Gulf Braces for Obama Backlash

[Gaspar]

The presidential offshore drilling moratorium will cost approximately US $2.1 billion in economic loss to the states along the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) in first six months, according to a recently released paper.



"The Economic Cost of a Moratorium on the Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration to the Gulf Region" was written by Dr. Joseph R. Mason, Louisiana State University endowed chair of banking and renowned economist. Mason said he estimates the moratorium will see a loss of 8,000 jobs and $500 million in lost wages in the Gulf Coast in the first six months.

"The moratorium will cost the Gulf Coast region jobs, money, and economic development," he said. "In fact, the moratorium could be more costly than the oil spill itself."

http://www.epmag.com/2010/July/item63533.php

[RecycleMichael]

Of course, a magazine put out by the oil exploration and drilling industry is completely unbiased.

You are like the Chick Fil A cows who say "eat more chicken".

[nathanm]

Hmm, in "...the first six months" of a six month moratorium.

[Conan71]

I've Googled around and no one seems to be able to give a direct figure as to what the total damage is so far and in the future to fisheries and tourism.  Tourism will take a hit for a year or however long it takes to clean oil from the beaches, assuming they have found the proper fix for the leak and can successfully complete a relief well(s).  While I agree it's important to learn as much as possible about this spill and how to prevent another, I don't trust the motives 100% as we know this administration is supposedly all about supporting alternative energy and this is just the incident they needed to show why oil dependence is bad.

What fishermen are saying is they possibly won't really know the total impact for several years as fish are spawning in areas out to sea affected by the spill then they eventually migrate to the waters they fish.  The effects could last generations according to some in the industry.  It's possible that tourism and fishing could take an even bigger hit than the oil business over this.

Here's the silver lining:

Considering that Exxon spent in the range of $2 bln to clean up Prince William Sound, there may be more of a bonanza right now for workers in the Gulf states in oil clean up as I would assume given the volume of oil, the area covered, and 20 years of inflation, that BP will spend well in excess of $2 bln cleaning this up.  Seems like there's a good opportunity for idled workers and fishermen.

[Gaspar]

I've Googled around and no one seems to be able to give a direct figure as to what the total damage is so far and in the future to fisheries and tourism.  Tourism will take a hit for a year or however long it takes to clean oil from the beaches, assuming they have found the proper fix for the leak and can successfully complete a relief well(s).  While I agree it's important to learn as much as possible about this spill and how to prevent another, I don't trust the motives 100% as we know this administration is supposedly all about supporting alternative energy and this is just the incident they needed to show why oil dependence is bad.

What fishermen are saying is they possibly won't really know the total impact for several years as fish are spawning in areas out to sea affected by the spill then they eventually migrate to the waters they fish.  The effects could last generations according to some in the industry.  It's possible that tourism and fishing could take an even bigger hit than the oil business over this.

Here's the silver lining:

Considering that Exxon spent in the range of $2 bln to clean up Prince William Sound, there may be more of a bonanza right now for workers in the Gulf states in oil clean up as I would assume given the volume of oil, the area covered, and 20 years of inflation, that BP will spend well in excess of $2 bln cleaning this up.  Seems like there's a good opportunity for idled workers and fishermen.

If I were a fisherman, I would rather be fishing than cleaning up oil.  Most likely I would move my operation to better waters.

We will also see an emergence of health related law suits among the workers.  They will call it "Gulf Oil Disease" and there will be a variety of unexplained neurological symptoms.  I know some Oklahoma lawyers that are already preparing for the bonanza.

[nathanm]

We will also see an emergence of health related law suits among the workers.  They will call it "Gulf Oil Disease" and there will be a variety of unexplained neurological symptoms.  I know some Oklahoma lawyers that are already preparing for the bonanza.

It's going to be hard to collect, given that BP makes 'em wear Tyvek suits (they've gone through so many so far that there's fear that we might run out) and masks to filter out the outgassing from the oil and has strict exposure limits.

[Conan71]

It's going to be hard to collect, given that BP makes 'em wear Tyvek suits (they've gone through so many so far that there's fear that we might run out) and masks to filter out the outgassing from the oil and has strict exposure limits.

