Wow. The president's speech made me even more depressed.

[Atman]

Don't jump on my shit. I'm a big D Democrat. I worked to get Obama elected, and would do so again. But I am not happy with what I heard tonight. Praying for solutions? Where was the tough talk and tougher action? Nothing was offered, no solutions were presented, no vision for the future was seriously addressed.

I'm deeply saddened. The ramifications of this disaster will be truly epic. Yet, I don't get the sense that Obama fully grasps this, or is willing to do the Presidential stuff needed not just to rein in the BP criminal enterprise, but also to use the powers at his disposal to force some immediate action.

I just didn't hear anything either comforting or hopeful tonight.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

1. did you turn away before the prayer?

[LaurenG]

2. lol

you're bad.

[polichick]

3. The hopeful part was about pushing the energy plan - until this disaster...

...the WH had put that on the back burner.

I'm watching Rachel (as I've been all along) and she has given the situation incredible coverage - I'm a little shocked that nobody at the WH seems aware of that coverage.

[sandnsea]

4. Booms and Skimmers. That's all there is folks.

I'm sorry y'all want a miracle when there just isn't one.

[boston bean]

11. Funny, Rachel just said on her show, that booms laid professionally and correctly

would have prevented oil from entering pensacola bay.

But that it would take a lot of man power.

Is the US incapable of producing manpower, with a 10% unemployment rate?

[Odin2005]

29. It seems that we can't do anything anymore unless someone can profit off of it.

[bdamomma]

35. sadly you are right

[femrap]

58. Rachel must have heard

'The F*cking Boom Woman' on YouTube. There is a science to 'booming.'

[Laelth]

17. And how will those help when the government is still allowing BP to use dispersants?

It's impossible to skim when dispersed. It appears our government would prefer to hide the size of the calamity rather than actually dealing with it.

Booms and skimmers are not the solution we're actually pursuing. Hiding the evidence is.

:dem:

-Laelth

[polichick]

25. Someone from the Riverkeepers said on msnbc earlier that...

BP is telling cleanup workers they can't wear protective masks, even their own, or they'd be fired.

That might look like breathing the oil and dispersants is dangerous.

I don't get where the gov't is on this stuff - and on the dispersants being sprayed from helicopters at night.

[butterfly77]

37. Why..

are they afraid that if they have on masks they can be infiltrated by others who can take pictures,. Now I keep hearing from some of the people in the gulf keep saying that BP isn't telling anyone how much oil is coming out if anyone has been watching they could see its a lot..

[sandnsea]

38. Oops, yes I forgot the dispersants

Which are also protocol for cleaning up oil spills. They are not to "hide" anything. The EPA has a list of dispersants that are approved for various types of oils.

This is how it's done. And yes you can skim oil and use dispersants, both.

[FLPanhandle]

20. When there are resources offered by other countries and it's turned down

Then it's not like all the booms and skimmers are even being utilized.

[sandnsea]

39. That's another lie

I've posted the truth so many times I'll be damned if I go get the state dept statement again. They have accepted whatever help that was needed and always said they would continue to accept more help as they run out of booms and dispersants. Go to the State Dept web site, May 17 presser.

[ShamelessHussy]

42. BS - where are all the international vessels, people?

:shakes-head:

[FLPanhandle]

44. I only know two facts

1) There aren't enough resources (I know I attend the Emergency Management meetings down here)

2) Offers for resources are extended and turned down (I've seen them).

The government can post whatever CYA statements on their websites all day long. I believe my eyes.

[sandnsea]

46. What resources? To who?

I have a boat, want it? That kind of resource??

You think there's a country somewhere that has booms to give your county? Call and ask. Your finger isn't broken. I'm serious. I can tell you my town and county doesn't have any.

I just don't think it is as easy as you believe it to be. And I believe if you let a few more facts into your head, you might realize that.

[FLPanhandle]

48. You need some facts in your head

Okaloosa county went AROUND BP and the Government to get our own fucking booms (the ones that were offered to us and the government/BP said weren't needed).

We used our fucking fingers and will have to pay for it ourselves without getting reimbursed because we actually went around the government.

You are either too stupid or spinning for the administration. Like someone from Oregon knows what we are dealing with day to day here on the Gulf Coast.

