# Brits tell US to lay off the oil spill rhetoric **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 11, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726 "2010-06-11T00:58:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/81 "2010-06-11T15:53:16Z")
So, to make a parallel argument, if I say “Kentucky Fried Chicken makes a product that will clog your arteries,” I’m slamming the good people of Kentucky because the corporation is now known by the soulless acronym KFC? I’m sorry. I’ve been saying “British Petroleum” because that’s how I first learned of the company, and the rebranding campaign was, I think, fairly minimal in North America. “Beepee” also sounds like a euphemism for a child’s bowel movement, not a global organization capable of solving environmental catastrophes. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/82 "2010-06-11T16:04:50Z")
> [@Camus](#): > > Obama does not seem to be particularly enamored with Britain or the rest of Europe like recent presidents, but to call him anti-British is preposterous and just plain stupid. Umm.. no. OTTOMH, he has referred to alleged British torture of his African grandfather in his autobiography. He snubbed Gordon Brown. He returned a bust of Churchill (who, let us remember, had an American mother). It seems pretty clear that he at least dislikes Britain. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/83 "2010-06-11T16:13:22Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > “Beepee” also sounds like a euphemism for a child’s bowel movement, not a global organization capable of solving environmental catastrophes. So far this is the most compelling argument for sticking with BP. > [@Quartz](#): > > Umm.. no. OTTOMH, he has referred to alleged British torture of his African grandfather in his autobiography. He snubbed Gordon Brown. He returned a bust of Churchill (who, let us remember, had an American mother). It seems pretty clear that he at least dislikes Britain. Is this what Britain’s been reduced to? Whining that the president didn’t get the prime minister a nice enough present when he visited? What ever happened to the stiff upper lip? If I remember correctly the “snub” of Brown was that he didn’t get him a nice enough gift. He gave him some DVDs (which was kind of lame) while Brown’s people put more thought into their gift. He didn’t give back the bust of Churchill because he hates Churchill, he did it because he was putting a bust of Lincoln in the office instead. And the bust was a _loan_ to the U.S. anyway - hence _returned_. It’s not like he threw it in the garbage, he gave it back to the people who lent it to the White House. This is rather sad. I’ve seen no evidence that Obama hates Britain, and more importantly this BP thing is not a nationalistic issue. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/84 "2010-06-11T16:21:49Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Umm.. no. OTTOMH, he has referred to alleged British torture of his African grandfather in his autobiography. He snubbed Gordon Brown. He returned a bust of Churchill (who, let us remember, had an American mother). It seems pretty clear that he at least dislikes Britain. Pull your bloody socks up. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Poster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Happy\_Poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Poster)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/85 "2010-06-11T16:23:04Z")
I’m one crazzzyzyzy cunt motherfukacers I’m taking a chinese persongt from my work out to hakkasan, which is a good chines. we get there at 6pm. I’m going under assumed nme “Dave Baker”. you can maybe find me there. It’s bloody good. Then later on I sez stuff. Currently hanging aruond work wasting time as hakkasan is about 20 mins away and wasting time 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/86 "2010-06-11T16:25:04Z")
You should _never_ drink the bong water. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/87 "2010-06-11T16:25:52Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Bullshit. The “Beyond Petroleum” campaign dates to at least 2001, four years before the Texas refinery explosion. Thanks for the information. Indeed, **Beyond Petroleum** was a response to bad publicity that began much earlier. Because [BP’s cavalier handling](http://www.propublica.org/feature/years-of-internal-bp-probes-warned-that-neglect-could-lead-to-accidents) of safety issues had been noted at least that far back. > [@](#): > > A series of internal investigations over the past decade warned senior BP managers that the company repeatedly disregarded safety and environmental rules and risked a serious accident if it did not change its ways. I only started yelling at those smugly idiotic TV spots after the Texas City disaster brought BP to _my_ attention. Thanks for inspiring me to look up the really thorough report I linked above. More information [here](http://www.ec2.newsweek.com/2010/06/08/new-report-reveals-bp-s-long-history-of-safety-problems.html): > [@](#): > > NEWSWEEK’s Michael Isikoff and Michael Hirsh reported last month that Environmental Protection Agency investigators had wanted to charge top corporate officers who, “they were convinced, had knowledge of the safety deficiencies at Texas City and failed to take corrective action.” That request was turned down by the Bush Justice Department—part of a pattern of lax oversight. As the NEWSWEEK report noted, BP has spent tens of millions on lobbying while it fends off accusations about poor safety practices. Now BP’s carelessness is taking money from Brits. To avoid nasty questions at home, they’ve started this campaign blaming the Big Bad Americans for saying bad things about Britain. Except that BP is really a Big Bad Multinational Corporation–unless it wants to deflect some blame. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/88 "2010-06-11T16:34:26Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Thanks for the information. Indeed, **Beyond Petroleum** was a response to bad publicity that began much earlier. Because [BP’s cavalier handling](http://www.propublica.org/feature/years-of-internal-bp-probes-warned-that-neglect-could-lead-to-accidents) of safety issues had been noted at least that far back. No problemo. Now that we’ve got that settled, please continue all hateful bashing of those loathsome fuckers at BP. If we work together, we can trigger my limit order before the markets close for the weekend! ---
**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:** [June 11, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/89 "2010-06-11T17:30:03Z")
> [@tagos](#): > > Cite. Just so we can see who ‘these people’ are. It was on the network news. They showed the mayor of London, for one, accusing the US of anti-British sentiments, when in fact the anger and frustration is clearly directed at BP. I don’t believe that Obama has genuine animosity toward our biggest ally and economic partner, nor do I believe the accusations of his using this for political gain. I do, however, believe that the accusations directed at him by British officials are definitely for political gain. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2010, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/90 "2010-06-11T17:31:55Z")
