Is the call to drill our way out of the energy crisis unpatriotic

Question

Is it time to consider campaign positions that appeal to short term economics but do nothing to solve serious long term problems unpatriotic and damaging to the strength and long term health of the nation?

Answer 1

I would not say the call to drill our way out of the energy crisis to be unpatriotic; it's just not effective. Until Americans decide to utilize solar and wind power AND accept whatever limitations come with it, we're in trouble.

I am not prepared to accept the damage to the ocean's ecosystem with more offshore drilling. Haven't we already done enough harm to the planet?

Are the appeals to short terms economics damaging to the strength and long term health of the nation? Certainly.

Answer 2

If there was any oil that made a difference you don't think Bush would have gotten around the laws before now?

Politics!!  

Answer 3

First of all this is not where its' at, Anwar contains a 10 or more year supply that may see use through the conversion process to alternative energy supplies. At this point I  feel it is time to say sayonara to the overly protective environmentalists who should seek to protect the rain forrest's farther afield where all the diversity lies but not unlike the opposition their heads remain in a very dark place.

Answer 4

I don't see how you could call drilling "short-term". It's one of the only long-term solutions out there. Certainly better than inflating our tires!

Answer 5

Agree with 451, but there is a ton of oil offshore and tons of natural gas.  On land in some areas you hit one in 18  wells you drill, offshore 1-1 ratio.  As far as getting on line in ten years that's bs, less than a year and on land in three months check out wells in texas.  Also before finding the shale oil in the north they predict a 65 years supply that we have, add to that that 900 billion pool and we have plenty to live on and maybe,just maybe people will get serious enough to do something about it now.  Both parties have put it on the back burner for decades, so now is the time and not some hurried up thing.  We got the reserves and lets use them.  Hopefully in 50 years we will be free of that stuff.  Look at china and all that pollution, it's insane, but we and other countries sent their industry over there. Figure yo didn't want to hear this, but it's the truth.

Answer 6

Yes it is.  

Our remaining domestic oil reserves are a national asset of great strategic value.  And much of the demand for them consists of unnecessary, frivolous consumption; commuters driving eighty miles a day to office jobs in upholstered farm equipment, and so on.

We should not consider compromising our strategic position for the sake of such profligate lifestyles.  We can develop alternate technologies to support those habits instead.  There are many available for development.

Our remaining oil reserves should be conserved as much as possible, by national policy.  

And oil in general should be conserved, to discourage high prices, so that affordable fuel will be available for the essential commerical activities on which our economy depends.