You really have to have spent time in the gulf region, Florida keys, marshlands and wetlands to experience the uniqueness of the vegetation and wildlife, and how its one of the few regions truly rich in fauna and birdlife left in the US, in order to realize what a tragedy this is.
When your sitting in the Whitehouse, and penning numbers (with your feet on the oval office desk) about how much economic damage can be sustained by a tax payer bailout, how much you think you can force BP to pay up, without affecting their contributions to the campaign, but at the same time enough for public PR, etc.. etc...you're really not thinking about turtles or pelicans or poor/middle class folk's way of life. Or what an emotional nightmare this is for so many people in the Gulf region and those who visit.
What you are thinking about is that state visit to London, and how the new PM will greet you based on how badly you treat BP, and whether Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsey will be making dinner... And how your picture will look in DailyKos photo diary.
Besides...
Obama and family spend their vacations in Hawaii so this is not going to affect them.
UPDATE:
Sorry to ruin your morning... This is a rant...I've been wanting to rant all week...
but in case you're interested the reason i am furious is because Obama could have done any or all of the following.
1. Given BP a deadline to care of the gusher (or come up with their own) days after the spill. AT which point they would have to voluntarily relinquish authority for the cleanup to the government and accept to be billed for all costs.
2. Force BP to keep the public informed about the toxic chemical dispersal being used, force release of chemical composition (go to the courts if necessary). Force BP to explain in detail why they chose that particular chemical.
3. Require BP from day one to have high resolution imaging of the spill available 24-7 to monitor flow changes and oil volume. Also have flow meters installed, or any other possible technology that would allow fairly accurate estimates 24-7
4. Require BP to have daily press conferences to report progress and change in oil movements, amount of flow etc.
5. Have the president stop attending Gala's and dinners and instead have an open question press conference at least once a week specifically on this disaster.
6. Fire Salazar and any other people who obviously have conflicts of interest and/or are shills for the oil industry.
7. Have complete open access to all scientists across the country to monitor the spill, toxicity etc.
8. Set up an independent central laboratory for doing all testing..
etc. etc..