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Drilling Down to the Truth
Author: BobR
Date: 04/01/2010 10:48:44
The announcement of President Obama's plan to allow drilling off the shore of VA has raised eyebrows and raised the ire of environmentalists. His supporters feel betrayed; his opponents are confused, wondering whether this is a trick or whether they should support this. Considering how well he has played politics so far in his term, we would all do well to put away the rage, scratch a bit below the surface and see what might be going on.
First, we should consider the status quo before the changes go into effect:
So the reality is that the ban on drilling has been gone for over a year now, thanks to Democrats in the 2008 Congress and former President Bush. The action Obama will be taking is to allow leases to be sold. On the other hand, it also closes areas in Alaska to drilling. It's all part of a much bigger energy initiative; he's giving away so little (based on the status quo) while asking for big energy changes elsewhere.
Offshore drilling is what VA Governor McDonnell wanted. This is what the Republicans campaigned on. Now that they are getting it, are they happy? To quote The Boehner: "Hell No!"
After being played for dopes when given the opportunity to question him during their party meeting last year, and during a bi-partisan healthcare discussion, they must be assuming that Obama is trying to trick them into looking stupid again. Consider this: it creates the deliciously ironic situation where Republicans are (once again) forced to either support Obama or come out against something they've been supporting for years.
This will also pit VA against the other states that rely on their beaches for a big chunk of their income. Do they want tarballs washing up on their prisine shores? To quote The Boehner: "Hell No!" Are these all Red states? Of course they are. This will likely result in lawsuits from these Red states against VA and/or the federal government to prevent the drilling.
So the end result is we'll have Republicans suffering from whiplash as they reflexively support a states rights move, while reflexively criticizing an Obama program, supporting drilling, while coming out against drilling off THEIR shores, and all the while very little has changed from the status quo with regards to drilling. So much reaction from so little action.
Ultimately, I doubt any wells will ever be drilled. This will turn into another circus, and - once again - President Obama will be wearing the top hat, and the Republicans will be wearing the clown suits.
Pass the popcorn.
First, we should consider the status quo before the changes go into effect:
Congress allowed a prohibition on offshore drilling to expire in 2008 and former President George W. Bush lifted a drilling moratorium that year. Environmental groups and some lawmakers continue to raise concerns about the impact increased drilling would have on coastal areas.
So the reality is that the ban on drilling has been gone for over a year now, thanks to Democrats in the 2008 Congress and former President Bush. The action Obama will be taking is to allow leases to be sold. On the other hand, it also closes areas in Alaska to drilling. It's all part of a much bigger energy initiative; he's giving away so little (based on the status quo) while asking for big energy changes elsewhere.
Offshore drilling is what VA Governor McDonnell wanted. This is what the Republicans campaigned on. Now that they are getting it, are they happy? To quote The Boehner: "Hell No!"
After being played for dopes when given the opportunity to question him during their party meeting last year, and during a bi-partisan healthcare discussion, they must be assuming that Obama is trying to trick them into looking stupid again. Consider this: it creates the deliciously ironic situation where Republicans are (once again) forced to either support Obama or come out against something they've been supporting for years.
This will also pit VA against the other states that rely on their beaches for a big chunk of their income. Do they want tarballs washing up on their prisine shores? To quote The Boehner: "Hell No!" Are these all Red states? Of course they are. This will likely result in lawsuits from these Red states against VA and/or the federal government to prevent the drilling.
So the end result is we'll have Republicans suffering from whiplash as they reflexively support a states rights move, while reflexively criticizing an Obama program, supporting drilling, while coming out against drilling off THEIR shores, and all the while very little has changed from the status quo with regards to drilling. So much reaction from so little action.
Ultimately, I doubt any wells will ever be drilled. This will turn into another circus, and - once again - President Obama will be wearing the top hat, and the Republicans will be wearing the clown suits.
Pass the popcorn.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Raine on 04/01/2010 12:52:19
Raine on 04/01/2010 12:52:19
Good morning! 
First!
This whole controversy regarding the drilling should have been prevented back in 2008 when the drilling ban was lifted.
It is going to be very interesting to see how this plays out.
First! This whole controversy regarding the drilling should have been prevented back in 2008 when the drilling ban was lifted.
It is going to be very interesting to see how this plays out.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 04/01/2010 12:57:20
wickedpam on 04/01/2010 12:57:20
Morning 
This could turn into quite a show, indeed
This could turn into quite a show, indeed
Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2010 13:00:26
wickedpam on 04/01/2010 13:00:26
Well, it looks like my broadband by powerline is going bye bye - any thoughts on who has better service Verizon or Comcast?
