Update: White House Press Conference on BP Oil Disaster at 12:45 pm ET

NYT: Top Kill Effort Seems to Be Working

Video: President Obama on BP Oil Spill

From Whitehouse.gov:

This morning the President met with members of his Cabinet to get another comprehensive update on the ongoing Administration-wide response to the disastrous BP oil spill in the Gulf region. The President made clear his frustration with BP and the other parties involved in the spill, committed once again to ensuring they are held accountable for picking up the tab, and recapped the Administration’s efforts to tighten up the regulation of offshore drilling sites.

He began with the top priorities, however:

The potential devastation to the Gulf Coast, its economy, and its people require us to continue our relentless efforts to stop the leak and contain the damage. There’s already been a loss of life, damage to our coastline, to fish and wildlife, and to the livelihoods of everyone from fishermen to restaurant and hotel owners. I saw firsthand the anger and frustration felt by our neighbors in the Gulf. And let me tell you, it is an anger and frustration that I share as President. And I’m not going to rest or be satisfied until the leak is stopped at the source, the oil in the Gulf is contained and cleaned up, and the people of the Gulf are able to go back to their lives and their livelihoods.

Now, the most important order of business is to stop the leak. I know there have been varying reports over the last few days about how large the leak is, but since no one can get down there in person, we know there is a level of uncertainty. But as Admiral Thad Allen said today, our mobilization and response efforts have always been geared toward the possibility of a catastrophic event. And what really matters is this: There’s oil leaking and we need to stop it –- and we need to stop it as soon as possible. With that source being 5,000 feet under the ocean’s surface, this has been extremely difficult. But scientists and engineers are currently using the best, most advanced technology that exists to try to stop the flow of oil as quickly as possible.

Our second task has been to contain the spill and protect the Gulf Coast and the people who live there. We are using every available resource to stop the oil from coming ashore. Over one million feet of barrier boom have been deployed to hold the oil back. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of dispersant have helped to break up the oil, and about four million gallons of oily water have been recovered; 13,000 people have been mobilized to protect the shoreline and its wildlife, as has the National Guard.

Read more here

Gulf Oil Spill Widget

PBS Newshour created this widget that monitors the rate of the "hypnotic and tragic" flow of oil from the BP oil spill disaster.

Obama needs to stop attending fundraisers, get his butt down to the Gulf, sleep in a FEMA trailer, roll up his shirtsleeves and save some seagulls, get BP in line, man up, show some leadership--and talk to the country about our addiction to oil.

Phil Verleger, professor at the Haskyen School of Business and the University of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada was interviewed recently on KPCC. He discusses how our government has turned a blind eye toward regulating the oil companies for years. This goes beyond politics, Democrats or Republicans. The oil companies are too powerful and have increased risks to maximize profits for a long time.

PLUG THE DAMN HOLE!

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