Well, self-righteousness, rules anyway!
Putting profit before everything,
Putting the lives of people at risk because of the desire to make even more money,
Damaging the ecology and ruining the natural habitats of fish, plants and animals
AND THAT's JUST THE US WORLDWIDE
So - let's speak about BP!
I just loved the appearance before the congressmen and the trial by media, it sits up there with the blood money/slush fund approach and whilst I agree that the CEO is ultimately responsible it would be nice to wait until we know exactly what happened and why.
Unless I read things wrongly the rig was American, the people operating it were mainly American and it was in everything, except name (if you use the word 'British') American too!
But this won't help the administration win the hearts and minds of the electorate now, will it?
Still, paying money always helps solve problems and relieve anger.
Doesn't restore the natural casualties to health. It won't bring back folded companies or tourists who go elsewhere (just like those who avoided the US funded IRA over in the UK in days gone by?) but what they? After all, I have a bumper sticker from a previous visit which proudly states, "Send a child to medical school and support the US legal fraternity!"
I was hoping for balance and all I got was American! The people who are affected deserve better and it starts with their own government (sadly).
I have to agree with Congressman Joe Barton, the most senior Republican on the committee who agreed that BP needs to explain the actions that led to the loss of life and the subsequent leak but also admitted that he was "ashamed" to see BP being pushed to set up the compensation fund, which he spoke of as a "$20bn shakedown".
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The issue is that Obama is not doing to well in the Polls. Given the lead in time for the next Presidential Election he has to be seen to be decisive and bully someone he has over a barrel to prove what a great leader he is.
What we are not hearing anything of is the three other companies (all american) involved in this, the Rig Owners, the company who built and operated it and designed the safety mechanisms in use on the Rig.
BP actually only had 8 employees on the Rig.
What I am sad about is that the loss of life and trauma to those injured or shocked by the disaster is lost in the media noise and campaign.
I really regret the damage to the environment and to all of the knock on effects on the local economy, but I am afraid that the cynical approach of the US Government to this demonstrates that the supposed "Special Relationship" is completely one way.
Perhaps we should cease echoing the US policy line on everything and start thinking and acting in the interests of the country and those in need in the developing world.
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