Stop.  Just stop.

Stop with the finger pointing, name calling and character bashing.  The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico happened.  It’s a tragic, catastrophic, gut wrenching reality.  All the accusations in the world aren’t going to change that reality.  So stop with the should haves and what ifs, and take a good hard look in the mirror.

I’m a big fan of the glass house and throwing rocks idiom.  If I am honest with myself – if we are all honest with ourselves – then I have to admit my personal use of petroleum products is a direct cause of the thousands of gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf every day.  Because each and every day I wash my hair with shampoo, brush my teeth, put in soft contacts, pull on clothes made from nylon, drive my car to work, use lip balm, answer the phone, listen to a CD, take something out of the refrigerator.  My actions contribute to market demand which drives production and motivates companies to drill which leads to oil spills.

Businesses are equally guilty.  We order ballpoint pens by the gross, purchase supplies from across the country instead of across the street, and provide our clients with bottled water.  We deliver items by courier instead of email or snail mail.  The floors in our offices are carpeted.  Copy machines gobble toner.  Recycle bins are lined with plastic bags.

Am I saying it’s my fault and your fault and BP is not to blame?  Hell, no.  Stop with the fault and blame.  I’m going to focus on what I can do to make a difference from this day forward.  I hope my company will, too.  It’s all I – all we – can do.

Sue Gillespie