Obama visits Gulf oil spill; Fly over or soil his shoes?.oil spill

President Obama heads to the Gulf of Mexico this morning to be seen catching up first-hand with efforts to fight the massive oil slick that has begun licking the Louisiana shoreline.

The decision to go to the scene is hardly a surprise, though the White House had indicated just 24 hours earlier that there were no immediate plans for the president to visit the scene.

Why the quick change? Here’s where it gets sticky

Would-be Democratic president Obama was forceful in criticizing the Bush administration for its slow response to the devastation caused by the 2005 Hurricane Katrina, which also became a searing political disaster for the Republican administration.

Local officials along the Gulf Coast have already been complaining about the federal response this time, as Gulf Coast officials usually do.

The presidential visit is just the latest move by the administration to escalate its presence, though a president's presence anywhere is a distraction for everyone else nearby.

That was the reason George W. Bush cited for flying over devastated New Orleans instead, but that made him appear far too royally disconnected to too many.

Obama personally has spoken about the oil leak three times in as many days.

Aides are always citing ongoing briefings. Top Cabinet officials visited the region on Friday after a major briefing on Thursday in Washington. Officials in Louisiana have often noted that the response by the federal government and BP began as soon as the fire began on a deep water rig on April 20 and has been forward leaning.”

Lastly and most important in terms of longevity in voters' minds, there is always the public relations problem.

Reference: latimesblogs.latimes.com

Nashville News: Flash flooding in parts of Tennessee leave areas submerged

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Nashville news sources are reporting that parts of Tennessee are completely submerged in water due to flash floods popping up around the state.

According to freep.com over 50 rescue boats have been sent out so far to various counties requesting assistance after Nashville, Tennessee's flash flood weather emergency. Homes have been evacuated and the Red Cross is getting involved by providing assistance for the flood victims.

According to online reports the Harpeth River is expected to crest at a record breaking 32 feet before the flooding ends. An estimated 5 people are reportedly dead according to Tennessee news outlets. One town of Lebannon is even reported to be covered in 2 feet of water. Volunteers from the surrounding areas are also joining the rescue relief. Let's hope there are no more deaths in these tragic Nashville, Tennessee flash floods.

Boston water main break 'catastrophic'

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BOSTON (WWLP) - What's being described as a "catastrophic" water emergency in eastern Massachusetts has left dozens of cities and towns in the metro Boston area without water.

In a news conference in Framingham Governor Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency following the 10-foot water main break affecting up to 30 communities.

Water is leaking into the Charles River at rate of over 8 million gallons an hour. Engineers are assessing the situation to determine the next steps.

Water service to all Massachusetts Water Resources Authority customer communities east of Weston has been interrupted by a major water pipe break in Weston.

Due to this break, a boil water order is being issued for drinking water for a ll MWRA communities east of Weston until further notice.

Also, emergency water conservation measures are being implemented for all impacted communities including:

Arlington
Belmont
Boston
Brookline
Canton
Chelsea
Everett
Lexington
Lynnfield Water District
Malden
Marblehead
Medford
Melrose
Milton
Nahant
Newton
Norwood
Quincy
Reading
Revere
Saugus
Somerville
Stoneham
Stoughton
Swampscott
Wakefield
Waltham
Watertown
Weston
Wilmington
Winchester
Winthrop

MWRA is activating its emergency water supplies such as the Sudbury Aqueduct, Chestnut Hill Reservoir and Spot Pond Reservoir. This water will not be suitable for drinking, but can be used for bathing, flushing and fire protection.

The leak is being caused by a 120-inch diameter pipe that transports water to communities east of Weston – as far north as Wilmington and south to Stoughton.

Affected communities can call the state information hotline by dialing 211.

Reference: wwlp.com

2010 Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico!. oil spill gulf of mexico 2010 map