Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Gulf Coast Shrimper Dumps Oil on Herself in Congressional Hearing

Long-time environmental activist Diane Wilson poured Karo syrup over the top of her head during a Congressional hearing on the Gulf oil crisis just as Senator Lisa Murkowski started speaking. Senator Murkowski happens to be a top ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Wilson was immediately hauled out of the hearing room and arrested ---of course.

Reports say that Diane was protesting Senator Murkowski's intention to block legislation which would lift the cap on liability payments for oil spills in the Gulf. A spokesperson for the senator reportedly said she is 'for raising the cap on oil spill liability' yet believes 'it's inappropriate to raise the cap to $10 Billion without proper review.'

BP as in Big Problem: Another report says the Senator has received more than $225,000 in campaign contributions from oil and gas industries during the past 4 years.

Knowing Diane, she wanted to make a point about what it's like to have oil dumped on you in addition to the political garbage going on behind the scenes. As a fourth-generation Texas shrimper, she began fighting the local chemical plants that destroyed the Gulf coast town of Seadrift, Texas more than 15 years ago. I've written about Diane in previous columns and hold alot of admiration for her. In some ways, I envy the fact that she's got the spirit and courage to be out there in front saying all this for the rest of us.

Diane Wilson on the Gulf Oil Gusher

Watch a Fox online news video report of the event and interview with Diane after she was released from custody:



Photo Image: Getty Images