# And here's where the system sells us out to BP **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 27, 2012, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150 "2012-02-27T14:46:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/1 "2012-02-27T14:46:39Z")
Thanks a fucking lot guys. It is as I said, justice is merely a word. From [here](http://start.toshiba.com/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CD9T5K0Q01%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1011): > [@](#): > > a judge had delayed the start of the trial from Monday to March 5 because oil giant BP PLC was making progress in settlement talks with a committee overseeing scores of lawsuits. Way to fucking go. Settle out of court so they walk away without the full penalty. That’s just fucking great. I hate everybody. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/2 "2012-02-27T14:51:37Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Settle out of court so they walk away without the full penalty. Going to court is a crapshoot for both sides. There is no guarantee that the judge would fulfill your desire. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/3 "2012-02-27T15:12:44Z")
Riiiight. Maybe the judge would find them innocent! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![polar\_bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/4 "2012-02-27T15:23:52Z")
Guilty until proven innocent ey, the American way. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/5 "2012-02-27T15:25:28Z")
It’s the plaintiffs themselves who decide this, so it’ hard to work up much outrage. But are you sure this is the one and only legal action that BP has to face? ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/6 "2012-02-27T15:28:46Z")
Why do you think a judge would do a better job of settling civil conflicts over a committee that probably has more time, comprehension, and resources to do the same thing? In short, it’s a civil lawsuit you moron, not a criminal trial. If either side doesn’t agree with the arbitration they have every right to take it to the judge. I pit myself for even trying to give this yahoo a clue. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/7 "2012-02-27T16:37:03Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Riiiight. Maybe the judge would find them innocent! :rolleyes: I don’t think that any realistic person expects BP to get away without paying damages, not even the people who run BP. Nor do I think that any realistic person expects BP to be hung, drawn and quartered. There’s every possibility that the judge would not assign damages as high as you would like them to be. Possibly he’d assign them lower than the plaintiffs wish. Possibly he’d assign them higher than BP might wish. Probably all three. Court is a crapshoot. If the plaintiffs reach a settlement with BP that they are satisfied with, that’s probably a better deal than taking a chance in court. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/8 "2012-02-27T16:42:56Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > But are you sure this is the one and only legal action that BP has to face? This suit is from companies and private individuals that suffered damage from the spill. BP still faces action from the federal and state governments. Also still pending are private suits and governmental actions against other companies associated with the spill, most particularly Transocean. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/9 "2012-02-27T16:47:29Z")
Why all the hate for BP? Corporations _are_ people, my friend. Plus, this says it all: > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by\*\* Frank\*\* > If the plaintiffs reach a settlement with BP that they are satisfied with, that’s probably a better deal than taking a chance in court. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/10 "2012-02-27T16:57:12Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > If the plaintiffs reach a settlement with BP that they are satisfied with, that’s probably a better deal than taking a chance in court. A statement so self-evidently true that only a fool could fail to understand it. I reckon you might be busy trying to explain this to the OP for quite a while. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/11 "2012-02-27T17:02:29Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > the plaintiffs reach a settlement with BP that they are satisfied with, You bastards! Wait, am I supposed to be complaining about BP, the Plaintiffs, or the System that allows Plaintiffs and Ecology Destroying Conglomerates to agree on a settlement? ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/12 "2012-02-27T17:12:59Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Why all the hate for BP? Corporations _are_ people, my friend. That only makes me more likely to hate them 😃 ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/13 "2012-02-27T17:49:09Z")
If they insist on going to trial instead of taking a settlement, it’s certain no one will see a single dime for at least 20 - 30 years. Ya want “_justice_” someday or your damages paid _now_? That’s your choice. CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/14 "2012-02-27T17:51:26Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > I hate everybody. Me too. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/15 "2012-02-27T17:53:15Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > … Nor do I think that any realistic person expects BP to be hung, drawn and quartered. Dude, I got 20 bucks 75:1 odds on that. Doulbe if they are tarred and feathered first. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/16 "2012-02-27T17:56:47Z")
Mediation is always preferable to going to court, unless there are damages involved, and even then, maybe. One never knows how a judge is going to rule, particularly if there are ambiguous elements to the case. Any corporate attorney with a brain would likely push for a settlement, even if he thinks they are in the right. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/17 "2012-02-27T18:27:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Wait, am I supposed to be complaining about BP, the Plaintiffs, or the System that allows Plaintiffs and Ecology Destroying Conglomerates to agree on a settlement? The first and the last. The middle one is just a bunch of people who are used to getting fucked, economically speaking. The first, however, is just buying their way out of a catastrophic ecological and economic failure. It’s more than they want to pay, sure. But that’s only because they’re a completely soulless profit machine who would happily grind the entire Gulf Coast community into a lubricant if doing so would net them a thousandth-of-a-cent-per-gallon profit. The last is, well… “Corporations are just people!” I think that about sums the fucking thing up. In other words, fuck BP forever, and fuck them twice for having the gall to replace their BP stores in the Deep South with Marathon signage and think no one would notice. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/18 "2012-02-27T18:43:30Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > The first, however, is just buying their way out of a catastrophic ecological and economic failure. Yeah! How dare we allow them to pay monetary recompense for an economic failure! It makes no sense, I tell you! ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/19 "2012-02-27T18:47:46Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Yeah! How dare we allow them to pay monetary recompense for an economic failure! It makes no sense, I tell you! I see you glossed over the “ecological” part. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150/20 "2012-02-27T19:19:54Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by\*\* Ogre\*\* > The first, however, is just buying their way out of a catastrophic ecological and economic failure. I’m not sure what you want them to do. They fucked up, they’re paying a price for it. Could the price be higher? Sure. Are they sorry for the fuck up, I’m sure they are. This hasn’t been a fun couple of years to be BP. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-heres-where-the-system-sells-us-out-to-bp/614150.md?page=2)