Maass presents an excellent global perspective on the BP oil spill, highlighting the unnoticed environmental atrocities on the hands of other oil congolomerates and calling for a move away from oil-dependence. This seems a common refrain from those with an interest in seeing an energy independent America sooner rather than later.

But do not forget that a BP boycott has local ramifications as well. Gasoline sales are not by any stretch of the imagination the only thing keeping BP in the black. In fact if you read over these figures, you’ll notice that the company in the last three years has made more in “operating activities” than their net profits. The real strength of a major oil company lies in its capacity to refine, not distribute. Boycotting BP gasoline is in effect boycotting the local businessman or woman who owns the station.