[♥]

If our country could pump oil from the so-called "environmentally protected" areas instead of being dependent on the Middle Eastern crude, wouldn't we (the United States) and other countries be in a much better position?

So many areas of this country are now off-limits to drilling (the Gulf of Mexico; Alaska, etc.,) because of environmentalist agendas.

If we could actually produce our own oil instead of depending on other countries we would provide jobs in our country, boost our own economy, and add to the oil reserves available to the rest of the world.

Instead we're at $111.80+ a barrel today and it's going higher.

[peeb]

This has been dealt with in other threads, the short answer is 'no'.

[Uncle Skeleton]

You don't think the US produces oil already?

[subego]

Do you really want an answer, or is this a troll?

[osiris]

I suspect a troll. Sounds too Ann Coulteresque.

[subego]

I guess this is the case with Ann too, but there are things in her post that brush against someone who knows someone who has an uncle with a valid point.

It's also just so gosh darn good natured, every response I've come up with so far felt like I was kicking a puppy.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by ♥ 

If our country could pump oil from the so-called "environmentally protected" areas instead of being dependent on the Middle Eastern crude, wouldn't we (the United States) and other countries be in a much better position?

So many areas of this country are now off-limits to drilling (the Gulf of Mexico; Alaska, etc.,) because of environmentalist agendas.

If we could actually produce our own oil instead of depending on other countries we would provide jobs in our country, boost our own economy, and add to the oil reserves available to the rest of the world.

Instead we're at $111.80+ a barrel today and it's going higher.

I'm sure if they were going to pump oil from your community you wouldn't be down with it.

"Let someone else deal with an oil rig, I'm to stubborn to pay for the cheapest gas in the world!"

Get over it, you can afford current gas prices. It's going to get worse so maybe that Suburban of yours isn't in your price range anymore.

[BadKosh]

Same can be said for the Nuke plants too.

[peeb]

I love that they are 'so-called "environmentally protected"' areas. I guess they are called that because they are 'environmentally protected'?

[sek929]

Same can be said for the CapeWind project. The rich people in Nantucket decided they didn't want an awesome wind farm off the coast. Not only would it barely be visible from land on a clear day, Nantucket is ALWAYS windy.

What do they care? The coal plant and Nuke plant are in poor people's backyards, not theirs.

[Big Mac]

If and when Americans see gas hit $4.00 next year they'll start really beating at the doors of the Congressmen. It's not quite painful enough for the country yet to produce the needed clamor for additional supply. When it becomes the focus of polls politicians will take notice.

[peeb]

Why should politicians try to regulate the price of gas? Gas needs to be around five times the price it is now, but regardless, it's always funny to hear conservatives clamoring for socialized gasoline.

[Face Ache]

Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

Originally Posted by Face Ache 

Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.

I post before you today to seek permission to change my beloved but well-worn signature to this Quote of Quality™.

greg

[RobOnTheCape]

Liberal responsible for high gas prices? - you could just as well say conservatives dragged their heels to the table to start investing in alternative energy sources. Either way it's not that simple. I'd rather it's the citizens themselves who are to blame. Drill in Alaska so I can pick up my kid in a Chevy Suburban. Go to Europe and see just how many people drive a suburban sized rigs.Very few. If we consumed on par with the rest of the industrialized world, then perhaps we wouldn't need all the oil we seem to do. Consume less and there's less demand, and prices may go down. Of course that was before China and India. Now they look at the US and say "Who the **** are you to tell us to use less oil. They are quire right.

[♥]

Nicely spoken from Martha's Vineyard where life is oh-so-tough.

[tie]

Gas prices are high because OPEC chooses to make them high. OPEC chooses to make them high because they know that the US, under Bush, will do nothing to reduce oil consumption no matter how high the prices are. An additional 10-15% of the gas price comes from the Iraq war.

So no, it is your fault. Send me a check if you'd like to take responsibility.

[Chongo]

not so much liberals or conservationists, but environmentalists
Owlgore was advocating $5 a gallon prices via gas taxes, as they are in in most of the EU. It is not so much the "protected" areas, but any area, even current oil fields are off limits. As I mentioned in another thread; every time the US makes move towards more domestic production OPEC, like any smart dope dealer, drops prices to keep us hooked on their product.

[♥]

every time the US makes move towards more domestic production OPEC, like any smart dope dealer, drops prices to keep us hooked on their product.

Great comment.

Next thing you know the Saudis will be demanding that we buy their oil in Euros only, also.

Meanwhile, Al "Hypocrite" Gore keeps on flying his "green" private jets all over the planet on the way to parties that celebrate "going green."

[peeb]

Nice troll - when your initial troll gets dismissed so completely, post an inflammatory but irrelevant comment about a prominent progressive!

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by ♥ 

If our country could pump oil from the so-called "environmentally protected" areas instead of being dependent on the Middle Eastern crude, wouldn't we (the United States) and other countries be in a much better position?

So many areas of this country are now off-limits to drilling (the Gulf of Mexico; Alaska, etc.,) because of environmentalist agendas.

If we could actually produce our own oil instead of depending on other countries we would provide jobs in our country, boost our own economy, and add to the oil reserves available to the rest of the world.

Even if you could pump every drop of crude in America, you couldn't even come close to removing America's dependence on Middle Eastern crude.

There are only two ways American can end it's dependence on Middle Eastern crude:
1. Make Middle Eastern crude american crude
2. End America's dependence on crude, Middle Eastern or otherwise.