BP and Accountability

What should ultimately be the consequences of the BP oil catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico?  Certainly, executives should be removed from their positions along with a top-down re-organization of the federal agencies assigned to oversee such high-risk operations.  But, should BP go out of business?

Probably not.  It is not entirely BP's fault for this catastrophe.  They certainly shoulder the financial burden of the aftermath and that will be the focus on any media coverage.  The unfortunate reality is that the environmental impact of the release of this oil into the Gulf of Mexico is probably going to last several years.  Just look at the condition that the Exxon Valdez left Prince William Sound in Alaska.  There's still several tens of thousands of gallons of oil left in the sands and beaches there and it's been there for DECADES (according to the NOAA).

So here are the observations I've made so far from this (many are reinforced from prior beliefs):

1. We are more often interventionists rather than preventionists
2. We are a profit-driven society
3. We are ultimately the victims of our own human nature
4. Speaking out against corporate interest is a gamble that corporations often tip in their favor
5. Sarah Palin can't say "Drill, baby, drill!" anymore