Latest right-wing shocker: Obama didn't really swim in the Gulf

[stevedeshazer]

We've all seen it. Right?



President goes for a swim in the Gulf – or does he?

President Barack Obama wanted to convince America that the Gulf of Mexico remains open for business. But perhaps he didn't want the world to catch another glimpse of his hairless chest.

So when he and his daughter, Sasha, took a dip in the sea off Florida this weekend, only the White House photographer was allowed to capture proceedings.

The official picture was intended to provide evidence that the region's beaches are back to normal. Yet it soon emerged that the private beach on which it was taken, off Alligator Point in St Andrew Bay, north-west Florida, isn't technically in the gulf.

----

See? It wasn't really the gulf. And he's a communist, lying socialist from Kenya.

See?

Edited to add link: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/president-goes-for-a-swim-in-the-gulf-ndash-or-does-he-2053567.html

[tishaLA]

1. Oh Christ. The rise of the "Gulfers"

will it never end?

Answer: nope. Never.

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. The Gulfers

:rofl:

[icnorth]

37. In the interests of political correctness

does your term encompass those of the distaff persuasion, the Gulfettes? :-)

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. The Right Wing don't have any policies to offer so they worry themselves about Obama swimming

[rury]

65. To hell with the right wingnut "gulfers"

I want to see President Obama's sexy pecs and abs!!:loveya:

[OKDem08]

3. I wouldn't allow my child to swim in the Corexit contaminated

gulf.

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. I had that same thought

I would have been concerned if he had taken Malia swimming in the Gulf.

[happy_liberal]

53. I think this is child abuse! WTF!

Just because he is an idiot believing all is safe, doesn't give him the right to expose his young daughter to that crap...and children are much more sensitive to pollutants.

He should have gone in alone...or with the BP execs....this is such bullshit. I feel so bad for his daughter being used like that for a photo op to protect Big Oil from looking bad after dumping crap into our ocean for months.

[bdamomma]

76. they are trying to lure people/tourists back to the area, good luck with that

they really think we are stupid. damn.

[earth mom]

4. So we should be ok with the fact that we were lied to?

:wtf:

Sorry, but no, I don't think so.

[stevedeshazer]

5. Well, other than completely missing the point,

I'm glad you posted.

:)

[earth mom]

8. What's your point? That the rethugs are wrong to point out the truth?

I hate rethugs but I also hate lies and liars.

[seabeyond]

9. all the articles stated where obama was. it was no great mystery. most people logically considers

it to be a part of the gulf... cause, it is part of the gulf.

[earth mom]

13. Make NO mistake-Obama & his kids went swimming in the Gulf for the PR aspect.

Do you really think that most people are going to pay attention to the EXACT location he and his kids were swimming in?

All people hear is that "Obama and his kids went swimming in the Gulf" and then they start thinking that the Gulf of Mexico is as good as new and safe to swim in because Obama and his kids swam in it-even though the Gulf of Mexico is still Completely Poisoned.

C'mon now. You know the score.

[seabeyond]

15. they swam in the fuckin gulf water. where do you think that water came from

and of course it was a PR move to say that you can swim in the water. tourism is flagging, and the people say it is safe.

do you know... NO
do i know.... NO

i am believing it is safe. the info i have heard outside of du, by people that dont have a political agenda are fine.

but he swam in the gulf water.

[earth mom]

20. If you believe it's safe-You need to educate yourself. Here read this and then try and explain it:

Original DU thread from TODAY by kpete:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8953635

Two more fishermen exposed: “I started to vomit brown, and my pee was brown… non-stop diarrhea unlike anything I’ve ever experienced”

<snip>

"BP has been using two oil dispersants, Corexit 9500 and Corexit 9527, both of which are banned in Britain. More than 1.9 million gallons of dispersant has been used to date on the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.

Pathways of exposure are inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact. Health impacts include headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains, dizziness, chest pains and tightness, irritation of eyes, nose, throat and lungs, difficulty breathing, respiratory system damage, skin irrigation and sensitisation, hypertension, central nervous system depression, neurotoxic effects, genetic damage and mutations, cardiac arrhythmia, and cardiovascular damage, among several others.

Not along ago, at the same marina, WKRG News 5 took a water sample to test for dispersants. The sample literally exploded when it was mixed with an organic solvent separating the oil from the water."

