BP Oil Spill, our addiction

April 10, 2010, pic provided by BP Oil

For some of us, April 10, 2010 started as a pretty nice day, but that would change quickly, as we got reports of a BP oil rig explosion, with loss of life. That was horrible, but the damage wasn't complete yet. The explosion had caused, according to BP "a small oil leak from the ocean floor." That reassurance proved to be deceptive as the leak was captured by video to not be small at all, neither would the damage. Soon oil and tar balls would be reported washing up on the shores of all the Gulf Coast States, as far as Florida. The ecological, as well as economical cost steadily climbed. But it affected more than economy, it effected people, heritage, and livelihood. Tony Hayward, BP CE

The CE of British Petro did not make any friends with his reported remarks of "we're sorry for the massive disruption it's caused to their lives. There's no one who wants this thing over more than I do, I'd like my life back." The last remark proved to be too much when people considered the families of the 11 Oil Rig workers who had lost their lives; the fishermen and their families who had lost their heritage, may-be forever; the communities who's economics depended on tourism to their now ruined beaches; and the wildlife and sea life that were either wiped out, dead, dying, or covered in oil.

Nevada McPherson protests in Lafayette Park, AP

Outrage against Tony Hayward and British Petroleum erupted. There were widespread rallies and on the Internet Boycott petitions began to circulate. The message was clear, don't buy BP gas. But was this really the smartest way to punish BP? Wouldn't this primarily punish the Everyday Joe American, who had paid good money (or financed) to own a gas station? Could he get out of contracts with BP to supply his station gas, in order to buy from another supplier?

Then there is the question that none of us want to face, are we guilty in this environmental disaster also? Is it our addiction for oil that made this disaster possible?

Do we want to look that deeply, or do we just want to blame BP?

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