Are Oil Companies Evil?

Not sure how many Glenn Beck fans we’ve got out there (I’m hoping none), but a month ago, the CNN pundit wrote an article about how we should love our big oil companies, instead of demonizing them. After all, oil companies “give” us so much (by selling us oil), and the sizable (18 cent) gas tax doesn’t give us anything (except roads).

While reasoning may not be Mr. Beck’s forte, I decided maybe I ought to step back for a second and try to objectively re-evaluate my feelings about the oil industry. After all, the oil giant is apparently mass-producing light and efficient lithium-ion batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles, and has licensed out some proprietary catalysts to help build a greener rubber band.

Still, for the most profitable company in the history of the United States, that just doesn’t seem like much of a nod. And the shareholders—including a few descendants of the crotchety old robber baron that started it all—seem to agree with me.

So what are your thoughts? Will big oil always do more harm than good, or will it eventually adapt to greener technologies?