"The one argument i do not get is this idea that this is not BP's fault its the governments for not regulating them properly, this is just plainly ridiculous.

If BP were not at fault then if we transferred that idea over to people instead of companies, would we accept the defence of "its not my fault, its there fault because they didn't stop me from doing it" no i think not !"

BP took advantage of the system. Arguing that they influenced the system means that the Government allowed it. If they broke a law they should be punished, just like you and me. But do you really think that the bought / paid for government will allow this to go to far up the food chain? Some mid-level manager is going to fall on the sword, regardless of how much further up it went.

I am not a big fan of government regulation, up until "Catastrophic" failure. I guess it was the banks fault that they were too big to fail?

I do not hold blameless these large corporations, but what is the common denominator?