Abridged by Don

Theater, by offering an emotional outlet without change, enables the status quo. Oil companies simply figure hatred into their spreadsheets. 

Congressional hearings on "Mr. Chevron" and "Mr. Exxon" go back to 1974 and Senator Jackson. Jackson called the oil executives to account for their "obscene profits" during the oil shortages caused by the Arab Oil Embargo. In 1974, oil executives were upset by the negative attention and humiliation, but they didn't change the way their industry was regulated.

The oil executives were prepared for humiliation this time. What they weren't prepared for was the annoying needling of Rep. Stupak, who worked away on the response plans in a more accountant-like way, and apparently got under "Mr. Exxon's" skin. Exxon's Tillerson finally said a full spill response plan was not necessary because such a spill would not have happened on Exxon's watch. Was BP taking obscene risks?

That swagger may come back to haunt Mr. Exxon.

The public may decide that the whole industry is rotten.