The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has been in the news since an explosion on the platform destroyed it on April 20th. At first, no leaks were detected, then 1,000 barrels a day, now the leak is estimated to be at 5,000 barrels a day. Today, ten days after the event started, the oil spill is reaching the coastline of Louisiana. The Obama administration is now finally taking action. But is it already too late? Has the Gulf oil spill become Obama’s Katrina?
Barack Obama was a critic of the Bush Administration’s handling of the Katrina hurricane in it slammed into the Gulf coast. New Orleans was hit hard, as was much of the region from Katrina. Obama and others criticized Bush for not acting faster in responding to the disaster. However, Bush did order National Guard units into the area days before Katrina came ashore. The ferocity of the hurricane delayed their reaching New Orleans as roads were fouled with debris. Two days before Katrina made land-fall, then governor of Louisiana, Kathleen Blanco, rejected Bush’s offer of deploying troops in New Orleans before the hurricane arrived.
Yesterday, Obama did suspend plans for adding to off-shore drilling, announced earlier this month. The Coast Guard, which did aid during the initial explosion and fire on the BP platform, did not establish a ring around where the oil rig collapsed to contain a possible spill, a team of fishing boats deployed a boom ring. But when the oil began to flow, it quickly overcame the precautions in place.
Only today has the White House called the oil spill a ‘National significance’. Current Louisiana Governor, Bobby Jindal, has been asking for a detailed plan from the Coast Guard and Federal agencies on handling the situation but none has yet been made. Some estimates are that it could take another month to contain the oil spill and three months to drill a relief well to help reduce the oil leak.
Currently, it appears that the only thing the Federal government is doing is preparing to launch an investigation by the Justice Department to determine if any criminal or civil charges should be levied against British Petroleum and others. The White House says they will “aggressively confront” this disaster. Meanwhile, BP’s Deepwater Horizon well continues to spew over 200,000 gallons of crude a day. All the Gulf states, from Texas to Florida, will see oil hitting their shores by as early as this weekend. President Obama did call all five Gulf Coast governors on the telephone today. In the days and weeks to come, the oil spill may become Obama’s Katrina due to the slow response to the disaster.
April 30th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Obama and the rest of the democrats blamed Bush for not stopping a hurricane, otherwise known as a natural disaster. When the oil rig exploded, Obama waited 8 days and then sent lawyers, while blaming BP a corporation that does not have the resources of the Federal Government.
Katrina response was the responsibility of State and Local governments. Response to a major oil spill is the responsibility of the Federal Government.
Obama p*ssed around for over a week, doing very little and now he’s casting blame on everyone but himself.
April 30th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
I think it will bother the repubs more when the Obamas do a Gennifer Flowers thing and refuse to comment further, instead of trying to buy people off or destroy evidence like Edwards did, and the thing blows over. Plus Michelle doesn’t have terminal cancer and he didn’t make her pregnant.
April 30th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
tiger and obama discuss strategy
http://wwwimage.cbsnews.com/images/2009/04/23/image4964407x.jpg
April 30th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Tiger’s up 121-1
April 30th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
you cannot be sure of that
obama travels a lot
April 30th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
You are right I cannot be sure but Obama’s posse even if he ever had one would be much smaller and probably a lot less effective than Tiger’s in helping to keep things discreet. Plus Michelle is someone to reckon with, even more so than Elizabeth. Also the lady Obama messed with is smoking hot and someone he met on the job not in a bar and got involved with over a period of time as opposed to Tiger’s ladies. Although I suppose it was technically “on the job” for some of Tiger’s, but not in the sense I mean.
There was no doubt in my mind this story (unlike Larry the limo driver) was true when it first surfaced right before the election. Obama Axelrod and Michelle had to know this day would likely come and it will be interesting to see how
they play it.
April 30th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
however tiger had elin in his bed at home
while
obama had a wookie in his bed
so obama had more incentive
April 30th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
picture of obama caught on camera
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=49039
May 1st, 2010 at 2:29 am
When ObamaCare looked all but dead, Wellpoint Insurance (whose CEO visited the White House several times) decided, out of the blue, to raise their rates 39%.
When Financial Reform got bogged down in congress, the SEC suddenly filed questionable charges against Goldman Sachs.
With Cap and Trade waiting in the wings, an explosion in a coal mine kills 29 and an explosion on an oil rig kills 11 and causes a massive oil spill.
