The story changes. Everyone remember the great news announced by Carol Browner and Dr Jane Lubchenco of NOAA that almost all of the oil in the Gulf was gone?

Well, McClatchy reports that under oath at a Congressional hearing that view has altered: Scientists say Gulf oil to linger, Obama’s estimates rosy

The government’s report, produced by senior officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey, claimed that at least half of the oil that spilled from BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig was gone from the environment and much of the remainder is degrading rapidly underwater.

Several independent scientists have slammed the report, noting that it counted as part of the spill some 800,000 barrels that were siphoned immediately to surface ships, giving an incorrect impression of how much oil was discharged into the Gulf. Earlier this week, researchers from the University of Georgia reported that 70 to 79 percent of the spilled oil remained in the water, and that far less oil had evaporated than the government claimed.

Bill Lehr, a senior scientist with NOAA, acknowledged at Thursday’s hearing that only 10 percent of the spill had been skimmed or burned off by recovery efforts. Anywhere from 60 to 90 percent of the discharged oil remains in the Gulf in some form, much of it broken up by chemicals, he said.

When Lehr said it would take another two months to release the data and algorithms that were used in the report, Rep. Edward Markey, the Massachusetts Democrat who chaired the hearing, said that was unacceptable.

“This report … is giving many people a false sense of confidence regarding the state of the Gulf,” Markey said.

For some reason, under oath Dr. Lehr isn’t quite as “Don’t worry, be happy” as his boss, Dr. Lubchenco, but he is still trying to prevent people from seeing the data for themselves. This secrecy by the administration and BP is a major reason no one trusts them.

I have a “news flash” for the Obama administration – just because the media that covers you is dumber than dirt, doesn’t mean that everyone is that ignorant.

Another Freeloader

Whireeeeeeee!

[Editor: This Southern Toad [Anaxyrus terrestris] reluctantly moved out of the cat food when I approached. They eat bugs, so I don’t object too much.]

Friday Ark

Alone At Last

Stand Back!

[Editor: KT3 has a rare moment when neither Sleepy not Pita is bugging her, and I took a picture with the flash going off without real need.]

Friday Ark