Like a lot of people I enjoy criticizing the so-called mainstream media. But then, like a lot of people, I turn around and get most of my day-to-day information from that same mainstream media. And if they happen to be putting out a message that compliments my world-view, I forget all about how I was making fun of them two minutes ago. You know how it goes people.

Below is a short collection of on-line articles loosely tracking the Gulf disaster from the beginning in April. The list of references, complete with smarmy comments, was thrown together with the thought that I may be writing about all this some day in some venue or another and would like to have applicable citations right there on my computer machine. But maybe these could be useful to other folks out there as well, which would be great. (The BICYCLING RESEARCH PAGE and ENERGY & TRANSPORT PAGE both sprouted like this too, as personal web libraries for citations in my books, before I lost well control on both pages.) The selections are somewhat sparse and random, but have been chosen because they include some quote or item which I found notable. In some cases, just the headline. Like this one:

"BP's 'TopKill" mission halts the oil gush -- but is it stable?" Guardian, May 28, 2010.

Like the underwater plumes of oil, you won't find much of the story of this disaster in the land-locked, scientifically illiterate and habitually credulous mainstream news. We owe it to ourselves to look under the surface. But the mainstream news can provide a useful framework for those with a critical eye. I'll be adding to the list over time and will keep this page updated, with a link to it at the bottom of the ENERGY & TRANSPORT PAGE, along with scientists' blogs, links to photos and other blowout references.

Leslie Kaufman, "Search Ends for Missing Oil Rig Workers," NYT, April 22, 2010. Reports from BP of no oil leaking from the riser.

Campbell Robertson, "Oil Leaking Underwater From Well in Rig Blast," NYT, April 24. Reports from BP of 1,000 barrels per day.

Russel Gold, Ben Casselman and Guy Chazan, "Leaking Oil Well Lacked Safeguard Device," WSJ, April 28, 2010. The acoustic switch.

Ian Talley, "Experts: Oil May be Leaking at Rate of 25,000 Barrels a Day in Gulf," Wall Street Journal, April 30.

Russel Gold and Ben Casselman, "Drilling Process Attracts Scrutiny in Rig Explosion," WSJ, April 30, 2010. Pointing fingers at Halliburton's cement plugs.

Leslie Kaufman and Joseph Berger, "Oil Options Weighed as Obama Travels to Gulf," NYT, May 2, 2010. The art of distraction.

Suzanne Goldenberg, "Marine scientists study ocean-floor film of Deepwater oil leak," Guardian, May 13, 2010. Calling 70,000 barrels per day, three weeks after blowout.

Ian Urbina, "US Said to Allow Drilling Without Needed Permits," NYT, May 13, 2010. And not only that, granted at least five new permits since Secretary Salazar proclaimed after the blowout that no new permits would be granted until further review.

Kelly Cobiella, "Coast Guard Under 'BP's Rules,'" CBS News, May 18, 2010. A reporter threatened with arrest. One of several incidents with reporters.

Justin Gillis, "Scientists Fault U.S. Response in Assessing Gulf Oil Spill," NYT, May 20, 2010. "They want to hide the body."

Paul Rioux, "A month after explosion, oil from Gulf of Mexico spill washes ashore in populated areas," Times-Picayune, May 20, 2010.

"Jindal: 'The Day We've Been Fearing is Upon Us'," AP/Fox News, May 20, 2010. The day when the Tea-Party-type politician begs the federal government for help? Yeah it's upon us all right.

Mack McClelland, "It's BP's Oil," Mother Jones, May 24, 2010. Blocking the media.

Miguel Bustillo, "Big Spat on Rig Preceded Explosion," WSJ, May 27, 2010. The "company man."

Clifford Krauss and John Broder, "'Top Kill' Effort Seems to be Working, U.S. Says Cautiously," NYT, May 27, 2010. The now-familiar pattern of distraction and stalling.

