The states should own the mineral rights and auction them off. I would love to have oil rigs off my shores as it makes for great diving.

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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

Oh no, they laid down, and closed their eyes, and obfuscated their fiduciary responsibilities of oversight, and used hot button issues in a failed attempt to maintain power. Republicans were drunk with the idea of a permanent majority, and did nothing to ensure it's existence.

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"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

That was a very long way to say Bush sucks.

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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

You should be thanking Pelosi for providing cover for the offshore drilling issue, otherwise it would be just Republicans floating this popular, yet hollow, attempt at energy legislation.

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"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

Last week, while they were still adjourned, Nancy Pelosi, in her effort to save the planet single handedly--actually turned off the micro-phone regarding a new energy bill--even for debate. She, alone refused to bring the bill to the floor for debate--"which was a bi-partisan bill--formed by democrats & republicans in the senate.

Yesterday, while democrats in the house were worrying about keeping their jobs this November. Nancy Pelosi told them to let her "take the heat over this!" In other words, telling them to tell their constituents that they are all for a new energy plan, that includes drilling in & off-shore in our own country, just so they can keep their jobs! Once re-elected, be assured they will go back to no drilling.

THE ONLY WAY TO GET RID OF DEMOCRAT HOUSE LEADER NANCY PELOSI IS TO HAVE A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE! So if you're upset about this, it would be a good idea to vote republican in your congressional district, no matter what your democrat congressmen/women are "promising".

BTW--OBAMA IS AGAINST OFF-SHORE DRILLING, HE IS AGAINST CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY & HE IS AGAINST NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS. And his energy policy is? Keep our tires inflated!

It's apparent that democrats want us to remain DEPENDANT on foreign sources of energy, while we're sending over 700 BILLION dollars a year, to at times, rogue foreign dictators that hate us.

Actually hes for offshore drilling this week, and I dont care if its a Dem or Republican congress. It should be Americans who do whats right for America, not their party or themselves.

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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

It's deeper than that. They're upset that we're the last remaining superpower. The goal, all along, has been to give up American sovereignty in the name of environmentalism. The goal has been to establish what amount to international welfare programs...classic redistribution of wealth.

The very basic fact is that American leftists - as always - benefit, politically, from American suffering.

That's right - Americans getting canned and losing their health care coverage is nothing but fuel for the socialized medicine scheme. One might think that it'd, rather, be an argument for reducing the health care costs that skyrocketed because of government meddling and out of control litigation.

Americans getting shot is nothing but an argument against the Second Amendment and fuel for Unconstitutional gun control laws...somehow instead of enforcement of the laws that already exist.

Americans stuck in shitty urban schools is somehow an impetus for, once again, dumping more money down the public education black hole...penalizing successful districts...protecting ineffective school administrations and staff whereas providing choice to the consumer is the obvious answer - an obvious long term benefit to the schools that are failing our children.

Keep everybody at odds...racism, sexism, ageism, socioeconomic classism...as long as the divisions are accentuated, leftism has a toehold.

This current issue is nothing new. It has been repeated over and over. The Democrats are doubly interested in their position because it not only makes more of the population look to the government for answers - when, instead, they should be wary of it - but it reduces our standing in the world. That is what a Democrat calls victory.

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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.

Offshore drilling maybe, maybe a 3% increase in domestic production by 2030--and what do you think the increased demand will be by 2030? And I hate to break it to you, but just lifting a ban on offshore drilling doesn't automatically mean anything, other than there isn't a ban--oil isn't just going to flow out of the ocean.

Oh and guess what, if all tires were inflated properly tomorrow, we'd save 2-3% in gasoline consumption tomorrow, an immediate solution.

Clean coal, is like saying a light cigarette. It may be cleaner that it was in the past, but it still is far from being a clean energy source.

Nuclear energy? Sure it's clean, until you have to dispose of the spent fuel rods. I don't hear McCain reversing his opposition to transporting spent fuel rods through Arizona, even though it's totally safe.

I can give you one other solution, that uses existing technology, which would reduce environmental impact, and extend the potential of current oil supplies: Require at least 60% of all new cars sold to be Turbo Diesels and/or alternative fuel vehicles by 2010 (yea 2010, if manufacturers can't meet the 60%, then they can't sell cars until they do).

This drill, drill, drill, mentality, and love affair with old technology isn't going to get us any closer to energy independence. Denial, isn't a river in Egypt.

__________________
"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

AGREED--100%--but you forgot to mention that for the last several years regarding Iraq--they had a permanent policy of "retreat & defeat, & or surrendering to terrorists & insurgents". Still refusing to say that the surge in Iraq has worked.

Democrats love Americans to suffer. It's evident.

Right now, there is a discovery of a large natural gas reserve off the coast of Santa Barbara, that could heat all of our homes for the next 4 YEARS. We can't drill for it, because of democrats in the house blocking it.

For every estimate you liberals come up with, there are many more experts saying the exact opposite.

In truth, ACCORDING to a democrat senator, only 6% of our continental shelf has even been explored for oil & natural gas.

In fact oil & natural gas extraction in this country is lower right now, than in the 1940's. Why? Because of ridiculous governmental regulation. For the last 3 decades we couldn't even look for it.

Democrats are blocking even exploration of new sources of oil & natural gas.

France, powered by 80% nuclear power, has actually figured out a way to re-use the disposable waste back into their nuclear power plants. OBAMA is against nuclear power plants, & clean coal technology.

Where'd you pull that quote?

I don't get how you take Americans suffering from a Republican administration and its policies, as being the fault of Democrats?

__________________
"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

I based my figures on our government's own studies, maybe that's my problem.

France can re-use spent fuel rods? Wow, I'd love to read about that (I'll look--but do you have a link?).

As to exploration, our oil companies haven't spent any money on exploration for a decade or more.

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"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

I would agree on both points.

It is a stunt, but it is also a problem for Pelosi on a sensitive and controversial topic.

It is a serious problem for Dems - and not only because of the issue of drilling itself. It brings out the only partially submerged dislike of the far left when they attempt to tell others how to live and what to think. The essential idea of government regulation standing in the way is still a powerful focus for critisism, and Pelosi is playing right into it.

There has been little coverage in the media, as they take care to protect the Beloved One and the Dem congess from criticism.

Most media outlets are committed without reservation to ONE GOAL: ELECT OBAMA AT ANY COST. The Beloved One MUST be elected, and we are his high priests.

As a result, they are careful to avoid stories that might put him or the Dems in a bad light. But the news on this is spreading anyway. In that sense, the stunt is working.

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Bring me my Bow of burning gold
Bring me my Arrows of desire
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold
Bring me my Chariot of fire!

William Blake

I know nuclear suffers from lack of education on new emerging technologies, which make nuclear much more attractive. Even I will admit, I'm ignorant as to all the advances in nuclear. Silly really, as just reading one article, has opened my eyes to the potential of new-nuclear power technology.

France: Vive Les Nukes

Of course, aren't we supposed to hate the French?

This is really exciting, if we can solve the waste issue with Pebble Bed reactors, or plutonium-free reprocessing, we could potentially electrify the entire country.

The nuclear industry needs to start a public information campaign, starting with Obama.

__________________
"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

Not only do libdems like to see America suffer, they are outright traitors. For this reason al democrats should be rounded up and shot. The existing laws againts treason should be strictly enforced.