Laferriere

Leading that effort for the Louisiana coastline is Laferriere, a man of boundless energy and confidence who holds a degree in environmental science and has worked any number of oil spills big and small – from Exxon Valdez to the post-Hurricane Katrina spills that dumped more than 8 million gallons.

Gulf Oil Spill 'Blob' Changes But Never Vanishes, Presents Ongoing Battle For U.S. 2010

Even near the source of the spill, the oil is only about a tenth of a millimeter thick, Laferriere says, meaning vessels equipped with booms must first surround the oil and tow it into a thicker pool that can be sucked up.

Gulf Oil Spill 'Blob' Changes But Never Vanishes, Presents Ongoing Battle For U.S. 2010

There are other posts like it in Mobile, Ala., and Miami, but none has more manpower, equipment – or more of The Blob, as Laferriere and his staff have christened their enemy – than this base inside what once was a BP training facility for offshore oil production.

Gulf Oil Spill 'Blob' Changes But Never Vanishes, Presents Ongoing Battle For U.S. 2010

Laferriere is explaining all of this one recent day at the Houma command post, as he paces a cavernous room dubbed the fish bowl.

Gulf Oil Spill 'Blob' Changes But Never Vanishes, Presents Ongoing Battle For U.S. 2010

"Six feet of water, we can't skim," Laferriere says, likening the effort to trying to capture oil being sloshed like water in a washing machine.

Gulf Oil Spill 'Blob' Changes But Never Vanishes, Presents Ongoing Battle For U.S. 2010

Laferriere used to be a season ticketholder but didn't renew because he works many nights.

USATODAY.com - Hockey fans finally have their game back 2005

(Related item: Caps-Jackets report) "Everyone was ticked about it," said Todd Laferriere of Fairfax, Va.

USATODAY.com - Hockey fans finally have their game back 2005

But, as has been pointed out by Laferriere,/1/and very likely by earlier writers, the surety of ancient law was the hostage, and the giving of hostages was by no means confined to international dealings.

The Common Law Oliver Wendell Holmes 1888

Hevin is quoted by Laferriere/2/as calling attention to the fact that the ancient usage was to say heriter for purchase, heritier for purchaser, and desheriter for sell.

The Common Law Oliver Wendell Holmes 1888

MANCHESTER - Melissa Laferriere learned how cereal, deli meat, cheese and even bread can punch a hole in a tight foot budget.

All Stories 2011