BP Resumes ‘Top Kill’ Maneuver

BP’s latest effort to contain the gushing oil well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico seems to be as effective as the others have been—which is to say, not very. Its latest, the “top-kill” method, consists of trying to stop the flow of oil by shoving mud and various objects into the blast-out well. After suspending the effort twice in two days, BP picked back up with the maneuver late Friday afternoon. Putting its chances of success at 60 to 70 percent, the company’s given itself a 48-hour deadline before switching gears yet again; if “top kill” doesn’t work by Sunday, the company plans to attempt another containment dome. Meanwhile, President Obama traveled to the Gulf Coast for the second time this month on Friday, expressing sympathy for residents' frustration—he called the disaster a "nightmare"—and pledging the federal government’s support. "I'm here to tell you that you are not alone, you will not be abandoned, you will not be left behind," Obama said. "The media may get tired of the story, but we will not. We will be on your side and we will see this through."