Jackson Free Press

Gov. Haley Barbour is being criticized on several fronts for his response to the damaged BP well in the Gulf that has spewed millions of gallons of oil into the sea since April 20. Twice, Barbour has been out of the state when President Barack Obama visited the coast, most recently to attend a picnic and meet with bond agencies in New York City.

"I think it would have been more important for the governor to be down here dealing with the president than up in New York, but that's just my opinion," U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor told The Sun Herald yesterday.

"I'm never going to question another person's motives," Taylor added. "What's obvious was that he wasn't here when the president was here. Again, I think we would have been better served had he been here."

Louie Miller, Sierra Club statewide director, called Barbour's comments "nonsense" and "non-constructive" in a Biloxi news conference, reports WLOX. Miller said that the state's barrier islands are under the same threat as the Louisiana coastline, where oil has fouled more than 140 miles of sensitive wetlands.

"Our concern is that the same thing can happen to the Mississippi coastline. And it appears our governor is more interested in mitigating the effects to BP's reputation than he is to mitigating the effects to the Gulf Coast. And I think that's totally unacceptable," Miller said.

"Everybody was caught asleep at the switch or with their pants down" Miller said about oil coming ashore on Petit Bois island. "Let's be real here. We've already had the first drill, and they failed."

Benjamin Todd Jealous, national president and CEO of the NAACP, also had strong words about the Mississippi governor.

"I'm sorry, but when the president comes to your state and the people in your state are sort of facing this sort of danger to their livelihood people are facing here, you come down to meet with him and you figure out how to help them," Jealous told The Miami Herald. "That's what Jindal has done. That's what Barbour hasn't done."

Previous Comments

ID

158075

Comment

The governor needs to make a genuine attempt at being 'hands-on' on this matter and seeking solutions, rather than assigning blame to the media for an expected drop in tourism and downplaying the scope of the spill itself.

Author

jamesparker

Date

2010-06-08T09:25:25-06:00

ID

158077

Comment

The question is, Why is Haley playing down the seiousness of the situation? He acts as if someone has spilled a bottle of water on the floor and the maid is coming to clean it up. The Gulf is in trouble: So are the people who depend on it for their livelihood. The arms of this problem are far reaching and it will be decades before there will be any real turn around.

Author

justjess

Date

2010-06-08T10:22:29-06:00

ID

158079

Comment

Went as far as asking the NAACP President what he thinks about the pollution matter? Sounds relevant. While we're at it, lets ask the head of UnityMS for their thoughts. What about Morris Dees? Was his line busy? I'm pretty sure if Haley needed to speak with Barry, he could use a telephone or email. (Though an aide may need to assist him with the computer.)

Author

jbreland

Date

2010-06-08T10:34:57-06:00

ID

158080

Comment

Haley Barbour is an embarassment. His disregard of this entire situation just shows that he is selfish and thoughtless. He says it hasn't affected Mississippi and that's all he cares about. What public servant thinks that way? Not to mention that he never misses a chance to be disrespectful to our President. It doesn't matter if he personally likes Obama (which he clearly doesn't) or if he voted for him. What matters is that he represents an entire state and not being there sends the message that MISSISSIPPI doesn't care to support our President. Barbour going to NY for a picnic instead of being here to greet and assist THE President is a ridiculous, childish, disgusting display.

Author

Queen601

Date

2010-06-08T10:37:49-06:00

ID

158087

Comment

I think his approach is obvious. 100% of his public addressing of the issue is toward PR & income to keep people buying, visiting and spending on the coast. That it's ok to buy Mississippi seafood, and come play golf and gamble. The LA & FL governors have talked alot about the worsening economic impact. I think Barbour's angle is trying to lessen the economic impact via PR and hoping nationally they get everything under control. I know somewho who works for the MDEQ on the coast and they are doing their job on behalf of the state. I'm not a fan of his, but I don't buy that the Gov saying "it hasnt effected Ms" is selfish and thoughtless. It seems to me the state is interested in the enviromental impact, but what he is talking about getting people to come & spend their money on the coast this summer. "Come visit us, its ok. Play golf & gamble." I dont think that in itself is a bad thing. He can always do better in certain areas, but that's his approach that I am seeing.

Author

herman

Date

2010-06-08T11:09:40-06:00

ID

158089

Comment

Herman, I'll give you that he's trying to make people aware that it's safe to still come here. Cool. However, it doesn't take a genius to see that his attitude is unwelcoming and unfriendly. I just don't think that because this hasn't taken the same toll on Mississippi as our neighboring states that he should be - or give room for the illusion- that he's so unconcerned. But your point is taken.

Author

Queen601

Date

2010-06-08T11:41:43-06:00

ID

158090

Comment

I see your point as well. It is possible to try to PR for maintaining economic incomes AND reaasure the local people your looking out for them. If anybody can "good ole boy" with the oil company to get them to pony-up my guess is Barbour can.

Author

herman

Date

2010-06-08T12:13:48-06:00

ID

158091

Comment

And now that Barbour has come out and said, in essence, BP is not to blame - it makes me wonder just who is in his pocket? C'mon: everything he is saying is to deflect blame away from those who are truly responsible. Barbour acts in Barbour's best interest. Period. My grandfather says "once a lobbyist, always a lobbyist." So true. His not being present for the President's visit is another story altogether. It is disrespectful and counterproductive to even the slightest sense of cooperation. How many times have you or I gone somewhere to at least "make an appearance" whether we really wanted to be there or not? We put on a smile, and at least show up. This is the least he could have done.

Author

2599

Date

2010-06-08T12:51:03-06:00

ID

158093

Comment

That makes sense. I haven't heard him say BP wasn't to blame though. Hopefully the investigation Obama is promising will make all guilty parties accountable so it doesn't happen again.

Author

herman

Date

2010-06-08T13:34:51-06:00

ID

158102

Comment

@Herman Snell: I promise I'm not making that up. I heard or read somewhere today that he (Barbour) had said BP wasn't to blame. Did I dream that up? : )

Author

2599

Date

2010-06-08T19:58:47-06:00