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Obama tours disaster zone to set stage for national address
AFP on Yahoo ^ | 6/14/10 | Stephen Collinson

Posted on 06/14/2010 2:39:35 PM PDT by NormsRevenge

THEODORE, Alabama (AFP) – US President Barack Obama labeled the Gulf oil spill an environmental 9/11 and made a fourth disaster zone trip Monday while aides strong-armed BP to set up a multi-billion dollar victim fund.

The London-based energy giant's shares meanwhile slumped 10 percent, amid deep investor anxiety about the costs it will bear for America's worst ecological catastrophe and investor fears for the firm's lucrative dividend.

Obama sought to engineer a pivot point following sharp criticism of his handling of the two-month Gulf of Mexico disaster, ahead of a critical week which may do much to frame the political parameters of the unfolding crisis.

He set off on a two-day, three-state tour of areas fearing a devastating ecological and economic blow from the massive oil slick coating a vast swathe of the Gulf, and threatening tourist resorts and teeming fishing stocks.

The visit to Mississippi, Alabama and Florida was set to bolster Obama's message in his first Oval Office address to the American people on Tuesday night, focusing on the disaster.

He also hoped to set the stage for his showdown with BP's chairman at the White House the next day.

Obama also apparently sought to defuse claims that he has shown insufficient empathy with local people who fear their way of life will be destroyed by the disaster unleashed by the Deepwater Horizon explosion in April.

The president munched on shrimp and mini crab cakes to show local seafood was safe and implored Americans to visit the dazzling white sands of the southern coast, aiming to boost the fishing and tourism sectors.

"There's still a lot of opportunity for visitors to come down here. There are a lot of beaches that have not been affected and will not be affected," Obama said in Gulfport, Mississippi.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; US: Louisiana
KEYWORDS: bp; disasterzone; nationaladdress; obama

1 posted on 06/14/2010 2:39:35 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
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To: NormsRevenge

Deciding whose ass to kick I guess...more photo ops per stop than anyone I can remember...


2 posted on 06/14/2010 2:41:01 PM PDT by lexington minuteman 1775
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Uhhh, come on in.. The water is . uhh.. fine..

Pay no attention to the smoke..

.

Oil from the Deepwater Horizon wellhead makes patterns on the water in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana June 13, 2010.… Read more » REUTERS/Kate Davison(R)Sean Gardner(L)-Greenpeace/Handout


3 posted on 06/14/2010 2:41:59 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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To: NormsRevenge

What a loser. Just when I think he’s the anti-Christ coming to try to destroy the US and Judeo-Christian civilization, I realize what a goober he is. The guy is dumb as a post and doesn’t seem to understand a thing people say to him, and he has no undestanding of social cues or the behavior expected of him.


4 posted on 06/14/2010 2:42:14 PM PDT by livius
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To: NormsRevenge

Obama finally realized that he put millions of people out of work with his Chicago scare tactics....and BP should not have to pay them if Obama caused their demise by shutting off areas for no reason.


5 posted on 06/14/2010 2:42:26 PM PDT by Sacajaweau (What)
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US President Barack Obama speaks after meeting with Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen and local officials on efforts to fight the BP oil spill at Coast Guard Station Gulfport in Gulfport, Mississippi. Obama labeled the Gulf oil spill an environmental 9/11 and made a fourth disaster zone trip Monday while aides strong-armed BP to set up a multi-billion dollar victim fund. (AFP/Mandel Ngan)


6 posted on 06/14/2010 2:43:02 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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DeepKimchi Horizon


7 posted on 06/14/2010 2:44:22 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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To: NormsRevenge

An environmental 9/11? That’s just hyperbole intended to lay the groundwork for drastic Administration action.


8 posted on 06/14/2010 2:44:28 PM PDT by popdonnelly (Forty years of electing leftist fools to Congress have culminated in Nancy Pelosi.)
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To: NormsRevenge

9 posted on 06/14/2010 2:46:31 PM PDT by COUNTrecount (Barry...above his poi grade.)
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To: COUNTrecount

LOL.. Just another day at the beach


10 posted on 06/14/2010 2:47:12 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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To: NormsRevenge
Just think...we now have a president who spends his time between rounds of golf watching for opportunities to kick some a**.

Makes me weep for the America that once was, and is no more.

11 posted on 06/14/2010 2:53:58 PM PDT by Deo volente (God willing, America will survive this Obamination.)
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To: NormsRevenge
Zero and his operatives were down in the Gulf on a recon mission, looking for po' folks who have benefited from the gubmint's assistance since the beginning of the Deep Horizon leak.

It's always a part of the propaganda machine to sprinkle in a couple of personal interest stories. I wonder how many shout-outs he'll give during tomorrow's address?!

12 posted on 06/14/2010 3:17:35 PM PDT by mellow velo (Obama has no past; America is losing its future.)
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To: NormsRevenge

Is he getting ready to give another speech from that phony Greek temple stage?

I can’t wait...


13 posted on 06/14/2010 3:34:36 PM PDT by Zeppo ("Happy Pony is on - and I'm NOT missing Happy Pony")
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To: Zeppo

America will never be what it was. I just don’t see any way back. Americans are too lazy to revolt.

Sucks


14 posted on 06/14/2010 3:37:47 PM PDT by silentknight
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To: COUNTrecount
They look as on holidays
15 posted on 06/14/2010 3:38:40 PM PDT by RobertPowell777 (Obama on holidays)
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To: silentknight

Never give up!, Never!


16 posted on 06/14/2010 3:39:08 PM PDT by investigateworld (Abortion stops a beating Heart)
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To: silentknight

Never give up!, Never!


17 posted on 06/14/2010 3:41:21 PM PDT by investigateworld (Abortion stops a beating Heart)
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