More here:
http://www.truth-out.org/gulf-health-problems-blamed-dispersed-oil62277?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Original DU thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8953635

[LTX]

51. I don't suppose it matters,

since factual accuracy seems irrelevant these days, but Corexit has been banned in the UK only for use on rocky shorelines, specifically because of snail and crustacean rock-adherence problems caused by the slipperiness of the surfactant in the dispersant. Failure to adhere to rock surfaces will be fatal for snails and crustaceans because of wave action, predation, etc.

Corexit is permitted in the UK for off-shore use, which is what it was designed for, and how it has been used in the Gulf.

[bdamomma]

78. it is no different from the 1st responders of 9/11 how many of them

are alive now or are suffering from respiratory problems, and remember they said the area of 9/11 was clear, give me a break. sad very sad.

[seabeyond]

7. we werent. it is the gulf water, not like the water is seperated out. double red flag

on gulf side. you saying he should have gone into the water no one was allowed. and the area was clearly stated. yes, people consider the bay still gulf water.

[earth mom]

10. People here on DU have said that Obama & his kids were going swimming in the Gulf

and they were referring to The Gulf of Mexico.

If you can't see that this is a twist of the truth, I don't know what to tell you.

[seabeyond]

11. it is a bay in the gulf of mexico. it is the SAME water that is in the gulf of mexico.

it is PART of the gulf of mexico. no, there is not a twist. the articles said where it was. not a big old conspiracy thing going on and beyond ridiculously stupid

[glowing]

23. Its not safe... For a little dip and a short stay, I'm sure they will weather

just fine.. besides, where they were swimming has more fresh output entering the Gulf than Gulf water entering into. Its a nightmare that 20yrs from now we will coin Gulf Syndrome/ Sickness something because of the increased rates of cancer, respirtory issues, and fetal deformities. It'll be like the 9/11 workers all over or the illnesses from the Exonn spill in Alaska nearly 20yrs ago.

The criminals are cleaning up and destroying the evidence. The govt seems to work hand in hand. No one has been made "whole". AND more and more people are getting sicker and sicker. But if you think this environmental disaster is some big "divide and conquer" issue, then fine, stand with the party over the people who are being affected.

[seabeyond]

40. Gulf of Mexico water to dominate the bay"... poster 3 kind enough to do research

St. Andrews Bay is located directly adjacent to Panama City, Florida with St. Andrews Sound located southeast of the bay. Covering approximately 280 sq. km (Keppner and Keppner, 2001), the estuary includes West Bay, North Bay, St. Andrews Bay and East Bay, and extends for approximately 49.6 km along the Gulf coast. Unique among Florida estuaries, St. Andrews Bay lacks input from any major river system, but does receive freshwater from numerous creeks, bayous and wastewater treatment plants. The restricted amount of freshwater allows the influence of Gulf of Mexico water to dominate the bay. Connection with the Gulf is via two passes on the eastern and western ends of Shell Island.


gulf water

[earth mom]

24. From the OP: "In St Andrew Bay, north-west Florida, isn't technically in the gulf."

Do you even understand what "Isn't technically in the gulf" means?

What's ridiculously stupid is that people are buying the LIE that the gulf is safe.

Wake up and live in reality.

[emilyg]

25. +1

[seabeyond]

41. Gulf of Mexico water to dominate the bay". poster 33 kind enough to do research

St. Andrews Bay is located directly adjacent to Panama City, Florida with St. Andrews Sound located southeast of the bay. Covering approximately 280 sq. km (Keppner and Keppner, 2001), the estuary includes West Bay, North Bay, St. Andrews Bay and East Bay, and extends for approximately 49.6 km along the Gulf coast. Unique among Florida estuaries, St. Andrews Bay lacks input from any major river system, but does receive freshwater from numerous creeks, bayous and wastewater treatment plants. The restricted amount of freshwater allows the influence of Gulf of Mexico water to dominate the bay. Connection with the Gulf is via two passes on the eastern and western ends of Shell Island.


gulf water

[seabeyond]

42. "Isn't technically in the gulf"... i think things like this is such crap, and such a waste of time

one of my huge irritations with the foxs news watching crowd i am so fuckin tired of. i really didnt think anyone was going to try to argue this shit. but argue it they do

[earth mom]

58. Who watches faux news?! I don't and won't! Plus I don't have cable in the first place

and wouldn't watch those lying bastards if you paid me.

Why have you NOT responded to my post #20 about the news story I posted from kpetes thread???

That's what I REALLY want to know.

You can righteously blather all day about how horrible faux news is but that does NOT change the fact that you are blatantly ignoring the entire picture and living in denial.

Not only did you not reply to the information I posted about fishermen being poisoned by the Gulf, you can't be bothered to post a rebuttal in the kpete thread either.