"BP's 'TopKill" mission halts the oil gush -- but is it stable?" Guardian, May 28, 2010. Classic. With editors like this, BP doesn't need to worry about PR.

Suzanne Goldenberg, "Gulf oil spill is public health risk, environmental scientists warn," Guardian, May 28, 2010. Airborn oil.

MATT SIMMONS INTERVIEW ON BLOOMBERG TV, MAY 28, 2010. Another leak site? Nuke the well?

Joe Carroll and Laurel Brubaker Calkins, "BP Pressured Rig Worker to Hurry Before Disaster, Father Says," Bloomberg, May 28, 2010. A sad story, a lawyer's dream.

"Oil spreading much farther than thought..." Washington Post, May 29, 2010. A little research sub finds huge underwater plume 75 miles northwest of DH site.

Ian Urbina, "Documents Show Early Worries About Safety of Rig," NYT, May 29, 2010. Actual journalism from Urbina and the Times.

Renee Schoof and Chris Adams, "Top kill's failure means Gulf oil spill will only get worse," Miami Herald/McClatchy, May 30, 2010.

"BP CEO disputes claims of underwater oil plumes," AP, May 31, 2010.

Joel Achenbach and Jerry Markon, "Obama administratin moves to distance itself from BP on oil spill response," Washington Post, June 1, 2010. Jumping from the podium to the pitchfork-wielding crowd, hoping nobody will notice.

Helene Cooper and Peter Baker, "U.S. Opens Criminal Inquiry Into Oil Spill," NYT, June 1, 2010. After failure of 'top-kill' and failure to cut riser.

Brian Swint and Stanley Reed, "BP at Risk as Share Plunge Fuels Takeover Speculation," Bloomberg, June 2, 2010.

Ed Stoddard, "BP overcomes snag in bid to curb spill," Reuters, June 2, 2010. Yeah they've totally got it covered.

Curtis Ebbesmeyer, "How far will the Gulf gusher spread?" WSJ, June 2, 2010. To Europe and the Arctic, in this fellow's opinion.

Peter Grier, "Oil spill jail time for BP officials? It could happen," Christian Science Monitor, June 2, 2010.

"Dying, dead marine wildlife paint dark, morbid picture of Gulf coast following oil spill," New York Daily News, June 2, 2010. An outraged cleanup worker shows reporters some victims.

Dan Zak, "As oil spread, did BP battle to contain the media?" Washington Post, June 3, 2010. More on the info war.

Melissa Nelson and Holbrook Mohr, "Beachgoers collect goo as BP fits cap on underwater well," Detroit Free Press, June 5, 2010. Oil finally hits Florida's white sands, tourists do cleanup.

John Leland, "Local Officials Simmer Over BP Recovery Efforts," NYT, June 5, 2010. Florida officials this time.

Howard Altman, "Pinellas business leaders: Protect us from oil spill," Tampa Tribune, June 7, 2010. Protect us! Oh government which we have been trying to starve to death. No Tea Partiers in foxholes?

Melissa Scallan, "Supes opposed to BP using landfill," SunHerald.com (Biloxi-Gulfport), June 7, 2010.

Chris Kirkham, "Deepwater Horizon oil well was increasingly out of control before fatal explosion, widows testify," Times-Picayune, June 7, 2010. Article also mentions testimony about BP threatening to fire cleanup workers who wanted to wear respirators.

Abrahm Lustgarten and Ryan Knutson, "Reports at BP over years find history of problems," Washington Post, June 8, 2010. Not really big news.

Tim Dickinson, "The Spill, the Scandal and the President," Rolling Stone, June 8, 2010. Salazar said "There's a new sherrif in town."

Jacqui Goddard, "Gulf oil spill 'may top 100,000 barrels a day," Times Online, June 9, 2010. Quoting Ira Leifer.

Jeremy Peters, "Efforts in Gulf to Limit Flow of Spill News," NYT, June 9, 2010. Department of Homeland Security?

Matthew Shaer, "Gulf oil spill: To control message, BP buys search terms from Google," Christian Science Monitor, June 9, 2010.

