Offshore Drilling Debate

This is an area where I can see both sides, at least a little. The ban on drilling offshore doesn't apply to most of the Gulf of Mexico so we're used to looking out over the ocean and seeing oil rigs, as well as the inconvenience of an occasional tar ball or oil slick hitting our beaches.

The moratorium on drilling off the West Coast, New England and Florida was put into place by Congress during the tenure of James Watts, Reagan's energy guy who believed nothing was as sacred as allowing big business to do as they would with the environment.

Daddy Bush then extended the ban and President Clinton followed suit, issuing an executive order that applies until 2012.

McCain, as of yesterday, wants the ban lifted just as Bush parroted today.

While I am in favor of lower gas prices, as a person who surfed in the Gulf of Mexico on the day the oil spill hit in 1979 I can attest that the effect, while making the waves glassier and not as choppy, were horrid.

Those people who fall for the line that this will decrease the cost of gas at the pump are in for a rude surprise, as if this is approved it will take years for any effect to be noticeable.

"If we were to drill today realistically speaking we should not expect a barrel of oil coming out of this new resource for three years, maybe even five years, so let's not kid ourselves," said Fadel Gheit, oil and gas analyst with Oppenheimer & Co. Equity Capital Markets Division.

To me, this issue boils down to a question of trust. Do we trust that Bush and McCain, as well as the minions calling for the ban to be lifted, have the best interests of us and our children at heart or is the interest they are looking to protect that of the oil and gas companies already raping, pillaging, and plundering? Do we trust the same administration and mindset whose energy policy was shaped by the likes of Enron to make decisions which will ripple down to my children's children or longer? Is this just a last present to Bush's oil and gas buddies before he leaves office?

I know what I believe.

Anyone who believes that allowing the offshore drilling is a good idea, please leave a comment and let me know your reasoning. I'm always open to different ideas. While you're at it, explain why the Republican controlled Congress didn't life the ban if it is such a good idea.

By the way John McCain, once again you are confirming our worst suspicions about electing you being equivalent to at least another four years of Bush.

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