letter to the editor...

Gentlemen,

 

The Sun Herald issue of Sunday, April 3, printed a Page 20A full-page ad for BP.  We are particularly concerned over the conflicts with truth.  One line says, "We've committed $20 billion to an independent fund to pay for environmental restoration and all legitimate claims, including lost incomes."  The truth is that the fund has been ruled NOT independent by a Federal judge.  Kenneth Feinberg, BP's agent, has been quoted by the Sun Herald as saying that $10 billion should cover all the claims, and that there is nothing wrong with returning the remainder to BP.  Our thought is that, if BP wants the positive public relations of $20 billion, then they should instruct their agent to disseminate the entire amount.  If their agent wants to pay only $10 billion, then it is certainly unethical for BP to crow over $20 billion.  Regarding lost incomes, there have been over 19,000 Interim and Full Review Claims filed in Mississippi since November 24.  Only 847 have been paid.  To paraphrase President Reagan, "Mr Feinberg, pay those claims!".