Evening Buzz: Buffett: BP Lied from the Start
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
Tonight on 360°, singer Jimmy Buffett gives his take on the Gulf oil spill. "This is the beach of my misspent youth," Buffett told Anderson as they began to walk along the sands of Gulf Shores, Alabama. He went on to say, it's "depressing as hell" seeing tar balls rolling in with the tide. Buffett's sister owns a restaurant in town. He sang a few of his famous songs for the crowd there last night. We'll show you the video.
It was a rainy day along parts of the Gulf in the wake of Hurricane Alex. Skimmers still aren't being used, and they could be tied up through the weekend, due to the rough seas.
Randi Kaye went out in a boat with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal to survey the damage from the storm on the barrier island of Grande Terre. The governor didn't like what they saw - oil deep into the marshy grass.
Before the spill, the governor said, the area would have been filled with fishermen. Today there's only oil.
Jindal is asking the federal government to help protect his state's shoreline. Is he getting the response he wants? Randi will answer that for you.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, is also taking aim at the government's response. He released a report entitled, "How the White House Public Relations Campaign on the Oil Spill is Harming the Actual Clean-Up". The report accuses the government of misrepresenting the facts, including how many vessels are part of the response and questions how much control the government has over the cleanup efforts. Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser is quoted in the report on both issues, and seems to support Issa's claim. We'll talk it over with Nungesser.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs responded to the accusations today.
"I would say one thing to Congressman Issa: Plaquemines is spelled P-L-A-Q-U-E-M-I-N-E-S.," Gibbs said.
We also have the latest developments on the allegations former Vice President Al Gore had "unwanted sexual conduct" with a massage therapist in 2006. Portland, Oregon police today revealed why they reopened the case.
We'll talk it over again with CNN Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin.
Join us for these stories and much more starting at 10 p.m. ET. See you then.
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Filed under: Maureen Miller • The Buzz |
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Now we hear that the Fish and Wildlife agency of the Department of the Interior failed to protect the fish and wildlife. How do these government drones do it? How do they ruin peoples' lives, animal life, the beautiful planet and go on living? The wrong people commit suicide. I would love to see all those who have caused so much hurt, have to sit and have their haircut in front of the world to be put into booms for the cleanup.
Let's ask Buffet to write us a new National anthem...let's start there envisioning a new paradigm for America! Let's create a country that spends it's money, time and energy building a society and an infrastructure that supports the planet and it's precious inhbitants and resources. We the people need to stop glorifying and singing the praises of war and killing and start envisioning a land that breeds compassion, sustainability and respect for all life. Let's declare war on disease, poverty of mind, body and spirit and greed in all it's forms. We are a nation of dreamers and innovators. Let's dream the dream and sing the song of freedom and kinship. Go ahead Jimmy...let's hear it!!
One Hundred Billion dollars, many of them American taxpayer provided have helped rebuild Louisiana after Katrina. The homes and buildings in New Orleans are still a good 10 feet below sea-level and beneath the top of the levees. The next category 5 Hurricane to hit that State will likely flood New Orleans yet again.
The American Taxpayers are potentially going to lose as much money due to the Louisiana BP Gulf Oil accident and ALREADY the Republican politicians in Louisiana (Gov. Bobby drill baby Jindal) are crying for more deep sea Oil drilling, regardless what that could cost American Taxpayers.
American needs to convey to Louisiana that Taxpayers are looking at Louisiana as having 2 Strikes and no concrete changes made to prevent the 3rd. Strike on American's pocketbooks.
I just want to thank you for all of the coverage you are giving to the gulf spill . Thank you for letting the truth be known about this devastation . I sit here feeling helpless , watching as our leaders are being held back by these fools who are supposed to be running the show . I know they don,t care that I havent seen a snowy egret all week , or that my friends and neighbors who depend on the gulf for their livlihhod are in limbo . Please keep them honest and maybe something will get done . Thank you
Why was tthat more rigorous environmental study waived by the federal govt? Yes that's the practice, but given the different positions in the gulf there would be varying possible environmental impacts and needed responses.
One of the problems in Alaska was that I believe spill response equip required by law was neglected and so in disrepair when the Valdez ran aground and started spilling oil.