> [@Happy\_Poster](#): > > I’m one crazzzyzyzy cunt motherfukacers > > I’m taking a chinese persongt from my work out to hakkasan, which is a good chines. we get there at 6pm. I’m going under assumed nme “Dave Baker”. you can maybe find me there. It’s bloody good. > > Then later on I sez stuff. Currently hanging aruond work wasting time as hakkasan is about 20 mins away and wasting time 🙂 We look forward to your latest drunken and meaningless slurring. They have programs for social miscreants, you know. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/91 "2010-06-11T17:33:32Z")
It’s worth noting that Boris Johnson actually endorsed Barack Obama (and in so doing caused something of a kerfuffle) during the Presidential campaign. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/92 "2010-06-11T17:39:55Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > In the light of this negative association with my country, I suggest the US renames various things: > > Freedom Muffins > Freedom Whiskey > To “freedom” on a deal > Freedom measures > And y’all need to start speaking Freedomish Sorry, the there is only Scotch Whiskey and Irish Whisky from the Freedom Isles. And we already speak American. Frankly, since the OP has no sense of humor about this at all, and neither to the British, the blame does belong solely with the corporation and the American government and the American people. And the Australians from kicking out Rupert Murdoch the propagandist. The Canadians understand that we are pretty much harmless to white people everywhere who speak a dialect of English (ha! Quebecois!). It really is our fault for not regulating these turds. That said, screw the shareholders as far as their limited interest. They took a risk that was limited to their investment. If they had wanted to reduce that risk, perhaps they could have insisted on safety instead of profits. As far as pensions being shareholders, well same difference. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/93 "2010-06-11T19:09:50Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > The disaster has fuck all to do with Britain. Except that the ultimate decisions regarding BP’s response will come from BP HQ which is where, again? Someone remind me? > [@Diceman](#): > > It took him almost two months to meet with the families of the guys killed in the explosion. Remember them? Do you have any evidence that the delay was caused by the White House and not due to the fact that the families may have wanted to do things like bury their loved ones and spend some time mourning privately and putting affairs in order? > [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Meanwhile, I’d love nothing more than the government sending any lax regulators/overseers/etc. from the MMS, Halliburton, Transocean, and BP down there to pick up tar balls off the beach and wash off [del]shrimp and fish[/del] (oh wait that won’t work) shorebirds with dishwashing liquid. Apparently birds that have been cleaned are still only living about a week afterward, and biologists are now recommending that any significantly oily birds should now simply be euthanized upon capture. It would be a killer bit of media if the heads of these companies were required to be filmed, snapping the necks of some majestic cranes or squawking pelicans, getting their hands dirty doing the most horrific part of “rectifying” what they’ve created. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/94 "2010-06-11T20:05:20Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Uh, no. Their subcontractors have responsibility for their own work. If BP contracted Halliburton and TransOcean to perform work which was _inherently_ unsafe, you might have a point. > > This is much like the Ford/Firestone tread separation controvery - except that at least Firestone also got sued for that. BOTH companies were named in those lawsuits. Yes, the subcontractors have responsibility for their own work. If BP tells Halliburton or TransOcean to cut corners, they have a moral and legal obligation to refuse. BP also has a a moral and legal obligation to make sure that their subcontractors don’t cut corners and follow contracted specifications. > [@Capt. Ridley's Shooting Party](#): > > The disaster has fuck all to do with Britain. The only thing this disaster has to do with Britain is that BP happens to be a British company and a lot of Brits have a lot to lose if their pensions tank because they are heavily invested in BP stocks. British politicians are feeling the pressure so they are looking to point fingers. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/95 "2010-06-11T20:12:25Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > The only thing this disaster has to do with Britain is that BP happens to be a British company and a lot of Brits have a lot to lose if their pensions tank because they are heavily invested in BP stocks. British politicians are feeling the pressure so they are looking to point fingers. Americans own a larger portion of BP common stock than Britons. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/96 "2010-06-11T20:33:06Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Sorry, the there is only Scotch Whiskey and Irish Whisky from the Freedom Isles. Scotch is British. Irish not so much. I should have spelled it ‘whisky’. The rest of your post I concur with. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/97 "2010-06-11T20:37:21Z")
> [@C3](#): > > That editorial is right on. The only people I’ve seen making this a US vs UK issue are British. It’s obvious that this is some sort of issue being whipped up in your press or among your politicians. It doesn’t exist here. The fury is at BP. > > It’s also interesting how you all are equating badmouthing of BP with badmouthing of the UK, then in the next breath, telling us how BP isn’t a British company. Exactly - my boyfriend just said yesterday that it’s surprising that nobody’s really talking about the fact that BP’s a bunch of furriners, and then I come on here and all the Brits are all het up about “British Petroleum”. Your own media are not your friends here, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/98 "2010-06-11T20:41:05Z")
It’s all my fault. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/99 "2010-06-11T20:56:27Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > “Beepee” also sounds like a euphemism for a child’s bowel movement, not a global organization capable of solving environmental catastrophes. To be fair, BP clearly is not a global organization capable of solving environmental catastrophes, so there is that. Perhaps the name fits better than you think. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726/100 "2010-06-11T21:26:09Z")
I have to correct myself. Earlier I said: > [@tumbleddown](#): > > Do you have any evidence that the delay was caused by the White House and not due to the fact that the families may have wanted to do things like bury their loved ones and spend some time mourning privately and putting affairs in order? The bodies of the 11 workers have apparently never been found. So scratch “bury their loved ones” and replace it with “appropriately memorialize their loved ones” instead. :mad: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-tell-us-to-lay-off-the-oil-spill-rhetoric/542726.md?page=6)