[sandnsea]

50. Everybody is frantic, that's clear

I've seen all kinds of screwy schemes different localities have considered. There are impacts to all of them and sometimes they get told no. They don't like that.

And yes your county, along with every other county, joined in the hysteria. In the end, they're cooperating with the city, state and feds to implement a plan to protect the most sensitive areas.

http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/96414784.html

I've watched reactions to crises in the gulf for a long time now. It's pretty routine. Denial. Anger. Demand an instant fix. Tell the government to get the fuck out of the way and let you fix it yourself. Pretend the money fell from the sky to pay for all the federal services and assistance that you deny you got.

FWIW, this makes me sick but I expected there to be catstrophic environmental damage. That's what happens in an oil spill. The only hope on this was to stop the leak. Since that didn't happen, it's pretty likely the gulf is goingn to be near dead and there's nothing that can be done about it. You can't collect that much oil.

[FLPanhandle]

54. Not everyone is an administration cheerleader

"In the end, they're cooperating with the city, state and feds to implement a plan to protect the most sensitive areas. "

Not quite. In the end, the state and federal government have approved plans we put together after rejecting the crap plan BP/Government thought they could force feed us. Just like Obama took credit for sand barriers in LA that the administration fought.

Cheer on the administration out there in Oregon. Here on the ground we know what's happening.

[Lorien]

56. Thanks for your insights FLPanhandle

we need to hear more from people like yourself who are on the front lines of this.

[obxhead]

34. We could at the very least actually stop BP from using

dispersant so that the oil would rise and make those booms and skimmers effective at least.

No there is no miracle insta cure, you're 100% correct there. However, we could be doing far more now, and doing it correctly.

[sandnsea]

43. Not true

Booms and skimming is used for the large thick masses of oil.

The thinner sheens that aren't caught in the booms and skimming, those are the ones that dispersants are used on.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/06/gulf_oil_spill_and_the_use_of.html

We could be doing things differently, but there would still be oil in marshlands and beaches. It's absurd to think a spill of this magnitude can be contained 100%.

I guess all that American Exceptionalism has just gone to everybody's head.

[obxhead]

45. BS, they have been spraying dispersant directly into the

flow at the well head. That is not thin sheen on the surface. It's an attempt to hide the oil, not help the problem as well.

[sandnsea]

47. It was to prevent globs in the wetlands and beaches

If they could break up the majority of the oil at 5,000 ft, they wouldn't need dispersants on top of the water and there would be less oil on the beaches. That is why they tried the dispersants at the well head. When it became clear BP wasn't going to get a quick fix for the well, the EPA said they had to stop with the dispersants at the well head because it was such a massive amount, more than they originally anticipated.

Everything is not a fucking conspiracy.

I wish people would focus on why this well blew so the correct people can be held responsible and we get the proper regulations.

Keep focusing on conspiracy theories and nobody will believe a damn thing you have to say about anything.

That should have been the lesson from the voting machines.

[tekisui]

52. An end to offshore drilling would be something more. And, not handing

us pie-in-the-sky claims that BP would be capturing 90% in a couple of weeks would have been better.

[Odin2005]

5. It's all smoke and mirrors, giving the illusion of reform.

The Corporations run things.

[TiredOldMan]

8. You got that right. They run BOTH parties.

[FLPanhandle]

6. It struck me as a CYA on the response so far and let's talk about something else now

I was hoping for "We haven't done nearly enough. I'm asking every country, every company, every citizen for help."

Instead, it's "well, we did our best."

[Peregrine Took]

7. Very little comment about the effect on the environment. So sad.

Personally, I don't think Obama gives a damn about animals, ecosystems, marine life, etc. That's why he rarely, if ever, mentions these things.

[BeFree]

16. That's my take, too

The outside world is not his field, and not anyone of any importance on his staff, either.

[bdamomma]

32. caring about the environment?? BP doesn't give a crap

they are too busy counting their money, again the American people are on their own. This whole horrible situation was handled with such negligence it started a long time ago and I bet Cheney and Bush had their filthy oily hands all over this starting with deregulation

[XemaSab]

67. Much as it pains me to say this

I think he JUST DOESN'T GET IT.

I think he thinks that the environment is scenery, and animals are part of that scenery. I just don't feel any connection there to the outdoor world at all.

