Boycot BP?

I remember not buying gas from Exxon between the Valdez oil spill and the merger with Mobil. That's a lot of years! It was my way of getting back at them for the damage they caused. Even now, I still avoid Citgo due to its connection with Senor Chavez - you know, the one who called our president el Diablo.

Here is a little something from energy guru Phil Flynn. No doubt you've seen him on Fox Business and CNBC.

"All right so you are mad a BP so why not go out and try to cut into their profits buy not buying their gasoline. Well it sounds good, but the problem is that if you want to get back at BP that is not the way to do it. The truth is BP is not in the retail gas business and the other truth is all you will hurt by boycotting them is the people that have nothing to do with the spill. A BP boycott is an exercise in futility.

People are angry and they want to lash out but a boycott won't hurt BP. The owners of BP gas stations just bought the brand name and are in many cases hard working taxpaying citizens that are basically trying to make a living in a business where profit margins are already thin and rely heavily on the sale of cold drinks, coffee and hot dogs. They too are the victims of BP's errors and are probably even angrier at BP than you are.

Boycotting BP branded service stations to get back at and hurt BP will have about the same impact on BP as if you decided to boycott Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds."