San Antonio News-Express columnist Scott Stroud offers an interesting analysis of the political attractions of tort reform as the Gulf of Mexico turns into a giant pool of oil sludge: "Gulf Spill Casts New Light on Tort Reform Debate."  The key point quoting University of Texas law professor Charles M. Silver:

"Maybe we'll finally understand that people need to be responsible for the consequences of their mistakes," he said. "And maybe when we understand that tort reform is all about not being responsible for our mistakes, we'll understand that tort reform isn't good for our society."