Don’t be surprised if Puerto Rico capsizes!!!
May 1st, 2010 at 7:57 am
I think it was cnbc that said BP wasn’t carrying “disastor insurance” which it could have. It should be a required that all off shore rigs carry disastor insurance of a substantial kind. This idea of skimping on insurance to wring a few more bucks profit out of a rig is just not to the public’s benifit. The government could quickly, in theory, regulate a reasonable insurance program that is affordable. All the oil companys could even self insure a major program the free enterprise way. this was willful neglect at best.
May 1st, 2010 at 8:05 am
Ron, although Hurricane Katrina was obviously a natural disaster, the big scandal was that the Army Corps of Engineers was well aware of the fact that the levees would not hold up in a hurricane, but nothing was done about it. Given that this neglect was half of the cause of the disaster in LA, the fed’s response — under Bush — should have been quicker. But this oil spill is just a horrible thing, and I’m heartened by the fact that posters here don’t want to point fingers. Bush wasn’t a good president, but we can still humanize him and believe that he was just as horrified by the effects of Hurricane Katrina as the rest of us were.
Lisab, I’m surprised at your posts here. They’re so…weird. You’re usually more substantive in your contributions to the conversations. Last I checked, the National Enquirer didn’t even qualify as “lamestream media.” Why are you regurgitating the Enquirer’s crap?
May 1st, 2010 at 8:46 am
In all honesty Michelle, I agree with you 100% at what you posted towards me, and I wrote what I wrote to give it back to those who went on a witch hunt when Katrina happened, I really don’t fault obama, just trying to give the left a little of their own medicine. Can we agree they were unfair to Bush?
Bush wasn’t a bad president, and if someone feels he was, then on what grounds? He wanted to prevent the housing bubble but democrats threatened to filibuster. The war in Iraq had justification on moral grounds, the people there were suffering and being abused for no good reason, even if no WMD’s were found. Gas was $4 something a gallon but what is it now during the Great Recession? If the economy picks up gas is going to go up like it did under Bush. Stopping drilling under obama will cause all petroleum to go up worse than it did under Carter. We had record low unemployment, we were kept safe from attack, we had lower taxes, and our military was strengthened. The only place Bush went wrong was with spending and borrowing from China, and obama’s spending is Bush on human growth hormone and steroids. Tim Geithner went to ask the Chinese to raise the debt limit about 8 months ago.
May 1st, 2010 at 8:54 am
I think bush was extraoridnarily bad. Lets not even discuss the horific foriegn policy, the wars, the wmd’s and bin laden as people always focus on that. But domestically, Bush put the federal administrative agencies on hold with poor appointments with people who did not do the jobs they were supposed to do. Whether it was the epa or sec or fema or whatever you want to pick, Bush’s administration did a lousy job governing the country domestically thus wasting huge taxpayer dollars. Fortunately our military has a professional leadership core and is highly insulated from the white house from the middle on down and did maintain its quality. As soon as bush got in he fired all of clintons appointees deep on down into the ranks of the sec which was replaced with a group that did nothing much of anything for four years while our financial system burned. You wanted an example you got one.
May 1st, 2010 at 9:13 am
Brian;
“Lets not even discuss the horific foriegn policy, the wars, the wmd’s and bin laden as people always focus on that.”
Then dont bring it up.
How bout you actually address the present suck a$$ foriegn policies that the present suck a$$ administration is applying and how the threat is of radical Islam has once again taken effect killing Americans on our soil and is spreading across N. Africa, Yemen, Pakistan.
Get off the BDS. Its getting super duper old dude.
===================================
Michelle;
“the fed’s response — under Bush ”
I really wish you guys would start understanding wwhat the protocol is between state and federal agencies when it comes to responding to natural disasters. And start bringing up Nagin and Blancos idiocy half as much as you do Bushs percieved lack of response.
If you wanna play that game then lets look at Arizona.. fair enough ?
