The biggest, most reckless, one of the most criminal polluters in U.S. history, with the worst safety record, whose negligence is responsible for the deaths of eleven people, at least, and the poisoning of many bird and wild life, has made a very contemptuous threat, either to be allowed to continue on its way, with maybe modest sanctions, or it won't meet all of its obligations, though it says it will meet its legal obligations, if it has the money.

In other words BP has laid down the challenge, has said: If you, America, keep us from new offshore-drilling permits, we aren't going to pay those folks we harmed, and we aren't going to pay to help restore the harm we've done to the environment.

From the New Your Times -- "BP is concerned about a drilling overhaul bill passed by the House on July 30. The bill includes an amendment that would bar any company from receiving permits to drill on the Outer Continental Shelf if more than 10 fatalities had occurred at its offshore or onshore facilities. It would also bar permits if the company had been penalized with fines of $10 million or more under the Clean Air or Clean Water Acts within a seven-year period. While BP is not mentioned by name in the legislation, it is the only company that currently meets that description. "

BP is saying take this anti-BP provision out or else.