Plaintiffs react to Exxon decision  June 25, 2008   Reactions
from Alaska plaintiffs to the Supreme Court's Exxon decision
Wednesday morning ranged from disappointment to cynical outrage
- mixed for some, with a tinge of relief that a two-decade
ordeal had come to an end.  "It kind of sends the message that
big corporations that have the right money and political power
can throw safety and responsibility to the wind," said Mark
Witteveen, a former Kodiak fisherman turned fisheries biologist.
"I mean, $500 million for Exxon? That's not even a blip on their
radar."  "This is a total slap in the face," said Andy Wills of
Homer, a former Prince William Sound salmon and herring
fisherman. "It just shows how corrupt our country has become.
This won't even pay off a credit card."  The punitive damage
limit set by the Supreme Court, including interest, should pay
out just under $1 billion when the paperwork is settled in the
coming months. For commercial fishermen with the biggest shares,
that could add up to $100,00