Deepwater Horizon: The Lies & Bribes That Keep Big Oil Flowing
Apr 23, 2021
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Greg Palast, an investigative reporter known for his hard-hitting work across prominent media platforms, dives into the sordid details behind the Deepwater Horizon disaster. He exposes a web of corruption and deception between BP and government officials, revealing how their unethical practices led to environmental devastation. Palast uncovers the company's expedited cement drying methods, significant cover-ups, and the alarming influence of corporate interests that threaten democracy and voting rights, particularly in marginalized communities affected by such disasters.
The Deepwater Horizon disaster exemplifies the lethal combination of corporate negligence and political corruption that undermines environmental safety.
Bribery by BP in Azerbaijan and collusion with U.S. officials demonstrate how corporate interests can diminish democratic processes and public accountability.
Deep dives
The Deepwater Horizon Blowout and Its Preceding Incident
The Deepwater Horizon disaster, which claimed the lives of 11 men, was preceded by a similar incident involving a BP oil rig in the Caspian Sea. A BP executive witnessed a blowout on this rig back in 2010, which was purportedly covered up by BP and other oil companies to protect their interests. This earlier incident highlighted the dangerous practices and lack of safety protocols that BP would continue to employ, particularly their use of quick-dry cement, which was known to be risky. The refusal to acknowledge past failures and the desire to expedite drilling without proper safety measures significantly contributed to the tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico.
Corruption and Bribery in the Oil Industry
The podcast discusses the extensive bribery and corruption that facilitated BP's operations in Azerbaijan and influenced U.S. politics. BP allegedly bribed Azerbaijani officials to maintain favorable conditions for oil extraction, effectively sidelining democratic processes. In the U.S., connections between BP and government officials resulted in a cover-up regarding safety violations and prior blowouts, allowing dangerous drilling practices to continue unchallenged. This interplay between corporate interests and government oversight underscores the systemic issues that compromise both political integrity and public safety.
Impact on Communities and Political System
The aftermath of the BP oil spill was devastating for local communities in the Gulf, particularly for the African American fishing communities that lost their livelihoods. The failure to hold BP accountable allowed the company to prioritize profits over environmental and social responsibility, leading to long-lasting damage. Additionally, the interplay of disempowerment and disenfranchisement is highlighted, as the erosion of community rights to vote allowed corrupt practices to flourish in favor of corporate interests. This suppression of the vote not only jeopardizes environmental justice but also restricts the ability of affected communities to advocate for their rights.
The poisoning of the environment can only happen because of the poisoning of politics.
Learn more: https://www.gregpalast.com/deepwater-horizon-corporate-homicide/
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