Read the commenting rules carefully because they will be enforced!
Speculators are driving energy policy for us now, eh Mr. President Wannabe? International supply and demand issues are real, but you know what else is real? This country was built out in the last 20 years by a false expectation, false assumptions, false governmental policies, a truck load of horse apples. Chickens will come home to roost....we have $750 billion to spend on war in Iraq but we can't build out interstate high speed rail systems? We can't reconstruct our cities so they are made for people, not cars?
*censored* America deserves far better leadership and vision than "Let's do like China and completely wipe out the environment so we can have oil!!!" when what we need to hear is this "We as a nation must stand and face the music, challenge ourselves to lead the world in converting to new energy constructs....we the 5% of the world population can no longer consume 25% of the worlds energy resources...it is not possible and nothing but troubles will plague this nation unless and until we change how we use and distribute energy resources... and conserve for the long haul that which remains of the old Golden Age.....Business as usual is not business at all, it is gross negligence and very well may be collective suicide."
When will the proponents learn what conservation is all about, when the oceans are sterile wastelends void of fish to be netted, but laden with plastic? When the only large mammals on the planet are on commercial farms? When man has been reduced to and rendered dependent upon corporate distribution channels for food? I once saw a movie about that....it was called soilent green.
Edited By Siteowner
Drilling sure makes sense to me.Do we expect to use others oil and let them spill and don't worry about their beach's.Also while we are drilling ,let's drill for oil in Alaska Now.
I'm am an undecided democrat right now,with Obama and Al Gore with their saving the little fishes I am leaning more toward Mr John.I am beginning to look at the difference in their policies and to me that is the life of America.
Yes, that makes all to much sense, asking the public on oil/price impact speculation??? The fact is if that oil ever gets to the pump it sure wont be anytime in the next 10 years. Oh and as for impact on overall current consumption (Currently around 20.5 million barrels) it will be a blip in the overall national usage. This common sense will basically provide 2 years and 10 years down the road.. This of course all after the billions will be spent getting to it. Where will that leave us then? the very same place we are now... Yep smart and your common sense is just that, common, just a bit more ignorant than I expected......
McCain has failed to address the most important issue about offshore drilling: the oil doesn't have to be sold in the United States. In fact, the oil would most likely go to China, just like the proposed drilling in the Alaska Wildlife Refuge. So, those of you who support more oil for America, McCain's proposal fails in this objective. Now, that's something to wake up to.
Drill For OIl at HOME... what a Brilliant Idea that would have been 10 years ago before that Felon Clinton vetoed that Progressive idea!!!
But then Gore would have not have had a falsehood of books to write!!
Don't we all just love the Political MORONS that we are Stuck with.. Speaking of whom.. How about the two Majority Senatorial IDIOTS that have taken " Perks" for House loans both serving on the Budget commettte and the Banking committees and " DID NOT KNOW THAT THEIR LOANS were given to them BELOW the average loan given to the unsuspecting public?
So are they;
STUPID?
INEPT?
or just plain Feaking Laying sacks of CRAP??
Prof. V
China is already drilling 50 miles off our coast in Cuban waters. What makes you think that the oil would be sold abroad?
As redhawk stated, Clinton was the one who nixed the idea. "Oh, it would take 10 years to get the oil. It won't help us now." Well, guess what? Here we are 10 years later.
You guys make it sound like this is all so new? One we drill for oil here (40% of our intake is our own product i.e. domestic) Two the price of oil is a issue now, why you ask well you can thank well the USA. Our dollar is weak, why? well our greed, and quick fixes, also what seems to be all of the talk here. Secondly China (Who we basically built because we want things cheap) wants more oil, and guess who has more money coming in than going out, yeah that would be china. Our over all philosophy needs to change, yes maybe in short term it does turn out we have to drill off of our coastlines (Alaska has the most and is remote). This should be done on a federal level and all production and costs must be public and controlled. This should not be seen as another way to make money for the oil companies, it should be looked upon as emergency relief with the greater goal towards renewable energy. Profits should again be partly diverted to the goal of renewable energy. This should all be incentive based (taxs, rewards, etc etc from the federal goverment) this big money for private companies would provide the motivation and inturn slam taxes on those who use oil for profit or use... That way the oil companies basically are paying for the needed technology and infastructre for renewable energy. Somehow that subject always gets dismissed as a fairytale but look how much the war in Iraq has cost? it will push 1 trillion dollars as this administration leaves??? Are you kidding, you talk as if this is about the money you spend, well its not. Its about the money others are making and that aint you.... Can you imagine not undertaking a war in Iraq and spending a trillion dollars domestically energy, rewards to those companies that enable renewable domestic energy, education, and sure take a couple billion to keep the military tip top.... People miss the point and get all wound around what our leaders want us to look at... Oh what you say but saddam would still be in power? so what? no body really cares other than the ingnorant middle american that still thinks they where the terrorists.... we would be that much closer to being independent from those entities. But our reaction was oil! get the oil, thinking oh yeah we can pacify the most hostile regions of the world. At the same time doing it with some form of fairness in front of the world so we cant look like looters... right.. this has been the single greatest catastrophe in modern times.... Just remember 1 trillion dollars... well spent indeed.. yes go drill off coast lines now possibly damaging each states beaches and environments... for you less than 20 billion barrels of oil..... you do the math
When will you people wake up and realize the truth. Drilling offshore of the U.S WILL NOT lower gas prices. PERIOD! The real reason we are all paying $4 a gallon for gas is something called The Enron Loophole. This loophole was exploited by the Republican controlled Congress, Senate and White House. Removing oil from a regulated market to the futures commodities market was the dumbest decision ever. If you really read into this loophole, you would not vote for McCain. His economic advisor is Phil Gramm. Gramm's wife worked as a board of directors for Enron. As a Senator, Gramm included an Enron backed provision into the Commodities Futures Modernization Act that essentially allow no oversight or regulation of energy trading. Guess what? Gramm cheated Californians out of $40 billion. Democrats presented a bill that would close the Enron loophole and place oil back on the regulated market. This bill passed both the House and the Senate but Bush vetoed it. He sides with the oil companies. Now Mccain wants to drill for oil knowing the reason we are in this situation is because of a provision that he and his Republican brethren in Washington voted for a ludacris bill. give me a break and you guys want to elect another guy who is going to be worse than current guy. You have fun running this country futher into the ground with you vote. Vote for anyone but McCain or just dont vote. You owe it to your country!
