Initials here please

Remember when BP was British Petroleum? The name change occured in 2000, and we were encouraged to think of the acronym as standing for "better people, better products, beyond petroleum."

It's just that pesky petroleum problems kept popping up. BP can't seem to get beyond petroleum!

• 2005...Texas Refinery Explosion, 15 deaths, over 170 injuries.
• 2006 to 2009...Prudhoe Bay toxic spills and leaks, several over this period due primarily to poor maintenance of pipes (often as a result of cost-cutting measures).
• 2010: Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion and oil spill, 11 people missing and presumed dead. 

Today, it looks like the top executives of BP are unsure as to whether the real problem is an uncontrolled oil spill or uncontrolled damage to BP's reputation.

The NY Times reported that BP CEO Tony Hayward asked his work buddies, "What the hell did we do to deserve this?" Stock prices have fallen by some 8%, which is a real bummer for Mr. Hayward. He has come up with a great strategy, though. He is blaming the company that owns and operates the oil rig, Transocean. BP is just a renter, it turns out. So, like typical renters who--oops!--broke the toilet or tried to flush a few too many foreign objects down the drain, BP is now blaming the landlord for the fact that there is one hell of a plumbing mess working its way toward Louisiana and Mississippi.

Let me just say that I do understand Mr. Hayward and BP's strategy. Who hasn't tried to deflect attention from one's darker side by a slight of hand, a little redirection of attention? So, if a simple name change and a cute new logo with a pretty flower could help bring a brighter day to the minds of investors and potential investors, then why not try it?

Accordingly, in an effort to erase any memories you may have of my past transgressions, you may all start referring to me simply as JS, which might bring to mind...
jello savvy, jolly sweetheart, joyful searching...  you get the picture!