Has that oil rig been attacked by terrorists? Is there information that other rigs are at risk?
President Obama: All available resources will be used to respond to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill
April 29, 7:08 PMFirst Families ExaminerMarilyn Crain
Today, President Barack Obama promised to use every available government resource to respond to the oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, fire and subsequent sinking.
As 5,000 barrels of oil (more than five times earlier estimates) flow each day from three ruptures, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that this is an incident of national significance.
The Department of Interior is sending SWAT teams to the gulf to inspect all oil drilling platforms and rigs.
Meanwhile, the potentially catastrophic spill moves closer to the environmentally fragile coastline of the Gulf. With winds blowing from the southeast, landfall is possible within hours.
The Deepwater Horizon Response Unified Command says, "On April 28 at approximately 4:45 p.m. (CDT), the response team conducted a successful controlled burn and is evaluating conducting additional burns."
With wildlife refuges such as Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area and national park sites like Gulf Islands National Seashore strung out along the coast from Louisiana to Florida, this oil spill has a the potential to be an environmental disaster. Residents and officials of the coastal areas of Texas are also keeping a watchful eye on the developing situation.
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BY THE WAY. How has President Barrack Obama been reacting to this enviornmental disaster off the coast of Louisiana?
The well blew out of control April 20, when an explosion rocked the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, killing 11 workers and eventually sinking in 5,000 feet of water.
April 21 President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama met members of the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey team in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.
April 22 "Take Your Child To Work Day" event in the East Room of the White House.
April 23 President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hiked along a trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway outside of Asheville, N.C.
April 24 President Barack Obama golfed on his weekend break in Asheville, N.C.
April 25 President Barack Obama attended a memorial service in Beckley, W.V.
April 26 President welcomed the World Series Champion New York Yankees to the White House to honor their 2009 season.
April 27 President Barack Obama went to Jerry's Family Restaurant, a diner in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
April 28 President Barack Obama toured a farm with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Marcia Schachtsiek in Palmyra, Mo.
April 29 President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi attended the funeral for Dr. Dorothy Height at Washington National Cathedral in Washington. Dorothy who?
