Happy Anniversary?

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez spill off the coast of Alaska. The herring haven't returned, dangerous levels of toxicity remain in the water, and some plaintiffs have almost received enough in damages from Exxon to pay their bankruptcy lawyer's bill.

Originally, the jury awarded the plaintiffs $5 billion, equivalent to one year's income for Exxon in 1989. They decided on the amount because they thought that punishing corporations based on profit was the only way to protect people from the behemoths. The award was cut in half in the appeals process.

Then, last year, the Supreme Court of the United States cut it to $500 million, which might sound like a lot until you realize how the local economy and ecology have been completely decimated by the Exxon Valdez spill.

Those herring fishers who took out massive loans figuring they'd be able to pay them back with, say, their seasonal catch, well, they don't have a catch to catch anymore.

And yes, I get most of my information from Democracy Now! Maybe you should, too.