Comment by 
velveeta jones on 04/01/2010 13:04:09
velveeta jones on 04/01/2010 13:04:09
Ah, lets go to the beach and look at the lovely platforms and watch the waves of oil wash into the shore. Ahhhhhh.
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 13:21:11
We have comcast -- I have to admit I like it for internet.
Raine on 04/01/2010 13:21:11
Quote by wickedpam:
Well, it looks like my broadband by powerline is going bye bye - any thoughts on who has better service Verizon or Comcast?
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 13:22:03
I know. After all EVERYONE LOVES Texas beaches.
Raine on 04/01/2010 13:22:03
Quote by velveeta jones:
Ah, lets go to the beach and look at the lovely platforms and watch the waves of oil wash into the shore. Ahhhhhh.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2010 13:29:07
if you don't mind my asking how much was installation and set up?
wickedpam on 04/01/2010 13:29:07
Quote by Raine:We have comcast -- I have to admit I like it for internet.Quote by wickedpam:
Well, it looks like my broadband by powerline is going bye bye - any thoughts on who has better service Verizon or Comcast?
if you don't mind my asking how much was installation and set up?
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 13:35:18
This guy is kinda misinformed.
Raine on 04/01/2010 13:35:18
This guy is kinda misinformed.
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 13:37:15
We have our own modem and router -- I think they just billed us and it was something like 160 for the first month. Bob has the paperwork somewhere I can find it later on.
Raine on 04/01/2010 13:37:15
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:We have comcast -- I have to admit I like it for internet.Quote by wickedpam:
Well, it looks like my broadband by powerline is going bye bye - any thoughts on who has better service Verizon or Comcast?
if you don't mind my asking how much was installation and set up?
Comment by 
Scoopster on 04/01/2010 13:42:25
The router they give you is considered a sale so that extra hundred bux is the cost of the router. If you have a cable router already, or can get one cheaper, you can return it but you gotta do it within the first couple months I think..
owait.. nvm you have your own router.. Then that's some damn expensive installation!
Scoopster on 04/01/2010 13:42:25
Quote by Raine:We have our own modem and router -- I think they just billed us and it was something like 160 for the first month. Bob has the paperwork somewhere I can find it later on.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:We have comcast -- I have to admit I like it for internet.Quote by wickedpam:
Well, it looks like my broadband by powerline is going bye bye - any thoughts on who has better service Verizon or Comcast?
if you don't mind my asking how much was installation and set up?
The router they give you is considered a sale so that extra hundred bux is the cost of the router. If you have a cable router already, or can get one cheaper, you can return it but you gotta do it within the first couple months I think..
owait.. nvm you have your own router.. Then that's some damn expensive installation!
Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2010 13:42:49
160! eek! This is so going to suck changing service - I was only paying 24.95 a month for broadband - granted thats not as fast at the Fiber service
wickedpam on 04/01/2010 13:42:49
Quote by Raine:We have our own modem and router -- I think they just billed us and it was something like 160 for the first month. Bob has the paperwork somewhere I can find it later on.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:We have comcast -- I have to admit I like it for internet.Quote by wickedpam:
Well, it looks like my broadband by powerline is going bye bye - any thoughts on who has better service Verizon or Comcast?
if you don't mind my asking how much was installation and set up?
160! eek! This is so going to suck changing service - I was only paying 24.95 a month for broadband - granted thats not as fast at the Fiber service
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 13:44:03
We also use it for cable so that was part of the cost.
Raine on 04/01/2010 13:44:03
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:We have our own modem and router -- I think they just billed us and it was something like 160 for the first month. Bob has the paperwork somewhere I can find it later on.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:We have comcast -- I have to admit I like it for internet.Quote by wickedpam:
Well, it looks like my broadband by powerline is going bye bye - any thoughts on who has better service Verizon or Comcast?
if you don't mind my asking how much was installation and set up?
160! eek! This is so going to suck changing service - I was only paying 24.95 a month for broadband - granted thats not as fast at the Fiber service
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 13:46:28
Raine on 04/01/2010 13:46:28
Here Mala: Comcast. I think you can get just internet.
I don't know much about FIOS for internet use. For us it was just easier to switch with comcast so we didn't have to change email addresses.
I don't know much about FIOS for internet use. For us it was just easier to switch with comcast so we didn't have to change email addresses.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2010 13:48:25
wickedpam on 04/01/2010 13:48:25
shwww! I thought for a sec I was going to have a crazy internet bill
Comment by 
TriSec on 04/01/2010 13:49:06
TriSec on 04/01/2010 13:49:06
Morning, folks!