I mean, hell, Reagan had the Western White House, and Bush had the pig farm... even a connection to a small, local bit of land is better than no connection to the outdoor world at all. :(

[Laelth]

9. Me neither.

I give him credit for being honest about our oil situation (20% of world consumption and only 2% of reserves). I give him a little credit for saying, again, 30 years after Carter did, that we need to break our addiction to fossil fuels.

But in terms of what he plans to actually do, he said he would listen and that we should all pray.

That, I am afraid, is not enough.

:dem:

-Laelth

[dgibby]

19. Considering an act of gawd took out a giant statue of Jeebus

last night, I'd say we're doomed.:evilgrin:

[Laelth]

36. Actually, that little act of God made my day ...

... but we may still be doomed.

;)

:dem:

-Laelth

[femrap]

59. That really was something....

I drove past Touchdown Jesus once. I had no idea that the dude who started this non-denominational church had been a horse trader.

Maybe I need to start a religious entity of some kind along side a heavily-traveled freeway and put up some kind of huge monstrosity?

[ShamelessHussy]

10. he held out hope for a miracle!

don't tune out yet, they are full of HOPE, 1 is on the way, any day, or week, a 90% chance, is in the making :bounce:

Keep the Faith!

[WillyT]

12. + 1,000,000,000... What You Said...

:shrug:

K & R !!!

:hi:

[TexasObserver]

13. Yeah, I hear ya.

[branders seine]

14. shallow

bland

at best

[jody]

15. Obama can call a meeting of the world's leading scientists/engineers who could contribute to

solutions of BP's disaster and have them in the Oval Office tomorrow.

Why then does he listen only to politicians/lawyers/financiers and PR flacks?

[NNN0LHI]

18. I knew when he didn't come out with a bullhorn many were going to be disappointed

Just knew it.

Don

[ShamelessHussy]

21. sure, that's it

lame

[G_j]

24. that would have convinced me for sure!

:rofl:

[Ignis]

31. Sometimes, it's OK to use a little bullhorn.

[NNN0LHI]

64. Worked on the idiots for Bush right?

[Ignis]

68. I'd say it worked pretty well for FDR, too.

But that was back before "populist" and "progressive" became bad words among our elected (D) officials.

[G_j]

22. I think he grasps it

but is deliberately playing it down.

[Poboy]

23. Louisiana reaction-

Did President Obama's speech make you feel better?

yes ( 31% )

no ( 50% )

feel? I'm NUMB! ( 19% )

=====
http://www.wwl.com/pages/1891492.php


Lots of people calling in saying nothing new that we hadn't heard during the week.
We were really hoping for something bold and big.

And he thinks they'll collect 90%?
Okay.

56 days and this is hit best prime time shot?

[Catherina]

33. 65% now. We're on our own.

Did President Obama's speech make you feel better?
yes
( 15% )
no
( 65% )
feel? I'm NUMB!
( 20% )

[Bluenorthwest]

26. I thought he was going to end with an alter call

Sad indeed.

[butterfly77]

27. He grasps it..

he just knows that there are some ignorant,stupid,narrow minded people in this country. He also knew when they saw all of the oil spewing out and coming on the shores in the beginning it was fucked up.


He also knew that former senators, lobbyists,mary landrieu and crew,oil men and women,and talking heads who are invested in oil are looking out for their pocketbooks don't give a damn about the fishermen and no one else. THERE ARE SOME POLITICS BEING PLAYED HERE on all levels.

T.boone Pickens on Larry king now Saying leave oil wells alone..

[zipplewrath]

28. In the middle I had hope

You'd think I'd learn. In the middle, when he started talking about how we needed to get off oil I had a touch of hope. Even when he started talking more like putting a man on the moon, I could think he was doing a Kennedy, no specific plans, just a direction.

But in the end there was nothing. No deadlines, no time frames, no budgets. Not even a definition of what needed to be accomplished in order to address the larger problem. It was a call, not to action, but to more talk.

Doesn't mean something can come from all of this. It looks like he's going to look to congress a bit for solutions. Which means we'll get the conservadems defining what we'll do.

[LooseWilly]

30. The speech practically put me to sleep.

Great news— we can all save a bundle off Ambien!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[scheming daemons]

40. Being told the truth often makes people more depressed.

He should've lied to you like past Presidents would've.


At least then, you'd be less depressed.