And you know why? Because you CAN NOT!

Well, here's a news flash for ya: you can't pick and choose the truth or ignore it because it doesn't suit your political beliefs!!!

You are full of hot air and hating on people like me who are telling you the truth whether you like it or not.

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

I hope you and your buddies around here can live with your conscience.

[seabeyond]

64. Corexit is permitted in the UK for off-shore use

"Corexit is permitted in the UK for off-shore use, which is what it was designed for, and how it has been used in the Gulf."

kinda like this earthmom. which i know shit about so of course i could not challenge you on this information. another poster does. but you on the other hand, did not have the information, either.

i have listened to these issues for months, and i hear all kinds of things from all kinds of people and a lot has to do with the political agenda one has. i can not/will not argue something i dont know. better than some people on du.

what do you want me to say about the sick workers? i dont have enough information to know one way or another. so.... i dont argue it

BUT... i am clever enough to know the water where obama swam is the same fuckin water as the gulf

so that is what i argued. and i am clever enough to know this nit picking bullshit and being OUTRAGED over the fact people are saying swim in the gulf when it was a bay, even with reporters stating where it was, is utter crap. THAT i can argue.

i am not a professional in ecology, oceanography, chemistry, ect. i did not study it. and i have only gained so much knowledge over the last handful of months. i think it is terribly irresponsible for me to give my mere "opinion" when i dont know what the fuck i am talking about.

[qnr]

34. I want in on this. I say that Long Island Sound isn't the Atlantic Ocean darn it! n/t

[Jennicut]

46. LOL! And I just went swimming there for the last 4 days, camping out at a beach along the CT coast.

But nope....it doesn't lay directly on the Atlantic Ocean. There are two land masses surrounding it, it most not be part of the Atlantic Ocean!

[jaxx]

33. Just one kid went, the other one is at camp.

St. Andrews Bay is located directly adjacent to Panama City, Florida with St. Andrews Sound located southeast of the bay. Covering approximately 280 sq. km (Keppner and Keppner, 2001), the estuary includes West Bay, North Bay, St. Andrews Bay and East Bay, and extends for approximately 49.6 km along the Gulf coast. Unique among Florida estuaries, St. Andrews Bay lacks input from any major river system, but does receive freshwater from numerous creeks, bayous and wastewater treatment plants. The restricted amount of freshwater allows the influence of Gulf of Mexico water to dominate the bay. Connection with the Gulf is via two passes on the eastern and western ends of Shell Island.

http://www.gulfbase.org/bay/view.php?bid=sab1

No getting around it, the bay is full of Gulf water.

[NYC_SKP]

22. Nope, they are wrong, whomever believes this tripe is wrong. We weren't lied to.

The waters off Alligator Point are Gulf of Mexico waters.

Panama City is part of the "Gulf Coast".

The Gulf Coast of the United States, sometimes referred to as the Gulf South, South Coast, or 3rd Coast, comprises the coasts of American states that are on the Gulf of Mexico. These states are Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and are known as the Gulf States. All Gulf States are located in the Southern region of the United States.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Coast_of_the_United_States



:patriot:

[geek tragedy]

80. Is there any blindly Obama-hating, Obama-bashing talking point

you personally are unwilling to embrace?

[dionysus]

82. nope.

[dionysus]

81. why am i not surprised, in your zeal to hate... that you gobble up RW propaganda hook, line, and

sinker?

:rofl:

[seabeyond]

6. cnn article in comments, listening to these fools. on and on, but not the gulf. oh

and the gulf side of that area was double red flagged for riptides and wind, or something. thinking would be really stupid to take a dip when no one was allowed in

[pinboy3niner]

68. You're correct about the red flags on the gulf side

The news reports I saw said the surf was extremely rough as a result of the recent storms. Lifeguards were prohibiting anyone from entering the water on that side.

[opihimoimoi]

12. The GOPers are here to DIVIDE US...THATS WHAT THEY DO

[stevedeshazer]

14. Yep.

Exactly.

Even here.

[Lagomorph]

36. Just an observation....

it's a UK source.

Not that the Right won't be all over it, but the UK pays closer attention to the US than the vast majority of Americans who don't follow the news.

[bdamomma]

79. of course.

[Old and In the Way]

16. link? Otherwise plaiin BS.

Certainly within the rubic sphere of stupidity, though...

[seabeyond]

17. cnn has an article obama swims with daughter. and listen to all the bullshit. mulkin

i know has put out conspiracy on it. some are saying it was photographed in another location. kinda like the moon walk

[Control-Z]

29. I read somewhere

that they were actually in a swimming pool.