Smitty
Think on this.. OIL is a commodity that is being tightly controlled by Arabs and a Venezuelan IDIOT... futures are affected by their Monopolistic practices .. BUT since Speculators are based on Emotional practices.. What will you think that the Opening of offshore drilling and ANWR to to the price of barrel of oil??? I 'd venture to guess a drop in price bay 25-29%... as well as put the current OPEC Camel Drivers and Friend that we can become a lot less dependent on their product while using our own as we develop ways to become a totally Independent Nation of their Commodity... Or trade them a barrel of oil for a bushel of Wheat or Corn... They'll always need food....we wuill not always need their OIL!
Erik and Smitty, quit drinking the koolaid they're handing out at Kos. Neither of you knows anything about the truth or you'd quit blaming everything on republicans.
Fact is, regulating oil through the government was tried--during the Carter administration--which led to the gas lines and oil shortages. Fact is, the environment is just fine and isn't going to suffer a bit from us retrieving our own oil. Fact is, we only import 13-15% from OPEC--48% comes from Canada. So your idiocy of blood for oil is just plain STUPID. Technology has advanced so much we can retrieve our own oil with a MINIMUM impact on the environment. And, the caribou love the warmth. It's not enron, it's not bush, it's none of the bullshit you're spouting here. It's the fuciking camel jockeys who are being enriched and jacking up the price. Don't like facts? Too bad.
FURTHER, the bullshit about the war being the cause of our economic woes (which don't exist when you look at cold, hard facts) is also just plain bullshit. 4-6% of our national budget is spent on the war. Where is the other 96-94%?
What about all the capped wells? NOT ONE OF YOU SO-CALLED THINK YOU'RE GENIUSES has mentioned that--although there are enough capped to get us through while the infrastructures are built.
Now, get back on the porch with the puppies--you're not smart enough to play with the big dogs.
I agree with smitty on the gramm subject. Alittle less to do with enron but more to due with him working for the interests of large corporations to get de-regulated commodities markets in the interests of big profit, and serious consumer pains. I also think that anyone thinks putting more oil in play will lower prices at the actual pump (which really is all that anyone is really talking about) is wrong. Its supply and demand with a great deal of inflation... The market needs to be regulated period. Are you guys crazy Exxon just releases that their own profit increased by 14% setting a world record with 40+ Billion dollars for a single company. Yeah they are just getting by, no they are making record profits because we give them what they ask over and over again, believing all of this propaganda and speculation. Now your going to give them a huge reserve, wow are you guys children? Good luck with the record oil price drop. So as for it being OPEC and thats that is simply wrong. As for redhawk thinking that prices of oil are going to drop by 25 to 29 percent by tapping Alaska. I would ask what do you do for a living? because it has nothing to do with the actual economy. The only way oil drops in that way is OPEC and or Big OIL inc. Remember it will be their oil whoever gets the lease (ie not at the pump yet slick and big oil has supply and demand down pat.).. The only other way is they face competition i.e. renewable energy ventures... Thats the key to make oil less expensive... If those guys start to feel even the slightest bit of financial pressure from a viable alternative to their oil they will turn on a dime. It will take a heavy hand from the government to do this as well as the support and understanding of the consumer... Good luck because I think most of this country really believes what fox news shoves in their faces..
where do you get your facts miss beth?... the fiscal 2007 national budget ended at 2.8 trillion dollars.. as for the amount we are spending yearly on the little war it represents 19 to 20 % of that budget. As a question of intelligence I guess your right there miss beth, I'll play with my puppies. I wonder who balances your books?... I'm sure you very well off for it on the porch with the big dogs..Just a question? when did I say anything about bush or republicans?... Are you from West Virgina or something?... I was speaking on the issue.. For for your information the shortages in the 70's where a direct result of OPEC saying no more for you... It was a Oil Embargo! I truly hope your not serious when you think the oil woes of the seventies where a result of Jimmy Carter?... wow somebody missed a couple days in history... so no it was not a pipeline, domestic supply problem..
That changed when OPEC changed... Not a product of domestic regulation but of global politics, profits and power plays in the world of supply and demand... I really do want to hear where your gettin these facts from though?... as for your capped wells... I nominate you to start the flow of the black gold... each and every one of them.. They are reserves for the most part... do you know what that is in reaction to...? Im going to give you one guess?
Start Drilling!!! While we're at it, build more nuclear power plants too. Technology has come so far over the past 20 years. Nuclear power is the cleanest power there is for the money spent. I'm all in favor of windmills and capturing the sun's energy too with solar panels. The problems with that are they are very inefficient and we end up subsidizing them with tax breaks just to bring the energy to market. Think of all the jobs we'll create if we build nuclear power plants and drill for our own oil.
Exactly Brian...free enterprise not more government screw ups.
Erik, start producing your links.
