Current Events — HabitableZone

Current Events » in reply to flamish

Re: You guys can go hitch up your horse and buggy.
er — (archived)

You're reframing the issue, Rob, an unfair but common tactic often used by some of your fellow conservatives here, but one you've failed to employ yourself until now.

The question is NOT the false one of a choice between a nineteenth century existence vs the benefits of modern life. What we are trying to determine is if the increase of domestic energy reserves by a tiny, insignificant amount is worth the enormous risks. This well is currently spilling an estimated 5000 bbl of crude per day, US domestic oil production is over a thousand times that. Total US consumption is roughly 3 times that amount! American-controlled reserves are pretty well understood and mapped out. Further drilling in the US and the continental shelf may be phenomenally profitable for those who do it, but it will make very little difference to our energy deficits in the long or short run. And even though the strategic value of this particular well is trivial, the effect of this disaster is potentially catastrophic to a large piece of the American economy and population.

Now, if we are willing to face the risk for the benenfits, fine, provided we make that decision based on a sober evaluation of each, not on "drill, baby, drill" partisan political rhetoric and sloganeering driven primarily by corporate profits, not national interest. Until now, I was ready to endorse those risks myself, just as I am for nuclear power, because I have repeatedly been assured that new technology has greatly reduced the risks.

Events of the last few days suggest that perhaps my optimism, based as it was on the pronouncements of self-serving industry boosters, was premature. I think they have lied to us about the safety of offshore drilling just like they were lying to us about the safety of nuclear power just before Three Mile Island melted down.

I've told you that story before; I worked for that industry and knowing what they did then is exactly why I don't trust them now. That crowd lied once, I haven't the slightest doubt in my mind they will lie again.

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