While I can see the need to start drilling somewhere. What I can't see is why the Oil companies don't drill in the areas they have leases on now and deal with the off shore thing as we go. The off shore drill debate has turned into a political football much like the abortion and gay things are and nothing will be resolved anytime soon.

Terrible analogy.

The drilling thing ain't gonna put out that fire anytime soon, so keep on nappin cause it will make no difference whether they do it this week, next month or in 6 months.

The apoplexy on the right seems to indicate that this is the last oil-related promise they can keep in order to please their big-oil donors. What we're witnessing is a fever to earn a bonus from the oil companies.

They need to get it done before -- as even they seem to agree -- Obama is elected. That gives them three legislative weeks.

The oil companies have received the biggest tax cuts ever in recent years, and they refused to invest in American workers or in drilling in places, as you said, they already have leases.

I think giving billions more to the oil companies won't guarantee that they start any new drilling, that's just a conservative pipe dream. Ask yourself this: with the oil companies making $44 billion in the first quarter alone, why should they come to anyone's rescue? And what's with the mentality that they're the only people who can possibly help us?

The Republicans are in deep trouble come November, so the political theatrics of staying in Washington maybe help them look like they really care, but this "Drill Only" policy is absolutely ridiculous.

Even if America tapped all the oil it could get from itself, it would only account for like 3% of the reserves on the entire planet.

I admire Obama wanting to strike up a compromise and include some offshore drilling, but the idea of giving one more cent or any more breaks to the oil lobby makes me sick to my stomach. They're not going to save us.

Oh, how soon we forget the past ...

Quote:

The Worst Congress Ever "The 109th Congress is so bad that it makes you wonder if democracy is a failed experiment," says Jonathan Turley, a noted constitutional scholar and the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington Law School. "I think that if the Framers went to Capitol Hill today, it would shake their confidence in the system they created. Congress has become an exercise of raw power with no principles -- and in that environment corruption has flourished. The Republicans in Congress decided from the outset that their future would be inextricably tied to George Bush and his policies. It has become this sad session of members sitting down and drinking Kool-Aid delivered by Karl Rove. Congress became a mere extension of the White House."

The Democrats, certainly still politicians, are in control and they set the agenda, not the Republicans. Where was your outrage for the six years the Republicans stonewalled the Democrats? Just deserts I say.

Just because offshore drilling is popular doesn't mean the Democrats should postpone their vacation for what wouldn't do much to really address any immediate need to do so. Just another political stunt to give the pundits something to complain about.

Offshore drilling ... give me a break. Hell oil companies have already turned their backs on any notion of further drilling in the arctic--it's just too risky; not to mention a national security risk.

Republicans are masters when it comes to making mountains out of mole hills; and then the simpletons trumpet their outrage from the highest rafters. Boo. hoo, hoo.

__________________
"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."

-Thomas Jefferson

They would if they needed to, but they don't. Oil companies aren't philanthropic organizations, they're in business to make money; and they're making record profits. Why in hell would they spend their profits on oil exploration, which may or may not bear fruit?

It's funny how Republicans think oil companies will bail us out of our own energy crisis if we hand them the keys to the city.

Republicans are afraid of real reforms to address our energy needs, their only answer is to make the oil companies richer, well it's pretty obvious where their interests are.

I still think 2010 will mark the beginning to the end of transportation powered by fossil fuel; which makes this whole oil drilling debate a mute issue.

__________________
"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."

-Thomas Jefferson

You said the republicans were putting oil interests ahead of the countries interests, but if you beleive polling, the country has expressed its interests in offshore drilling. Theres any number of polls out there to back that up.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/30/news...ion=2008073012

__________________
"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his father has acquired too much, in order to spare to others who (or whose fathers) have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, "to guarantee to everyone a free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it."

-Thomas Jefferson

I think its funny how democrats can use the same tactics the Republicans are criticized for, and all the liberals on this board defend it.

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"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his father has acquired too much, in order to spare to others who (or whose fathers) have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, "to guarantee to everyone a free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it."

-Thomas Jefferson

So, then its OK when the Republicans did and will do the exact same thing, right?

__________________
"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his father has acquired too much, in order to spare to others who (or whose fathers) have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, "to guarantee to everyone a free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it."

-Thomas Jefferson

Exactly - oil drilling has become this year's wedge issue, in an attempt to once again divide the nation and sway voters. However, unlike abortion and gay rights, our energy problems actually need immediate attention. It will be interesting to see how this plays out after the elections, because this issue isn't just going to move to the back of everyone's minds.

So? Offshore drilling is a red herring, easy fodder for the pundits like you. So what if many ill-informed Americans favor offshore drilling, that's no reason to act on it. I'm sure most Americans would favor living in mansions, driving expensive cars, and flying in private jets; but you're not going to see Congress do anything about that.

News Flash: White House Says No To Helping With GOP Stunt

It's a political stunt made by the minority party during an election cycle which is most likely going to spell doom for the GOP. I smell desperation, and it stinks.

__________________
"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."

-Thomas Jefferson

You didn't give a rats ass then, why now?

__________________
"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."

-Thomas Jefferson

Well hopefully we'll explore REAL solutions, not political ones.

__________________
"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."

-Thomas Jefferson

You've got a Speaker of the House inanely babbling "I HAVE TO SAVE THE PLANET" in response to a self-imposed shortage of domestically produced energy.

Exactly who again is playing politics?

Remember, "Most Scientists Say" is a classic weasel phrase and scientific proof of nothing (other than lemmings being inspired by weasel phrases). Any policy built on bullshit science is bullshit, by definition.

You say it takes guts to turn off the lights, cut the mic, and go on vacation? It certainly appears that [yet again...] an informed public disagrees. How is it that any given issue on which the left has adopted a losing position (ok, all of them) is dismissed by you so-called thinking types as a nonsense "wedge issue"? The left's stance on guns, oil, and faggots are all real problems. So, unless normal people bend over and let you leftists do what you want, we're just fabricating wedge issues? ROFL! Fuck y'all! Your silly labels do not deter me. I fart in your general direction.

The San Francisco bitch is fucking saying with a straight face: This will have no effect on oil prices. Uh, bitch, the price will drop the SECOND the ban is lifted. Then when the fuck will Pelosi say? "George Bush's oil buddies decided to cut the price...", no doubt.

You people are absurd.

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"Compassionate Conservatism"?!?! That is a stupid phrase. Conservatism is inherently compassionate. It is liberalism that is cruel for the sake of maintaining a constituency.

You think that majority opinion is the sole arbiter of the country's interests?

How (temporarily) democratic of you.

Hope you don't mind if I disagree with the 74%, as I did with the majority who thought Iraq was a threat and favored that war.