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

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the perception of blame towards the British in relation to the Gulf Oil Spill, specifically focusing on BP's role. Participants assert that while BP is the responsible party, the notion of widespread animosity towards the British people is exaggerated. Key points include the fact that 40% of BP's stock is held in the US and that the rig was operated by Transocean, a US company. The discussion highlights the media's portrayal of the situation and the political implications of President Obama's statements regarding BP's accountability.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Gulf Oil Spill incident and its implications.
  • Knowledge of BP's corporate structure and ownership.
  • Familiarity with the roles of Transocean and Halliburton in the oil industry.
  • Awareness of US-British relations and media influence on public perception.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the corporate structure and shareholder distribution of BP.
  • Examine the historical context of US-British relations, especially in the context of environmental disasters.
  • Analyze media coverage of the Gulf Oil Spill and its impact on public opinion.
  • Investigate the roles of Transocean and Halliburton in major oil spills and their legal responsibilities.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for political analysts, environmental activists, media professionals, and anyone interested in the dynamics of international relations during environmental crises.

  • #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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