First Lady Michelle Obama came to Panama City Beach, Fl on Monday afternoon to speak with community representatives and business owners in front of the cameras.
Her message: come to the beaches, they're clean and open for business.
Speaking to a crowd of about 100, the First Lady remarked on the magnitude of the oil spill. "This is the worst natural disaster that our nation has seen" she said, later adding that, "from an environmental standpoint, this oil will affect wildlife for years to come." She briefly touched on the issues that continue to mark the response to the spill - ensuring BP takes responsibility and making whole those who have been hurt - and reiterated that the administration is focused on finding solutions.
While some on the Gulf Coast might have been disappointed that the First Lady didn't go into the specifics of the spill response, her visit wasn't about the details of the new cap or BP's accountability (or lack thereof). As Mrs. Obama said, she wanted to tell a different story, highlighting instead that there are thousands of miles of beaches untouched by the spill and open for business.
Mrs. Obama did not linger on the anger felt by residents and the public at large regarding the spill and how it has been handled. With white beaches at her back, she drove home the point that tourism is a critical part of disaster relief. "One of the best ways that fellow Americans can help is to come down here and spend some money," the First Lady said.
Mrs. Obama did what she's always done best, during the campaign and since - she connected with the audience on a personal level, showing real empathy toward those whose livelihood has been affected and who are struggling to make ends meet.
Most attendees seemed pleased with the First Lady's visit, whether they agreed with administration policies or not. "I think it will help with tourism and will put us back on the map," said Nora Jones, a Bay County resident. Paula Johnson, a local mother of two, echoed similar thoughts. "I think it's great she showed that our beaches are still doing well."
But not everyone was satisfied. A lone protester held a sign demanding a criminal investigation into BP and Halliburton. Authorities arrested him when he trespassed into an area designated for security, though he was later released.
Unfortunately, even Mrs. Obama's charisma and charm are not enough to put a smile on the faces of the many residents of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida whose livelihoods are in jeopardy. And truthfully, it's tough to convince people to come down to the Gulf and spend their money in a tough economy, regardless how clear the beaches.
There are still many doubts in people's minds after so many steps forward have been matched with steps back. No, the First Lady didn't bring answers to the myriad of questions many of us have been asking about the spill, but that isn't really her job. Instead, she focused on connecting with people and focusing on the human toll of the disaster.
In this respect, the First Lady's visit was right on the money.
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Very sorry for FL, but most states in the gulf support offshore drilling. Well, eat your oil now.
Best?
Worst?
No qualifiers?
Uh-uh.
The administration has just allowed another travesty :
http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2010/7/15/breaking_news_attorney_lynne_stewart_resentenced_to_10_years_in_prison
Instead of coming to the Gulf herself this weekend, as she told others to do, her family is instead inconveniencing thousands in Maine who already planned their vacations, but now must make do with lesser access, restricted roads and all kinds of other inconveniences because the Obamas wanted to stay at a hotel instead of a private home -- in Maine, did I mention? Is that anywehre near the Gulf Coast? No. I didn't think so.
Their summer "vacation," a measly LONG WEEKEND to be spent in Arcadia National Park, was planned long ago! Gee, I don't recall G_W_B and Laura vacationing on the Gulf post Kat/rina,do you? No, as usual, he spent his MONTH LONG, yearly summer vacation holed up on his ranch, followed up by a week at daddys' ocean front estate in Kennebunkport, fishing off the family yacht. And then there were those every weekend jaunts to Camp David. He was loathe to spend 1 weekend in the WH, saying he couldn't stand being cooped up in the "museum." As for being "inconvenienced." Yes, I guess anywhere any president travels, makes appearances, vacations, causes some "inconvenience," but as one who has a cottage on Martha's Vineyard, I can assure you the residents were honored and thrilled that both Pres. Clinton and Obama chose their tiny island on which to vacation. Too bad the Obamas don't have a private, ocean front "ranch" in Santa Barbara, a desert estate in Palm Springs to jet off to like the Reagans...a 100 plus acre ranch, an ocean front family estate to head off to come summer.