangerous, but the cheapest type of rig to build. Shame on you, BP!

The economic effect will be astronomical. People are losing their livelihoods. Marine life and birds are losing their lives. We may never know the full impact of this disaster. It will be affecting life and commerce for years to come. There are many organizations on the front lines helping as best they can. Cynthia, aka Sylvestermouse, has written a superb article about the organizations she knows are working to help the marine life and wildlife along the Gulf Coast. It is heart-wrenching to see photos and videos of sick or dead creatures covered in oil. She also tells of a family member who is the sole support of her family losing her job because of this catastrophe. This disaster has hit close to home for Cynthia.

The Gulf Coast was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and many areas have not fully recovered from that. Now their lives are being threatedned by yet another disaster. What will hurricane season bring for these folks this year? I shudder to think. The oil is already starting to reach the Florida Panhandle where many of the beaches are pristine. The beautiful white sands won't be beautiful or white for much longer. Beaches along the Gulf Coast are silent. Sounds of the seagulls and other marine birds are noticably absent. I just can't imagine being on a beach and not seeing any seagulls, pelicans, or sandpipers. It would be eerie.

Visit: Efforts To Save The Animals.

Gulf of Mexico oil spill by syfyvideo
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To say that I am inspired by the new authors here at Squidoo Lens Reviews would be such an inadequate statement.

As you may or may not know, this blog has become a multi-author blog, and if you read back through the past month's reviews, you'll see that it was the best idea I've had for Squidoo Lens Reviews yet. I just don't know how I could top it.

The great reviewers who have signed on amaze me every day with their passion for great Squidoo articles and lenses!

I am so happy they are here, working together to do what one person could never do — bring you a diversity of Squidoo lenses that not only highlight a topic but show other writers the possibility of making something uniquely their own.

Thank you once again, Squidoo Lens Reviews Authors and Contributors!

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My name is Beth and I am a SquidAngel. I'm known on Squidoo as bethd821. I am always looking for great lenses to bless. If you have a lens you think is "blessworthy", let me know. I will sprinkle some angel dust on your lens if it is a great one.