The two videos viewed in class took two totally different perspectives on the oil lawsuit between Ecuador and Chevron. Each major story needs to be seen from both points of view, and that is what got to happen in class. In American media, most stories are shared in ways WE want to hear them, and not the others way who are on the losing end or aren't as popular or respected. In this case, Ecuador is sueing Chevron for the oil mess they made back from the 60's-90's. Long story short, Ecuador wants $27 Billion and both sides of the lawsuit have very good arguements and supporting facts.
The first video was the type of video most people in America wouldn't see. This segment was based on the people of Ecuador and their thoughts and feelings of the conflict. Texaco just up and left in 1992 and abandoned dozens of oil pools and contaminated streams. Ecuador isn't a rich country, and that was obvious in the video. I felt bad seeing Indian Tribes upset over dirty water where they bathe and fish. The people also wash their clothes in the same water that at times is black from the oil. Watching the video made me feel bad for the communities and glad they are forming a lawsuit.
The second video took an approach from Chevron's point of view. It was much different because I learned new things that wasn't said in the first video. After the first one, i had formed the opinion of backing Ecuador in the situation. But after watching both, I found myself quite neutral. Chevron and Equador had a deal to clean up a certain amount of the oil mess when they leave, which Chevron did. Another part of the deal stated the Chevron wouldn't be blamed for anything else and were good to go. Well years later, Ecuador is upset. Oil pools still surround the country and water in contaminated. But a lot of the allegations against Chevron tended to be unsupported and had many generalizations.
In the end, it just seems the Ecuador said Chevron did enough clean-up and was good to go home. But years later, they must have thought they let Chevron off the hook too soon. Now they want $27 Billion (which is more than enough) for a mistake Ecuador made. They made a deal and need to stick to it. It just sounds like they aren't happy and are trying to get money from the rich to solve their problems.
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Chevron defends Texaco’s crimes with lies and misinformation. Chevron said that it did not have to clean up the contamination because the Ecuadorian government released it from liability after Texaco cleaned up some of the oil sites. This is what Chevron didn’t say. One, the “release agreement” with the government excluded individual claims, saying there was no way the government would or could prevent an individual from suing Texaco in the future. Two, Texaco never cleaned up the pits, so the agreement is null and void anyway. Court evidence has shown oil site after oil site with high levels of contamination, even though Texaco claimed to have remediated the site
ReplyDeleteTo find out more, see this blog: www.thechevronpit.blogspot.com