Erik,
You're wrong about how much the US is spending on the war as a percentage of our national budget. 20% of 2.8 trillion dollars is 560 billion dollars. That's a great deal more than what we are spending on the war each year. Take a look at the website "costofwar.com". They have a running tab since the war began and they only have it up to 547 billion. Now if a far-left antiwar group is only putting it at that for the entire war, don't you think you were out of line jumping on Miss Beth when you were the one who started throwing out inacurate statistics? When you started out your response with an exagerated statistic that was blatantly false, the rest of your argument fell too. Anybody can come up with statitistics to prove a point like you did. 63% of people know that.
Erik--yes, it was Jimmy Carter's problem. I never said it was a pipeline problem. I said it was a shortage. Big difference there. And it all came from nationalization and regulation (not just OPEC, which again, imports only 13-15% of our oil).
As for the uncapping of the wells, my family has already put in the request to uncap ours--since it's on tribal lands and we do benefit from our tribal ties.
You also fail to address how we're supposed to get through until the infrastructures are built. Nuclear is the cleanest. Gotta be built, though. Uncapping GETS US THROUGH. What part of that did you miss?
There is no commercially viable alternative at this point. So, suck it up, admit you're wrong and I won't delete your next inanity. And I've given you two clues as to where I'm from. Maybe you'll put it together, maybe not.
It's obvious, though, no matter which way it goes, you are an anti-war treasonist who would rather hug a tree than think of the good of the country. Go take a look at your hero's usage in Susan's other articles.
It's also clear you want more entitlements and government hand outs through this nationalization--which means more taxes to US the taxpayers. You can scream tax big oil all you want, but the reality is, the taxes will be passed on to the consumer. It's not an Enron thing or anything else.
Common sense says drill here, drill now. Use our oil for us and get off the foreign. If you don't like how things are here, I understand Denmark is a nice place to be for those who like cradle to grave government oversight. But then, they have relatively low expectations for themselves instead of the true grit Americans who keep setting higher and higher goals of freedom and independence.
Oh, and I'm still waiting for your sources--reliable, verifiable sources.
Brian, thank you.
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Rather than be creative and resourceful, and produce new and innovative fuels to power our nation and set a standard for the world, instead, lets put a new face on a dinosaur that is almost extinct (pardon the pun) and totally screw up our future by destroying our environment. That's republican ingenuity for ya
!
So where are the new and innovative fuels? Are they here, Chris? Don't think so--so what are you going to do until they are here? Your inane post shows a complete and utter lack of foresight.
Good God, it must be a full moon tonight.
I agree that I could have been alittle misleading or at least taken as just making something up seeing as there are running talies of expenditures to the second. But by no means are the numbers outlandish or unreasonable. Currently it is widly accepted that the war has cost and costing us a total of 1.2 trillion dollars with estimates as high as 3 trillion since inception (I think its 3 trillion if we stay to 2010). What you are reiterating to me is neglecting traditional and rational estimates by including such costs as lifetime disability and healthcare for troops injured in the conflict (estmated $350 - $700 Billion) as well as the impact on the American economy. Hey this isnt me speaking this is US economics Nobel laureate Professor Joseph Stiglitz (Columbia U). Hes not the only one, Its all money in the end no matter how you label it. So please think for a moment and think about it, lets put it simply, you buy a house for 200,000 and now you have a house.. Do you neglect property taxes? When your roof leaks do you fix it? Uh oh property taxes just went up (ie inflation in the parallel) do you just pay what they used to be or do you pay them in full? You dont maintain you house property value around you falls.... Do you get it? The overall expense? Because thats the one im interested in? How do you think speculators develop future prices on lets get funny here... OIL!.... Do they look at one number and plot a course to profit? Or the global picture on whats going to directly effect that cost/price ratio? Yes I agree with you that we have spent around 500+Billion on the bullets, bombs and planes part... Look at the other numbers, and while your at it include the defense budget (19% fiscal 2007, thought youd like another 19%) that gets to put forth its share its share while the war is still an "emergency" in the governments classification. Look at the price of oil, look at the inflation we are suffering from and then come back to me and tell me that the war has cost us 500+ billion. Thats just the downpayment my friend... Dont get me wrong Im not a hippie, nor some party monger that dosent look at issues just the hues of red or blue, I look for the truth as best as possible, its rarly shared because you can make to much money with it, not because people like to lie. I invite you to do your reserch on the subject for yourself because you get to pay for the war in one way or another each time you buy something. So pick what are you paying for the war and thats it? Sucks for those 16,000+ who are going to be on disability, Just the war you say? Then I think you should take up a small matter with the oil companies of the world because they owe you some money... Yes the american ones will happy take your money too not just the arabs. Dont want to look at the Debt part of this? well you my friend have just been nominated to run enron. I'll tell my friends
Smitty, put down the crack pipe.
World oil prices hit an all-time high on Monday: $139.89 per barrel. This is the price on the global market, not just the United States --- it isn't due to some kind of local price manipulation by Congress or whatever.
If the American people really want more oil at lower prices, we should at least try to extract our own supplies. Yeah, there's a risk to the environment, but at least we can control operations by US law. Buy oil drilled by a foreign power, and you lose all leverage when it comes to keeping the ocean clean. Plus you give them all the profits.
If (on the other hand) the American people want less oil at higher prices, then sure, we should keep on with our old policies.
One last chance--state your sources, Erik. You won't be given another chance.
just one minute, its not like I read this today so its going to take about ummm 5 mins... I cant belive Im actually going to do this. But for you it will be a pleasure
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/
1...7leonhardt.html
NYT is not considered reliable due to owner's admitted anti-war stance and love of exaggeration
http://ksgnotes1.harvard.edu/Res...f/RWP/RWP07-
001
makes the assumption all returning soldiers will file for disability
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/ne...56Ko&
refer=home
second hand information quoting stiglitz rather than actual interview with him, thus allowing for spin, again from and anti-war, left-leaning publisher
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
never mentions "trillions"--billions, yes, trillions, no
http://origin.www.gpoaccess.gov/...s.gov/usbudget/
interesting how this link doesn't open therefore cannot be considered reliable
The Economist in 2003 predicted Iraq war cost $2Trillion/$75 oil
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Uni...al_budget,_2007
nowhere near reliable due to editing from outside, biased sources
Please search "the economist" for their take on costs as well...
