Comments on: Barack Obama Flip Flops on Offshore Oil Drilling

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:15:56 +0000

I just ran across this interesting article "Drill Here, Drill Now," that delivered a number of interesting points about offshore drilling. One interesting fact is that 620,500 barrels of oil ooze organically from North America's ocean floors each year, compared to the average 6,555 barrels that oil companies have spilled annually since 1998. It's an interesting article and i suggest you read it.

By: visitor

visitor — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:33:35 +0000

Nothing to do with oil here. This guy just want to get elected. He will say anything, switch to anywhere. He dosn’t have any principle, any bottom line. It will be disaster if we let such a person be our president. You just can’t trust him

By: Carole Richmond

Carole Richmond — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:15:49 +0000

There will be no more oil in the SHORT-TERM much as you wish it would happen, unless the Middle East decides to open the spigots, and why would they do that? You have millions of acres of UNDEVELOPED leases that could have been opened by the oil companies (that would involve investment, therefore cutting into profits), as well as millions of acres of leases that are currently being developed, and oil prices have only gone up. So rational people know that more drilling will not affect the price of oil. It is too late for oil. The only sane and effective approach is full steam ahead on solar, wind, and other renewables. We should focus on developing sources that provide the greatest net energy returns, like solar and wind. Nukes take way too much energy to produce and most biofuels also have a low net return. Also, there is no such thing as environmentally benign drilling. It all pollutes eventually. I would think that creative minds would be chomping at the bit to create this new clean energy future, free from the clutches of multinational corporations. Here is a petition with some of the facts about oil drilling: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5490/t/2804/thankYou.jsp?key=135
Also, I thought the Republican hissy fit in Congress was hysterical and ridiculous. No shame!

By: Joseph

Joseph — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:38:54 +0000

Well said Mike P. , and good observation .
We will not be able to solve the energy problem as long as our judgment is clouded by ideal or political partisanship. We must get our act together or we would surely suffer from the consequences of our actions . The energy problem is a real problem that needs realistic and timely solution/s.
The high price of oil is hurting the already badly mauled American economy and our dependence on fossil fuel for most of our energy needs will not end anytime soon but will in the foreseeable future. Drilling for local sources of oil and natural gas is the best short term solution unless we are willing to dramatically sacrifice our quality of life and the health of America’s economy . However , harvesting America’s natural reources must be done in an environmentally sensitive way as much as what current technology can provide. The fact stands that we need oil NOW while we , as fast as reasonably possible , transition to a composite of alternative sources of energy such as geothermal , solar , hydro , or wind power ( depending on the geographic location ) to power our factories and houses , and hydrogen to power our cars . I sincerely hope that Americans will vote for a president whose Loyalty is to the United States and not to his party , his political backers , his family , or his race .

By: mike P

mike P — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:58:27 +0000

Obama flip flopped when he saw his poll numbers dropping. He also flip flopped when gas and oil prices were dropping, with his poll numbers LOL.
McCain was smart enough to make the move to drilling when the price of oil and gas climbing.
The voters will see it for what it is, a flip flop to get Obama’s poll numbers rising again. I don’t think it’ll work, and it shouldn’t.
I get a kick out of all of you trying to give excuses for his change.

By: Terrant

Terrant — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:27:25 +0000

Off shore drilling is a short term band-aid fix that needs to be coupled with long term strategy into alternative energy sources and increased fuel efficiency. Of the bills I’ve seen coming from the republicans, they are not addressing the long term solution. At least the democrats are making a half-assed effort to address the manipulation of the market which is being nixed by the republicans.

With as much flip-flopping that’s been going on, I have to wonder if he have a couple fish out of water running for president. They’re both saying what they think will get them elected.

We’ve had two wake up calls in the past (the crisis of the 70′s and the first gulf war) and the Washington did nothing. During most of that time, McCain was in office. Did he lead the charge? No… and he even voted against bills that would have help now. Now, he expects us to think that he will? He’s nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Obama seems to be the type that sticks to the party’s platform (whatever that might be). In which case, there will not be any off-shore drilling for a short term fix and they’ll talk about alternatives but the environmentalists in the ranks will nix any ideas. He’s nothing but a sheep in wolf’s clothing.

Either way we go, we’re screwed in the long term.

Here’s my problem with off-shore drilling. These oil companies are going to go out there, pump it out and sell it to India and China. If we are going to use OUR oil, it needs to be for OUR use. Of course, what Big Oil wants Big Oil gets after all they’ve invested heavily in congressional representatives especially republicans. With the spineless nature of the congressional democrats, it will happen.

By: Mr Pink Eyes

Mr Pink Eyes — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:28:45 +0000

I don’t have a problem with alternative energy Caleb. I just want all options used and increased oil production is one of those options.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:24:56 +0000

Caleb, you’re right.
Pink Eyes, Obama didn’t flip flop on this issue at all. He has adopted the Gang of Ten’s position, using offshore drilling as a bargaining chip in an effort to get what he wants, which is incentives for alternatives and increased efficiency standards.
It’s called “leadership”, something we’re not used to seeing in Washington…

By: Caleb

Caleb — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:16:38 +0000

We must attack this energy problem as if it is a war. I’m sure you’ve heard that, but it really is the only way. As a country, we have the technology. All we need is production. The reason we haven’t had the production is because people like you don’t want to change.