The Palm Beaches of Florida (Lake Worth Beach in particular) has a notorious problem with tar washing ashore and has for years. Last time I was there, a splotch about the size of a dime affixed itself to my heel. Mark of the territory, I guess.
If Obama *really* wanted to move energy forward, he'd open up the continental shelf for offshore wind farms. And I did catch a wee bit of chatter on CNN yesterday afternoon...oilmane T. Boone Pickens was back out pushing for increased use of natural gas.
Hate to say it, but I agree with the blog today...it's a calculated political move that will back the Repugs into a corner. But it won't change our energy production or needs appreciably, which is what we really need.
Anyway....still holding together in the flood zone. I wonder if the RMS Carpathia has pulled up to Warwick, RI to pick up everyone yet? They're using duck boats to shuttle people around Wayland and Sudbury, MA this week.
The Palm Beaches of Florida (Lake Worth Beach in particular) has a notorious problem with tar washing ashore and has for years. Last time I was there, a splotch about the size of a dime affixed itself to my heel. Mark of the territory, I guess.
If Obama *really* wanted to move energy forward, he'd open up the continental shelf for offshore wind farms. And I did catch a wee bit of chatter on CNN yesterday afternoon...oilmane T. Boone Pickens was back out pushing for increased use of natural gas.
Hate to say it, but I agree with the blog today...it's a calculated political move that will back the Repugs into a corner. But it won't change our energy production or needs appreciably, which is what we really need.
Anyway....still holding together in the flood zone. I wonder if the RMS Carpathia has pulled up to Warwick, RI to pick up everyone yet? They're using duck boats to shuttle people around Wayland and Sudbury, MA this week.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2010 13:49:52
Thanks - printed the pricing out - I have no clue which package is what I need
wickedpam on 04/01/2010 13:49:52
Quote by Raine:
Here Mala: Comcast. I think you can get just internet.
I don't know much about FIOS for internet use. For us it was just easier to switch with comcast so we didn't have to change email addresses.
Thanks - printed the pricing out - I have no clue which package is what I need
Comment by Scoopster on 04/01/2010 13:52:29
Scoopster on 04/01/2010 13:52:29
Oh yeah, and morning all once again from the flood plain! 
Once again, I'm alone at the office.. and I even made it here on time (because I went thru quiet ol' Newport instead of all the crazy traffin and detours!) - the bosses are off hunting for a sump pump, and our sales gal is someplace in two hours of traffic..
Once again, I'm alone at the office.. and I even made it here on time (because I went thru quiet ol' Newport instead of all the crazy traffin and detours!) - the bosses are off hunting for a sump pump, and our sales gal is someplace in two hours of traffic..
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 13:57:58
Raine on 04/01/2010 13:57:58
One more interesting thing -- the places he proposed to open up for drilling leases are either swing states or red states.
Interesting.
Then there is this: EPA proposes revoking permit for mountaintop mine
As an aside:: Where is Scoop? I do hope he is alright.
Interesting.
Then there is this: EPA proposes revoking permit for mountaintop mine
As an aside:: Where is Scoop? I do hope he is alright.
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 13:58:40
Never mind! Hi scoop!
Raine on 04/01/2010 13:58:40
Quote by Scoopster:
Oh yeah, and morning all once again from the flood plain!
Once again, I'm alone at the office.. and I even made it here on time (because I went thru quiet ol' Newport instead of all the crazy traffin and detours!) - the bosses are off hunting for a sump pump, and our sales gal is someplace in two hours of traffic..
Never mind! Hi scoop!
Comment by 
BobR on 04/01/2010 14:14:41
BobR on 04/01/2010 14:14:41
Glad our New England contingent is keeping dry. Anyone heard from Starling in the last couple days?
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 14:16:42
Raine on 04/01/2010 14:16:42
Sean Hannity was actually mocking the left for comparing the tea party folks to domestic terrorists. STILL NOT funny or acceptable.
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 14:44:52
Raine on 04/01/2010 14:44:52
In reference to todays Blog, I read what the President said yesterday, a few things jumped out to me, and I think that along with the depressing offshore drilling idea there is also this:
"Today, we’re also going to go one step further. In order to save energy and taxpayer dollars, my administration -- led by Secretary Chu at Energy, as well as Administrator Johnson at GSA -- is doubling the number of hybrid vehicles in the federal fleet, even as we seek to reduce the number of cars and trucks used by our government overall. So we’re going to lead by example and practice what we preach: cutting waste, saving energy, and reducing our reliance on foreign oil."