Workers had all sorts of garb on during the WTC clean-up as well.  You can even sign a whole stack of releases and still sue.  It will happen, just wait.  The sharks are circling.

Gaspar, for some there may not be an option to go fish elsewhere.  I believe I read that at one point that Exxon had employed nearly the entire fishing fleet in PWC for that clean-up.  If you don't want to pick up stakes or idle your boat and can make just as much dragging a boom, might as well get with the clean up in hopes you can be fishing again that much sooner.

[Gaspar]

The President and his family have decided to take their 8th vacation of the year in the Gulf Region.  I think this is a great symbol of solidarity, that President Obama deserves some credit for.

After what seems like a whirlwind of spas and golf outings, to sacrifice 5 days in the gulf in support of the suffering tourism industry is quite touching.

Michelle will be flying in from Spain where she will be on a 4 day vacation with the girls.  They've rented 30 rooms in an exclusive 5-Star hotel in Benahavis near Marbella (Hotel Villa Padierna it is believed).  The President may join them for his birthday on the 4th because the hotel offers a world class golf course. He will then fly back to rest for the Gulf trip.  While in Spain, Mrs. Obama will pay an official visit to Their Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia of Spain at their invitation.

Once they finish with their gulf trip, it's off to Martha's Vineyard for a 10 day spa vacation to rest up for their next exciting vacation adventure.

[swake]

It's going to be hard to collect, given that BP makes 'em wear Tyvek suits (they've gone through so many so far that there's fear that we might run out) and masks to filter out the outgassing from the oil and has strict exposure limits.

I have a cousin that lives south of Mobile very close to the bay but miles inland from the gulf and she has been able to smell the oil at her house.

[JeffM]

The President and his family have decided to take their 8th vacation of the year in the Gulf Region.  I think this is a great symbol of solidarity, that President Obama deserves some credit for.

After what seems like a whirlwind of spas and golf outings, to sacrifice 5 days in the gulf in support of the suffering tourism industry is quite touching.

Michelle will be flying in from Spain where she will be on a 4 day vacation with the girls.  They've rented 30 rooms in an exclusive 5-Star hotel in Benahavis near Marbella (Hotel Villa Padierna it is believed).  The President may join them for his birthday on the 4th because the hotel offers a world class golf course. He will then fly back to rest for the Gulf trip.  While in Spain, Mrs. Obama will pay an official visit to Their Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia of Spain at their invitation.

Once they finish with their gulf trip, it's off to Martha's Vineyard for a 10 day spa vacation to rest up for their next exciting vacation adventure.

Yawn.  

Obama Maine Visit: First Family Heads To Acadia National Park Vacation
First Posted: 07-16-10 05:44 AM   |  
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/16/obama-maine-visit-first-f_n_648654.html

Consider the most recent full-family holiday: a Memorial Day weekend in Chicago that was overtaken by the Gulf oil spill. After the Obamas slept at their Chicago home for the first time in a year, the president got up and left for a daylong Gulf inspection tour.

That diversion followed the Obamas' Christmas trip to Hawaii, interrupted repeatedly for briefings and comment on the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound jet.

And it followed last summer's Martha's Vineyard stay, interrupted by the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, whose Boston funeral Obama and his wife, Michelle, attended.

Then there was the planned visit to Indonesia, where Obama spent part of his youth. He'd hoped to show daughters Malia and Sasha his old haunts. But the trip was scrubbed, first in March as health care neared its climax, then again in June because of the oil spill. It's now expected late this year.

In fact, the spill could further scramble the family's plans. In an NBC interview Thursday, Obama didn't rule out a vacation trip to a Gulf beach.

Despite two wars and an economic collapse crowding his plate, Obama's taken comparatively little time off.

According to a tally kept by Mark Knoller, a CBS News reporter long recognized by the White House as authoritative on such matters, Obama has spent all or part of 65 days on vacation, including days at Camp David. At this point in his tenure, George W. Bush had spent 120 days. That included 13 trips to his Texas ranch.