Joel Achenback and Juliet Eilperin, "Scientists offer varied estimates, all high, on size of BP oil leak," Washington Post, June 11, 2010. When are they going to stop calling this thing a 'leak?'

Jim Polson and Jordan Burke, "U.S. Gives BP 48 Hours to Boost Containment Capacity," Bloomberg, June 12. Setting the stage for something or other.

Matt Barrentine, Ryan Coleman, "Boat captains tour oily waters," Fox10tv.com, June 12, 2010. Local Alabama story.

"Piece of oil rig washes up on Florida beach," AP/Miami Herald, June 12, 2010. Panama City here we come.

Dave Martin, "Alabama's Beaches Awash in Thick Black Oil," Sarasota Herald-Tribune, June 13, 2010.

"Pressure mounts; oil nears," Miami Herald, June 13, 2010. Oil sloshing toward Pensacola.

Tom McLaughlin and Andrew Gant, "Officials vow to protect waters -- 'and we're prepared to go to jail to do it'," Newssherald.com (Panama City, Florida), June 14, 2010. Omimous calling card in the form of two giant tanks from DH.

"Oily Tar Balls Wash up Between Fort Walton and Destin," wjhg.com. June 16, 2010.

Trimmel Gomes, "Tar Balls Roll Onto Panama City Beach," WMFE, June 21, 2010.

Ashton Wilkiins, "Big Bend finalizing response plan for oil cleanup," Tallahassee Democrat, June 22, 2010.

Liz Robbins, "After Earlier Troubles, BP Says It Restored Cap," NYT, June 23, 2010. The original title of the article appears to have been "Problem With Cap Causes More Oil to Gush in Gulf." Too accurate?

Troy Moon, "The day the oil came," Pensacola News Journal, June 23, 2010. So I guess the boom didn't do the trick.

PRESS BRIEFING BY NATIONAL INCIDENT COMMANDER June 23, 2010, mouthpiece of "Unified Command."

Joel Achenbach, "Progress on containing gulf oil spill reversed as mishap lets well gush anew." Washington Post, June 24, 2010.

"Ocean Springs mayor calls cleanup 'outrageous'," WLOX (Biloxi/Gulfport). June 26. 2010.

Kimberly Blair, "Oil spill: Is Gulf safe for swimming?" Pensacola News Journal, June 26, 2010. Hundreds sickened by visit to Florida beaches.

"Oil in Jackson County looks like chocolate," WLOX (Biloxi/Gulfport), June 27, 2010.

Travis Griggs, "When wind, water and oil mix," Pensacola News Journal, June 27, 2010.

"County funded to fight oil with air curtain," Miami Herald/AP, June 27, 2010. Evidence of magical thinking.

Charles Rabin and Daniel Chang, "Storm forces suspension of skimming, booming in Gulf," Miami Herald, June 30, 2010. Alex becomes first June hurricane since 1995.

John Rogers, "Large amounts of oil hits[sic] Johnson Beach," Fox10tv.com, June 30, 2010.

"Gulf beaches hit as distant Hurricane Alex pushes oil onto land," St. Petersburg Times, July 1, 2010.

Hal Bernton, "Local oil-spill-response vessels may be needed in the Gulf," Seattle Times, July 1, 2010. But local officials won't give up their skimmers.

Kyle Hopkins, "Health of Exxon Valdez cleanup workers was never studied," Miami Herald, July 1, 2010.

Craig Pittman, "Florida county leaders' complaints on spill cleanup still unheeded," St. Petersburg Times, July 2, 2010.

"Day 73: The Latest on the Oil Spill," NYT, July 2, 2010. Claims from NOAA on likelihood of oiling of Florida's east and west coasts; BP dealing with backlash from media control efforts.

"Officials Say Recent Reported Oil Sightings in Bay County Not Actually Oil," WJHG, July 3, 2010. Heavy equipment staging at the old Miracle Strip amusement park.

