Comments on: Are Americans bullying BP?

By: SmartHomes

SmartHomes — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:01:04 +0000

“Are Americans bullying BP?”
No, not even close as much as they should! As a non-US and non-UK citizen I observe this whole BP mess right from the very beginning and am shocked about BPs incompetence, ignorance and ruthlessness. But there are still some positive aspects in it too. 1) Americans are starting to wake up and become more interested in alternative energies 2) The catastrophic oil spills in other regions of the world are on the reporters lists too 3) Germany will become the first G20 country run 100% by renewable/alternative energies by 2050, 18% by now, to say “bye bye” to big oil, coal, natural gas and nuclear power.

By: coyotle

coyotle — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:40:51 +0000

True that ilau2!

By: ilau2

ilau2 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 03:11:23 +0000

Are you serious, Reuters? This to me is a piece that’s written just to be controversial because that draws attention. It’s simply offensive. Next time, try asking a real question like, “Are Americans Being Bullied By Corporations?”

By: lsessions

lsessions — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:07:25 +0000

Surely this piece is a joke. Bullying? Definition of bully:

To force one’s way aggressively or by intimidation.

If only we *could* bully BP! Clearly no one can make them do much. But that’s what happens when you go far too far in deregulating industry. Speaking of…

“yes they made some bad decisions along the way but most of the actual drill work was subcontracted and all done to current law and standard practice. It could have happened to any company and if we don’t change current requirements and improve technology it will given time!”

Exactly. But it’s BP and their oily brethren that routinely pay high-powered lobbyists big bucks to lobby in DC to lessen restrictions in every way possible. Too many of people have bought into the ridiculous concept that deregulation is the key to a bright and glittering economic future. And the average lawmaker who’s being offered huge campaign contributions from industry will happily hop aboard the corporate gravy train unless there’s a loud enough outcry from mainstream voters to make it too dangerous to their re-election bids. In short, BP and the rest of the industry has worked very hard for years to dictate “current law and practice.” Deregulation doesn’t happen by accident. And deregulation doesn’t favor business. It favors crooked business. But it can also create such an uneven playing field that it can put out of business those honest players that actually try to deal fairly with their employees and their customers and essentially try to be good corporate citizens.

By: fpattberg

fpattberg — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:35:03 +0000

Very good points here. Being involved in social media and passionate about Sustainability this is always a difficult question.

Is the activism on the street more effective then online, or what do you do best to make your voice heard.

I believe that we as stakeholders need to practice all of the possibilities we have at our disposal to make our voices and opinion heard.

In the the case of BP this is even more so the case because of the scale of the disaster. We need to use all channels we have to oppose corporate malpractice.

Right now I am using the blogosphere but next week I am doing something different to make my voice heard.

That is what I call sustained stakeholder activism.

By: Sogoesit

Sogoesit — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:41:37 +0000

From an external, non-US, perspective America gives the impression that it no longer understands how business works and how it can be regulated; all the way from the banks to the energy industry. As evidenced by the banks, and now the oil industry, this leaves an open gap for those wishing to make profits or cut risky cost corners for their own or their corporate benefit to step through.
This lack of integration and understanding in government (eg drilling moratorium, Browner’s unlimited liability proposals etc.) leaves the US open to powerful non-democratic lobbies, like the Environmental Lobby, who have successfully campaigned against nuclear power, coal and now have the opportunity to shut-dwon the oil industry. WIth a lack of leadership in government there is only one way this can go.
Unfortunately, the environmental zealots do not understand the unintended consequences risks, as they probably don’t with Climate Change hypotheses, of losing industrial capacity, jobs and wealth. Luckily, in a decade or so, we won’t have to listen to America’s hegemonistic arrogance as we will have China and India with enough power to ensure that the new wealthy countries’ views are heard to the detriment of the US.
In this sense BP, as an individual entity, is not being targeted but the whole of the fossil fuel society is a target. I wonder if, in 10 years or so, the US will be rich enough to buy all those wind turbines and solar panels from China and India that they will need for their Green Revolution?

By: abkisa

abkisa — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:04:32 +0000

I think that we are being too hard on BP. yes they made some bad decisions along the way but most of the actual drill work was subcontracted and all done to current law and standard practice. It could have happened to any company and if we don’t change current requirements and improve technology it will given time! Ease up everyone… I live along the Gulf Coast and I will forgive.

By: LawrenceP

LawrenceP — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:54:08 +0000

The author clearly supports big business despite the extreme damage done. This is not something that BP can simply apologize for and expect to move on. This is an ecological disaster that could and probably will have an effect on generations to come. IMO BP has not suffered nearly the damage that it has caused. Although there are efforts, BP has not returned things to the way they were before its negligence caused this tragedy. Until they do, I say let the bullying go on! BP – BIG PROFITS BEFORE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT

By: GabrielleD

GabrielleD — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:18:50 +0000

BP’s first priority is BP in this case, not anything else. When companies made mistakes, they all rushed to the site to apologise; Hayward stated he wanted his life back. A tearful apology might have eased the American anger a little, but their behaviour is less then commendable.

Are Americans bullying BP? Would it be called bullying if a man got irate because someone threw a bunch of junk in their back garden? I think not.

There’s a difference between spilling the rubbish bin in your own back garden and doing the same in the neighbour’s garden.

By: aceniantor

aceniantor — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:29:10 +0000

Forgive me, thirty-one years ago*