Is Hatred Towards the British Justified for the Gulf Oil Spill?

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan Seeking
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the perception of animosity towards the British in the context of the Gulf Oil Spill, particularly regarding the role of BP and the media's portrayal of the situation. Participants explore the implications of national identity, corporate responsibility, and media influence on public sentiment.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that the blame for the oil spill is primarily directed at BP rather than the British people, citing that BP has significant American ownership and management.
  • Others suggest that the handling of damages and the media's portrayal may contribute to negative feelings towards the British.
  • A participant notes that the term "British Petroleum" has resurfaced in media discussions, which may influence public perception.
  • Some express frustration with the British media for defending BP, suggesting it reflects a broader anti-American sentiment among the British public.
  • There are claims that the British media often criticizes the U.S., which some participants believe exacerbates tensions during the spill crisis.
  • One participant humorously mentions personal grievances against British culture but distinguishes these from the oil spill issue.
  • Another participant questions the validity of claims regarding British media bias, asking for evidence to support such accusations.
  • Concerns are raised about the implications of U.S. leadership statements on public sentiment towards the British, particularly regarding BP's responsibility for cleanup costs.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the media's role in shaping narratives around national blame and corporate accountability.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether animosity towards the British is justified. Multiple competing views remain regarding the relationship between BP, the British public, and the media's influence on perceptions of blame.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the extent to which media narratives shape public opinion and the definitions of national identity in the context of corporate actions. Participants express varying degrees of skepticism about the motivations behind media coverage and public sentiment.

  • #61
In a speech last week on the disaster unfolding in the Gulf, President Obama told the nation that for decades, there existed a “scandalously close relationship between oil companies and the agency that regulates them,” and that he took responsibility for a culture that had “not fully changed” [1] under his administration...

As we’ve noted, the ethical lapses within MMS run the gamut: accepting gifts from “good friends” in the industry [6], applying for industry jobs [7] while at MMS posts, keeping data on offshore drilling away from environmental assessors [8], failing to collect royalties from industry [9], using agency equipment for storing and sharing pornography [6], sleeping with oil and gas representatives [8], and even working while under the influence of illegal drugs [10]...

The Obama administration has also pledged to investigate MMS’ liberal use of so-called categorical exclusions [13] to federal environmental law, a practice that has gone on for decades...
http://www.propublica.org/ion/blog/item/under-cheneys-influence-wyomings-oil-ties-flooded-mms
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-gulf-oil-spill
 
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  • #62
Having spent a decade or so in the Americana-Militaria industry, brokering, buying and selling weapons, uniform parts, etc related to the French and Indian Wars, and the Revolutionary War, etc, I don't hate the Brits (got some personal heritage through a Hessian officer) but I certainly appreciate the differences in the way that the British and the French treated the colonists and the native Americans.
 
  • #63
Ivan Seeking said:
Why didn't THEY prevent this?
If more of the numerous shallow water oil reserves had been opened as pushed for years ago they might well have.
 
  • #65
  • #66
Phrak said:
How is this wrong? He's a CEO, which means a BS artist. He can't stop oil leaks. It's not one of the required job skills for his occupation of choice.

There isn't anything wrong with taking a day off (as you say he's pretty much useless in stopping this), it is however a PR mistake to do it so publicly.
 
  • #67
xxChrisxx said:
There isn't anything wrong with taking a day off (as you say he's pretty much useless in stopping this), it is however a PR mistake to do it so publicly.

Indeed. It fits, though, with the tone-deaf way BP has handled this disaster.
 
  • #68
  • #69
Byllie said:
I think the Americans are trying to stoke up some brotherly rivalry between the USA and the UK.

Look here for a rather a comical yet horribily innacurate headline that makes reference to the battle for 'bunker hill'

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/world_cup/31556/new-york-post-hails-usa-1-1-win.html

It's akin to us Brits mentioning D-Day after thrashing the Germans in the round ball game!

To be honest, anything more than an a defeat was a victory for the USA in that game. When you go into a game expecting to come away with 0 points, and you come away with 1 you are a winner. England were expected to utterly thrash the group, it's a shame they are playing like a sunday league team.
 
  • #70
How can you hate a society that has lost a world-spanning empire, and has been reduced to a lapdog for a former colony? I feel pity, in a general sense, but that's a historical notion and not personalized to this generation or any other. The British people, are just people like any other.
 
  • #71
xxChrisxx said:
There isn't anything wrong with taking a day off (as you say he's pretty much useless in stopping this), it is however a PR mistake to do it so publicly.

How private differs from public?

I guess people always keep on looking for opportunities to blame someone when things go wrong.

BP did best it could do to deal with the crisis, US government did best to blame everything on BP, and public did best to blame things on both government and BP
 
  • #72
because when the heats on you, many people affected by the spill will see it as insulting that he went swanning off on a boat somewhere.

PR is all about image.
 
  • #73
rootX said:
How private differs from public?

I guess people always keep on looking for opportunities to blame someone when things go wrong.

BP did best it could do to deal with the crisis, US government did best to blame everything on BP, and public did best to blame things on both government and BP

To that in italics, agreed, to that in bold, really?
 
  • #74
nismaratwork said:
To that in italics, agreed, to that in bold, really?

Best it could do, what you wanted more from them? I am not talking about how this crisis occurred and what happened earlier but actions they took to deal with the crisis.
 
  • #75
rootX said:
Best it could do, what you wanted more from them? I am not talking about how this crisis occurred and what happened earlier but actions they took to deal with the crisis.

Ah, then I agree with you.
 
  • #76
Come on guys, this is easy. The media loves controversy, so they're trying to play up an angle to the story. There has been similar suggestions that Americans blame the British in the British media.

I'm pretty sure BP is chartered in the Marshall Islands anyway.
 
  • #77
Hate is such a strong word.
 
  • #78
Jimmy Snyder said:
Hate is such a strong word.

Not when compared to "loathing" or "murderous rage/envy/" or "spite". The common usage of hate has diluted its impact, and I suspect fewer people really understand what it is to genuinely experience prolonged hatred.
 

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