Did this horrid US Supreme Court decision enable the BP oil rig disaster?

[Union Yes]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91881285

June 25, 2008

The Supreme Court Wednesday overturned $2.9 billion in punitive damages against Exxon Mobil Corp. for the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill off the coast of Alaska.

The court ruled the punitive damages were excessive under federal maritime law, saying they should not exceed the amount of the $507 million in compensatory damages the company had already been ordered to pay.

Plaintiff Osa Schultz discusses what the ruling means to fisherman with Madeleine Brand.

"It was like getting the rug pulled out from under you, just when you had the room set up," she says

:mad:

[joeybee12]

1. No, but it will enable BP to get out of paying anything close to the amount

of money they should for the damage they caused.

[meegbear]

2. I figured that's why they're "accepting" help from the US to help fix this ...

FREE LABOR

[joeybee12]

4. Yup, then try to write the whole mess off on their taxes...

...oh wait, they don't pay any to begin with!!!!

[Union Yes]

7. In my own opinion, this decision emboldened big oil. nt

[gateley]

3. And who is responsible for not requiring the same safety requirements they

do in other countries?

[Enrique]

5. John Roberts, sticking up for the poor oil companies

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/27/AR2008022703207.html?hpid=topnews

(...)

"So what can a corporation do to protect itself against punitive-damages awards such as this?" Roberts asked in court.

The lawyer arguing for the Alaska fishermen affected by the spill, Jeffrey Fisher, had an idea. "Well," he said, "it can hire fit and competent people."

The rare sound of laughter rippled through the august chamber. The chief justice did not look amused.

(...)

[Union Yes]

6. John Roberts stuck it to the environment.

Thanks for adding that link!