First, please don’t get me wrong. I am not condoning the actions or reactions by BP regarding the Deepwater Horizon spill. But. With that said. Boycotting BP gas stations is putting the blame and negativity on the wrong people.

For one thing, BP doesn’t own any of the stations. The company left the retail gasoline business in 2008, reportedly because margins were lousy. The 11,500 U.S. gas stations that carry its logo are all owned by independent franchises.

These independent owners are local businesspeople that provide local jobs and contribute to the local economy.

These small business owners aren’t the people responsible for the massive oil spill in the Gulf. In fact, many have been quote in local and national news saying they’re just as upset over the barrels of oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico as the rest of us. However, they are contractually obligated to BP and could not change that unless they were forced out of business.

For more info: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/your-money/12money.html