"And just a few months after taking office, I also gathered the leaders of the world’s largest automakers, the heads of labor unions, environmental advocates, and public officials from California and across the country to reach a historic agreement to raise fuel economy standards in cars and trucks. And tomorrow, after decades in which we have done little to increase auto efficiency, those new standards will be finalized, which will reduce our dependence on oil while helping folks spend a little less at the pump."
..snip..
"So today we’re announcing the expansion of offshore oil and gas exploration, but in ways that balance the need to harness domestic energy resources and the need to protect America’s natural resources. Under the leadership of Secretary Salazar, we’ll employ new technologies that reduce the impact of oil exploration. We’ll protect areas that are vital to tourism, the environment, and our national security. And we’ll be guided not by political ideology, but by scientific evidence."
"So I’m open to proposals from my Democratic friends and my Republican friends. I think that we can break out of the broken politics of the past when it comes to our energy policy. I know that we can come together to pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation that’s going to foster new energy -- new industries, create millions of new jobs, protect our planet, and help us become more energy independent. That’s what we can do. That is what we must do. And I’m confident that is what we will do."
"The proposals will be open for public comment for several months, then will be finalized by the administration."
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 14:48:11
Raine on 04/01/2010 14:48:11
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 14:55:16
Raine on 04/01/2010 14:55:16
Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2010 15:05:22
wickedpam on 04/01/2010 15:05:22
my head is starting to hurt,.....
Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2010 15:08:29
I refuse to call them tea partiers - they are tea baggers forever and always. The sad thing is I think some actual concerned people have gotten swept up in that movement - I would say 50% of the teabaggers are nutty, uninformed, people feeding on talking points. The rest are the scary ones that could be compared to domestic terrorists
wickedpam on 04/01/2010 15:08:29
Quote by Raine:
Sean Hannity was actually mocking the left for comparing the tea party folks to domestic terrorists. STILL NOT funny or acceptable.
I refuse to call them tea partiers - they are tea baggers forever and always. The sad thing is I think some actual concerned people have gotten swept up in that movement - I would say 50% of the teabaggers are nutty, uninformed, people feeding on talking points. The rest are the scary ones that could be compared to domestic terrorists
Comment by Scoopster on 04/01/2010 15:08:51
Scoopster on 04/01/2010 15:08:51
You know.. today is a pretty nifty day to be born, wouldn't you say? Well no joke here..
Happy Birthday Rachel Maddow! 
Comment by 
livingonli on 04/01/2010 15:19:49
livingonli on 04/01/2010 15:19:49
Good morning everyone.
Mala, FiOS does include their own router and they set it up on install. It's also used for the TV service since it feeds the data for the EPG on the FiOS boxes but you won't need it for that.
Mala, FiOS does include their own router and they set it up on install. It's also used for the TV service since it feeds the data for the EPG on the FiOS boxes but you won't need it for that.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2010 15:22:36
wickedpam on 04/01/2010 15:22:36
Thanks Liv 
I'm just gonna have to call and get some deets for these things
I'm just gonna have to call and get some deets for these things
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 04/01/2010 15:31:44
Mondobubba on 04/01/2010 15:31:44
Mmmphhh. Morning.
Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2010 15:34:25
livingonli on 04/01/2010 15:34:25
Morning Herr Mondo.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2010 15:46:03
wickedpam on 04/01/2010 15:46:03
need to do a virus scan - or system restore - back later
Comment by Scoopster on 04/01/2010 15:50:24
Scoopster on 04/01/2010 15:50:24
Hoooo boy the april fools jokes out there today are pretty nifty...
Check out XKCD if you have a few moments.. and if you're feeling adventurous
Check out XKCD if you have a few moments.. and if you're feeling adventurous
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 15:55:14
Raine on 04/01/2010 15:55:14
Juan Williams compared the tea baggers to Timothy McVeigh on Fox.
FOX!
FOX!
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 15:56:31
THIS is where that talking point came from.
and I happen to think Williams is correct.
Raine on 04/01/2010 15:56:31
Quote by Raine:
Juan Williams compared the tea baggers to Timothy McVeigh on Fox.
FOX!
THIS is where that talking point came from.
and I happen to think Williams is correct.
Comment by Scoopster on 04/01/2010 15:56:33
This has to be an april fools joke...
Scoopster on 04/01/2010 15:56:33
Quote by Raine:
Juan Williams compared the tea baggers to Timothy McVeigh on Fox.
FOX!