There you go but I think you to find or place things to support how you feel so I think its a bit useless,
I'm greedy just as much as the next guy when it comes down to it. Fight wars for all I care, but when it starts effecting me, thats when I care...
Edited By Siteowner
Thanks for the links--now you're banned for your fucking attitude. Got it?
First off there is not a 'shortage of oil' only very intelligent and wealthy traders who are doing to oil what they did to electricity several years ago.
Drilling for oil in Alaska won't lower the price of gas it will only raise the salaries of CEO and lobbyists. Be smart please. The price of gas has risen higher in the last 6 months than in the last 6 years. And the amount of oil coming into the country has remained the same. Think about that please.
I suggest anyone who truly cares read the memoir by John Perkins 'Confessions of an Economic Hitman'. You'll never look at the world the same again.
This isn't a D or R party issue. It's a human issue. Drilling or not. What needs to be done is instituted oversight of energy trading and all commodities trading that can have an effect on people's lives.
McCain agrees with most of the paths Bush has set out over the last eight years. How can anyone believe McCain is the best choice for this country that has been in so much pain. Or are you just siding with the only choice your party has?
That's a question for all Repbulicans. VOTE YOUR HEART please. Not your party.
Someone who wants what's best for the American people - not one party.
First, I'm voting McCain because he IS the best for America--I like to spell America this way and not AmeriKKKa. I like freedom over socialism and nationalization is not the way to go. Take a good look at ANYTHING the government controls and tell me how efficient it is. Waiting.......like the post office. Social Security. The treasury. If you think those are well run, highly efficient institutions, well, that's your perogative. I don't.
Further, the last six months has seen the globull warming scam grow by gullible leaps and bounds--from the price of ice cream cone swirl lightbulbs on down. According to REAL climatologists and REAL scientists, the scam is directly attributable to the oil prices due to the hysteria.
Those of you believing in nationalization need to learn what small government and lesser taxes really mean. To tax a corporation means the cost of those taxes gets passed on to YOU and ME--the consumer. Nationalization is BIG government, not small. Socialism, communisim, ad nauseum have been repeatedly proven NOT TO WORK. Private industry does--as does freedom.
You want to be sucked into the hyperbole, be my guest. Personally, I like freedom, private industry and using what's ours without depending on other countries whose sole--and REPEATEDLY STATED--wish is to destroy us.
You want to know the REAL reason we are at the mercy of foreign (and hostile) oil producing countries? The Republicans. It has been their unswerving paid alligence to Big Oil and Coal and conspiracy to back-burner and trivialize clean and renewable energies like solar and wind every step of the way. It
’s a scandal of the first order. We never should have been in this predicament. People have been calling for clean alternatives for decades now but Congress, in bed with Fat Cat CEOs, have done all they could to favor Oil and Coal by giving them huge subsidies and tax breaks while simultaneously roadblocking R&D into renewables. Why? Because de-centralized alternatives would mean no longer being dependent on a large central corporation to provide one’s energy needs. A population with their own solar panels or wind turbines etc. would OWN their energy and not have to continually pay for it and they simply couldn’t have that. Frankly, it’s just insane.
One would think that with the sudden spiking of gas prices recently, though, they would remember their supposed role of looking out for the American people and would realize that we should be investing in renewables - but you’d be wrong.
“Separately, Democrats also failed to get Republican support for a proposal to extend tax breaks for wind, solar and other alternative energy development, and for the promotion of energy efficiency and conservation. The tax breaks have either expired or are scheduled to end this year…. The oil companies could have avoided the tax if they invested the money in alternative energy projects or refinery expansion. It also would have rescinded oil company tax breaks — worth $17 billion over the next 10 years — with the revenue to be used for tax incentives to producers of wind, solar and other alternative energy sources as well as for energy conservation.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
20...t_n_106282.html
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/...-
09.asp#anchor2
http://findarticles.com/p/articl..._85/
ai_63127627
When Bill Clinton tried to make it fairer again the Republicans put the breaks on anything that could lead to a switch away from dirty energy (oil, coal, nuclear).
http://clinton4.nara.gov/WH/new/
...30025_2000.html
What are you lot moaning about we pay over 10$ a gallon your 4$ is hardly a problem. Your real issue is your car manufacturers who produce cars that do 25mpg. New cars in the UK are doing 76mpg.
Get a grip on reality!
Drilling will help insure supply while technology improves towards more efficient alternatives. Also, it would dampen the blow if OPEC ever decided to stage another embargo. It's called being self reliant.
No. No, no, no, no, no and no. This is the worst possible tract to go down. For one thing, any benefit from increased drilling in Alaska or off-shore would not be realised for at least 10 years if not more. I remember the hoo-haa about this from a couple of years ago and the oil companies themselves said as much.
If hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the speculators actions have taught us anything, one minor disruption will cause prices to skyrocket, if only momentarily. Add to that the idea that OPEC can easily open the taps to drive oil prices down to a point where domestic drilling just is not financially feasible anymore. I say this because the Saudi's have stated that if Iran becomes too problematic, they [the Saudis] would simply pump out enough petroleum to lower the price enough to cripple Irans economy. Think they won't do it to anyone who threatens their regime?
