[percy-l] Percy, BP, and the Gulf Oil Spill

Henry Mills hpmills3 at austin.rr.com
Thu Jun 17 01:57:31 EDT 2010


Percy-L:

We all know what Percy¹s thoughts were about the impending, if not
exhilarating ³doom² of a fast-approaching hurricane on its way to ravage the
Gulf Coast. I am wondering what his thoughts might be about the slowly
encroaching destruction upon the shores of the Gulf Coast today from
millions of gallons of crude oil, including, directly in the path,
Louisiana. Presumably, one can reason there are no Hotel ³Oil Parties² being
planned or staged (though you can imagine parties might include abundant
cases of Foster¹s Beer ³Oil Cans² and frequent and plentiful use of Motor
Oil Shots ³knocked back neat²...see enticing recipe below).

The potential for ³Oil Parties² aside, I wonder how Percy might have used
the present human-made catastrophe as an inspired metaphor for representing
the darker side of human intentions and fallibilities, if not humanity¹s
tendency toward its own self-destruction, and the world. For instance, how
could such a disaster, had it occurred in Percy¹s time, been useful in the
imagery of Love in the Ruins, Lancelot, or Thanatos Syndrome? Which might
have provided the best forum for that exploration? I would think Percy also
would have a very personal response to the crisis as one who lived in
Covington, La, and so, perhaps less literarily, might he have something to
say, in an essay for example, about the motivations and values of
trans-nationals such as BP in their influence and impact upon the destinies
of so many as the present situation so amply demonstrates?

Anyone have any responses or thoughts to add to this important current
topic, hopefully not ³crudely² expressed?

Best,
Henry Mills


Motor Oil Drink Recipe ­ Motor Oil Shot
1 oz Jagermeister® herbal liqueur
1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
1/2 oz Goldschlager® cinnamon schnapps
1/2 oz Malibu® coconut rum

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