President Obama should punch BP Oil's Tony Hayward in the nose

Tony Hayward

First, let's get this out of the way: British Petroleum CEO Tony Hayward does not reflect the Oil Industry and it's many CEO's, executives, and workers. The vast majority of people in the industry really do care about the areas they impact, and many good efforts are clouded by the actions of shady lawyers and non-government organizations looking to make a buck off of them.

BP's corporate reaction to what is called "The BP Gulf Oil Spill" is an embarrassment to the Oil Industry, where many CEOs know that the buck stops with them and aren't afraid to say so.

Watching Tony Hayward testify before Congress this week and try to avoid personal responsibility for what BP did was so frustrating, that the best thing to happen would have been for President Obama himself to walk into that chamber and punch Tony Hayward in the nose. Listen to Tony Hayward here:



This space does not normally advocate violence, but in this case, Obama could do it live on television and because he's President, get away with it.

Such an action would not only make Hayward understand the damage his firm caused, but make him personally feel it, which is the whole point of Obama's punch. Tony Hayward does not seem to really care about what's happened to life along the Gulf of Mexico, especially for people in Louisiana and Florida.

It's no wonder organizations like Chevron have worked to distance themselves from Hayward. CEO's never avoid responsibility for what happens on their watch. Moreover, BP's Hayward is an unwelcome presence at a time when the Oil Industry is working to meet population demands and technological and political change Worldwide. The Oil Industry can't afford Tony Hayward and neither can President Barack Obama.

President Obama was elected in part for his cool, unflappable nature. But in this case, and for the most part because of the smug Hayward, Americans want to see the President express anger when it's appropriate; you can't fake it. It has to be there, or it's just an act.

Ali tells Liston who's boss

One place where Obama's anger should have reached fever pitch was when Hayward was in that Congressional hearing.

Imagine President Obama walking into the room without warning, strolling up to the table where Hayward was seated, going up next to him, and saying "Will you just shut up!", cold cocking him in the nose, then saying "take responsibility for this crap, will ya!?"

Then Obama would stand there, talking down to Hayward, like Muhammad Ali did after he clocked Sonny Liston. "The punch" would guarantee Obama's second term.

Oh well, one can dream. Hayward's relieved from public speaking, so his nose is saved for now.