Human Nature vs. Mother Nature...and the Winner is?

Why are we surprised at the behavior of industry executives at the Senate hearings into the BP oil spill in the Gulf?

They are just being human. I don't know anybody who doesn't try to deflect responsibility when accused of wrongdoing.

We start early, us humans. "I didn't do it!" "It's not my fault!" "He did it!"

Who hasn't said those words at least once during their lives...or more than once?

We see it all of the time. In sports, in Hollywood, in politics...at home.

It's always someone else's fault.

And the amazing thing is that it never, ever works. It seems that when someone is caught with their hand in the cookie jar they knee-jerk a response. Their first act is to deny. They defer the reponsibility, regardless. And they always get into more trouble because of the denials than if they had accepted responsibility in the first place.

Now, to be fair, sometimes, you really didn't do "it."

But usually, you did. Why else would you be accused? Somehow, you're involved.

In the case of BP, the buck stops with them. While it might be interesting to determine what, in fact, really happened, it is irrelevant. BP is responsible because it is their gig.

They are all too happy to take the credit for discovering the oil or bringing it to market or reaping wonderful, if not obscene, profits for their shareholders.

But where are they on the other side of the coin? It was Transocean...it was Halliburton...not us...never us.

Well maybe it was all three of you. Maybe you all contributed to the mess. And let's not forget the government. Let's not forget the Interior Department and the "regulators." They are just as much a part of the story as the oil industry. Maybe more importantly so.

It would be refreshing to hear someone take responsibility for something. To hear the words, "I did it...it was me...I'm sorry."

Don't hold your breath. It's not in our nature.

Our nature is covered with slime...both human nature and...unfortunately Mother Nature.

And by the way...since oil and water don't mix why can't they just pump the Gulf through some filters and salvage the oil...?

Not a bad idea...but don't hold your breath there either. Our "leaders", whether in commerce or government, seem to be out of ideas.

Let's just all take a holiday to Greece. I hear the rates are pretty good. But just don't forget your gas mask...it can double when you go snorkelling...which you should hurry up and do before the oil slick gets to the Aegean...

And it that case, definitely hold your breath...lungs and water don't mix either.

Toodle oooooo...!