Do you think the coastal areas of the gulf are taking advantage of the oil spill?

Of course I think the oil disaster in the gulf is hidious. I also think fisherman and shrimpers should be compensated by BP for wages lost, and BP has to pay to clean things up.

But, back to my question. I keep hearing in the media that the beaches are still beautiful, they are trying to help get the word out so people don’t cancel their plans to vacation there, and continue to consider making plans to vacation there. I saw a few interviews and business owners said the have been busy still, beaches are beautiful, come on down. The reporters had a little bit of surprise on their face. Like the shop owners missed an opportunity to complaign business is down. I think it is right and appropriate for the news, talk shows, and more to be reassuring us that it is a still a great place to vacation. But, now I see constant paid commercials for the Alabama and Florida gulf coast, funded by BP from what I understand.

Do you think states see this as a chance to increase tourism when it was not really being very impacted by the oil problem? If it is the case, do you think anyone gives a damn that in the end it probably just means BP will charge more for other things, and increases prices for all ultimately? Expenses will be passed onto the consumer probably, won’t they? That states are just taking advantage of the situation?