墨西哥湾漏油成当地人脱贫良机

        A high school student said: "I've asked for $2,500 but I really only work for my dad."

　　一个高中生这么说道：“我已经申请了2500美元的赔偿金，但事实上我只是为我父亲工作而已。”

　　And a boat owner said: "I only shrimp part-time. Last year I netted $22,000. My main job is working tugs. I put in for $5,000 for me a month and $2,500 for my wife because she is my deckhand."

　　另外一个船主则说：“我只是业余时间捕虾。但是我为自己要了每月5千块的赔偿，为我的妻子要了2500块，当然他们只知道她是我的水手而已。”

　　Ambulance-chasing lawyers – who work for free in return for 30 percent of the compensation if they score a victory – are eagerly recruiting clients.

　　当地饥肠辘辘的索赔律师们如今也是炙手可热，他们纷纷打出广告要帮“因漏油遭受损失的居民”和英国石油公司打官司。一旦官司打赢拿到赔偿，律师能挣3成佣金。

　　Another young worker at the diner cackled with laughter when I asked her about the plague of illness which suddenly seems to be affecting so many on Grand Isle. She says she attributes it to the "beer money" being handed out by BP.

　　近日岛上盛传因为此次原油泄漏很多人似乎突然都得了病，我问一个在餐馆工作的年轻女孩怎么看，她咯咯地笑了起来。她说可能是英石油给的酒钱太多，大家把身体喝坏了。

　　Emerging from the kitchen, the diner's owner, Miss Sarah – as she is fondly known locally – frowned at the giggling girl. "I will say I am surprised that Lisa got ill," she said. "But I wouldn't want BP to think people on Grand Isle want any money that's not owed to them. I've lost business myself from sports fishermen who'd normally be here. This is the start of our high season. But I won't be suing as long as BP does what they've promised and compensates everyone fairly.' Whether or not the unique ecology of this island can be saved, she says, she is determined to keep its good name.

　　餐馆老板娘萨沙女士从厨房出来，对着这个嬉笑的女孩皱起了眉头。“如果丽萨（上文女孩）生病了我确实会吃惊，”她说。“但是我可不想让英石油觉得这个岛上的渔民想占有那些不属于他们的钱财。其实如今来我们里喝酒的渔民已经很少见了。而往常这个时候可是消费旺季。但是如果英石油恪守承诺，公平补偿，我不会起诉的。”当被问到这个岛的生态还有没有被挽救过来的余地时，她只是说，她要维护这个岛的好名声。