The Oil Spill Isn't Real

The other day my friend expressed his desire to sail around on a boat.  He would need to stick close to the shoreline though, because he's afraid of the open sea.  I suggested following the coast down to South America when he reminded me how terrible that would be.  BECAUSE OF THE OIL SPILL.  I had forgotten.  Or not forgotten, because it hasn't officially registered in my world view.  Maybe I can't really comprehend it without seeing it.  But my god, it's happening as we speak.  How could I forget?