And, it looks exactly like pool water to me. What do they think we are? Stupid? :sarcasm: (for the sarcastically impaired)

[stevedeshazer]

21. Sorry, forgot the link, added to OP

Here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/president-goes-for-a-swim-in-the-gulf-ndash-or-does-he-2053567.html

[Old and In the Way]

28. My apologies Steve....I wasn't calling you out

Frustrating that any so-called national media is pointing this out as something to wonder about. Was Obama in the Gulf or was he capable of swimming? The lede won't tell you.

[stevedeshazer]

61. No worries.

I was glad you pointed out the missing link!

:)

[steve2470]

18. fwiw, a map (I think). I think it's about one mile from open water

http://tinyurl.com/2dhhmqp

http://preview.tinyurl.com/2dhhmqp

[Recursion]

19. Drudge is saying there aren't actually alligators at Alligator Point

Yet another lie!

[seabeyond]

43. lol lol. ya, this shit. oh, btw, this is a joke, right? nt

[steve2470]

26. "Alligator Point is a Cape in Bay County, Florida. It has an elevation of 0 meters, or 0 feet."

http://www.lat-long.com/Latitude-Longitude-277802-Florida-Alligator_Point.html

fwiw

[Vickers]

27. I think the bigger issue here is photographic proof he doesn't walk on water.

:P

[icnorth]

39. Au contraire, mon ami

you've been had. That pic was photoshopped.:D

[seabeyond]

44. a poster arguing rw'ers said if obama walked on water they would gripe cause he can't

swim.

[bvar22]

30. Here is a Google Maps shot of the location:

If the newspaper article is correct, the red teardrop with an "A" in the middle is where Obama went swimming.


http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=opera&q=%22alligator+point%22+bay+county+florida&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Alligator+Point,+Upper+Grand+Lagoon,+Bay,+Florida&gl=us&ei=1MhoTMDtH8X_lgfYhNCfBQ&ved=0CBMQ8gEwAA&ll=30.121225,-85.719967&spn=0.034076,0.073299&t=h&z=14

As someone who frequents the Florida coast in this area, I can tell you that the bays are fed by Fresh Water.
Depending on the tides and rainfall, the bays can be nearly 100% fresh water.
After a heavy rain, these bays can cause a torrent of freshwater outflow at these narrow openings.
This location looks pretty insulated from the Gulf of Mexico,
but you are free to form your own opinion.

Call me when the President take his family swimming off the beach on the Gulf side of Grand Isle or Gulf Shores.

[Fumesucker]

47. You should expect a deafening chorus of crickets responding to your post..

I thought the whole "Obama and family swim in the Gulf of Mexico" thing was pure propaganda from the very first time I heard of it here on DU.

[LTX]

49. Opinions are not a substitute for facts.

Opinions can be fun though. For example, as a person who also frequents the Florida coast, I can tell you that all the bays are filled cheek to jowl with manatees, and that there's no room to swim. That's my opinion. And the facts can fend for themselves.

[DatManFromNawlins]

71. Well, when you get some facts, let us know

[LTX]

75. They've been posted on this thread in several locations:

"St. Andrews Bay is located directly adjacent to Panama City, Florida with St. Andrews Sound located southeast of the bay. Covering approximately 280 sq. km (Keppner and Keppner, 2001), the estuary includes West Bay, North Bay, St. Andrews Bay and East Bay, and extends for approximately 49.6 km along the Gulf coast. Unique among Florida estuaries, St. Andrews Bay lacks input from any major river system, but does receive freshwater from numerous creeks, bayous and wastewater treatment plants. The restricted amount of freshwater allows the influence of Gulf of Mexico water to dominate the bay. Connection with the Gulf is via two passes on the eastern and western ends of Shell Island."

Hence, the water in St. Andrews bay is predominantly Gulf water, not fresh water.

[Poll_Blind]

52. "Call me when the President take his family swimming off the beach on the Gulf side of Grand Isle...

"...or Gulf Shores."

INDEED!

PB

[rucky]

69. Okay, I'd take my daughter swimming there.

For a second there, I thought Obama was going nuts.

[seabeyond]

70. the vast majority is gulf water. no major river in flow. creeks adn water treatment only

for freshwater. that poster is misinformed.

[rucky]

84. Okay, maybe not, then. n/t

[NYC Liberal]

35. Well apparently, it's not limited to the right-wing.

:dunce:

[CBR]

38. Nope. The circular theory of politics strikes again. nt

[struggle4progress]

45. gasp!

