I Always Thought CEO Should Know What's Going On In Their Company

Apparently not if you're the CEO of BP.

Under intense grilling by the congressional committee overseeing the investigation on the Gulf incident, BP Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward said that he was "was out of the loop on decisions at the well."

He also denied any knowledge of any of the "myriad problems on and under the Deepwater Horizon rig before the deadly explosion," telling the committee that "With respect, sir, we drill hundreds of wells a year around the world."

As Republican Rep. Michael Burgess of Texas replied, "Yes, I know, that's what scaring me right now."

My sentiments exactly.

Ok give him the benefit of the doubt because CEO can't be expected to be in every decision making aspect of the company.

After all in a company as big as BP there's only so much one can take care of but the thing is when it comes to something as risky as this the CEO has to be in the loop at some level.

And when I say risky I mean something as risky as off shore drilling.

I took this verbatim from the yahoo article where I read this from:

Hayward spoke slowly and calmly in his clipped British accent as he sought to deflect accusations — based on internal BP documents obtained by congressional investigators — that BP chose a particular well design that was riskier but cheaper by at least $7 million.

"I wasn't involved in any of that decision-making," he said.

Were bad decisions made about the cement?

"I wasn't part of the decision-making process," he said. "I'm not a cement engineer, I'm afraid."

Also, "I am not a drilling engineer" and "I'm not an oceanographic scientist."

What about those reports that BP had been experiencing a variety of problems and delays at the well?

"I had no prior knowledge."

At one point a frustrated Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, interrupted the CEO. "You're kicking the can down the road and acting as if you had nothing to do with this company and nothing to do with the decisions. I find that irresponsible."

Hayward quietly insisted: "I'm not stonewalling. I simply was not involved in the decision-making process."

I dunno about you but wouldn't this infuriate you to. I will tell you that I am.

As 61 year old shrimper Diane Wilson of Seadrift Texas shouted at Hayward, "You need to be charged with a crime."

Amen.