Wow.... 3 whole hours!

The entire theme song for Gilligan's Island is now running through my head... cause the president's "Take charge" afternoon in New Orleans will last for all of 3 HOURS.  (and you could argue that only 2 hours of it will be in discussion of the situation, since 1 of those hours is limited to a press junket)

• 10:10AM THE PRESIDENT arrives New Orleans, Louisiana
• 12:10PM THE PRESIDENT attends a briefing by Admiral Thad Allen US Coast Guard Station Grand Isle, Grand Isle, Louisiana Pool spray for still photographers at the top of the briefing  
• 12:30PM THE PRESIDENT delivers a statement to the press
• 1:25PM THE PRESIDENT departs New Orleans, Louisiana

You see that right?   2.. and we'll be generous... 2.5 hours.    That's "Taking charge of a situation" in Obama speak?

I guess you could call this my foray into the Oil Spill/Govt. Response story, as I've kind of kept quiet on the Oil Spill issue, but i figured I needed to point out my one opinion on the response story.

I have never liked the idea of the statement that this is "Obama's Katrina", although you can make the argument about the government's response fitting..  In fact, I'm of the opinion that President Obama's response is actually "worse" than what the lefties want you to think about the Katrina response.  (please feel to point out where I'm wrong in this thought process.)





And we'll stick to Louisiana, since that's the point of contention, yet again.

During Katrina, George Bush was asked _not_ to get involved by the then governor of Louisiana.    (Anyone remember the stories about FEMA supplies on the TN/MS border waiting to go.),   I'll have to go do some research, but I don't remember this being requested by Governor Jindal.  In fact, there was a report on FOX that said an environmental study already on the President's desk early after the leak, and they didn't hear back from the President's advisors for 2 weeks?

Secondly, Obama is treating this entirely different.. I mean we've heard his comments... "No more offshore drilling, stronger regulations (yeah, like that really helped when your regulators are "job hunting" while inspecting?), etc.   So instead of dealing with the current situation, they're worried more about the "political expediency".     (remember the "No Drill, Baby, Drill" comment at his presser?)

And add in the claim by Jindal that they've been told they were not authorized by the govt to use Sand Buoys.    (and hopefully Jindal will use the buoys with or without federal approval.).

Even Kevin Costner's suggestion (who would have thought, a Hollywood activist actually _doing_ something...) is reportedly (according to one La Congressman who was being interviewed _ true or not?  I dont' know.) being _stonewalled_ by the govt, but BP has approved the use of the device

FWIW:   He may not be on the right, but Costner now officially joins Jolie, Pitt, Downey, and a limited few others that I actually have a bit more respect for in terms of hollywood personnel who walk the walk instead of just talking the talk... (Sorry Stephen B, but just making a documentary doesn't cut it..)

In other words, the two situations are actually very different.   (and that's not counting the MMS resignation/firing/resignation/er.. no, firing, er no.. resignation situation).

President Bush was asked to stay out of the situation, and then chastised for not ignoring that request.
President Obama was asked to help out, and now being chastisted for ignoring that request.

Two presidents, two different requests...   so is this President Obama's Personal "Katrina"?   No, this is President Obama's "Oil Response", and to compare the two situations is simply "catchphrase" journalism by the Alphabet Media, in fact, you can argue that President Obama's is worse.