(no subject)

[vicarz]

I'm behind on the Economist again, and today I re-confirmed the good overall environmental record of BP prior to this subcontracted accident. I'm disappointed that the left is so happy to vilify this company that used to stand out as decent amongst the unholy bunch.
http://www.economist.com/node/16274145?story_id=16274145
(the article notes how BP has been acknowledging the need for "slowing" climate change and partnered with many environmental groups to move for improvement)

Today the news revealed that the deficient contingency plans noted by BP are virtually identical, including cover color, to the other companies doing similar work as approved by the MMS. I feel somewhat vindicated to hear what I had heard when I invested in BP - they were one of the better of the bunch.

I leaped on board after the Valdez because I already knew Exxon had one of the worst environmental records of all the oil tycoons, even though the cause of that wreck was just one drunk sailor. Their overall policies were generally the cause of far larger and more subtle damage, and when those issues were brought to light by environmental groups they thumbed their noses at them.

Disclosure again - I bought BP stock in January.

In Afghanistan they have found (clarified the prior reports of) vast mineral wealth. Just what we need, another land to extract chemicals from to run the rest of the world while the extremist regime terrorizes the populace with the help of a free nation with strong economic growth.

Comments

[curvemudgeon.livejournal.com]

In Afghanistan they have found (clarified the prior reports of) vast mineral wealth. Just what we need, another land to extract chemicals from to run the rest of the world while the extremist regime terrorizes the populace with the help of a free nation with strong economic growth.

Rumor has it the Chinese are angling hard for control of mining operations in these areas. Thus far I'd hazard their general environmental record is...maybe not so good. Just sayin'...

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Yeah I'm waiting for the dam to bust (literally)

[doc-quixote.livejournal.com]

Erm... Under John Brown (the CEO of BP up until, oh, '06 or so), BP was interested in (at least presenting the image of) being "green". The current CEO is an axeman, and most of the programs he cut were "non-traditional energy". (Also, safety programs. Which is why the number of safety violations BP has gotten tagged for has gone up exponentially over the last few years.)

And if you need to justify buying the stock, Scott Adams (of Dilbert fame) had a nifty blog post on the wisdom of buying stock in companies you hate.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Oh neat! Thanks!
And...sigh...

[djpsyche.livejournal.com]

Yes, I love this whole blaming of BP when ALL the major oil companies are doing offshore drilling. I blame Bush the Senior for approving this massive environmental disaster waiting to happen in the first place. At the same time I seriously want to smack anyone looking at the potential devastation of the thousands of miles of Gulf coastline and simultaneously moaning about their effing dividend. Um, perspective???

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Yeah - this is another reason I still don't hate BP. Or not entirely. They are taking responsibility and paying out major bucks - do they hedge their responses like a caught-cheating spouse? Sure, but...dood compare them to Exxon after the Valdez. They fought every step of the way and paid just about nothing...appealed what little judgment was found against them. BP - taking it and asking for more by comparison.