Approving additional drilling also will only delay the inevitable. Sooner or later we -you, me and all 300 million of us, need to own up and take energy matters into our own hands. What is needed is agressive action by our politicians to fast-track tax cuts and incintives to companies and industries that move people and parcels from point A to point B. That move goods from the manufacturer to the marketplace. Add a caveat that says all monies saved must be reflected in the price of the good or service or that company would not qualify for any additional benefit. That would put more money into consumers pockets and itself raise tax receipts. Then, radically begin to decrease, yes decrease petroleum imports and limit the amount that is available to the general public.
Stay with me, I am bringing it all home now. As more fuel is available to industry, then the lower the costs will be and can slowly take back those tax breaks. Since necessity is the mother of invention, companies and new industries would be created that would research and develop alternative sources of energy and transportation. That is an economic stimulus that will have serious staying power. Do your own math and you will see my point. Thanks.
OMG HOW SHORT SIGHTED! The only way to become independant is to get off our oil addiction. The way of oil is a dying one. Stop trying to flog a dying horse for christ's sake!
It is one thing if they did the drilling with a very clear plan to phase out oil in x amount of time, but they don't have one...
This article shows a complete misunderstanding of how world oil is priced and how US oil is priced. Two huge misconceptions are presented as common sense or fact:
1. "Common sense.. you need oil, you want gas prices to go down, you drill for your oil at home and stop being reliant on other countries for your supply."
This is completely wrong. Oil prices are determined on a world market and there is NO free market or competition for pricing. The US oil price has almost exactly matched the world price for oil. We DO NOT get our own oil at some magically reduced price. See for yourself how US oil prices track world prices: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/
pe...pri_wco_k_w.htm
2. "67 percent of the respondents said they would support offshore drilling and 62 percent believe that it would lower gas prices."
The implication here is that if people believe it, it must be true. Well I'm afraid that doesn't make it a reality. "You can believe in anything you want to. It doesn't have to be true."
JW
Can we be so STUPID??? If we drill now, we will go back to our recent old ways of wasting a finite resource as fast as possible. We need to take this blatant hint/opportunity and learn to conserve while finding a new way to propel our large rumps around. Fun time is over and we need to deal with the inevitable.
Short sighted purist capitalists are only interested in their wallet today and could care less about what we leave behind for our children. They obsess over making money by charging for energy when we could create industries that manufacture, maintain, and sell devices that create clean energy like solar panels, wind turbines, and Hydrogen technologies. Remember manufacturing and maintenance jobs? Remember when the economy was doing well because we actually had jobs?
I welcome the return of Mom & Pop stores over the warehouse on wheels Walmart mentality. Big box stores only make sense when transportation is affordable. Been over seas for a vacation recently? That may be a thing for the rich and famous in the near future. Things are changing fast and we think we're in control.
Bush (who's hands are filthy with oil $$$) recently said he wants to drill so oil can continue to be the life's blood of our economy. We have systematically backed ourselves into a corner that we will not make it out of without significant lifestyle changes. Our entire way of life depends on petroleum products that happen to be controlled mostly by nations unfriendly to us. It's not just fuels, but we're talking about plastics and other petro-based substances. Think about that for a second. Economically speaking, our backs could be snapped so easily right now and how do you suppose we'll run our gas guzzling superior military equipment with no money or gas? It's like we're playing right into the hands of some evil genius. You know, the kind that kills you with your own airplanes and has family ties in a country supplying most of the crude, not to mention high jackers. We are like junkies. We know it's running out and it will be the end of us, yet we use it more and more. " But I can quit any time, man." WAKE UP DEAD ENDERS!!! The time is now!
21 billion barrels of oil is ... limited. So we tap it and use it, then what?? Using that oil may actually be a bit short sighted. Oil will be a priceless commodity very soon due to its relative scarcity. It should be preserved for special use for all future generations. Do we not owe that to our children and grandchildren? Is it not in our nationl interest to save it for unforeseable needs?
(petrolium is used to make most medical equipment for example ... if it's in short supply should we be burning it?)
If we convert to using sun and wind power we will be relying on an unending supply of clean energy. And we wont have to worry about it running out.
Necessity is the mother of invention and high oil prices will encourage our brilliant fellow Americans to once again rise up and develop this technology to a very high level once it becomes more mainstream.
In the meantime ... the many things we create with petrolium are quickly turning our planet into a cesspool. Global warming or not ... we're creating a big mess. Time to clean it up.
http://www.independent.co.uk/env...pan-
778016.html
Why haven't we been drilling offshore? was it the Perhaps this will help answer the question:
Bush Scales Back Oil-Drilling Plan in Gulf of Mexico
Somehow McCain forgot to mention that
Steve, because of idiots like the ones above who say give up the oil or save the spotted snail or whatever and HAVE NO CURRENT VIABLE ALTERNATIVE. No one said we shouldn't continue looking for other forms of energy--NO ONE. This is to get us through UNTIL THERE IS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE.
What part of that do you people not understand? Yeah, Constance--limited as in 250 years worth. You won't even be around.
Grow up people--until we can get off the oil there has to be an alternative and right now THERE ISN'T. Whine when there is.
Well, Robbie, you have bigger issues over there than we do here--mainly your illegal immigration and muslim problem. Go solve your own problems and quit trying to tell us what to do--seems we threw off your yoke 237 years ago.
First I will thank Wake Up America for putting a stop to the vicious and false Bush-bashing that has gone on for far too long, bordering on un-Patriotic.
We desperately need to drill for oil at home. We are too dependant on Israel's enemies for our fuel. We are falling desperately behind India and China's emissions of carbon dioxide. And as our great President knows intimately, there is no sense in buying foreign cocaine when you can grow and refine it domestically!
It is not simply because I hold shares in Shell and Conoco-Phillips, that drives my interest in domestic drilling. I firmly believe that God invented oil for the betterment of the great American economy, and if we do not exploit our own natural resources, will we ourselves not be exploited by others?
