It sucks when things go wrong. I mean, sometimes things can go SO wrong that it's overwhelming. Sometimes we just lock up for a while, when things get too out of hand. It happens. Accidents happen. Surprises happen. Shock happens.
But let's face it, when you create a problem that negatively affects the lives of others, and you start screwing up our planet, you have a responsibility to make it right. Especially (in my opinion) if you've created that problem in the process of cashing in on a natural resource, like oil. I mean, it's underground. Sometimes it's not only underground, but underground beneath an ocean. We're safe from it while it's down there. Mother Earth has seen to it. We ought not go down there.
But if you decide to go punching holes in the Earth to bring the oil from there to here, just so you can turn it into money (or numbers), then you become responsible for any mess you make in the process. Seriously. It's really simple and most of us learn it at a young age; you make a mess, you clean it up. If you don't want that responsibility as adults, find a different line of work -- even if it pays a few billion less per year.
This BP disaster in the gulf... they need to be responsible. Exxon was not a responsible citizen in their actions following the Exxon Valdez. They left an environmental disaster for time to clean up. A mess for others to deal with. Life changing messes. Life ending messes.
Oil companies have been recording record profits while many responsible businesses struggle and even die trying. This mess in the gulf is going to be an expensive one to fix, IF they choose to make every effort to fix it. So will they? Or will this be a repeat of the lip service following the Exxon Valdez spill? It's a safe bet that oil executives and consultants have kept excellent notes over the past 20 years on how to 'manage' public perception, the legal system, and protect their ass-ets. Exxon muddied things up in court for 20 years. If you think BP is pumping mud now...
There are BP stations in most of our towns -- Exxon's too. That's where we (the people) cast our votes. That's where the oil becomes money. Many people cast their vote once a week, I generally vote once a month.
Use less gas. Vote less often. It's actually a lot of fun. And if these oil companies choose not to act as responsible citizens, support something that does. Show some discipline. The alchemy of turning oil into gold is vulnerable at the pump and YOU call the shots, there.
Back to the basics -- if BP doesn't effectively fix this mess they've made, they should expect consequences. The best place to really get their attention is when you vote at a gas pump -- or don't.
