Why scientists are not heard with regard to the BP spill.

[JDPriestly]

LONDON (AFP) – The head of the American Association of Professors accused BP Friday of trying to buy the silence of scientists and academics to protect itself after the Gulf oil spill, in a BBC interview.

"This is really one huge corporation trying to buy faculty silence in a comprehensive way," said Cary Nelson.

. . . .

A copy of a contract offered to scientists by BP, which the BBC said it had obtained, said scientists are not allowed to publish the research they do for the oil giant.

They are also not allowed to speak about the data for at least three years or until the government gives final approval for the company's restoration plan for the whole of the Gulf, said the British broadcaster.

http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0723/bp-accused-silence-science-spill/

So limit access to information about the harm caused by your crime and then silence the scientists who are the only people who can analyze the data and determine just how extensive the harm is.