Possble if things keep up, likely if there isn't a reversal in the not too distant future, but not imminent.

What is this, float a random rumor central? Any *other* possible news sources for this?

Lets just say I'm not losing a lot of sleep over this

That sounds like a politicians answer Draugnar ;)

2nd part
What would the compulsory expulsion of millions of people from the gulf coast mean to this country?

Already had it during Katrina and at least this one wouldn't be with death nipping at their heels. I think we'd handle it fine.

I brought it up because I am seeing chatter about it all over the net. And because it is a rumor that is not outside the realm of possibility, and given the mass amounts of poisons (methane, corexit etc.) spewing into the gulf I see it as entiely possible.

I mean, pregnant women have already been told to move out of affected areas. the affected areas are not getting any better, they are getting worse. So how long before everyone has to move? you know?

When katrina hit, martial law was declared only in new orleans and the immediate surroundings.
This is a whole new level. 200 miles inland at least? come on, thats millions and millions of people. fuck thats the whole state of florida

What does martial law have to do with any of this?

Forced Evacuation = Martial Law

I live in the Florida panhandle, and the story is BS. You might as well discuss the implications of evacuating the MidWest because a meteor might hit near Chicago and necessitate some action. Someone ought to at least try to have some credible facts with the rumors.

Wont happen. And martial law is much more than a forced evacuation

Ok Gobba, thanks!
good to have real info rather than questionable internet stories.
So whats the scene there?

Yes, but they won't be evacuating with rising flood waters, torential rain, and extreme winds nipping at their heels trying to take their very lives at that exact moment. and when it is all over with, they may well be able to move back into their homes where as Katrina devastated everything for nearly a full mile inland. Katrina's damage ran from Grand Isle, LA, to Mobile Bay, AL. Yes it was primarily coastal, but in the deep south, the coast is where everyone lives, works, and plays.

This is very loose usage of the highly charged term "martial law." Right off the bat, this loses credibility with me because of this abuse of language. Propaganda should at least attempt to appear non-biased. Nobody likes feeling toyed with.

And I don't think it will be Martial Law either, nor will it be forced evacuation of entire states, mor elikely just the coastal regions and not even truly forced. Hell, they don't usually force evacuate for most hurricanes (Katrina being a huge exception), so why would they for something like this. Bottled water and air filters will do wonders.

Yeah, I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and I've not heard a thing about this in any news sources whatsoever. The cleanup is moving... slow, very slow, mind-numbingly and painstakingly slow, but it's moving.

The real threat to us down here -- the big story -- is the offshore drilling moratorium. Losing that aspect of our economy would basically doom us short-term. We're more liable to see millions fleeing the area from job losses than we are from toxic gases.

(I also laugh at the second comment on the story page -- I'll take 10-to-1 odds that the guy doesn't live in the South at all, or barring that, he's full of shit. Which would be par for the course with-- **ahem**)

I work with a lot of State and Local law enforcement. In Pensacola, out of over 90 days since this has happened, we have had less than 5 with any visible oil on the beaches or near the beach. Less than that when you head east to Fort Walton or Panama City. The booms have kept oil from the "inner waterways" and bays that are all along the coast. The most damage is in the shore communities and barrier islands.
And an awful lot of people live away from the beach.... like Montgomery, Birmingham, Atlanta (and most of Georgia), New Orleans isn't near to Gulf Coast (just the lake) Houston is 50 miles inland. So this can be an ecologocal disaster in the waterways and marshes, but that seems to be limited to Louisiana and a few other selected areas.

I was thinking of Florida when I said they live, work, and play near the beach. Except for Orlando, it seems most of the body of Florida is oriented around shore and bay cities like Tampa, St. Pete, Ft. Lauderdale, Miani, Key West, etc.

*Miami (stupid fingers)

The only way I see this as even a remote possibility is if some hurricane rips through the region spreading the oil around and hurting clean-up efforts. As of now, they are cleaning it up at a slow pace and everything should turn out ok.

I live in the Tampa Bay area. We heard the "rumor" and every news source had it on the news as a "rumor" with no foundation. Haven't seen a drop of oil on the beaches over in Clearwater or St. Pete.

What BS. The internet is the biggest rumor mill ever. I amazed at what people are willing to believe.

I love fun little stories like this. One of the best I've heard was that US underground nuclear testing in Nevada contaminated the water table, and this radioactive water has been slowly moving closer and closer to Las Vegas with potentially hilarious consequences. I replied to the chap who told me that just because he's the professor of nuclear physics at Bristol uni doesn't mean I'll believe everything he says :p.

Still, all good fun :)

It's fun as long as people don't act on them with negative consequences to others.