Obama late to suspend Thomas Act

[mads]

The Thomas Act prevents the use of foreign vessels by the U.S. The Bush administration was widely criticised about Katrina but at leat at that time the Bush Administraion suspended the Jones Act in less than a week allowing for help from foreign ships. It took the Obama administration 60 days to do it. Perhaps much of the spill could had been contained if shipd were allowed to help after the first week.

[hurst]

Most of us have wondered what Obama was thinking where the oil cleanup was concerned. We were also unimpressed by his cavalier attitude until people started complaining.

[wethrby]

I agree, had he lifted the Jones Act on about day 3 instead of day 70, I believe there would be better control and better results. But he first had to ask all of his friends...

[mate]

It is the Jones act and not Thomas Act,Obama waited 70 day's to give the oil time to destroy our Gulf Coast ~

[croslea]

I am aware that it was the Jones act and he mentioned it later in the discussion so I believe it was just a simple mistake. And yes 70 days to destroy our coast was very important to not letting a disaster go to waste.