"We will fight this spill with everything we've got for as long it takes,"
"We will make BP pay for the damage their company has caused. And we will do whatever's necessary to help the Gulf Coast and its people recover from this tragedy,"
Barack Obama on BP Oil spill issue
Under intense pressure from President Barack Obama, BP Plc agreed on Wednesday to set up a $20 billion fund for damage claims from its huge Gulf of Mexico oil spill & suspended dividend payments to its shareholders
Big brother is furious, rightly so. British Petroleum has agreed for $20 billion oil spill fund and also cuts dividends to its investors, that's according Yahoo news. Big brother, Obama, has forced the corporate in the wrong to pay for its mistake. How righteous and just America is? They won't allow a wrong doer to go scot free? Even if it is Mr.Anderson? Oh, Oh sorry, sorry....
Actually Mr.Anderson did not cause any damage to America. His actions did not lead to loss of American lives. He may not be a darling of Americans but he is an American citizen and he cannot be touched for lives lost in some eastern, under developed country nor for the continued troubles of those who faced the wrath of poisonous gas, escaped from Union Carbide, that engulfed Bhopal on that fateful day in December 1984. Well the country in question may have grown in stature, yet Anderson cannot be made accountable because he is American and no American lives were lost. It was India's fate, that's it.
What we care is what is the loss to Americans? If they come in Aeroplanes, we will carpet bomb them, the civilians, the women, the children and hunt till all our soldiers die. If they hit other people in other countries, we will preach patience, diplomacy etc. If they spill oil, spoil our coast line, hurt our tourism, cause damages to our people we will make them accountable and force them to pay. If they are responsible for some gas leakage, somewhere else in the world causing thousands of life, generations to suffer, well we will look the other way, and provide complete and total security to our men who are responsible. We make sure the concerned person is in no way disturbed.
If your own Neta's don't care for you, why should we care for you. Look around, everywhere & everyone, this is how this world is functioning. God has given two tongues for the powerful. Why to waste one? Go enjoy yourself and if possible get powerful. You can become one amongst us. Let's all doublespeak and rule the world.
Some questions:
ReplyDeleteBP employs more Americans than other nationalities. Forty percent of its shares are owned by Americans/ American companies. BP is not British Petroleum- it is Beyond Petroleum.
Then why does the Obama administration call it British Petroleum? I think they are subtly enlisting our natural xenophobic impulses to bail them out: it helps dodge responsibility.
Think about it: the oil well is one km or something like that under the sea. How do you expect to cap a spill so far down under water? Magic? The oil should not have been drilled in the first place without all the maintenance technology in place. This is a policy failure on the part of the administration to have allowed that.
I don't think it is fair to bully BP to pay more than what its liability is. Not natural justice, or even good business practice. This is a morally repulsive accident- but the reaction is not right. The administration is looking to victimise someone else so that they are not held responsible for what happens.
The amount of oil that has been spilled by BP- the same quantity has been spilled in Nigeria year after year for the past fifty years. Does anyone care?
About Union Carbide:
The full responsibility not enforcing regulations falls upon our government. If you look the other way, and they cut corners and then disaster happens you can't walk away without blame. We let them in, we let them do what they wanted, and now we blame big brother.
My thoughts:
The energy situation will only get worse. In a desperate search for more resources, we will have to relax safeguard mechanisms, and pay the price when disaster happens.
If you want to be hundred percent secure, you won't get petrol- or nuclear reactors. It is that simple.
It is easy to blame the foreign hand, rage against big brother etc., but ultimately we are responsible for what we are. Union Carbide set up their factory after our approval, was regulated by our government, and after the disaster the settlement was made by our government, and now, the court has made its ruling under our laws.
Where does Obama come in? He has to put his throat on Carbide or whoever so that they give us more than what our court itself deems justifiable?
I think what has happened in US and India shows the same basic ground realities:
Energy is not easy to get- you have to take risks to produce it.
It is not politically wise to take responsibility. Better blame foreigners. Or business entities. Or vested interests.
The fact is, we have to run the risk and pay the price.
There is no fair compensation. There can never be one. It goes with the globalised world.
If India wants to be holy, we better build a wall around us and go back to co-operative societies and Gandhian values.
Dare we?
Correction:
ReplyDelete"Where does Obama come in? He has to put his feet on the throat of Carbide or whoever so that they give us more than what our court itself deems justifiable?"
Truly, the major and whole responsibility is that of India's. There is no question about it. But then when we seek the accused one of Obama men went on record saying, there is no question of extraditing Anderson. If America, by chance, in India's position they would will ensure the accused is extradited. To them justice is only when it is to Americans. That's what the story is about.
ReplyDeleteBut then I also mentioned that no one is different. It was also hinted that the ones (Netas) who should care and take responsibility, didn't do so. Think you missed it.
Basic point is those with power, generally, do double speak.
Yes, he is making the right point. If you read the post here again, you will understand that I am not blaming America for Bhopal. I am only condemning their protection of a criminal (that's how I like to call Anderson). They are so vocal when it comes to their interest but care a damn when it comes to Anderson. Indian government, Rajiv, Arjun are all at fault. They all protected Anderson not because he is their cousin but American government wanted it.
ReplyDeleteBut how is he a criminal? I don't have any idea how culpable he is.
ReplyDeleteAs per law, as CEO of the company he is culpable. However if you think Union Carbide was not responsible for Bhopal tragedy then he is not culpable.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who evades the law and runs away is a criminal.
;) I am not the judge here, so i can't decide in favour of union carbide.
ReplyDeleteIf a CEO is held responsible for everything that happens in a company, I think you can't run any company.
If a shed falls on the head of two labourers, is the CEO a criminal?
Train derail, bus runs off the bridge... Ever heard of a CEO going to jail for that?
Oh. :)
ReplyDeleteI am not going to consult any lawyer on this.
I am safe with my ignorance.
Thanks for keeping this discussion alive.