May 1st, 2010 at 9:25 am
first of all this is America and after vietnam we have no intention of walking away from wars. Its in our dna to fight to win and obama, an astute politician and he is, is simply continuing to watch us win from the outside without mucking it up much, deferring to the Military like any good community organizer. Obama, like stephen cobert said on his show, know’s his audience. He isn’t about to make that mistake. That alone should tell you this guy isn’t some idiot. Well I use the sec as a federal agency to study bush, clinton, and obama under, especially since they got rid of Elliot Spitzer of New York who use to be the ony real force trying to keep wallstreet in line during the bush years. I think our present state dept policy has changed in a few areas, cancelling the check antimissle system, and various attempts at reengagement, much of it p.r., but more importantly this is still America. The state dept had been gutted and downsized and it will take time to rebeef it. But its still going to be Federal policy, a myopic self serving policy that isn’t always other nations friends necessarily. We need to do a rethink of our state dept policy big time. Instead it is used mostly as a tool of furthering US/Uk/Aussie hegemoney much like our attempts at manipluating the UN to do our bidding. AT times we do do good things like fight malaria or aids too. but its not a coherent unifrom policy.
May 1st, 2010 at 10:18 am
Who cares what you think brian
May 1st, 2010 at 10:27 am
Michelle,
maybe you had not noticed but the Enquirer caught OJBruno Magli shoes, exposed the lewinski affair, exposed Rush Limbaugh was addicted to painkillers, Bristol Palin was preganant, Tiger Woods and John Edwards were cheating, … and now
that obama is cheating on Michelle with a chubby white woman
May 1st, 2010 at 10:28 am
Brian.
Kiss Obamas a$$ all you want. His foreign policies so far have been nothing short of impotent and downright dangerous and costing American lives on our soil.
Since his inauguration casulaties in Afghanistan took a record breaking leap.
Iraq is heating up with Al Queda again as elections near and all hes talking about is removing more troops with a idiotic timeline.
Hes done absolutely nothing to stop Irans nuke program.
Hes given the Palestinians 900 million which a portion of will no doubt be syponed off to Hamas.
Hes done nothing about the weaponry given to Hamas by Iran and Syria.
Hes hamstrung Israel dictating that they stop building Jewish settlements on their own land.
Hes done absolutely nothing about N.Korea.
He does nothing to confront Mexico as there problems spill over our borders, costing American lives.
He gave a kiss a$$ speech in Egypt to the worlds Muslim community with 11 members of the Muslim brotherhood sitting up front and center.
If it were not him giving the speech the Egyptians would of shot them on site.
Even the brotherhood members of the Egyptian parliament are not alowed on Egyptian soil, unless the A$$ Kisser in Cheif is speaking
He did away with missle defense sheilds leaving Europe and regions north vulnerable to attack.
13 dead at Ft. Hood
Christmas day underwear bomber.
Napolitano says; ” the system worked ” ???
More overseas bases have been attacked and infiltrated by radicals in his first 18 months than in all of Bushs 8 years…
Hes bowed
Shall I go on ?
The man is a foreign policy nightmare whom most of the world does not even take seriously anymore
May 1st, 2010 at 10:40 am
I am not clear how Obama’s policies are costing lives on American soil>? He’s hardly been in office long enough to have any “new” policies in place. I was for Israel stopping these kinds of settlements back in the bush days myself as they send just the absolute wrong message to the arab side which keeps those who want no palistinian state on the pali side dominant. The only think to do to n. korea is to invade or wait and see like every other pres. Obama, following bush and congress has beefed up the border patrol substantially, but yes its still pourous, and we train mexican police and federal police and are involved with them as well. I say decriminalize marijuana and you will severely hurt the mexi cartels overnight. Israel is difficult right now with Netanyahoo frankly, and Obama isn’t being overly submissive to him for a change. the only way to stop iran’s nuke program is to build as we are more deep underground busting bombs and send the bombers, or over throw the regieme by invading. Iran is committed to making nukes and will take a war. so if we diecide to bring war to them, thats the only way. Its good for him to speak in eygpt and see how intractable the muslim brotherhood is. obama has adjusted from his early hopefulness. meanwhile egypt has been doing our bidding more and more frankly. Putting a missle defense shiled that close to russia really spooked them in really bad ways. I think its wise to cancel it. We have superior ship based systems on the way anywho. Ft hood wasn’t obama’s fault. It was the supervisors of that shrink who should have discharged him long ago under bush’s watch. bowing to the chinese, well maybe he’s just a nice guy. he likes pie. he gave beer to the professor and the cop, made them endure joe biden, after that they became friends. I really don’t see it the way you do. sure there are different styles of leadership. You apparently like command control style. He’s more a community consensus builder and organizer. I think we are due for a change as elections have consequences. I think he’s leaning we and he have limits. He’s not a fool. Do you know how much case law you have to read and understand to pass harvard law and the bar? He has a brain. different style.