This has to be an april fools joke...
Comment by Scoopster on 04/01/2010 16:00:43
BMW has decided to start offering political party coloring on its products.. (I'm guessing the yellow/orange is for the NDP?)
Scoopster on 04/01/2010 16:00:43
BMW has decided to start offering political party coloring on its products.. (I'm guessing the yellow/orange is for the NDP?)
Comment by Scoopster on 04/01/2010 16:03:56
Scoopster on 04/01/2010 16:03:56
Comment by Scoopster on 04/01/2010 16:07:51
Scoopster on 04/01/2010 16:07:51
Comment by 
clintster on 04/01/2010 16:14:10
clintster on 04/01/2010 16:14:10
Comment by livingonli on 04/01/2010 16:21:43
livingonli on 04/01/2010 16:21:43
Anyone heard from Random? He hasn't been around in a while.
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 16:48:31
Raine on 04/01/2010 16:48:31
I used to fish from this Dock!
Indulge me, and peruse this time lapse video...
Indulge me, and peruse this time lapse video...
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 16:49:26
nope
Raine on 04/01/2010 16:49:26
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
Juan Williams compared the tea baggers to Timothy McVeigh on Fox.
FOX!
This has to be an april fools joke...
nope
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 16:52:24
Raine on 04/01/2010 16:52:24
Comment by TriSec on 04/01/2010 16:54:49
TriSec on 04/01/2010 16:54:49
An unprecedented anomaly of light and heat has just appeared in the sky over Boston.
It's an enemy sneak attack, I think.
It's an enemy sneak attack, I think.
Comment by Scoopster on 04/01/2010 16:57:32
I saw that odd light and thought "Oh cool I'm finally gonna meet Akira!"
Scoopster on 04/01/2010 16:57:32
Quote by TriSec:
An unprecedented anomaly of light and heat has just appeared in the sky over Boston.
It's an enemy sneak attack, I think.
I saw that odd light and thought "Oh cool I'm finally gonna meet Akira!"
Comment by TriSec on 04/01/2010 17:05:28
TriSec on 04/01/2010 17:05:28
Say Scoop, you and me both must be Teabaggers now, at least according to the flag imagery.
During the Bush administration, I folded up my stars and stripes and flew a Culpeper Minuteman flag for the bulk of those 8 years. Wasn't the original yellow Gadsden a product of your fair state?
I still don't fly a current stars & stripes; I've got a Bennington flag up. (You know, the "76" flag.)
During the Bush administration, I folded up my stars and stripes and flew a Culpeper Minuteman flag for the bulk of those 8 years. Wasn't the original yellow Gadsden a product of your fair state?
I still don't fly a current stars & stripes; I've got a Bennington flag up. (You know, the "76" flag.)
Comment by Raine on 04/01/2010 17:15:11
The tea baggers are VERY fond of both these flags.
Like patriotism, they hijacked the meaning of those as well.
Raine on 04/01/2010 17:15:11
Quote by TriSec:
Say Scoop, you and me both must be Teabaggers now, at least according to the flag imagery.
During the Bush administration, I folded up my stars and stripes and flew a Culpeper Minuteman flag for the bulk of those 8 years. Wasn't the original yellow Gadsden a product of your fair state?
I still don't fly a current stars & stripes; I've got a Bennington flag up. (You know, the "76" flag.)
Like patriotism, they hijacked the meaning of those as well.
Comment by Scoopster on 04/01/2010 17:20:34
Scoopster on 04/01/2010 17:20:34
Actually I don't think it is.. the design was first seen on drums belonging to some of the first Marines who enlisted in Philadelphia (probably inspired by Franklin's Join or Die poster) and Gadsden used it to make the flag. Rhode Island's creed to my knowledge has always been "Hope".
Comment by TriSec on 04/01/2010 17:48:32
TriSec on 04/01/2010 17:48:32
I think that bright thing has really got me rattled now.
I just wrote "3/39/10" on yesterday's purchase orders to be filed.
And related to nothing, any Disney Geeks about? The nice people at Netflix just sent me 'Tron' (circa 1982) and I'm savoring the irony that I'm planning to watch it on my computer tonight. (better sound system than the TV)
Anyone else waiting for Tron Legacy?
I just wrote "3/39/10" on yesterday's purchase orders to be filed.
And related to nothing, any Disney Geeks about? The nice people at Netflix just sent me 'Tron' (circa 1982) and I'm savoring the irony that I'm planning to watch it on my computer tonight. (better sound system than the TV)
Anyone else waiting for Tron Legacy?