BP deserves praise

I think it is time for someone somewhere to write of the positives attributable to British Petroleum, in regard to the Gulf oil spill. BP has been excoriated, only. Certainly, BP was at fault in causing the spill but has subsequently been a class act. From the beginning, the chief executive officer said publicly and upfront that BP would pay for damage and cleanup. The company has been true to the CEO's pledge.

BP's rapid and extensive response limited coastline and fisheries damage, which could have been a lot worse. BP's repeated efforts to plug the gushing well, successful after about 100 days, was something only a top-flight oil company could do.

On the other hand, the government had near zero capacity to do anything but monitor the effort, and in some ways actually impeded progress. President Barack Obama, with his boot on BP's neck (his words), acts like he has done something, though he was helpless and fully dependent on BP. Obama now declares the oil is about gone, and the beaches and swimming are mostly in fine condition. In this, he appears correct.

BP has shown itself to be the kind of company the public can depend upon to try to right the problems caused by its mistakes. In my opinion, BP has proved to be a "solid citizen" member of the community.

David S. Hullinger

Springville