Pelosi wants BP dividends halted...UK says not so fast

I knows there's a world court, but I don't know what kind of authority they have, if any. Hasn't BP said they'll pay every legitimate claim? If they follow through with this payment claim, I can't imagine that the shareholders will be getting much in the way of dividend payments anyway, especially when you take into consider the added cost of plugging the hole and the cleanup. Does it really matter what Nancy Pelosi says or wants? What authority does she have in any of this? I don't know the answer to this, but when one of our chemical plant stationed in India blew up some years back (correct me if I've got my story wrong), did any of the shareholders forfeit their dividends?

Simple. Seize their assets to pay for the damages. They have not told the truth, and they have made haphazard attempts to seal the leaks. And they have under estimated everything. As a result, they have over estimated the number of assets they are entitled to. Screw them and the BP share holders too.

No our government has no standing other than to refuse to allow BP to continue drilling here. Pelosi should probably keep her nose out of it.

I think that is where the human greed and disregard for the environment is very evident. On the one hand we have a massive spill and the impact of it on the environment. While on the other hand, BP is planning dividends to it's investors. I think sanctions should be made on BP to first pay out the damage claims irrespective of the fact whether they pay the dividends or not. If BP is not an american company, America can still ban it from operating in US, which would be an adequate slap as US is one of the biggest market for BP!! Cheers! Ram

Frankly, Pelosi can blow all the hot air she wants but there really isn't anything she or Congress can do about stopping the company from paying out dividends. They don't fall under Congress' control and I think that little fact is what is making her mad, not the feigned outrage over the oil spill.

Hi lilwonders, everyone, I haven't been here in a while but when I do come to Mylot I always find something I can't resist. First, I don't believe the US can do much more than request BP not pay dividends but let me address the real reason BP is even considering dividends. It is my firm belief that no real true effort has been made to stop the flow of oil from this well by either side. Brash statement? Consider this: BP has been waiting for the enevitable "take-over" by the US who always believes they can do it quicker and better (which we can of course). The problem they have is that this administration doesn't want to take this over and get it stopped very soon at all. The reason? It plays right into the talking points of their agenda to stop fossil fuel exploration in the gulf or any US coastline. If that weren't the case this would have been a done deal already, period. My opinion, take it for what it's worth.

It is really sad, but America can really do nothing but blow hot air. All those people screaming that Obama should "do something have no idea that he can do nothing. Bobby Jindal tries to look like superman, and screams about building a wall to (waste money) stop the oil, and he really can do nothing. BP could turnaround and walk out tomorrow - America can do nothing. Voodoo may work - and I would get all those wonderful juju people from New Orleans out there to give those BP execs a little awakening.

BP should be held 100% responsible and 100% liable for the oil spill. They're a foreign company operating here, thus having an effect on us, and thus having to act responsible. Whatever else they do with their shareholders and the like is their business and Pelosi should put away her Mao shrine and stop foaming at the mouth. This disaster isn't an opportunity for politicians like Pelosi so seize the day by doing what they really want to do in seizing corporate power and making it government power. BP shouldn't have to consult the US on anything other than the matter at hand. What's next? Pelosi and company are going to go nuts over bonuses BP is paying out and unions will start picketing their homes and scaring their children?

BP is an international company with 30% of it's work force American and 40% of it's holdings in the US. They also have many American retirement accounts invested with them so this England Versus The US politico hoopla is a little silly. They are based out of England and pay taxes in England but have most of their investments else where. Nancy was not the one who started this conversation but law makers have been pressuring her to do this. Mostly, from the southern states that are concerned with getting their money back. The company has anounced that it will not pay dividends this term and has agreed to set up a trust for payments.