[StBernard] Video: Melancon thinks Oil Spill Overplayed

[Westley Annis]

Team,

It’s certainly encouraging news that the top kill seems to be working, hopefully shutting down the leak. Building from this potentially great step in the right direction, I’m urging the President to focus dramatically on improving the ongoing federal response.

Now is the time for President Obama to take an aggressive coastal protection approach. Instead he snubbed the barrier island plan and only approved two percent. This is outrageous and shows that he doesn’t have a clue.

And if that's not enough, Charlie Melancon thinks the Gulf disaster is being overplayed. Overplayed? I think Billy Nungesser's reaction in the video to Melancon's comments says it best.

Can you believe that Charlie Melancon said this? 

"It is not a major intrusion into the areas that we’re really concerned about." (CNN: 5/22/10)

 <http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=fpIIKTNxGcIOL7K&s=ijKTK3NNIlIZI8OHLnF&m=8hIJLZNDLcLTIfI> 

Watch the video here. <http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=iiJOK2OJIfLVJhJ&s=ijKTK3NNIlIZI8OHLnF&m=8hIJLZNDLcLTIfI> 
Note: This CNN clip is from 5/23/10, one day after Melancon’s CNN interview on 5/22/10

There’s no dispute that BP is responsible for all costs including cleanup and claims filed by out-of-work fishermen and other small business owners and workers. I introduced legislation that would make sure BP is held accountable for the liability of this spill immediately by expediting liability claims. Unfortunately Democrat Leadership, Sen. Menendez (D-NJ), blocked my bill.

As we are all encouraged by reports of the top kill working to stop the flow of oil, we will need to put all our focus on cleaning up the oil and protecting our coast. The oil spill is not being overplayed as Charlie Melancon thinks - we need to make sure the federal government stays focused on getting this mess cleaned up.

Sincerely,

David Vitter