Although BP, formerly known as British Petroleum, is one of the largest suppliers of gasoline worldwide, its reputation of reliability and honesty has sunk to the deepest sands of the sea floors. However, the company is working vigorously and tirelessly to clean up its mess, and its name. Today, BP announced the progress in its half-billion dollar pledge to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative. It will grant $25 million to three institutions in the gulf region for a faster track in high-priority studies of the distribution, composition and ecological interactions of oil and dispersant. “It is vitally important that research start immediately into the oil and dispersant's impact, and that the findings are shared fully and openly," said BP chief executive Tony Hayward. "We support the independence of these institutions and projects, and hope that the funding will have a significant positive effect on scientists' understanding of the impact of the spill." Additionally, in order to clear its conscience from all the jobs lost because of its self-inflicted accident, BP pledges that it will pay those now unemployed because of the spill, and will continue to write them a check until the spill is cleaned up. So far, over 18,000 claims have been met, as stated by BP. Will BP finally clear its name and remove the invisible “Scarlet Letter” that looms overhead? Will writing large checks to research initiatives and paying off a few thousand heated Louisianians erase the horrific images of black oceans and crippled animals already emblazoned in your mind? Here is the main question BP needs to answer: When will this harrowing disaster finally be stopped? One would like to think, at least for this situation, BP’s actions will speak much louder than its words. Have YOU helped save the world today? For more information, visit: bp.comWant to become a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG
