BigSqwert Posted March 31, 2010 Author Share Posted March 31, 2010 A sign of how the GOP will embrace this... House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) dismissed the president's plan as not going far enough in opening up U.S. waters for exploration. Obama's decision "continues to defy the will of the American people," Boehner said in a statement, pointing to the president's decision to open Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters, while leaving Pacific and many Alaskan waters largely closed to exploration. "It's long past time for this Administration to stop delaying American energy production off all our shores and start listening to the American people who want an “all of the above” strategy to produce more American energy and create more jobs," the House GOP leader added. "Republicans are listening to the American people and have proposed a better solution – the American Energy Act – which will lower gas prices, increase American energy production, promote new clean and renewable sources of energy, and encourage greater efficiency and conservation." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Any bill that expands offshore drilling so much is no longer a climate bill. It's an energy bill without any environmental integrity. Here's my biggest quibble with that analysis. The author spends more than a few lines telling us how unimportant it is. You can't drill your way to energy independence. The opened up areas are such a small amount of oil, even less recoverable, even less recoverable at reasonable prices. Then he pivots and says the exact opposite. The numbers really can't be ignored here. There is so little oil in the U.S., off its coasts, even in Alaska, compared with what we use that the "you can't drill your way to energy independence" line is 100% right. You can't even make anything resembling a significant dent in global oil supplies if you turn the entire U.S. into swiss cheese. (natural gas may be another story). But right now, you can probably save $1 trillion over the next 10 years in energy costs and cut energy demand by 25% just by using basic energy efficiency techniques, things that will pay for themselves already but aren't being done just from inertia. On top of that, there are other technologies, like plug-in hybrids, ready to get off the ground but needing a little push (i.e. a smart grid). Basically, in my world, if you have to trade drilling everywhere for a legitimate carbon price and programs to take advantage of efficiency and encourage deployment of renewables, I'd do it. I'd give up ANWR. I'd give up pretty much everywhere off the coast that isn't near a national park (You can't have my Channel Islands). But giving that drilling up without a legitimate plan for getting off of oil...it's a drop in the bucket, and its giving up the only negotiating tool that gives enough Republicans an erection that you might be able to get something that would make a difference through Congress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyCaucasian Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 08:43 AM) Won't happen. Obama is doing here what he tried to do on health care - offering olive branches to the GOP. If they burn the branch in his hand like they did on health care, then he won't give anything. This has been his approach thus far, and I don't think he'll change it. Also, unlike the health care mess, I think you'll see some minor GOP support for alt energy, so this stuff will pass a lot easier. How long until the official GOP stance is anti-drilling? My guess is 5 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Scientist at center of "climategate" (leaked memos and emails from CRU), cleared of any wrongdoing by a UK Parliamentary investigation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Sure, because the UK Parliament is in on it! GW is the single biggest conspiracy ever known to man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 08:39 AM) Obama all of a sudden a big fan of off shore drilling. Asshole. The guy isn't stupid. He knows the quickest way out of office is $5 gas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 04:01 PM) The guy isn't stupid. He knows the quickest way out of office is $5 gas. Which has zero to do with this. There is no way that opening up areas to offshore drilling now, will do anything at ALL to gas prices in the next couple years. Furthermore, even when it does start producing - which is probably 5 years out - it will be a very minimal effect if any at all on prices. This is politcal expediency to be sure, but its all about two things. One, short term, its a way of getting what he wants on alt energy, which he all but said in his speech. Two, it continues his chosen methodology to try to make the GOP look bad - offer an olive branch, let the world see them burn it in his hand, then say "fine, they won't play nice, I won't play nice". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 I still think that should be something you hold back to negotiate. The only political thing this does is take away a talking point in the 2010/2012 elections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 QUOTE (bmags @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 05:06 PM) The only political thing this does is take away a talking point in the 2010/2012 elections. Yeah, because the GOP is going to hold back on attacking him for it. Like we saw this morning. Where Boehner attacked him for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 02:18 PM) Scientist at center of "climategate" (leaked memos and emails from CRU), cleared of any wrongdoing by a UK Parliamentary investigation. This gets no traction whatsoever in the Drudge universe. That's how it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 05:07 PM) Yeah, because the GOP is going to hold back on attacking him for it. Like we saw this morning. Where Boehner attacked him for it. Well for whatever it's worth, rope-a-doping opponents to make them punch themselves out is part of Obama's playbook that he's been using ever since he campaigned against Clinton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 QUOTE (lostfan @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 04:10 PM) Well for whatever it's worth, rope-a-doping opponents to make them punch themselves out is part of Obama's playbook that he's been using ever since he campaigned against Clinton. That's what I'm saying, this is his method. You just said it cooler than I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 05:13 PM) That's what I'm saying, this is his method. You just said it cooler than I did. Obama: I'm making a pragmatic decision to allow more offshore drilling as a part of a comprehensive plan Boehner/GOP: OFFSHORE DRILLING IS SOCIALIST IF YOU DON'T OPEN UP EVERYTHING Obama: See what I'm up against guys? Come on now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 02:05 PM) Which has zero to do with this. There is no way that opening up areas to offshore drilling now, will do anything at ALL to gas prices in the next couple years. Furthermore, even when it does start producing - which is probably 5 years out - it will be a very minimal effect if any at all on prices. This is politcal expediency to be sure, but its all about two things. One, short term, its a way of getting what he wants on alt energy, which he all but said in his speech. Two, it continues his chosen methodology to try to make the GOP look bad - offer an olive branch, let the world see them burn it in his hand, then say "fine, they won't play nice, I won't play nice". The only effect it would have is a social/psychological effect. And I don't even know if that is what you'd call it. Short-term we'd never see the effects of long-term drilling except for any pressure that the oil producing countries feel which pressures them into opening up production, etc. Sometimes it is good to apply a little pressure like that, but the best way is to cut demand, improve efficiency and develop alternatives. Personally, I'm incredibly curious to see how this Nissan car does. It isn't priced too terribly and 100 mile drives with 25 minute recharge periods isn't so bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 From a historical perspective, river flooding in parts of Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts is expected to rival or exceed the all-time record floods of August 1955, when Hurricanes Connie and Diane hit within one week of each other. Several rivers in the region that set their all-time flood heights just two weeks have set new records this week. It's pretty remarkable that we are having record rainfall and record flooding in the cold season month of March. It's much easier to set records in August, when there is much more moisture in the air available for record rains.Thankfully, record snowfalls are great evidence against climate change. The NWS notes that this is now the 3rd episode of excessive rainfall in the region within the last 3 weeks, an unprecedented occurrence in recorded history. In Providence, RI, yesterday's rainfall total of 3.47" nearly tripled the previous March 29 daily record of 1.19" set in 1931. The 4.31" measured so far today also smashes the old daily record of 2.57". The monthly total so far of 15.31" is just short of the all-time record of 15.38" set in October 2005. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Obama: let's open up some offshore drilling (looks over shoulder...) HEY BOYS, you got those lawsuits to stop this ready?!? ;) ;) - now about that offshore drilling... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 QUOTE (lostfan @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 04:08 PM) This gets no traction whatsoever in the Drudge universe. That's how it works. Those aren't the people he is going for... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 QUOTE (kapkomet @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 07:04 PM) Obama: let's open up some offshore drilling (looks over shoulder...) HEY BOYS, you got those lawsuits to stop this ready?!? ;) ;) - now about that offshore drilling... I wish this was as calculated as all that. I've been pissed of about this announcement all day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted April 4, 2010 Author Share Posted April 4, 2010 My next vacation spot? http://www.starislandbahamas.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 31, 2010 -> 04:01 PM) The guy isn't stupid. He knows the quickest way out of office is $5 gas. I'd gladly pay more in taxes gas if we get rid of this asshole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 A tanker carrying 65,000 tons of coal and 500,000 gallons of heavy oil fuel has run aground on the Great Barrier reef and is stranded currently. It is in danger of being broken apart by the waves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 Total corporate income taxes paid last year by Exxon-Mobil: $15 billion. Total corporate income taxes paid last year by Exxon-Mobil to the United States Federal Government: $0. Corporate taxes in this country are clearly too high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted April 6, 2010 Author Share Posted April 6, 2010 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 6, 2010 -> 12:51 PM) Total corporate income taxes paid last year by Exxon-Mobil: $15 billion. Total corporate income taxes paid last year by Exxon-Mobil to the United States Federal Government: $0. Corporate taxes in this country are clearly too high. Oddly, this is something the Tea Party isn't going to be outraged about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 6, 2010 -> 12:51 PM) Total corporate income taxes paid last year by Exxon-Mobil: $15 billion. Total corporate income taxes paid last year by Exxon-Mobil to the United States Federal Government: $0. Corporate taxes in this country are clearly too high. And it's CLEARLY not that simple, but I'm sure you don't care. This makes your talking points and you don't want to bother understanding reality here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_genius Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 6, 2010 -> 12:51 PM) Total corporate income taxes paid last year by Exxon-Mobil: $15 billion. Total corporate income taxes paid last year by Exxon-Mobil to the United States Federal Government: $0. Corporate taxes in this country are clearly too high. also from the article Likewise, GE has $84 billion in overseas income parked indefinitely outside the U.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts