What Can President Obama Do About The Gulf Oil Catastrophe?

The people of Louisiana are looking forward to President Obama’s visit to the gulf coast. The president can’t actually stop the leak or clean up the spill himself. In fact, it has been made clear that the government doesn’t have the equipment to stop the leak. BP will have to stop the leak and as I write this BP is employing a method called “top kill” to plug up that well. Let’s hope they succeed.

Back to the President’s visit now: does a president really have to show up on the beaches of the gulf to prove that he is doing everything in the government’s power to clean up the massive oil spill? Yes, that is part of the job. A president must (1) pull all the levers of government to remedy the problem and (2) get out face to face with those who are directly impacted by the disaster, look them in the eye and tell them in person what is being done to help and express his compassion for them. That is the way ordinary relationships are held together. Think about a husband and wife. They both perform many tasks to fulfill their vows and care for the needs of their partner. Then, they look each other in the eye and give voice to their love. It’s what is expected. It’s natural. No different, then, with the president and the frightened, suffering citizens who need help and reassurance.

By the way, I heard that a former oil company executive told about a little publicized major oil spill in the Persian Gulf. The Saudi’s sent several super tankers into the spill and they used the vessels’ powerful siphons to suck up oil and sea water and separated it once it was on board. All super tankers have this equipment and it would have helped in the Gulf of Mexico. The ships could have been allowed to keep the oil they salvaged. It would have been a win for everybody.

Here’s hoping they get the leak plugged soon.

Possibly Similar Posts:

• President Obama Swims In The Gulf Of Mexico
• Methane Gas—Bad News In The Wrong Places
• Look Out! More Taxes Are Coming!
• Potential For Abuse—A Weak Argument
• Corporate Guys Vs. Government Guys