An excellently constructed article which uses links and quotes to make its basic point: that BP and the government blocked access, diverted attention, and minimized reporting of the actual damage and consequent long-term effects. Obviously–like the aftermath of the Bush administration atrocities–no arrests shall be made. No one shall be held accountable. No one shall have to answer for the results of doing everything on the cheap. No one shall have to respond why government is now of and for big business and special interests. No one shall have to shoulder responsibility. No one shall have to justify why democracy is being replaced by fiscal fascism. Life and government continue on their distorted ways as if nothing ... More »

This piece does exactly what an 'opinion' piece should do. It digs beneath the mere facts, to ask basic questions about causation, policy, society. She then pursues those questions logically and factually. Using two environmentally similar disasters (both toxic spills affecting water commons) she then compares different judicial & political responses based on different national legal & political structures. This gives her a chance to ask the question: which is better? Which is a question of immense societal significance. To give background on environmental & health impacts, she brings in experts with a good track record -- both in terms of accuracy of data & independent advocacy for public welfare.

The author of this article shows her opinion a lot in this piece, using the word I in her writing. Because it shows so much of her opinion I can only conclude that this piece is probably very slanted towards her views. She backs up her opinion with lots of facts and quotes and sheds little light on the opposing sides argument. I think the fact that it is more of an opinion piece makes this article a little less credible.

Beth is a poet here and in life. I like her vivid, concrete language ("marshlands and wildlife coated in crude oil") mixed with more abstract facts (for example, the information on the Obama Administration's backtracking). She showed the same virtues in the mountaintop removal piece she also wrote for the Guardian. Above all, I like the importance of the issues she raises--we should hold corporate malefactors criminally responsible. Beth's use of the Hungarian example strengthens her case (even though the judge dismissed the demands that a specific executive be linked to the red sludge spill). It drew me nicely into the article. This is an opinion essay without the need for full balance. Just the same, I would have ... More »