Late last year, I did a blog entry looking at whether BP was getting off too lightly with the proposed $50 million penalty for the negligence that resulted in the 2005 Texas City refinery explosion that killed 15 workers. I also raised the question of whether BP was a serial offender.

Today, the case will be heard in Houston and it will be emotional. To get an idea of how emotional it will be, read the response from the victims to the proposed settlement. The $50 million penalty, they say, is inadequate and should be at least $1 billion.

"Finally, the binding Agreement does not address the 'root causes' of the explosion - the refusal of BP Products' parent company to provide necessary resources to comply with mandated safety procedures. Indeed, to the contrary, if accepted, the Plea Agreement would actually immunize BP Products' parent - a feature that the parties cannot (and do not attempt to) justify in their pleadings."

To hear the view of lawyers and victims, check out Russell Mokhiber's Corporate Crime Reporter.