Amber Southard, "Staging Center," WJGH, July 5, 2010. Seems to be some difference of opinion regarding presence or not of oil at Panama City Beach. See comment by Susan reporting oil patties on July 4.

John Collins Rudolf, "Louisiana and Scientists Spar Over How to Stop Oil," NYT, July 6, 2010.

David Hammer, "Tar Balls Reach Lake Pontchartrain," Times-Picayune, July 6, 2010.

Jay Reeves, " Workers Only Skimming Oil Off Surface Sand," WESH (Orlando)/AP, July 8, 2010.

Henry Fountain, "BP Is Ready to Put Tighter Cap on Runaway Well," NYT, July 9, 2010. Which means they gotta take the other one off again.

Katie Sanders, "Reporters say new Coast Guard rules restrict coverage of oil disaster," St. Petersburg Times, July 9, 2010. 65-foot "safety zones." Isn't that convenient how that coincides with the recent announcement of 'unrestricted access' for reporters.

Purva Patel, "BP partner Anadarko refuses to pay spill bill," Houston Chronicle, July 10, 2010. More lawyers than you can dream of already working on this one.

"Oil Sightings Reported on LA Coast," WKRG/AP, July 10, 2010. Regular report reveals heavy impact of oil in mulitple forms.

Rob Adams, "East Florida Tar Balls Found," newsoxy.com, July 11, 2010. Bizarre report.

Matt Lee, "Senators seek probe into alleged BP-Lockerbie link," Washington Post/AP, July 13, 2010. Poking the beast.

Caren Burmeister, "St. Johns County tar balls not likely from Gulf oil spill," Florida Times-Union, July 14, 2010.

"Cocoa Beach: Tar balls found last week are not from oil spill," WDBO, July 14, 2010.

Joel Achenbach, "BP delays 'integrity test' on well that could lead to oil gusher's end," Washington Post, July 14, 2010.

Mike Hasten, "Barham fears dispersant's impact upon Gulf wildlife," thetowntalk.com/Gannett, July 14, 2010.

Joel Achenbach, "Oil leak is stopped for first time since April 20 blowout," Washington Post, July 16, 2010.

Steven Mufson, "Altered BP photo comes into question," Washington Post, July 20, 2010.

Steven Mufson, "More doctored BP photos come to light," Washington Post, July 21, 2010.

Stephanie Hayes ad Katie Sanders, "As loop current splits, South Florida catches a break," St. Petersburg Times, July 22, 2010.

Liz Robbins and Campbell Robertson, "Tension Among Officials Grows as Storm Nears," NYT, July 23, 2010.

Justin Gillis and Campbell Robertson, "On the Surface, Gulf Oil Spill is Vanishing Fast; Concerns Stay," NYT, July 27, 2010.

Bob Warren, "St. Bernard Parish fighting tar balls, patch of oil near Chandeleur Islands," New Orleans Times-Picayune, July 27 , 2010.

Matthew Wald, "Despite Rules, BP Used Dispersant, Panel Finds," NYT, July 31, 2010.

"EPA Releases Second Phase of Toxicity Testing Data for Eight Oil Dispersants," EPA press release, August 2, 2010. They love the stuff.

Joel Achenbach and David Farhenthold, "Oil spill dumped 4.9 million barrels into Gulf of Mexico, latest measure shows," Washington Post, August 3, 2010.

Leslie Eaton and Elizabeth Williamson, "Doubts Arise That Crude is Subsiding," WSJ, August 5, 2010.

John Flesher, "Oiled crabs stoke fears spill is tainting food web," Washington Post/AP, August 9, 2010.

Dege Legg, "Was Matt Simmons right?" The Independent Weekly, August 10, 2010. Matt Simmons 1943-2010.

Ryan Dezember, "Oil washes up on Baldwin County beaches," Press-Register, August 12, 2010.

Jaquetta White, "Oil reservoir barrier is in place, but its thickness is uncertain," Times-Picayune, August 13, 2010.