The rept on the EPA lawyer and the rept on the MMS go hand in hand. If govt exercises oversight and enforcement industry has to comply.
Beautiful views of the beach in Pensecola.
Happy fourth of July everyone.
Anderson, Keep up the interviews...
Jimmy, thanks for the concert. Family was in town this week, in Morgantown, enjoyed 1st time back in 20 years...too long...will return next year...Stand strong! Will continue praying for you all on the coast!
Why is it the president will not step in and let us the people clean up our beaches. This is our country, Bp is invading our beaches and we can't help save our beaches or live lee hood. Our families and freedom are being taken away, first 11 good men lives and now our freedom we fought for in 1776. Our independence is at stake once again by Britain.
Where are the different and colorful marker's to indicate areas of clean up ? There are skimmer's and boats there to clean up and which boat goes where to work on what area of clean up ? I'm surprised we don't see flare guns shooting into the sky to indicate an area of concern for rescue clean up. Each boat has a color indicated and we see the color designated with a marker ? Fly over and take pictures of where the boats are moving to clean up. Who is in charge of the clean up organization of this oil ? Shoot a flare gun up and get some skimmer boats to the areas that needs help now.
I dont realy know what to say about this whole thing, I voted for the president and im 20 years old and i will never make that mistake again this is just really a screw job me and my kids are pretty much screwed excuse my language but yet the presidant cant just mess up the money but yet he has to mess up the envioronment no not his fault but ok lets make this law that so the people of america cant see the truth. I talked to a girl the other week she didnt even know the oil was still coming out even with the news i mean come on these r our lives i could keep goin but no one wants a twenty page plog but obama u messed up
What the U.S. Government is neglecting to do is criminal.
Now we have come to keeping reporters out. BP does not have this control so that leaves the people we have in control of our country.
It seems that this administration has other things higher on there list more important things then saving the gulf.
The President is comander and chief as we have heard, that means he controls the Coast Guard, It also means he is calling the shots on the restrictions on the media.
I say Jimmy Buffett thank you for your effort CNN thank you for covering what our elected officials seem to try to cover up.
To the people of the gulf you have seen many hardships over the years and I know you will get past this as you have others.
I pray you keep faith and come out stronger then ever.
BP started drilling relief wells immediately. It is amazing they are as close as they are. The drillers on those rescue wells can't be praised enough for the job they are doing. Same for their support crews. A smaller company wouldn't have the resources. A sovereign nationalized oil company like in Equidor maybe wouldn't care at all about cleanup (google equidor oil spill). May not be news, but its a heck of a job of good engineering. Same for the subsea efforts. What the subs are doing as well as the riser cap techniques and technology is well explained with professionally produced video by Kent Wells in BP engineering on the BP pages. Anderson, you should hire an or recruit an engineering volunteer to comment on whatever of the 12 video feeds you are showing if you need minute by minute verbal details. Although, after looking through the BP engineering pages for the explanatory videos its pretty much obvious what they are doing subsea minute by minute. Converting ships both Kostners and the Awhale in weeks to be recovey ships is crash construction. Kudos to the mechanical gurus, techs and engineers. Again, that A Whale ship should be out there tonight running its oil recovery water cleaning tests with monitoring of its effects of wildlife and fish. They can always monitor and stop it if they want if it doesn't work out as intended after a day or two.
If we don't stop to think about how much we are destorying the very palnet we live on, it may end up being too late. BP hasn't done enough to correct the problem of this oil in the Gulf so I'm thinking it's up to us who live in the area to start fixing things.
Jimmy Buffet real American is righ we need to utlilize all our assets. The Whale for skimming and microbes that eat oil and won't hurt the environment... America needs to keep questioning the government and BP.
I do not live close to the gulf at all, however I am still vexed by the ever developing situation with BP and this leak. I mean, this thing is leaking oil if i'm correct, into the ocean as I typed this!
I am 22, from the inner city and our local government's consciousness...(Funkhouser), on issues like this one seem to be minute...It is alarming to me and I am saying that from the standpoint of the youth of america..to see grown and i'm sure successful men and women address this is crazy, i'm doing what I can to make sure people are more aware of whats happening in the world beyond our own amitions.....
