What about the "other" losses

[SHRED]

The loss of property value.
The loss of business.
The future health related costs.

Of course no one can put a price on the loss of marine life but the other losses like I have listed seem impossible to calculate due to the enormity.
This drilling disaster seems incalculable to me.

I can only imagine the desperation people living on the coast in that region feel.
They can't sell so I guess they just have to leave.
What are their choices to escape the toxic sludge?
:shrug:

[lunatica]

1. That's what Obama has gotten 20 Billion dollars from BP for

We will find out about all those unintended consequences in their time. Right now the money is being used for compensation to those who have lost their livelihoods now. But they're just the first domino going down. Their demise can bring many others down. We will be paying the consequences for a very long time because it's the foundation of the area's commerce that is being destroyed. Without the foundation it all erodes away.

[Scuba]

2. So he got what? 0.02% (assumes a trillion in damages, not an unreasonable assumption)

Nationalization. Short of that, receivership.

[lunatica]

5. Even with nationalization who stops the BP Oil Gusher?

This thing may not respond to money being thrown at it. It may defy every scientific and engineering attempt to control it. Just like volcanoes, earthquakes, and the movement of plate tectonics.

[Scuba]

6. I'm beginning to understand.......

...that the gusher cannot be stopped, and that BP has know this from the beginning, and the MY GOVERNMENT has been keeping this from me as well. They're probably afraid we'll stop consuming.

[panader0]

3. Even for folks now living in the immediate disaster area

there will be costs. Prices will go up across the board. Food and fuel to start with, more down the road. I'm sure BP will not pay those costs.

[stray cat]

4. Nobody got their pensions and saving back when the market dropped

No guarantees just like their are few permenant jobs