Oil, And the Precautionary Principle

Applying the precautionary principle is a useful means to establish the wisdom of undertaking an activity or to refrain from engaging in an activity when there may not be sufficient evidence as to whether or not the activity will be harmful to people, to the environment, or both. In the absence of evidence as to the potential harmful effects of the activity, it is considered the responsibility of those who engage in the activity to prove it will not be harmful. One might conclude that BP, drilling and pumping oil from the sea bed some 5000 feet below the surface, while relying on blow-out protectors that were unproven at the depth at which they would have had to operate, did so without due regard for potential harm to the public or the environment. If such is the case, well... Testing the blow-out preventers at a depth of 5000 feet is an undertaking that might be compared to space exploration. Once you decide to operate in the unpredictable environment of space the cost of doing so is simply indeterminable, unknown and could be more than one has available or that can be spent profitably.

 There are ways to take guided steps into the unknown, but we will discuss that in relation to a different subject. John Marshall stated that 'the power to tax is the power to destroy'. Historically, the oil companies have sought to establish a way to avoid paying taxes by entering into agreements with governments with rather large and powerful armies to the effect that the oil companies would agree to find oil no matter where it was or how much it would cost to get it. The 'exploration tax credit allowance' was the oil companies answer to how oil exploration would be financed.

 Simply put, the agreement between the oil companies and governments is that the oil companies will find oil with their own money but governments should not tax them, but tax the consumers of oil products instead. Because, the oil companies, argue they need all the money they receive to keep their agreement to secure oil at whatever the costs. BP drilling and pumping oil from the depths of the Gulf of Mexico convinced various governmental regulators that they had installed sufficient and workable, although relatively untested, disaster preventers on their deep sea wells. In fact and in law, it defies rational discernment as to how BP could have tested these devices properly. How does one test these devices under actual blow-out conditions e.g., cause a disaster and then learn how to contain it?

 Creating a model of blow-out conditions at the pressures and temperatures that exist at the sea bottom well-head, considering the highly variable nature of the mixture of gas, oil and ice that forms at 5000 feet below the surface of the sea is a daunting task. Under such conditions, as with climate change, the best computer models cannot distinguish between a long term trend suggesting that global warming is factual, from an abrupt change in climate suggesting simple variability. For example, there is no model of the effects of water vapour, a very big green house gas, on climate over time.

 On the one hand, the executives of BP, had an unknown cost, that is, the cost of preventing a disaster like that in the Gulf of Mexico. And, on the other hand, known costs, such as the amount of money necessary to influence governments, legislatures and courts to limit their liabilities in case of a disaster. The executives of BP applied the precautionary principle and used the preponderance of their money on the later, and not the former. This approach to liability limitation is a matter of policy, and is a result of a careful weighing of projections of known versus unknown costs. These are the kinds of decisions that the top executives of stock held companies are paid to make, that is, to do whatever is necessary to minimise liability costs and to maximise the ability to continue paying dividends to stockholders.

 Toyota, at the first inkling of a problem could have recalled millions of its cars to fix them. They made the decision, however, to spend what was necessary to pay claims, if and when, it could be proved in a court of law 'beyond a shadow of a doubt' that they were in fact responsible for the deaths or injuries that had occurred. This approach cost them less for some few years than the recall would have cost if implemented at the first inkling of a problem.

 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4460186

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Dangers of Brachial Plexus Injuries

The Brachial plexus is a group of nerves located in the neck and shoulder region of the body. These nerves originate from the spine stretch into the arm and down into the hand. It serves as the pathway for messages from the brain to the body parts (arm and hand). The Brachial plexus is essential for proper arm and hand function. There are a few ways this nerve is injured, the most common being injury through the birth process.

  Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy

According to Boston Children's Hospital, brachial plexus birth palsy affects up to three babies per 1,000 live births. This is the condition that refers to injury of the brachial plexus as a result of the birthing process. There are varying degrees of severity for this condition depending on the nature of the injury. Some babies will be completely recovered by 3-4 months of age but others will need extensive treatment, physical therapy, and even surgery. It's important for the injury to be evaluated as soon as possible for the best possible outcomes. The prognosis will depend on the type of injury, the severity, and the location in which the damage is located. There are four types of brachial plexus injuries including: Neuroma-refers to a previously torn nerve that has since healed but is causing problems due to the scar tissue that is present Neuropraxia -(commonly referred to as a 'stretch' injury) the nerve has been stretched but there is no tear anywhere in the nerve Rupture-refers to a nerve that has been stretched and partially torn but not completely detached from the spine Avulsion-the most severe type of brachial plexus injury, it means that the nerves have been severed from the spine

  Erb Palsy

Erb's Palsy is the most common type of these occurrences that are caused by birth. It refers to an injury to the upper nerve that causes paralysis. According to WebMD, about 10% of babies diagnosed with Erb's palsy will need surgery as such injuries affect the upper and lower arm. Depending on the severity of injury, there can be a complete loss of the arm functions.

  Klumpke's Palsy

Klumpke's Palsy refers to an injury to the lower part of the brachial plexus nerve that often affects one's control and movement of the hand. Horner's Syndrome Horner's Syndrome is a complication that can occur due to a brachial plexus injury. It is characterized by a drooping eyelid, dilated pupil, or other visible eye differences on the same side of the body as the injury occurred. Another symptom of Horner's syndrome can include having different colored eyes which is a result of the nerve injury. Long Term Complications

 Long term complications will likely vary depending on the nature and severity of the injury. In general complications can include: muscle atrophy-due to the decreased or complete absence of muscle movement scoliosis-can be caused by an abnormal growth pattern osteoarthritis-refers to the abnormal wearing of one's joints which is common in people with a brachial plexus injury due to compensating for the inability to use certain body parts by over using others decreased balance-because of the lack of feeling on one side, it's common for the brain to 'favor' the more able side of the body which can lead to a lack of balance Brachial plexus injuries have the potential to have lasting effects if not treated promptly and properly. Always seek a second opinion if you feel it's necessary and get referrals for medical treatment when possible.

 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8201603

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