In some ways, we're all responsible for this

CNN is reporting tonight that BP is spending $50 million on an advertising campaign to smooth things over with the American public. Whether that's accurate or not, I am beyond words to describe this company -- an oil giant that seems more worried about its image than the profound job at hand or the damage already done. Note to BP: Your reputation is ruined forever. In fact, it will probably worsen as all the facts come to light about the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Save yourself the money or, better yet, put it to good use and save some birds and marine life from your oil. Open up some rescue and rehabilitation centers.

The latest computer models are showing the potential for the oil to make its way up the Atlantic Coast and head well out into the ocean. Some say it's not out of the question that the oil could reach Europe, where BP is headquartered.

This is becoming the story of the century. We can bounce back from hurricanes and even wars. But we can't live without water. What's incredible is that we've done this to ourselves. It didn't take an asteroid strike or a bunch of terrorists with nuclear bombs to threaten life as we know it. All it took was a culture (and government) that allows sketchy companies like BP to operate freely, a dose of greed and a thirst for more and more energy. We turn a blind eye to all sorts of bad behavior when we are benefiting from it. And this is the result. We want big SUVs powered by relatively cheap gas. We leave lights and televisions on when we're not in the room. We don't speak up when we see our employers dangerously cutting corners. We don't demand enough from our elected officials or ourselves.

We are, in some ways, all to blame for this disaster.

Read more about BP's problematic CEO, Tony Hayward.