Anyone who is ready to untap our last reserves is being reactionary and hasty. We will most likely have to drill into every last spot we can find oil on this earth. We have built to much from oil and have not yet done enough to find other resources for all that oil makes for us. I am only speculating, as everyone is at this point, but unless we step up our search for alternate sources we will have to drill everywhere. Yes, there will be oil spills. There will be environmental disasters. It might be in your backyard. Sadly not enough is being done quickly enough to deviate from this path. I honestly believe drilling at home now is too early. Let's hold on to what we have until we really need it.
No one has talked about the weak dollar and it's influence on the price of anything. Reducing our national debt and raising the value of our dollar would be a big help overall.
Keep in mind all our great ideas on how to fix this problem are subjective to the facts we receive from others. Even the experts disagree and they are supposed to be informed.
Does it always have to be a quick fix? Can we endure a little suffering for a better, lasting solution?
Try these hard changes:
Less infrastructure. Less roads. Less cars, trucks, whatever. More public transportation. Denser cities and less sprawl. Alternative energy sources.
Can you deal with them? Can the country deal with them? Can the world? They aren't easy or immediate. Everyone would have to change. They aren't political either, they are only solutions.
Remember we are in a political campaign and people will say things they might not if it were not a campaign, especially politicians. Personally I recognize when someone sticks to their guns and I become sceptical when their opinion changes. Flip flopping was a buzz word in the last campaign. It hurt Kerry.
Screw al the Control Frak Liobbo Ass Holes... DRILL Drill drill and tell the Camel drivers to pond sand .. time to really get independent while we develop alternative sources.. in the Meantime Screw Gore.. Pelosi.. Clinton and the Idiots who have gotten us in this CRAP!
It took Brazil from 1971 ( the Cawyah imposed Disaster) until recently to get Independent... Had that Felonious Blu dress stainer not Vetoed OIL drilleing and gone after Alternative sources we'd be in much better shape BUT NOOO he was too busy Inzipping his Zipper.. Is there any Common Sense left with any LIberal Idiot in this Country???
Desperate people in desperate times always call for desperate measures. This is when they irremediably fade out into obsoleteness.
America is a junkie desperately seeking a spot of clean skin for one more fix. Go ahead, America, keep poking what's left of your clean skin. If you think it'll keep you stay sane while you're rehashing to yourself that things will get better tomorrow. You know better than that: you're a junkie, you're sick, and you're doomed if you don't stop poking yourself.
This is a turning point in the World's history: can America go clean and survive? Or will she die a forgotten junkie?
The answer in less than 10 years.
Miss Beth:
It is true that I won't be here in 250 years when oil will have long run out (at our current rate of usage). But ... that is hardly a good enough reason for me to not care. Fact is, everything is not just all about me or this current generation.
If you think about it, there is very little that any of us could accomplish in isolation. We are deeply interconnected and dependant on each other for survival and advancement. We would be living in huts and scrambling for our next meal if not for the efforts of many generations before us and brilliant, hardworking, innovate people all around us today.
If the generations of people before us had squandered the resources of the world as we do today, and left an equivalent mess our lives would be rather bleak just now.
I do see it as our moral responsibility to care about other people, future generations, and by extension, the earth that is the source of everthing in our reality.
The sense that things only matter once it affects my pocketbook ... is frighteningly selfish and smacks of some weird delusion that we are really THAT independent. Who built your house? Who grows your food? Who made your clothes? Who invented the internet, computers, cell-phones, and all the other devices, medicines, supplies and support you rely on every single day? Would any of this be possible without the bounty that the earth provides? Can the earth provide if we destroy it? We are a network of unending links .... tell me where the links break?
Oil is a part of life and using it is another. We have our own resources and we should use them and for the idiots that want to "go green"...first take a look at how HELPFUL going green was to Al Gore.
http://wwwwakeupamericans-spree....y-now-
than.html
What a joke.
There is no reason we need to be reliant on others for something we have of our own.
Constance, no one said responsible conservation isn't a good thing. Note: RESPONSIBLE CONSERVATION--not buying into the hyperbole and hysteria of the current globull warming scam and fraud. I'll believe the facts from the real scientists who work in the field who state there is no reason for alarm and lay out the extreme hoax well-meaning people have been scared into.
In the meantime, I suggest you read a book to illuminate the real environmental disasters and the perpetrators of those disasters: The REALLY Inconvenient Truths by Iain Murray.
Miss Beth
THe Light of Day seems to be Confusing the MOON BATS!!! GOSH thair Whining is Deafening!!
I agree with you, JZ. Short-term sacrifice for long-term gains.
And for those of you using "idiot" and other such labels to communicate with others, get over yourself. You don't know everything. You're not God.
Oil is a non-renewable resource and we have been using its products for a LONG time for everything from *necessary* items like wiring sheath to highly disposable items like plastic water bottles. Would it really be THAT hard to carry water in a glass container that is not disposable? Most of those plastic bottles are never recycled.
As for common sense, here it is. We live on a planet where the resources are FINITE. If we ALL continue to live like kings and become giant consumers (as we have been for so long), at some point, we will exhaust the resources.
So I suppose you DO know everything and you ARE God yourself, eh Tin?
Fact is, none of you really give a damn about the US--you'd rather keep paying our money to dictator regimes rather than develop our own sources. And you want to send us back to the stone age before there are viable alternatives.
Too bad--it ain't gonna happen. Find a viable alternative FIRST before spouting off about it. In the meantime, deal with the fact oil is necessary and no amount of whining or crying will change that.
This blog is edited in favor of certain posters and their views. I made a post challenging Miss Beth's thinking and it was removed. What's the point of having a blog if it's constantly edited to suit the website?
I'm guessing this post will be deleted but hopefully some can catch it before it is. It's funny that people like redhawk can make racist comments and their post stays up. Better not have a contrary opinion here...
Bye
Miss Beth:
I disagree. Alternative energy sources/methods have been found. The technology for solar and wind power are developed well enough for widespread use starting today - it just depends on where we put our dollars to work. This is true for electric vehicles as well. The reason they are not used is because big oil has tremendous power and has systematically prevented their coming in to mainstream use by buying up startup companies and shutting them down and waging massive propaganda campaigns (which you seem to believe) against other solutions. Not surprising since their presence would mean the end of Big Oil's power and domination. Read up on 'Who killed the Electric Car."
Anyway why is going without every luxury we have today so scary to so many people?? So what if we have to scale back? It's not like any of this junk is making any of us happy anyway.
Constance, solar is definitely developed well enough--yes. I don't know about wind. However, the cost is prohibitive to most people, therefore, it's not viable.For example, I live in Arizona--300 sunny days a year. Great place for solar, right? WRONG. Simple installation is equivalent to three years of power bills. If people can't afford it, it ain't gonna happen. Look to the lightbulb idiocy--a 4 pack of ordinary bulbs is $1 at the dollar store. A 4 pack of the mandated bulbs is over $6. AND contain mercury, necessitating a hazmat crew to clean up if one breaks in your home. Viable? No.
Electric cars? It costs MORE to manufacture and causes MORE damage to the environment than an ordinary internal combustion vehicle. Uses more in resources. Viable? No. They are pre-figured for 100,000 miles AND THAT'S IT. No resale value--so you then have a HUGE battery to "throw away". Viable? No.
And as for going without luxuries? Take that argument to those who have luxuries. I have my budget to bare bones. You're not going to convince the American people.
Yes, I believe facts. If you don't, I'm sorry. But the eco-paganists who worship at the altar of Al Gore don't want to hear the truth.
Miss Beth:
You have an argument against every innovation available. All new technology starts out expensive and then cost diminishes as the supply/demand curve works itself out. In the meantime, government subsidies could be a temporary answer. I know that conservatives don't love the idea of government assistance, but if that's the only way then so be it. Otherwise it's an argument that mandates we paint ourselves into a corner and prevents true progress.
I see the high oil prices as an opportunity for us to all work together to make a difficult, but much needed shift. It might be difficult for a few years, but if we join together we can do it. Think of how strong and independant a nation we would be if we were powered by sun and wind! We would never have to rely on foriegn oil again, ever. And with a cleaner environment our health problems would be reduced, further saving cost to the American People. And we'd simply have a cleaner home for our families and a world our children and all descendants could be proud of. It's a way for us to be true leaders.
Constance, I'm losing patience with you. None of the so-called innovations you mentioned are "new". They have been around for at least 25 years, including the electric car you referenced in your book recommendation. Therefore, you are now simply arguing in circles because you don't like the facts being shown to you.
You have not read in depth any response or you would have found answers.
Come up with something new and viable--my patience is gone with the continued circumlocutions you are determined to spout.
I'll give you one last example--again, here in Arizona, we have water issues. We have been exhorted to conserve for YEARS. We have done that--so much so, we have a surplus. In the desert. Good conservationists. What's our reward? The highest water increase rates in 10 years. Why? Because our democratically controlled city can't make their budget--rather than tightening their belts and slashing unnecessary programs, they hit the consumer with the increase.
Now, what makes you think the American people are going to tighten their belts and give up their luxuries when their own, democratically controlled government won't? NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
Get into reality.
You want to continue your rudeness, you'll be banned next time. Your idea of asking questions and open discourse is neither.
Edited By Siteowner
I have no problem with facts being shown to me. We just happen to disagree on what the facts are. I woudn't disagree with you that the issue you describe with regards to the water in Arizona is a failure to some degree. (The environmentalist side of me wonders why we force ourselves on the desert by being in an unlivable place to begin with ... but that is beside the point.) But the exception doesn't make the rule, and since there are both Dem. and Repub. politicians exerting their will all the time it's very difficult to place the blame on either one. Both are at fault ultimately.
My real issue actually goes beyond politics to a much deeper problem, which I don't expect you or the entirety of the American population to agree with me on. That issue is that we are making a big nasty mess of the environment. I don't need to read any articles to know this, I see it all around me with my own eyes. I live in NYC so my experience with the filth is probably much worse than yours ... so thats the origin of my perception. But the rivers are filled with garbage, and nothing lives in them. The air is pungent and orange colored. It's like this in all big cities and the population is growing and there are more and more mega cities all the time. This is a legitimate cause for concern. Imagine if all these people continue to use oil. Even if there is no global warming ... it's getting nasty and the water is getting dirtier by the day. Switching to other energy sources is greatly needed for the well being of all of us. If you don't agree ... that's fine ... but economic arguments of any kind will never make the water clean or the air more breathable ... and frankly without those things it doesn't really matter what our bank statements look like.
Much love Miss Beth ... I wont be able to respond to this blog again. I'll be out of town.
Do I want to continue my rudeness?? I wasn't the one who called people "camel drivers" or "idiots". They didn't get their posts edited. All I said twice was that Miss Beth thought the earth was flat. You think that's rude but her telling others that she is losing her patience with them isn't?
I don't care if you ban me because I will never post here again, but I dare you to repost what I put up here. It is not insulting because it is the truth. As I posted before this blog is biased and CENSORED. If I took the same attitude towards democrats you would be praising my post. Long live free speech and our constitution.
Oh Constance, I can definitely see how you would be concerned--NYC is definitely cause for concern--here in the desert we are relatively blessed with clear skies (although we're in a valley and it can get pretty ugly, it's a rare thing) and we work hard to keep them blue and our rivers and lakes clean.
I could never live where you do or in places like LA or suc, simply because they are TOO big. We do have a lot of border issues and the filth along the border left behind in the corridors--we organize our scouts on clean up projects and such. We do try to be good conservationists here--it's simply part of life in the desert. We don't LIKE the desert being ruined as it has its own beauty, stark as it looks to other's eyes. To us it's second nature because we don't WANT to be inundated with the orange skies, the breathing conditions, any of that.
I know NYC is an exciting city, Constance, but I can also completely understand your concern with it. Very much so.
One more thing, Constance--I remember back in the 70's Renault came out with a car powerd on water--and it was promptly "killed" by big oil. I KNOW big oil is partialy culpable for the problems--my father worked for big oil and when he saw the nonsense going on, he quit. The main problem here is over 30 years of suppression of new ideas--from all factions--and now we're up against the wall--there is no argument there at all. I thank God my parents, when they had the choice of moving us from oil country to either Arizona or San Francisco chose Arizona.
JZ... What a piece of erudition you are... Sensles and totally out of touch with REALITY but Erudite none the less..
It may be that the "changes" talked about may render the Earth Flat after all, and YES Carbon and OIL are not renewable and someday they'll come to an end, but so shall the SUN!
Meanwhile, would it make sense to get our own oil and Coal, atomic energy etc, while we develop our own Alternative sources of fuel and keep prices affordable for the American Tax payers instead of the DO NOTHING practices of the current Pelosi/Reid Congress and in the long run cause the Country into a Third world position ...
YA THINK????
I wonder why there isn't such an outcry over other "finite" resources such as precious metals, diamonds, LAND, gemstones, water, etc.?
After all, oil is as finite as these other "things" yet there's no outcry about wearing or importing blood diamonds or the rape of the environment for precious metals. And shall we talk about the rape of our forests by environmentalists not allowing proper forestry to take place, leading to out of control wildfires? Hmm? Why isn't anyone crying about that? Proper controlled burns and logging didn't result in asphyxiation of the masses, but did keep wildfires in check.
I don't see anyone railing against paper mills, crying for those who lose their homes yearly because they weren't allowed to clear brush around their homes (although let's cry lots for Katrina) due to the eco-nazis and their mandates, or any protests over DeBeers or Cartier.
How about the burgeoning polar bear population which the eco-paganists decided was endangered despite facts to the contrary and the thicker than ever ice shelfs--again despite all facts to the contrary? Oh and what about the caribou explosion--you know, those furry, delicious animals that were supposed to meet their demise with the previous pipeline yet said population has actually exploded due to the warmth of the pipeline--which they love?
And those lovely, unisex fish. Gee, maybe if there weren't so many hormones in the water, there wouldn't be mutated, unisex fish. But--that would mean mandating more effective birth control methods which didn't get flushed away in human waste. You don't hear that outcry, do you? Because it would interfere with the agenda of birth control. No, it's okay to have deformed, hormone ridden, unisex fish as long as free sex is available. THAT fits in with the eco-terrorist agenda, now doesn't it? Otherwise, you'd be hearing that outcry from the eco-terrorists. Not part of their agenda, though--just oil. Always oil. Only oil.
Interesting how these "little" things aren't brought up in any of these discussions.
Only oil suffers from this blindness and yet we know oil is infinitely more plentiful. Funny no one stops to ask why or question how they've been led by the nose to believe this. They just do because it fits in with their agenda.
Oh and let's not forget about Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" which ended DDT use--the only known effective killer of malarial mosquitoes--even though there was no science to back it up. How many have died due to this little bit of eco-terrorism?
And we won't EVEN talk about ethanol--you know, starving people so we can ruin our engines effectively putting ethyl alcohol into our gas tanks--which also burns hotter in an accident, thus killing or maiming more accident victims? Or do those accident victims and starvation ridden people not matter?
Electric cars--hmmmmmmm, for safety sake, I'll take my SUV over an electric car. The more metal around me in an accident, the better chance I have of surviving--as do those in my vehicle with me. Much better than an electric can-opener on wheels. But let's throw passenger safety under the bus in the name of eco-terrorism/eco-paganism worshipping at the altar of the high priest of hypocrisy, sore loser gore.
Yes, oil is finite. So is everything else. Pity only true conservationists (otherwise known as conservatives) recognize that and act accordingly out of habit rather than mandate.
Very interesting indeed. The hypocrisy is disgustingly obvious to those with their eyes open--and properly disgusting period.
I believe taht the afore mentioned Idealistic Moomie is of the same opinion of the Brain Deads in Congress who are proposinmg some of the most Idiotic ideas regarding OIL issues such as:
1) Nationalize Refineries.. that is aguarantee of long lines and rationings.. they could not operate a broom sweeper effectively
2) Sue OPEC,, Now that is abrilliant startegy to insure No More Arab oil to the USA.. IDIOTS!
3) Overtax Oil Companies.. Great improvement for 401K, Union retirement plans and ritirees.. Brilliant, Freaking Brilliant..
NOTE everyone of these IDIOCIES came out this week from MOON BATS LEFTOIDS IN CONGRESS!!! ..
TIME TO ACT!!!
It is so ironic that we vote for people to represent us and yet very seldom are things handled as the public would like. Most politicians seem to be very good at promoting themselves before they are elected and then do an even better job after they are elected. Such is the case with the current oil crisis. I certainly am for drilling offshore in areas that have been held sacred. And yet more drilling on land is good too. The Haynesville Shale in North Louisiana is a hot item for gas. And coming on strong is the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale. Although mostly held in secret this area has promise of being truly prolific in oil production. I say DRILL, DRILL, DRILL!!!!!!!!!
ANWR>> ANWR>>ANWR>> and SCREW Pelosi and her Stupidity!!
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