re: #3 Charles

It is a very large international company, and even if Congress somehow can find a way to make BP pay more than $75 million to cover the costs, in the end everyone needs oil, and there are only 5 major private oil companies in the world (with lots of smaller players.)

Chevron is in its own political battles in South America (due to its purchase of Texaco in part).

It will be interesting to watch how this plays out in the political arena, but for sure the Drill Here Drill Now folk look pretty well compromised.