Truthsquad on the BP Oil Spill
There’s absolutely no evidence that there’s any significant concentration of oil that’s out there that we haven’t accounted for.
Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on the BP Oil Spill
Source: New York Times
Editor Findings
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FalseBased on our research, we conclude that this statement is "false." Lubchenco made a mistake by declaring that there was "absolutely no evidence" of any remaining oil that was not accounted for. We found many credible reports with headlines such as "Majority of spilled oil in Gulf of Mexico unaccounted for in government data," most estimating the total volume at approximately "4 million barrels." Lubchenco's statement in the New York Times was an effort to refute these claims, but several of our sources quote scientists, eyewitnesses, and journalists who had no trouble finding oil. Public officials should be careful about making such absolute statements without conclusive evidence to support them; the Truthsquad is listening. -- Jon Mitchell on behalf of the Truthsquad editors
Community Findings
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Jon Mitchell
FalseSeveral of the sources quote scientific, eyewitness, and journalistic reports that there's more oil out there. She said "absolutely no evidence," but it seems there's evidence from multiple sources. Seems pretty cut-and-dry.Deepwater Horizon: A scientist at the centre of the spill
Majority of spilled oil in Gulf of Mexico unaccounted for in government data
Nearly 4 million barrels of oil spill remain unaccounted for in government data
Majority of oil spilled in gulf unaccounted for
Gov't has 'high confidence' oil spill almost over
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Kristin Gorski
FalseThere are too many absolutes in her quotation: "absolutely no evidence" and "any significant concentration." The Gulf of Mexico and connected waters are vast and deep--can anyone be completely sure that all oil has been accounted for? What methods were used to account for it? Are they tracking any remaining oil? The quotations sounds too dismissive and makes the complicated clean-up seem easy; in addition, the links I found do not support what she says. -
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Doris Kirkpatrick
TrueI checked true because I thought it was a true quote - not that I believed what she said. Instructions were unclear. -
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Alexis Kunsak
FalseBut even if there is no evidence at the moment, it doesn't mean they should stop looking. -
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Jack Dinkmeyer
TrueThis is in line with the good news we can all stop worrying from BP and their lackey, the Obama administration. It ignores science and the dangers of long term effects. -
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James Kiser
False -
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The Thomas
FalseShe qualified it with "significant concentration" for a reason. This needs to be accounted for in the explanation of why she is wrong. -
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Rebecca Catalanello
Falsehttp://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/effects-from-gulf-oil-spill-far-from-over-experts-say/1113163 -
Aggie
True -
Roger Morris
False -
Look for verifiable facts about this claim.Try to check at least three different sources.
OPPOSE (7)
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Deepwater Horizon: A scientist at the centre of the spill
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Where's the Oil? Here, There, and Everywhere
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Majority of oil spilled in gulf unaccounted for
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Nearly 4 million barrels of oil spill remain unaccounted for in government data
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Majority of spilled oil in Gulf of Mexico unaccounted for in government data
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Effects from gulf oil spill far from over, experts say
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BP Oil Spill: Static Kill a Success, but Gulf Residents Say Oil Still Fouls Water, Wildlife and Marshes
COMMENTS