Billy Nungesser, president of New Orleans’ Plaquemines Parish, sensed that a chart showing 140 oil skimmers at work — a chart given to him by BP and the Coast Guard — was “somewhat inaccurate.” So, Nungesser asked to fly over the spill to verify the number.
The flyover was cancelled three times before those officials admitted that just 31 of the 140 skimmers were actually deployed.
The incident is detailed in a report released Thursday by Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Republicans say the report provides evidence that the Obama administration misrepresented the assets devoted to the cleanup, misrepresented the timing of when government officials knew there was an oil spill and misrepresented the level of control the government had over the matter. It also claims the Obama administration seemed more interested in public relations than cleaning the mess and plugging the hole.
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Congressional report claims Administration misled about efforts on oil spill
Judge faces death threats after overturning Obama’s drilling moratorium
While many Americans undoubtedly agree with the decision of U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman to overturn the Obama administration’s moratorium on deep water drilling, not everyone is happy. In fact, the Judge is now receiving death threats in the aftermath of his bold ruling.
Last night, Feldman served as a celebrity judge at a cooking contest at a school gymnasium in Uptown New Orleans. Due to the threats, Feldman was accompanied by a federal marshal security team.
Federal government halts sand berm dredging
WDSU,
The federal government has shut down the dredging that was being done to create protective sand berms in the Gulf of Mexico.
The berms are meant to protect the Louisiana coastline from oil. But the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department has concerns about where the dredging is being done. The department says one area where sand is being dredged is a sensitive section of the Chandeleur Islands, and the state failed to meet an extended deadline to install pipe that would draw sand from a less-endangered area.
BP caps one of the three oil leaks
Fox News, “British Petroleum Caps One of Three Gulf Oil Leaks”
British Petroleum was able to cap one of the three Gulf of Mexico oil leaks on the Deepwater Horizon overnight, officials confirmed to New Orleans’ Fox 8 on Wednesday, but the oil giant will still move ahead with a specially built giant concrete-and-steel box designed to siphon the oil away.
Spokesman Curtis Thomas said that the new cap does not necessarily lessen the amount of oil coming out but will help when trying to cap the other two leaks.
A new valve was put on the leak Tuesday night to stop the flow. However, Thomas said 5,000 barrels of oil were still leaking into the Gulf Of Mexico.
“It doesn’t lessen the flow, it just simplifies the number of leak points they have to address,” Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley said.
Fox News article continues here.
Crews to deploy oil dome to cap spill
Fox News (AP), “Crews Prepare to Deploy Oil Dome, but Will It Work?”
The best short-term solution to bottling up a disastrous oil spill threatening sea life and livelihoods along the Gulf Coast should be arriving on Wednesday in the form of a specially built giant concrete-and-steel box designed to siphon the oil away.
Crews for contractor Wild Well Control were putting the finishing touches Tuesday on the 100-ton containment dome. A barge at about midday would haul the contraption to the spot 50 miles offshore where a mile-deep gusher from a blown-out undersea well has been spewing at least 210,000 gallons of crude a day into the Gulf for two weeks. BP spokesman John Curry said it would be deployed on the seabed by Thursday.
It’s the latest idea that engineers from oil giant BP PLC were trying since an oil rig the company was operating exploded on April 20, killing 11 workers. It sank two days later, when the oil started pouring into the Gulf. BP is in charge of the cleanup and President Obama and many others say the company also is responsible for the costs.
Fox News (AP) article continues here.
Coast Guard to burn Gulf oil slick
MSNBC (AP), “Coast Guard to burn Gulf oil slick”
Crews geared up to set fire to oil leaking from the site of an exploded drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, a last-ditch effort to get rid of it before it reaches environmentally sensitive marshlands on the coast.
A 500-foot boom will be used to corral several thousand gallons of the thickest oil on the surface, which will then be towed to a more remote area, set on fire, and allowed to burn for about an hour, the Coast Guard said. Such burns will continue throughout the day if they are working.
Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad hereIt was unclear what would be used to set the oil on fire and how far from shore it would burn. The slick was about 20 miles east of the mouth of the Mississippi River.
MSNBC (AP) article continues here.
Brees selected as Madden NFL 11 cover
ESPN, “Brees on cover of Madden NFL 11”
Drew Brees has another prize to put next to his Super Bowl MVP trophy: He’s the cover model for this year’s edition of the “Madden NFL” video game.
Electronic Arts Inc. Drew Brees says landing the Madden cover is “a great way to cap off an amazing year.”
The New Orleans Saints quarterback led his team to a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in this year’s Super Bowl. He says landing the cover of “Madden” is “a great way to cap off an amazing year.”
The announcement was made Thursday.
ESPN article continues here.
The Hayride conducts excellent investigative journalism of New Orleans beating
Read about the ongoing investigation at The Hayride.
Jindal fundraiser and her boyfriend beaten in New Orleans outside SRLC dinner
Gateway Pundit, “Police Release Description of Allee Bautsch Attacker”
by Jim Hoft
Superintendent Warren J. Riley and members of the New Orleans Police are asking the public’s assistance in locating and identifying several suspects wanted in connection with an incident that occurred in the 600 block of Saint Louis Street . The incident occurred Friday April 9, 2010, at approximately 10:45 P.M.
According to investigators, the victims were walking from a function at a restaurant in the 400 block of Royal Street . When they entered the 600 block of Saint Louis Street , three to five Caucasian males made derogatory comments to the 25-year-old female and her 28-year-old male friend. When the male victim turned towards the group of men, one or more of the suspects struck the victim several times. At some point the female victim fell to the ground and screamed. The suspects then fled on foot. Officers in the area heard the female screaming and responded to the scene and broadcasted a description of the suspects and requested Emergency Medical Paramedics. As the female was waiting for EMS , she used her purse as a pillow. When the victim was in the ambulance, she discovered her purse was missing.
Gateway Pundit article continues here.
SAINTS WIN! SAINTS WIN!
Times-Picayune, “The New Orleans Saints win the Super Bowl”
by Kevin Spain
The New Orleans Saints have won Super Bowl XLIV.
They beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 here at Sun Life Stadium in South Florida.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees was 32-of-39 for 288 yards and two touchdowns.
But it was the big 75-yard interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Tracy Porter that sealed the deal.
“I studied and knew their tendencies,” Porter said. “I just jumped around and the ball went right into my hands.”
Porter’s teammate Darren Sharper, who was on the Green Bay Packers as a rookie when they lost to Denver, said this was a game that nobody had faith in the team except for the team.
“Man this is unbelievable,” Sharper said. “I don’t know of anyone who gave us a chance, but when you get here, anyone can win.”
Times-Picayune article continues here.
James O’Keefe arrested for trying to tamper with Mary Landrieu’s phone system
FOX News, “Filmmaker Who Targeted ACORN Arrested in Alleged Senate Phone Scheme”
The independent filmmaker who brought ACORN to its knees last year with undercover exposes was arrested this week along with three others, including the son of a federal prosecutor, and accused of trying to interfere with the phones at Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu’s office.
FOX News article continues here.