[undeterred]

48. The gulf was actually closed to swimming because of rip tides.

He and Sasha were swimming in a bay by the hotel. Heard it on Bill Press' show- he was down there for the weekend covering the story.

[Raineyb]

50. Someone expected him to?

My sister is visiting from Belgium and she's going to Florida first. I told her to stay the hell out of the water.

[gulliver]

54. I know the Gulf Coast states will appreciate this new GOP discovery.

Dems should make sure that the Gulf Coast states know that Republicans are now questioning whether Obama swam in the Gulf. I think the people of the Gulf Coast states and tourism industry need to know that the Republicans are stirring up trouble about the water quality.

It's always a good idea to argue with the fool on the other side. Dems should denounce this new conspiracy theory and tie it to the Republicans.

[SwampG8r]

55. i am calling bullshit

alligator point is in the gulf
thats like saying appalachicola bay isnt part of the gulf
fucktards one and all

[bvar22]

56. What would you be saying

if the Bush White House had done this,
and declared "Gulf area's beaches "open for business," trying to show by example that a region hit by the BP oil spill was safe for tourists to enjoy."

[LTX]

57. Had done what?

Taken a swim in the Gulf waters, and stated that beaches are open for business, which they are?

[bvar22]

60. Well, thats your opinion.

However, if any President came THAT close to the prettiest beaches in the World, and did NOT go across the barrier peninsula and swim in the REAL Gulf, off the REAL Gulf beaches,....
I would be forced to ask the obvious question.
How safe is it really if you won't go there with your family?

I've been there.
Nobody goes to the beach in Florida and only swims in the back bays.
The back bays are good for water skiing, playing on Jet Skies, and light fishing,
but people who go to the beach in Florida, go to The Beach.
You can clearly see The Beach in the Satellite Photo.



The BIG Photo Op was less than 1/2 mile away...
Standing on the Gulf Coast Beach, in breaking surf.

But for some reason, they passed on the Big Photo Op.
That does NOT say "SAFE" to me.

BTW: I am STILL looking for confirmation that they did NOT go to the real Beach,
and only stayed on the back bay. So far, all I have seen is the report from the White House and the article from The Independent.

I lived on the Gulf Coast for 50 years, and for someone to come THAT far, and NOT go the last 1/2 mile to see the real Florida Coast and the one of the most beautiful beaches in The World is outside my comprehension....unless they had a very good reason.

[seabeyond]

67. there was a DOUBLE RED FLAG riptide warning that day and NO ONE went swimming in the gulf

or do you NOT know.

[LTX]

77. Rip tides prevented swimming on the "real beaches" the day the President was there.

"Nobody goes to the beach in Florida and only swims in the back bays." Just like, I suppose, all back bays are fresh water. You're full of absolutes. All, nobody, and everybody rarely encompasses all, nobody, and everybody.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

59. I had plenty of good reasons to criticize Bush.

Instead of making up stupid Birther shit like this.

Really, you people should be ashamed of yourselves.

[Texasgal]

63. geez...no shit.

I cannot believe this CRAP is on DU.

The countless shit nay sayers can zing Obama with and this is a story?

Jeezuz on a fucking totem pole!

[dionysus]

83. there's no concept of shame with this crew.

[seabeyond]

66. know that the fuckin water is from the gulf adn keep my mouth shut. there was plenty

to get bush on. i didnt need to go after the piddly bullshit and there was plenty of that too.

[flvegan]

62. Oh, FFS. It is the Gulf.

It's like swimming in Cape Cod Bay and being told it's not the Atlantic. Or swimming in Tampa Bay and saying it's not the Gulf.

Idiots.

[tallahasseedem]

72. I totally agree...

I live two hours away from there and visit frequently. It's considered the Gulf. Some of the posters on this thread are as bad, if not worse, than the teabaggers.

[flvegan]

73. I was there once. It's like 100 feet from the open Gulf or something.

You can't get more Gulf-y than that. I think the boat canal is right there as well.

Morons.

[QC]

74. There were very strong rip tides that day. Double red flags. A tourist drowned.

Of course they went swimming on the bay side--it would have been illegal to do otherwise.

This is a distinction without a meaningful difference.

I live three blocks from St. Andrews Bay. I drive or walk by it every single day. I promise that it contains salt water (though the salinity varies with tides and rainfall). It is connected directly to the Gulf by a shipping channel. It even has dolphins in it, as well as sand dollars, scallops, sea horses, urchins, barnacles, and all kinds of other decidedly salt waterish things.