[XemaSab]

69. That wasn't the truth

that was "Your dog went to go live on a farm out in the country." :o

[emulatorloo]

41. He didn't "pray for solutions". He prayed that the US would have courage to break the oil addiction

[eilen]

53. Yeah? Where is our light rail? Where are the massive public works

stimulus projects -- the modern day WPA ?
Where are those initiatives?

those of us that still have jobs still need to have a way to get to them.

When they finally get their act together they will end up giving the contract to Haliburton and Bechtel (business as usual) who will import Chinese and Ecuadorean labor to build them.

(Like Verizon's "contractors" with their Fios)

I have no illusions or hope left on this administrations account.

[AnArmyVeteran]

49. The evil Bush used that prayer crap too! Leaders lead. They dont wish or pray.

[eilen]

51. Talking to an imaginary friend is not going to stop the oil from destroying

the Gulf. Pray my ass.

I don't know why he can't figure out what the people want. We want our government to cease and desist the collusion with multinational corporations in the destruction of our environment and economy. Outourcing jobs, privatizing profits and socializing the risks. We want these assholes Evicted, Dispossessed, Forclosed on-- but apparently those things are just for the little people. We want more than Lip Service. We wanted Healthcare and we got Insurance Bailouts-- we don't trust anyone anymore-- they are all crooks and liars, fucking whores.

One would think of all our esteemed leaders, all Ivy League grads might figure that one out. But no, each one has sold us out and this one, the one who said he stood for change -- he played the bait and switch on us and we have uniforms on our beaches that are not Oath promised to protect the Constitution--only to protect the Corporation. Our Coast Guard are acting as toadies for BP. We know we are being lied to by all players. We are told our government is powerless but hell, the Corporation knows best and will take care of us? The government powerful enough to make sure of that? Fuck. We are truly screwed.

I don't have a Baccalaureate and I know this.

[izzybeans]

55. Did you miss the part where he said we are facing a crisis that human technology currently can't

meet?

And then the part, where why he convened top scientists and engineers to get to work finding a solution that doesn't yet exist?

Surely it is all depressing, but to put the weight of the world on Obama is just silly. Was he supposed to give us all a cookie? He talked to us like grownups. Maybe he should of worn a cod-piece and prattled about like a rooster. BP and the rest of the oil companies put us in a position to e royally fucked before they even gave one rip to find a solution to the problems they new they would create. After 30 years of deregulation, patronage, and corruption in our regulatory agencies, one man to save the world right?

[Bodhi BloodWave]

57. I think thats one of the main problem these days izzybeans

many people on DU and elsewhere don't want to be spoken to like an adult, they would rather have a father figure that is telling them that 'everything will be alright'

[NNN0LHI]

63. Bush's + 90% approval rating proves that is true

Grab a bullhorn and talk to Americans like uninformed children and they will love you dearly.

Talk to them like adults and they will hate you.

We are surrounded by idiots.

Don

[elleng]

60. That was then.

Check todays news.

[JudyM]

61. Me too. He didn't lead, didn't inspire.

I'm a big fan of his, too, but he's so overwhelmed as are his staff members -- this is clearly out of their control. At a minimum, EPA should be all over this, directing BP. It is a spill, after all! And effective immediately, every oil company drilling offshore should have its emergency response plan evaluated, not just its drilling processes. But I do not blame Obama for the problem, I just want him to put together a stronger team to manage it.

Most of all, I wish he had taken the opportunity to educate and lean harder on all Americans to think harder, to reduce our consumption where we can. To buy local. To carpool. To cut down on meat eating. To avoid use where possible of items made with oil, like plastics. http://www.eldr.com/article/politics/products-made-oil

Ultimately the best way we can help is to consume less, to maintain rather than toss out, to freecycle, etc. But of course because of our economic problems he can't urge people to consume less.

For more ideas, see this from the NRDC: http://www.nrdc.org/thisgreenlife/1005.asp

[Bluebear]

62. It was only a two minute prayer!!!!1

O8)

[The Old Creak]

65. There is NOTHING

either comforting or hopeful that he could say. At least, he didn't lie to us.

[The Old Creak]

66. One more comment

this is the logical result of Reagan/Bushes dismantling of regulatory oversight. At least he got $20B as a start. I am NOT an Obama apologist, but, really, what could he say, "You guys are fucked, and I'll try to make it less painful, if I can"..........?