How is that off shore drilly thing working out for everyone? 

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has called out the National Guard and declared a state of emergency a few hours ago to protect the State of Louisiana’s natural resources.  Yesterday the wind blew the oil away from shore.  Today, just the opposite was happening.

Last month, President Obama discussed the possibility of off shore drilling.  Will people be so willing to go along with this plan after BP’s oil rig explosion?  4 gulf states stand in harm’s way as 5000 gallons of oil leak daily.

Are the environmental hazards just too great? How far off our coastlines are other countries drilling? If other countries are reaping the benefits, shouldn’t we? Who knows what causes these kinds of disasters. Can they even be avoided? Meanwhile, 11 people are missing, presumed dead. There is also the human element, which has not gotten the amount of attention that the environmental elements have gotten. This much oil can ruin the fishing economy. Will BP be under the same oil albatross as Exxon was?

15 Thoughts to “Drill Baby Drill?”

  1. Alanna

    Not a great timing for the Obama campaign to endorse off-shore drilling. I listened to a BP rep (could have been the CEO) say that they had no explaination for what happened and that they had not ruled out sabotage.

  2. That is scary. And no, it isn’t a great time to be chanting Drill baby, drill.

  3. punchak

    My girls went to UC Santa Barbara 1974-77. There had been an oilspill in the Santa Barbara channel in January 1969. There was still oil and tar in the sand on the beach and the kids had to step into a dish of some chemical before going into their dorms. Still they had tar on their feet. To those who say “drill baby, drill”, I say “keep our Atlantic shores clean!”

  4. Things certainly are a mess out there and there is no telling how long it will take to clean up. Is clean up even possible?

  5. Censored bybvbl

    Punchak, I remember seeing the stone-like masses on tar on Santa Barbara’s beaches in 1973. These spills certainly hang around for a long time. Maybe this will serve as reminder to politicians so eager to drill off our coasts just what a mess can occur from one incident.

  6. They say this could end up causing more damage than 3-mile island.

  7. Elena

    This is catastrophic, simply put. The long term consequences will be devastating. Its a hard sell for the people in Massachusettes to complain about off shore windmills when we see disasters like this!

  8. Theoretically, this should encourage us to go green and get away from dependence on oil. I don’t see that happening, though.

    I would say this spill is a “message from God.” We don’t listen very well, however.

  9. marinm

    The spill will have a direct effect on Virginia’s economy and an in-direct effect on everyone in the country. Virginia may not be able to get the offshore drilling platforms we wanted which means those jobs won’t be created. Gas (oil) prices will continue to rise as demand increases and we are unable to meet that demand with local resources.

    Aside from the environmental damage (which even I admit is bad) the economic ripples will be felt for many, many years.

    I’m a backer of off shore domestic oil, domestic nuke, and domestic alternative energy sources. I actually believe our civilian grid should move much more towards alternative energy sources so that we can funnel less expensive oil to support our war marchine (assuming we are at war, of course).

    Domestic energy production of all types supports a military mission and the hippy’s (hehe) can actually help us achieve military objectives.

  10. Do you still back off shore drilling after seeing this mess?

    Reminder, the USA doesn’t drill for any oil. ONly private companies do.

  11. marinm

    Yes, 100%.

    Good point MH, I concede that. Private companies provide our domestic oil production.

  12. TWINAD

    MH,

    “off shore drilly thingy”. That cracked me up!! I horrible thing to laugh about, I know, but it was funny. Thanks.

  13. Censored bybvbl

    TWINAD, how dare M-h mock Sarah Palin speak!! Haha!

  14. Guilty! I could not resist.

    And you all are right. It is a horrible thing and will take years to clean up. But damn…I had to do some Sarah Speak.

  15. e

    may i humbly suggest nuclear power? france gets 80% of its energy from nuclear

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