May 1st, 2010 at 11:06 am
Brian;
‘AT times we do do good things like fight malaria or aids too. but its not a coherent unifrom policy.”
Yeah, you should really do some research before you bash Bush as very hes very coherantly done more to fight these diseases than any U.S. president ever and didnt dress up his teleprompter to brag to the whole world about it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/30/AR2006123000941.html
Bush Has Quietly Tripled Aid to Africa
“President Bush’s legacy is sure to be defined by his wielding of U.S. military power in Afghanistan and Iraq, but there is another, much softer and less-noticed effort by his administration in foreign affairs: a dramatic increase in U.S. aid to Africa.
The president has tripled direct humanitarian and development aid to the world’s most impoverished continent since taking office and recently vowed to double that increased amount by 2010 — to nearly $9 billion.
The moves have surprised — and pleased — longtime supporters of assistance for Africa, who note that because Bush has received little support from African American voters, he has little obvious political incentive for his interest.
“I think the Bush administration deserves pretty high marks in terms of increasing aid to Africa,” said Steve Radelet, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development.
Bush has increased direct development and humanitarian aid to Africa to more than $4 billion a year from $1.4 billion in 2001, according to the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. And four African nations — Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt and Uganda — rank among the world’s top 10 recipients in aid from the United States.
Beyond increasing aid to Africa, Bush has met with nearly three dozen African heads of state during his six years in office. He visited Africa in his first term, and aides say he hopes to make a return visit next year.
Although some activists criticize Bush for not doing more to end the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, others credit him for playing a role in ending deadly conflicts in Liberia, the Congo and other parts of Sudan. Meanwhile, Bush has overseen a steady rise in U.S. trade with Africa, which has doubled since 2001.”
You cant touch Bush when it comes to fighting Aids and Malaria.
And if you realy wanted to do something about Malaria you’d go out there and get your green freak buddies to do accept the facts on DDT and use as its been proven harmless to humans and the most effective weapon weve ever had against Malaria.
http://info-pollution.com/ddtban.htm
May 1st, 2010 at 11:13 am
while its truy bushy did allocate some millions to the problem, i think in the 20’s its still miniscle to what is needed. It was like an after dinner mint. Bill Gates’s Foundation is trying to seriously amp it up with the Columbia University School of Public Health. But to bush’s credit he did make the trip and donation.
May 1st, 2010 at 11:14 am
Its important to remember how the money gets distributed in africa is everything because of the corruption and diversion levels. sound familiar? there is nation building and now continent building I guess. The UN has many NGO organizations that can chime in.
May 1st, 2010 at 12:14 pm
At least the Obama administration are attempting to get on top of this problem rapidly. I’m not sure. But when there is a will there’s a way.
May 1st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Lisab,
Who is this chubby white woman you are referring to? Vera Baker the one referenced in the enquirer is per her Internet photos petite nonwhite and smoking hot
May 1st, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Brian;
“while its truy bushy did allocate some millions to the problem, i think in the 20’s its still miniscle to what is needed. ”
Good greif man ! Pull your fcking attitude outta yer a$$ and give credit when its due… would you !!!???
The man saved million of lives regardless of what you say !
“Its important to remember how the money gets distributed in africa is everything because of the corruption and diversion levels. sound familiar? ”
YEAH ! SURE DOES ! CHECK IT OUT ! SOUND FAMILIAR ???
“The scandal that is the United Nations
By David Frum
We will probably never know the full truth of the United Nations’ oil-for-food scandal. We will probably never see any of those implicated in the scandal punished. And that’s just the way the U.N. wants it.
The oil-for-food program began as a humanitarian plan to soften the sanctions against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. The U.N. would allow Iraq to sell a certain amount of oil each year, provided that the profits were used to buy food, medicine and other necessities for Iraq’s people.
Instead, the oil was allotted to politically connected insiders, allegedly including the head of the oil program himself. The insiders got rich while Iraq’s people suffered. One beneficiary of the program was U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s own son, who was employed by a firm that played a key role in the scandal-plagued program.
After months of resisting questions, Annan last year relented and appointed former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker to investigate. Just over a week ago, Volcker released a preliminary report. It found “grave” conflicts of interest in the program. A final report is due later this year…”
Read the rest here. http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-02-13-un-edit_x.htm
The U.N. pi$$es away more money on so much useless sht its not even funny.