Jim Polson, "BP, U.S. Officials to Determine How to Finally Plug Gulf Well," Bloomberg, August 14, 2010.

Robert Lee Hotz, "Much Oil Remains in Gulf, Researchers Estimate," WSJ, August 17, 2010. University of Georgia.

Michael Reilly, "Report: Nearly 80 Percent of Spilled Oil Still Threatens Gulf," Discovery.com, August 17, 2010.

"Oil notice signs gone from some Panhandle beaches," Miami Herald/AP, August 18, 2010. Despite the ongoing tar ball situation.

Siobhan Hughes and Robert Lee Hotz, "Oil-Cleanup Estimates Draw New Fire," WSJ, August 19, 2010.

Debbie Williams, "Corexit found in Orange Beach waters," WKRG, August 19, 2010.

Bob Marshall, "BP oil spill disaster could end up working in favor of coastal restoration," Times-Picayune, August 22, 2010.

"Oil reported in new areas in Gulf," Washington Post, August 24, 2010.

Linda Hooper-Bui, "A Gulf Science Blackout," NYT, August 24, 2010. Op-ed on BP/government ownership of research in the Gulf.

Campbell Robertson and Jack Healy, "Oil Sheen Seen Near Damaged Platform in Gulf of Mexico," NYT, September 2, 2010. Sounds real familiar.

Henry Fountain, "Final Plugging of BP Well Could Occur This Week," NYT, September 4, 2010. Lifting the BOP.

Harry Weber, "Crews lifting key device from Gulf face delay," AP, September 4, 2010. Methane hydrates.

Ben Casselman and Spencer Swartz, "BP Report Pins Most of Blame on Others," WSJ, September 8, 2010. Findings rejected by 'others."

Richard Harris, "Scientists Find Thick Layer of Oil on Seafloor," NPR, September 10, 2010.

Harry R. Weber, "Oil well blowout preventer reaches NASA facility," Washington Post, September 11, 2010.

Brett Michael Dykes, "Massive fish kill reported in Louisiana," Yahoo News, September 14, 2010. With gruesome photos by the parish president.

Renee Schoof, "Much work remains on tracking spilled Gulf oil, NOAA chief says," Minneapolis Star Tribune/McClatchy, September 15, 2010.

"Looking for the culprit in Bayou Chaland fish-kill: An editorial," Times-Picayune, September 15, 2010.

Guy Chazan and Geraldine Amiel, "Total Sees Delays After BP Spill," WSJ, September 17, 2010.

Henry Fountain, "After 5 Months, Hopes for Stricken Well's Quiet Death," NYT, September 18, 2010. Article explains how BP or another company is likely to retp the reservoir, possibly through a relief well.

Maya Rodriguez, "Scientists investigating oil spill unsettled by calls from federal commission," WWLTV (Louisiana), Spetember 18, 2010.

Henry Fountain, "U.S. says BP well is finally 'dead'," NYT, September 19, 2010.

David Broder, "Report Slams Administration for Underestimating Gulf Spill," NYT, October 6, 2010. "Underestimating" should read "blatantly lying about."

Joel Achenbach, "BP cost-cutting measures are focus of U.S. inquiry into Gulf spill," Washington Post, October 8, 2010.

Jennie Hobbs, "USF researchers: Ultraviolet tests show 'contaminated' beach," The Walton Sun, October 16, 2010.

Janet Raloff, "BP gusher left deep sea toxic for a time, study finds," Science News, November 1, 2010.

Jeffrey Ball, "Standards for Gulf's Catch Put to Sniff Test After Spill," WSJ, November 2, 2010.

Steven Mufson, "Money concerns didn't drive Deepwater Horizon decisions, panel counsel says," Washington Post, November 8, 2010.

Dana Capiello, "White House misconstrued scientists' position on drilling moratorium, report finds," Washington Post/AP, November 10, 2010. Oh, but totally unintentional! Seriously!

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