BP: Beyond Pollution, Continued

Image by obbino via Flickr

Ladies and gentlemen, we are witnessing the worst environmental disaster in American history.  So far, at least 20 million gallons of crude oil has spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, which is nine million more than the Exxon Valdez dumped on Prince William Sound, Alaska in 1989.

BP, the oil giant that owned the Deepwater Horizon rig that exploded and sank in April, killing 11 workers, has tried and failed to cap the continuously spewing black stuff.  If they don't find another way soon, this could go on until August.

It also happens to be hurricane season.  Any Category 3 or higher storm has the potential to make Katrina look like a thundershower by comparison.

Normally, the United States government would take the lead in a situation like this.  As we learned from Katrina, that's not necessarily so.  And they're not doing it here, either.  With lack of the type of equipment and other resources needed to clean up the mess, the government has been forced to depend on BP to get the job done.

Instead, the Obama administration is wringing its hands and making empty threats while BP officials mumble something about doing all they possibly could.  Meanwhile the spill goes on, threatening wildlife, marine life and possibly human life from Louisiana to Florida.

This disaster has been made possible because BP and the rest of the oil industry has Washington over a barrel with favorable policies and treatment, plus campaign contributions to certain politicians.  The problem didn't begin with President Obama, nor with noted oil men George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, and it won't end there either.  Not as long as business calls the shots.

Besides, BP will find a way to face down any criminal or civil penalties that might come its way.  That means the people who made their livelihoods on the Gulf Coast will likely get stiffed.  And any fines levied at BP will simply be passed along to the consumer, so taxpayers will be paying for this disaster one way or another.

Caught in the fallout from the oil spill are those who work in BP's convenience stores and service stations.  It's hard enough trying to keep a job in this economy without customers avoiding you because your employer screwed up.

Meanwhile, the price of regular unleaded gasoline currently sits at $2.73 a gallon.  Wonder how long that will last?

As we watch video of the oil that billows from the depths with no end in sight, perhaps the time has come to resist the notion to tar and feather those responsible and help save what's left of what man has yet to spoil.