Dowdy 1

Thesis Statement: There are various areas to examine when looking at the Gulf of Mexico crisis;
the economic, environmental, and political repercussions of the oil spill.

I. Already, this oil spill is the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced. 
A. There are various areas to examine when looking at the Gulf of Mexico crisis; the
economic, environmental, and political repercussions of the oil spill.
II. Why is Oil so important?
A. The answer is not that simple; today’s society has been built on and revolves
around oil.
1. Oil is used to make plastic goods
2. Oil is used to fuel the vehicles that transport the plastic goods all
over the nation (Cambell 1).
B. “U.S. oil use accounts for 25% (2003) of the world’s oil consumption and about
40% (2003) of total U.S. energy use,” (Sissine 5).
1. “The nation uses (2003) about 20.1 million barrels of oil per day
C. The economy is in just as much danger as the wildlife as a result of the oil spill.
1. Fluctuating oil prices and a strong dependence on imported sources
create economic vulnerabilities (Sissine 5).
1. Due to the Florida Panhandle’s heavy reliance on tourism and sales tax
from this region the oil spill may have a profound effect if it reaches
coastal communities (Staff 2).
III. “With BP finally gaining some control over the amount of oil spewing into the Gulf of
Mexico, scientists are increasingly worried that huge plumes of crude already spilled
could get caught in a current that would carry the mess all the way to the Florida Keys
and beyond, damaging coral reefs and killing wildlife,” (Staff 1).
A. With oil gushing into the marine environment at such an alarming rate marine life
is inevitably put in harm’s way.
1. Oil is especially dangerous to fish as they ingest the oil through
their gills and accumulates in the filtration organs.
2. Whales, dolphin, seals, and sea otters, are severely affected by the
oil.
3. Coral reefs, marine animals, and birds can all be endangered when
they come into contact with Marine debris of any sort (Ramseur 2).
B. Starvation, poisoning, drowning, can all happen to a bird caught in the oil spill.
1. The bird’s feathers can be damaged by the oil hampering the bird’s
ability to fly breaking down the natural waterproofing and insulation
(Mattson 1).
C. “The Pollution could endanger Florida’s shoreline mangroves, seagrass beds and
the third-longest barrier reef in the world, the 221-milelong Florida Keys National
 Marine Sanctuary, which helps draw millions of snorkelers, fisher and other
tourists whose dollars are vital to the state’s economy,” (Pittman 2).
IV. What effect has the Gulf of Mexico Oil spill had on politics?
A. From the left, “Democrats and environmentalists are pressuring the administration
to reverse course on offshore drilling.
1. “Democrats, meanwhile, aren't jumping to the president's defense,
even though the leak so far does not appear to have badly damaged his
standing with the public” (Barnes 1).
2. “Any anti-drilling backlash is likely to be among democrats.”
B. From the right republicans are pushing for offshore drilling. “Republicans are
unstinting in their criticism that Obama is being too reactive and is failing to show
steady leadership” (Barnes 1).
1. In an effort to win the support of moderate Republicans Kerry-
Libermen came up with a proposal that centered on expanded drilling
(Schneider 2).
2. “Republicans are likely to block any bill that doesn’t include more
drilling especially because they have the polls on their side,” (Schneider
2).
C. “The administration already has to deal with opposition on two fronts.
Republicans, driven by ideology, are committed to bringing this president down
and destroying all his works. Independents, driven by economic anxiety, are
exasperated with Washington and ready to throw the bums out. The President can
ill afford opposition on a third front- his own party,” (Schneider 1).
1. "President Obama should focus on how to cap the oil well instead
of distracting himself by pushing a costly cap-and-trade policy,"
Republican strategist Ron Bonjean argues (Barnes 1).
2. "Every day that the oil leak isn't fixed, it gives the impression of an
ineffective government and will bring lasting damage to his
administration. Americans will begin to think that if the government can't
plug an oil leak, how can it help create jobs and improve the economy?
(Barnes 1)"
V. “Already, this oil spill is the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced.”
A.  Why is Oil so important?
B. The Deepwater Horizon Oil spill will affect the environmental, economical, and
political fields on drastic level. Years from now we still might be cleaning up the
oil from the Gulf of Mexico.