drilling--but not because of OIL--just to get the enviromentalists (Delay)

[rodeodance]

....Ironically, the oil companies have not been pushing for drilling. It is the Bush administration, backed by local politicians in Alaska, that has kept up the pressure. For the Republicans, a decision in their favour is the chance to give the environmental movement a real bruising.

As Tom DeLay, the Republican leader of the House of Representatives, said three years ago, a pro-drilling vote would "crack the backs of radical environmentalists." As for Alaska's politicians, the arrival of oil companies in the refuge would bring in more revenues.

Of course, the Republicans do not describe the issue as the chance to put those pesky environmentalists in their place. The administration's position is that the US needs to develop more domestic energy sources, including the proven oil reserves in Alaska, to lessen America's dependence on foreign oil.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/economicdispatch/story/0,12498,1355263,00.html

Taking refuge from reality

A Republican-dominated Senate means drilling in the Arctic wilderness will probably go ahead, but not because of the oil reserves, writes Mark Tran

Friday November 19, 2004

[Old and In the Way]

1. Here, watch me cut off my nose to spite my face.

Glad the adults are in charge....

[htuttle]

2. Well, if we know that's why he's doing it, it won't work, will it?

Dumbass.

[amandabeech]

3. The oil companies expect a large return on their investment based

on $20-$25 oil. Drilling in the Arctic may be so expensive that the return on investment will only make sense if oil is assumed to stay at current levels indefinitely, and it may take time for the oil guys to change their assumptions.

Thus, it may be a while before any company really moves to drill in ANWAR, and we Dems may be in charge by then. All hope is not lost despite these mean children.

[louis-t]

4. I know, we should govern from a position of

belligerence. How productive. Yes, we will lessen our dependence on foreign oil---by less than 5% (in today's numbers). However, by the time one drop of oil comes out of the ground, that number is likely to be much less. Repubs just refuse to be realistic about anything. If the number of people in China who drive merely doubles in the next ten years (20% currently) we are in big trouble.

[Moderator]

5. Headline

Please read the rules pinned at the top of the forum

The headline should read:
Taking refuge from reality