ok. this is NOT POLITICAL and I DO NOT WANT to get political.

I was having a conversation with DS and neither of us knew the answer so I am hoping someone here with more knowledge than me can answer.

If/when BP has to pay for damages, where does the money go? Into the federal coffers? Fines, etc?

BP is not a person so who gets indicted when talking about negligence?

I told DS I would get back to him on this so any help is appreciated.

Good Question...I have no Idea, but I imagine it goes to the States hurt the worst first. Well, actually, it will go into the Fed coffers and then to the States and other hurt peeps, after a certain amount of lengthy begging..

They have paid out some already, I remember hearing about it on the news -

[BP has said consistently that it will pay legitimate claims for loss and damage caused by the spill. BP remains fully committed to responding to and paying claims promptly. To date, more than 26,000 claims already have been submitted, resulting in payments exceeding $36 million. ]
http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?...tentId=7062448

Money goes to Feds and is dispersed to states.

Money also goes to individuals and businesses who have been impacted.

On a side note, according to the Supreme Court, businesses have to be treated as individuals (recall the issue about corporations funding political adds). THEREFORE, since corporations are treated as individuals, it follows that laws designed for indivuals apply to corporations.

BP has been convicted of two major violations prior to Deep Water Horizon. With this spill, if BP is convicted, then that would be three convictions...and we all know about the "Three Strikes" law....

Now it is back into my cave until I feel better.

Hugs to all!

-Vic

That's my understanding as well, Vic.

I'm glad this thread is here, Cyn, I just came by to start one to let everyone see this interactive map. It lets you stick the massive oil spill onto a map of your region.

If you weren't disgusted by this before, this will surely do the trick:

http://www.ifitwasmyhome.com/

Cyn - That is a good question. Last night I was watching one of the news shows on PBS. They were talking to some of the fishermen and one of them said he has only received 1 payment so far ($5,000 ??? - DBF kept coming in and interrupting me watching the show.). He was saying that was not enough to support him and his family. I didn't even think of how he was getting money so I am glad you posted this thread and for the responses everyone has given.

Good question. From what I can gather and from friends who live down there and rely on their livelyhood in the gulf, BP as a whole will be responsible. However, and for the life of me I cannot remember, there is one guy in particular that will be held responsible for ignoring the impact of the oil spill. If I find that story I'll post it here.

My questions are, why isn't there shut off valves in place throughout? I mean it only makes sense but I guess logic doesn't apply.

And who in the heck decided not to check the batteries on the remote shutoff monthly, as required? Whoever that is is going to be in a mess real soon.

How to Plug the Oil Spill..

I heard on a show that BP, Halliburton and the other company were attempting to have any court stuff done in Houston and by a judge that gets invited to lecture at a lot of oil company shindigs.
This is a really bad situation...

It's in the local news here daily. They quoted a top level BP executive as saying "we weren't completely prepared for this situation." Ummm....ya think????? I know it probably won't help but I'm not buying any gasoline from BP anymore.