Don't Blame BP Gas Station Owners....

Independent Small Business people who happen to own BP Franchises and sell Amoco brand Gasoline & Diesel fuel should not be the target of boycotts, protests, or violence. Tonight I spot to a client and friend who owns a local BP Station. His business has dropped terribly since the accident in the Gulf of Mexico that destroyed the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig that was controlled by BP. He went on a trip to his native Lebanon and on the night he returned he found his bullet proof glass shattered by a gunshot. Fortunately no one was injured. BP will not pay to replace his window. He has suffered at the hands of people who do not understand that he does not work for BP.

Hardly anyone in the media bothers to remind people that purchasing BP Products from local independent business people is not the way to express discontent with the company BP. Many politicians including the President himself fail to do the same. All who do not repeat this message are complicit. All who fail to remind us that small business owners are not to blame risk repercussions at the polls when Americans finally wake up.

Boycotting BP Stations because of the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico makes as much sense as boycotting The Home Depot or Lowes because the lumber in houses blown down by a hurricane or tornado, or washed away in flooding did not stand up to mother nature.

BP is the responsible party. BP has accepted responsibility and has agreed to clean up the damage and compensate all legitimately damaged parties. BP will make it right, so said their chairman. Small business owners that happen to market BP Products are not responsible and are not liable for any damages to anyone because of their actions with respect to what happened 57 days ago.

Support your local businesses and continue to trade with your local BP dealer if you have been buying BP Products in the past. Do not let anger whipped up by those who know not of which they speak push you into changing your loyalties. Be an independent thinker and a thoughtful person. Wake up!!!