That’s the message of this column by Bob Herbert in the New York Times:

An Unnatural Disaster

By BOB HERBERT
Published: May 28, 2010

Herbert begins thus:

“Where I was wrong,” said President Obama at his press conference on Thursday, “was in my belief that the oil companies had their act together when it came to worst-case scenarios.”

With all due respect to the president, who is a very smart man, how is it possible for anyone with any reasonable awareness of the nonstop carnage that has accompanied the entire history of giant corporations to believe that the oil companies, which are among the most rapacious players on the planet, somehow “had their act together” with regard to worst-case scenarios.

These are not Little Lord Fauntleroys who can be trusted to abide by some fanciful honor system. These are greedy merchant armies drilling blindly at depths a mile and more beneath the seas while at the same time doing all they can to stifle the government oversight that is necessary to protect human lives and preserve the integrity of the environment.

Herbert’s onto the central problem also articulated here by Naomi Klein:

But the New York Times would never suggest a role for real non-corporate people or advise them on ways to get involved.  For that, turn to another excellent article just out from Yes! Magazine:

Real People v. Corporate “People”: The Fight Is On

I recommend reading this one, printing it out, buying the hardcopy, subscribing to the magazine, and spreading the word far and wide.