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Fox News Claims that Obama is on Vacation More than George W. Bush
Posted on June 22, 2010 by Jason Easley
http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-bush-vacation

Bush spent 1,020 days of his presidency on vacation. To put this into context, John F. Kennedy spent fewer days in office, 1000, than George W. Bush spent on vacation. Bush spent 487 days at Camp David, 490 days at his Crawford ranch, and 43 days in Kennebunkport. George W. Bush spent 69 days in Crawford during his first year in office. In contrast, according to FactCheck.org, Obama spent all, or part of, 26 days of his first year in office on vacation. This was less than all three previous Republican presidents, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush, but more than the two previous Democratic presidents, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

[Hoss]

Yawn.  

Obama Maine Visit: First Family Heads To Acadia National Park Vacation
First Posted: 07-16-10 05:44 AM   |  
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/16/obama-maine-visit-first-f_n_648654.html

Consider the most recent full-family holiday: a Memorial Day weekend in Chicago that was overtaken by the Gulf oil spill. After the Obamas slept at their Chicago home for the first time in a year, the president got up and left for a daylong Gulf inspection tour.

That diversion followed the Obamas' Christmas trip to Hawaii, interrupted repeatedly for briefings and comment on the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound jet.

And it followed last summer's Martha's Vineyard stay, interrupted by the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, whose Boston funeral Obama and his wife, Michelle, attended.

Then there was the planned visit to Indonesia, where Obama spent part of his youth. He'd hoped to show daughters Malia and Sasha his old haunts. But the trip was scrubbed, first in March as health care neared its climax, then again in June because of the oil spill. It's now expected late this year.

In fact, the spill could further scramble the family's plans. In an NBC interview Thursday, Obama didn't rule out a vacation trip to a Gulf beach.

Despite two wars and an economic collapse crowding his plate, Obama's taken comparatively little time off.

According to a tally kept by Mark Knoller, a CBS News reporter long recognized by the White House as authoritative on such matters, Obama has spent all or part of 65 days on vacation, including days at Camp David. At this point in his tenure, George W. Bush had spent 120 days. That included 13 trips to his Texas ranch.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fox News Claims that Obama is on Vacation More than George W. Bush
Posted on June 22, 2010 by Jason Easley
http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-bush-vacation

Bush spent 1,020 days of his presidency on vacation. To put this into context, John F. Kennedy spent fewer days in office, 1000, than George W. Bush spent on vacation. Bush spent 487 days at Camp David, 490 days at his Crawford ranch, and 43 days in Kennebunkport. George W. Bush spent 69 days in Crawford during his first year in office. In contrast, according to FactCheck.org, Obama spent all, or part of, 26 days of his first year in office on vacation. This was less than all three previous Republican presidents, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush, but more than the two previous Democratic presidents, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Damn...those facts again.

[Conan71]

Damn I want that job! Over 1000 days?

[Gaspar]

Damn I want that job! Over 1000 days?

They are counting the days he spent at the Crawford Ranch (The Southern White house as the press called it).  He took his entire staff as well as foreign dignitaries.

Hey, I guess if Bush did it, that makes it all right!

[RecycleMichael]

They are counting the days he spent at the Crawford Ranch (The Southern White house as the press called it).  He took his entire staff as well as foreign dignitaries.

He made his staff clear brush.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-08-24-bush-vacation_x.htm

an excerpt...

"Cutting cedar is one of Bush's favorite activities at the ranch. Almost every day, he rounds up staffers and heads deep into his property with chain saws. He explains that fast-growing cedar deprives older trees of water and light. It's hard work, but Bush loves wielding the chain saw, and the chore has become part workout, part macho competition."

[Gaspar]

He made his staff clear brush.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-08-24-bush-vacation_x.htm

an excerpt...

"Cutting cedar is one of Bush's favorite activities at the ranch. Almost every day, he rounds up staffers and heads deep into his property with chain saws. He explains that fast-growing cedar deprives older trees of water and light. It's hard work, but Bush loves wielding the chain saw, and the chore has become part workout, part macho competition."

Awesome!  I'm starting to appreciate him more.