Each day I am more amazed and freaked out than the day before. We came to the Gulf Coast from San Diego to help, to volunteer, to clean marsh or animals or to do whatever was needed. We were denied at every turn. We signed up, as have tens of thousands of of others but were told "we will contact you."
The sad truth is I didn't expect more from BP but I did expect more from our government. Twenty Bilion dollars is a lot of money, I'm happy there will be some compensation. I congratulate the President on reaching that agreement but today being informed that the media or anyone must stay at least 65 feet away from boom or skimmers is very scary. This seems to be an attempt to STOP the coverage. Please Anderson keep on covering this story. We are listening. This is the most devasting envoiormental disaster of my life time.
Please contact your Representive and Senators in Congress and demand that the media be allowed to cover this story with no limits.
Yes Thank You 360 for the ongoing reporting on a fubar situtation. Thank you for giving a great like Buffett another outlet for his voice. I can't help but think also that, Is this intentional? With the deliberate poisoning of our waters with the oil and with the dispersants? Our own government dragging thier feet and BP with totally no remorse. They should be kicked out of the Gulf completely. Is GREED all it is? What if this was in one of the bays in the UK? How would they react to that? Is there more and what are they hiding?
Some are suggesting that those of us who normally vacation in the Gulf, continue with our plans. I would love to see these "famous" people pack up their kids and the money they were able to save for their once a year vacation come on down to the gulf, sit on their condo deck, and stare at a bunch of ugly oil or walk along the beach with tar balls washing up. Don't tell us this is our beach to love and care for: we know that and we are sad. We've lost our deposits on the condos: the owners do not want to give them back! They tell us: come and see and if you're not happy, we'll refund your money! Why in the world would we drive hours away with our family packed up in the car just to turn around and come home? I am a big supporter of President Obama, but I've even heard him suggest we should continue with our vacations. In about 5 years we'll all be told how we were exposed to chemicals that will harm our health – watch and see! I love Orange Beach, AL – but don't expect me to vacation there this year- I've been there after shark attacks and hurricanes and never batted an eye. Just don't ask me to expose my family to this disaster. Think people – what exactly do you expect us to do?
simple, Bp is fined based on the amount of oil they lose control of . The obfuscation of flow rates explain BP's motivation. Oil that is recovered is added to the flowrate from the well head ie fines. It is any wonder thqat BP is keeping skimmers away from the site. It is in BP's interest to insure as much oil as possible is NOT recovered-hence massive dispersant application. . Seems like the Gov should be considering a deal with BP to clean it all up based on lower fines for oil they have lost control of.?
to put it in persepective I have an oil skimmer registered with Bp over 6 weeks ago and I have not recieved an agknowlegement. Go figure I have a vessle capable of recovering 100 gallons per minute and they haven't even called me be back or agknowleged my application? We asked Billy Nungesser's people what to do? We were forwarded to BP's site. There is some serious BS going down and you need to get to the bottom of it.
Regarding Jimmy Buffet's interview with Anderson, I must say that I was touched and amazed at their dedication and sincerity in their concerns for the people of the gulf who are suffering through such a horrible man-made disaster so soon after experiencing the devastating effects of the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina. My family and I recently decided to visit New Orleans for a family vacation (our small way of supporting the economy). I can honestly say that we have never experienced such wonderful hospitality, delicious food, inspiring music and overall "joie de vivre" as we did in the beautiful city of New Orleans. I would highly recommend this destination to anyone as the most "unique and welcoming" place in the world! Shame on BP and the government for offering no protection towards the natural environment of the people and wild-life of the gulf area which is presently being destroyed due to their greed and failure to employ the efficient resources needed to "Clean It Up!"
Even though I am a Canadian citizen, I realize that this issue knows no borders. My heart goes out to the people of the south! We are with you in spirit!
Anderson,
Thank you for keeping this issue front and center. You made a difference in Katrina and now you are the voice of the people again.
It's not in BP's financial interest to properly clean up. If it was, they would be putting more energy and funds into the clean up. They do not care about the marshes, the sea creatures or the birds. They have to pay the same out of pocket if they clean up or someone else does.
They are not revealing how much oil is spilling out because its in their financial interest to down play the damage due to the fines per day. We know they are lying.
Expose them, Anderson.
Anderson you are doing a great job.
