soundoff (89 Responses)

1. Dale
   

   how much will this cost the tax payers?

   September 14, 2010 at 12:27 pm | Report abuse |
2. Brian
   

   Didn't they already pay $20 billion for this?

   September 14, 2010 at 12:28 pm | Report abuse |
3. P S
   

   Why don't we just apologize to poor BP? After all, companies should make all the money they want even if it destroys the environment.

   Republican HYPOCRITES!

   September 14, 2010 at 12:28 pm | Report abuse |
4. Brian
   

   Why do people think that this money will GO TO TAXPAYERS? What happens every single time taxes are increased, or regulations and fines are forced on companies? THEY RAISE THEIR PRICES! The government is not taxing or suing BP, THEY ARE SUING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE (at least the ones who buy oil and gas). And this way, they can still get the money from the poor people who don't have to pay taxes

   September 14, 2010 at 12:30 pm | Report abuse |
   • Troll
     

     So, are you saying that just because a company will pass the cost along to their consumers that they shouldn't be sued to help pay for the damage they caused? If the taxpayers will be stuck picking up the bill anyway (either in higher taxes, higher oil prices, or both), why not at least make sure those responsible for the spill have to pay as well?

     September 14, 2010 at 1:42 pm | Report abuse |
5. DJ
   

   Its interesting that such buffoonery exists on both sides.

   September 14, 2010 at 12:30 pm | Report abuse |
6. TwM
   

   This would sure guarantee BP pulling its US Stakes and thumbing their noses at us. I guess this Admin doesn't mind more lost higher paying jobs. For those buffoons saying they need to pay, I nominate you to pay the workers that lose their jobs their wages. THINK

   September 14, 2010 at 12:32 pm | Report abuse |
7. Alex Winter
   

   Will they also sue HAL and RIG?

   September 14, 2010 at 12:32 pm | Report abuse |
8. MDM
   

   thought BP ponied up $20B at the threat of being sued....now that they've funded the $20B, we are going to sue anyway?

   Future negotiations with the Obama administration on a variety of topics may not go well if they can't be counted on to be consistent.

   September 14, 2010 at 12:33 pm | Report abuse |
9. Dhraga
   

   just like suing the Cigarette companies....

   companies didnt pay the fines, they raised the price of cigarettes to pay the fine. The smokers paid it. the only people who made money were the lawyers. So poor people (a vast majority of smokers are poor) lined the pockets of multimillionaire lawyers... sounds like justice to me..... now, all this "suing BP" does is set it all up for a class action suit later.... so all of us consumers can line the pockets of some lawyers somewhere....

   thats just cynical me, though...

   September 14, 2010 at 12:37 pm | Report abuse |
   • Skipper
     

     Can you hear that...? It's the sound of the world's smallest violin playing just for the poor smokers.

     September 14, 2010 at 1:04 pm | Report abuse |
10. mttrailboss
    

    Good Idea.. Someone has to be responsible and be 'accountable' for their actions or non-action. The impact of this major environmental disaster to the United States is incalculable in monetary terms or value. People were lost, the southern coast present and future climate for jobs, business', fishing, restaurants, hotels, tourism, environmenal damage and wildlife cannot be measured in monetary terms. It will be decades before the southern coast of the United States will ever recovery. Some families, who were in the fishing business are finished. Wildlife.., thats a totally different issue. BP.., should be sued by our federal government and the U.S. Attorney General office. BP has shown a total lack of respect for the southern coast line and the people that make their livelihood from it. This major environmental disaster has many repercussions that will be felt for years to come. BP.., should pay for their lack of insight and moral issues, including their bad safety record in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. Lets not forget that eight good men died, families ruined, because of BP's failure to have proper safety on that oil rig platform. It is not their first time, when it comes to safety for their crews and other contractors in the Gulf operation. My biggest fear is, that they are a foreign company and could split from the scene, and make a big or huge fight conerning any lawsuits in the future. When BP ex-CEO Tony Hayward spoke on television.., I knew, we were in for a long ride and troubles to come. It all came true. In closing, sad to say.., 'sometimes' when you are in doubt, thats the time to sue. Two words.., responsibility and 'accountablility' is the key.., without it, we have nothing. This may be a long fight.., but worth it for all, including future offshore oil drilling off our coastlines, and the men that died. Mike in Montana

    September 14, 2010 at 12:37 pm | Report abuse |
    • SubstanceD
      

      Can't disagree with a word you just said. The long-term effects are going to unfold over years and decades. I grew up right on the Florida gulf coast and I know that it will never be the same ever again. 'BP – We will make this right'...they could'nt make it right, even if they actually intended to.

      September 14, 2010 at 12:53 pm | Report abuse |
11. Capt. NoDuh
    

    Considering how much Federal and State government funds were spent to expedite BP's extremely lackadaisical response to removing the oil from the environment, I'd say this is a good start.

    September 14, 2010 at 12:41 pm | Report abuse |
    • samantha
      

      Our coast guard was in charge of that, also obama did not sign the waiver letting other countries in to help, which they voluntered immediately to do. Our Dept of Interior was suppose to be overseeing all these companies, they weren't.
      It be great to blame BP for every little thing, but that is not true. Our taxpayers money at waste again, Dept of Interior was not doing there job.

      September 14, 2010 at 1:16 pm | Report abuse |
12. SubstanceD
    

    I expect the same level of deception and incompetence we have seen from the government every step of the way on this. NOAA, the Coast Guard, the Mineral Management Service, and EPA have shown no ability (or even a willingness) to perform their stated functions. I don't expect the DOJ to perform any differently. More than likely we'll get posturing that the DOJ is coming down hard on BP, when they will likely just get a token slap on the wrist. Where is the criminal investigation? 11 men died and tens of thousands (including members of my own family) have been exposed to known carcinogens (whether or not media decides to inform people of the fact). That requires much stronger action than anything we've seen up to this point. They appear to have every intent of letting BP literally get away with murder, just as long as they spread a few bucks around to the right people.

    September 14, 2010 at 12:42 pm | Report abuse |
13. Capt. NoDuh
    

    Hey BP, a couple of million gallons of oil dispersant doesn't make the problem go away.
    BP is like the Cat in the Hat that made a bigger mess every time he tried to shortcut cleaning up the first one.

    September 14, 2010 at 12:42 pm | Report abuse |
    • SubstanceD
      

      We're not supposed to worry about that. Corexit is banned in several countries, but the President has assured me that it's safe, wholesome, and nutritious so I'm going to just trust him and keep eating the seafood (the seafood that survived anyway). Yeah...right....

      September 14, 2010 at 1:04 pm | Report abuse |
14. Mark Knight
    

    What? BP isn't trying to stop illegal immigration in AZ so why is Holder trying to sue BP?

    September 14, 2010 at 12:45 pm | Report abuse |
15. Dennis
    

    Suck them dry.

    September 14, 2010 at 12:54 pm | Report abuse |