Yes! to the Yes Men
Media is all buzzing about the latest hoax. The BBC "acknowledged Friday that it had been tricked into broadcasting an interview with a man pretending to be a spokesman for Dow Chemical, who claimed that the company had taken the blame for the disaster in Bhopal, India, in 1984" -- and that they would finally pay billions of dollars in compensation to the many victims.
"The hoax, contradicting Dow Chemical's rejection of any responsibility, came on the 20th anniversary of the catastrophe, when waves of lethal gas escaped from a chemical plant in Bhopal, in central India, killing more than 3,500 people and injuring thousands more. At the time, the plant was owned by the Union Carbide Corporation, which was taken over by Dow Chemical Company three years ago. Survivors have long complained that they have received inadequate compensation." So says the NY Times.
Other sources, by the way, indicate more than 15,000 deaths eventually, and more in permanent disability. Victims claim that they have never been compensated, by either Union Carbide or by Dow, for the past 20 years.
To underscore the creepy nature of mainstream media, the BBC is apologizing to Dow Chemical, rather than congratulating The Yes Men for drawing attention to what they should have announced themselves. No one is apologizing to the victims. Well, except for the Yes Men, who did say sorry to them after hearing that many victims in India broke down in tears when hearing the "news" are now disappointed again. But after 20 years, they're probably used to disappointment, right? Is there any reason for us to hope?
Follow the link above to visit The Yes Men for inspiration. Yes you can!
posted by E. Heroux @ 10:39 PM
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