I promise this is the last time.

So beginith the rant:

Back on my BP rant. You know about that oil spill that is in the gulf. The same oil spill that isn't washing up on the beaches of North West Florida. I just want to share a conversation I overheard between two people.
Business owner 1 will be called "Lady". Business owner 2 will be called "Man".
Here we go.

Lady, "Hey, we are really slow this week."
Man, "Wow, even though its Memorial Day Weekend?"
Lady, "Yes, we are down 30% from last years numbers."
Man, "Wow, that's tough. We are kind of slow too."
Lady, "Yeah. Well we went to the BP claims adjuster and filed our claim for reimbursement."
Man, "Seriously? Reimbursement? But there is no oil."
Lady, "But BP set up an office for anyone who is suffering business loss due to the oil spill."
Man, "Really. How much can you get?"
Lady, "Don't know we just filed our claim and go back in a few days to see, but we know someone who walked out with a $5,000 check."
Man, "Wow! Really?"
Lady, "Yeah, Really."
(A quick side note "man" has not to my knowledge gone to BP to file a claim.)

I know British Petroleum kinda screwed the pooch on this oil spill. And from everything I've read they are bending over backwards to help those people out who need it. And I appreciate the fact that they even set up a claims office in our area. But they shouldn't need to open it seeing how there is no oil here.
But the people who are riled up about losing business didn't lose it because of oil, nope they lost it because people think there is oil here. One should ask the question, "Why would people be under the impression that there is oil on beaches when there isn't?" Probably because the media keeps playing this story up with no solid facts. The more sensational the more extreme the better. The graphs the maps are not accurate they are "expert projections", and by projections we really mean worse case scenarios from jack holes who barely know what the heck they're talking about.
So, now BP is having to spend money to reimburse people who don't have oil on their beaches because the oil spill has scared people away from the clean beaches too. And in our world's twisted view that is BP's fault.

Will someone please restore my hope in humanity?

I would love for a business owner to bypass the BP claim and file one against a major media outlet for scaring off business. Make CNN, FOX, MSNBC, CBS or ABC write you a check. Hold them accountable. I hate when people throw around lawsuits for the sake of lawsuits but this one seems kind of legit.
If you don't have crude sticking to your feet then BP shouldn't have to pay you.
As for the "Lady" in the conversation above her lack of numbers could be attributed to a million different things. Seeing how she ran a specialty shot that appeals to a very, VERY small demographic. A demographic that may not have happened to vacation at the same time same place this year, but that's BP's fault as well. (another side note her business is located in a resort that at the time was at 98% occupancy, which is pretty dang full of people)

For some reason we (by we I mean our culture) have demonized oil companies and have no problem talking pot shot at them. Surely its not because of the product that we all use and need to survive. I mean do you hate farmers? They make money off your food? But it's not really just big oil under the hate umbrella its all big business, kinda. It's like as a culture we hate that people are making money, and employing people, and producing products. But the issue I have is this hate is selective only Health insurance providers, lenders and traders, and oil companies are evil all other giant businesses get a pass. Why? The giant media and tech companies (Google) make billions and rip people off all the time? Why aren't they evil? Why aren't they being attacked by the media?
Wait... Because they pay the salaries of the media "reporters" (yes I used parenthesis on purpose I don't see anyone on TV as reporters anymore). So wouldn't that be the same as smear campaign? Aren't there laws or something about one company tearing down another company for profit?

So endith the rant: