I wasn't just talking about extracting oil from shale. I agree, its too bad that its been that way for years when you consider that the democrats and their constituents have opposed building refineries and drilling for oil for years. Thats one reason oil and gas is so expensive and we are in the mess we are in today! And their opinions and arguments haven't been ignored. The government policies have all been in their favor for years. My side is actually the side that is being ignored. Maybe those that oppose drilling shouldn't complain about gas prices? I don't know where you are coming from here or why you think drilling is such a bad, damaging thing, I thought we already went through that point. There is no such proof that drilling for oil is damaging the environment that I'm aware of! I thought we already went through all of this actually. Oh well? When you figure out what the democrats are for instead of against please let me know. Honestly, I know they are for alternative energy but what do we have to do to get there? Park our cars and shut down the country? Its kinda like Bush saying people are adults and Obama telling people what they should do, check their tires and get a tune up. In the short term the democrats don't seem to have any logical answers that I can find. Yes however because of gas prices it is becoming more of an option. Keep in mind Shale was just an example, I'm for regular oil drilling but against strip mining, we don't need to do that, I don't think. I don't have all the answers. All I know is that the pinch we feel and have heard about is indeed energy related. I've read the news about the pinch business are also feeling such as the airline industry, UPS, farmers, truck drivers and average families. It all seems to be energy related to me but I don't know everything!
I don't know? Actually I guess what I was thinking is that you can't keep the enemy out of the territory once you have moved them out unless you occupy the territory. I didn't know that! I didn't know we weren't occupying Afghanistan. Agreed then! WE know they are not an ally. It bothers me that they have all those schools teaching innocent children and kids as well as adults to hate everyone that isn't Muslim and the west. Everyday that goes by with that kind of stuff going on in the world! Scary thought!
My point was that if the price of gas is only going to drop a few cents, is it really worth drilling in environmentally sensitive areas and off the coast of beaches in California and Florida? I really think we need to weigh the benefits and costs; those that oppose drilling argue the benefits will be minor. If that is not true, lets carefully drill. Drilling may not be that much of a threat, but if their argument is true, why bother and put sensitive and beautiful areas at any risk? I think the decline of the dollar is the reason energy prices seem to have risen. Oil is probably one of if not the most important commodity we import, so we are probably feeling the effects of the sunken dollar most there. I've read that oil relative to gold hasn't really changed, so it seems what this all boils down to is a devaluation of the dollar. Those in power don't really want to talk about that, I imagine, and try to turn the focus to energy costs.
The erosion of the Louisiana coasts is in large part due the oil companies poor use of the marshes. The cut off canals they dug through the marsh let in too much salt water which in turn killed the plant life which in turn caused the land to sink and subside. This coupled with the funneling of sediments from the Mississippi River being diverted has had devastating affects on the ecosystem around my part of the woods. I would rather pay 10 dollars a gallon than have these clowns get the chance to ruin the Everglades.
All true, but companies must use directional drilling for the last 15 years to reduce or eliminate canal construction and they have to remediate abandoned canals. I would rather pay 10 dollars a gallon than have these clowns get the chance to ruin the Everglades.[/QUOTE]Well, the Everglades is not offshore.
Couldn't you say the same thing about green energy? I will use ethanol as an example, the process of making the stuff and delivery probably does more damage than what the stuff is worth not to mention food prices going up because of corn, why bother? Btw as far as oil, it is more efficient for the time being than anyone can come up with. Also, the same could be said about solar and wind power? There is so little power generated by these and yet it is so expensive to buy the equipment. I've heard that Al Gore's house uses more power since he installed green energy products. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,254908,00.html Btw:You are so convinced that it is only a few cents and a few barrels of oil, I don't get it? I guess we'll leave it at that and we can just disagree but I will tell you it made a difference a few weeks ago in Bush announced the end of the federal band on oil and it was more than a few cents.
There is a future for green energy; drilling offshore is a temporary stopgap measure. The article doesn't make the specific claim that Gore is using more energy because of green energy products. I'm not defending Gore's energy usage, but that article is a mess of information to make Gore look bad that isn't effectively tied together. I'm not convinced one way or the other. I haven't read enough on both sides of the argument. Last I checked, gas is still around $4/gallon.
Expensive up front, but so is a refinery or a coal mine. But the energy source never runs out and is far greener.
There is a future for both. We must get the oil while we can to carry us into future energy technologies which will not come slowly or cheaply.