You get it .......... talking about how there is not accessibility now !!!!! Government policy now ............. this is their way to cover up it up. Obama does not care .......... stay away at least 65 feet .......... the government is trying to hide their lack of response.
No skimmers .......... does not waive the Jones Act, no no lets not get sand dunes out there to protect the wildlife and beaches ......... Obama is awful how he does not care, he talks a good game and does nothing to help REALLY. I watch you ever night now.
palmer
This whole thing stinks with this so called new rule blocking the media. the only thing this new rule does is prevent us from seeing the incompetence of BP and the feds. The gulf is dying everyday and BP and the feds are useless in saving it.
I admire the way Anderson is reporting on the lack of transparency with respect to the Gulf disaster. He is boldly taking a hard line.
However, I would like to challenge him ( he will never do it ) to remind the country of all the promises that President Obama has made but not kept.
If you want the Gulf problem fixed quickly with regards to the clean up just call our President a liar on CNN. There will be immediate action guaranteed.
Before you think I am an extreme right winger let me assure you that I voted for Obama.
Unfortunately our president is evolving into a pathological liar. He now makes statements/promises that he has no intention of fulfilling – just ask the folks in Louisiana.
Have you checked the campaign promises – they are not happening.
Jimmy Buffett is ALWAYS on the mark! He makes me proud to be a "Coastie" in Mississippi!!
Keep bugging everyone, Anderson, because the public needs it. So much has happened, and is happening - people need to be kept in the loop. This needs to stay on the front burner for as long as it takes to make it right.
BP’s arrogant disregard for citizens of the Gulf, wildlife, and the environment is criminal. Yet the President, who has the right under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, doesn't take control and continues to let BP manage the clean up. Perhaps it is because Washington is so dependent on oil company campaign contributions, and the Pentagon need for BP oil to fuel two wars. It is time for the President take cleanup control away from BP and direct our military to work with local civilian leaders to save the Gulf.
Good evening to all, as a very frustrated American who feels like we are losing this beautiful coast and ocean to the oil, we have to take some action. There has to be some way to get the government to do more. We needs some information on who do we call, who do we email,who do we plead with! BP has done nothing but try to cover ttheir interest and money. The response of our own goverment is almost just as bad. Mackey seems to be the most concerned congressman to date.There is no reason to have skimmers not being used , why don't the governer's of the involved states call in all national guard members, Obama did encourage them to do that but only a small number has been called up. I saw that some of BP stations are down 40% in sells due to the grassroots boycott of regular folks like me that just love the beach ! Does anybody have ideas on how to get the President to lift the Jones act and forget the 1990 policy of some skimmers sitting idol. Do we all need to just show up with shop vacs from home depot ?
What can the average person do to help in the Gulf? The only answer that I can come up with is to contribute to their tourist economy...take a vacation down to New Orleans, Mobile, Pensacola.
BP and our Government is in bed together,The government poiticions only care about their pockets getting lined and their political careers..
This is horrifying more oil in marshes, this could have been so avoided if proper clean up efforts started immediately. The world's bio diversity is at high risk with the Gulf feeling the effects first. Who is not listening? We know BP's not listening but who else is not listening because when the the world starts radically changing from the effects of this it will be to late to hold anyone accountable.
“Over years of reflection, I realized life is our own personal book of challenges. Our responsibilities in life to who we are and how we affect other people for the good and bad; It seems without much thought we choose to forget future consequences, and with only the need for more, our loss of control over families, marriages, and our one day unattainable life of greed, has become an everyday routine. You may only get one chance for survival, or a last chance of warning, and when we tune out and don’t consider the consequences, denial and lack of action is very likely to churn a host of negative occurrences.” from my personal writings.
Accountability is more then the new trend word of the 21 Century it must become a way of life before it's too late for everyone.
Has everyone rule out this dreadful oil spill as a terrorist effort or the filthy rich oil companies efforts to take more from the working man? Is there nothing our military (US Navy) can do or offer?
Sounds like a good show for tonight – Jimmy Buffet, Randi's trip with the Governor and what they found, more conversation with Billy Nungesser who is one of the hardest working people I've seen for his parish. Buffet said in the clip on the blog that Louisianans are resilient and will recover from this; I certainly hope they will and that the land will as well. I look forward to hearing what else he and Anderson talked about in their stroll down the beach.