BP Chairman reflects on the issues!
The Chairman of BP Oil ruffled a few feathers when he stepped out into the cold light of day - after his much ballyhooed meeting with the President - and flippantly referred to Americans involved in the gulf crisis as the "little people".
But, Critics applauded BP suits for their decision - announced publicly today - to forego on payments of dividents to their stockholders until the issue of BP claims was resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Many were ecstatic to hear that $20 billion dollars was being set aside in an escrow account - to be managed by an impartial third party - when claim settlements come due.
However, the Chairman's select choice of words put the astute on the alert.
When the BP top dog referred to "proper" claims - and pay-outs on those that were legitimate - that put many on notice that BP wasn't about to rubber-stamp any checks without the individuals jumping a few necessary hurdles first.
The promise to conduct their own independent investigation caused me to sit bolt upright!
Just betcha, that down the road a-ways, BP may end up balking a tad.
After all, the agreement that was pacted today, does not include an allotment of funds to cover unexpected future claims or civil lawsuits filed for recovery of damages that may be launched by injured third parties.
One bone of contention pertains to existing claims - which some grumble in the Gulf region - have been slow to process from the BP end.
Claimants have angrily lamented to all within earshot - that although they have turned in bundles of paperwork ad nauseam in recent weeks - the monies have not been forthcoming.
One lucky man - who received a check yesterday - posed for a BP photo op.
A public relations ploy?
More shocking was an allegation that a man - age 102 - was mailed a check this past week.
The problem with the pay-out on this particular claim?
Apparently, the man is dead.
Was that paperwork processed in error, or were BP officials just anxious to get payments out - to anyone dead or alive - to establish good faith in the eyes of the public?
Meanwhile, it didn't escape the watchful eye of by-standers that when the landmark bull session was over at the White House today, the Prez made a point of issuing his statement to the press at a perch a stone's throw away from the BP gang.
The BP Chairman was forced to address media hounds who descended on his weary body like flies on sh** - on the scorching pavement - a lonely hop-and-a-skip away.
To many, it appeared that the President had deliberately shunned the BP contingent, for some inexplicable reason.
Was Barack Obama left with a bad taste in his mouth during that intriguing hour-or-so of head-butting behind closed doors?
News at 11!
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