Stop for a second and listen to this every day situation between Suzy and Bobby:
Suzy: " Hey are we going to go to the movies tonight?"
Bobby: " No I can't. You live so far away, and I don't want to waste gas."
Suzy: " WASTE GAS! BUT WE'VE BEEN DATING FOR ALMOST A YEAR!"
Bobby: " Sorry sugar, but I can't even fill up half my gas tank with these prices."
This sounds pretty familiar right? Everyday Dads, Moms, and Teens all face the hump of rising gas prices. Some alternatives are already under way such as bio-fuels like as ethanol, hybrids, and good old-fashioned walking. Some argue why we're so dependent oil; complaining that every time a storm hits the coast, prices will sky rocket again….taking more money out of your paycheck. But why not drill here in the U.S.?
According to EcoWorld's Danielle Muhawi, the recoverable oil that's sits in Alaska's Wildlife Reserve could possibly amount to ten billion ba rrels. (Enough to supply the U.S. for a good 18 months) She also states that American's consume about 20 million barrels of oil per day. With Alaska's rate of 1.5 million barrels a day, 7.5% of the U.S. oil consumption could be met in 20 year. That sounds like a great plan to me. Personally, I believe drilling in Alaska can also help us realize that we shouldn't be so dependent on foreign oil. I don't think we want to end up like the Soviets in the early 70's who ransacked Afghanistan to maintain their economy.
A few years ago, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska made a pro-drilling attachment to a defense appropriations bill. (R) That was in 2005. And just recently we begin to hear about the barren wasteland of Anwar, and its lifeless territory stirring up quite a debate in Washington. Most Alaskan's favor drilling and would like help to boost the economy. But with the upcoming election, Americans will soon see if we can save our oil root that our economy is in. Where do you stand?
-makemeasandwich
6 comments:
I think drilling for local oil might be a good idea, but only to lower gas prices now so we can find better alternatives later. None of the oil will last forever, and it's polluting our earth. It's high time we become independent of oil and find a better, permanent way to operate.
Ive got just one problem. Is having our own oil supply for a year and a half really going to reduce our need for foreign oil? The answer is no, no it is not. After a 18 months of oil then where are we? Back to reliance on foreign oil. And i know i said one problem but ive got another one. Is having 18 months worth of oil really worth destroying the Alaskan Wildlife Reserve? The answer again is no. Drilling for that oil would destroy that reserve and it would never ever be the same again.
We are always complaining right now about gas prices, but remember one thing, at the beginning of the summer, a gallon was over $4.00. Now its pushing $3.70. The news kept warning that gas prices would sky rocket after Hurricane Ike...the prices rose a dime a gallon. That is one extra dollar for every ten gallons of gas. That isn't as much as many of us think. We all complain that it is a lot higher than it was, but remember when we complained when it broke $3.00. Several years from now we'll be wishing it was this price.
Drilling in ANWR will not "destroy the reserve" as yoda said. In fact, with technology available nowadays, the drilling spots would have relatively no adverse effects on the surrounding environment. The sole reason that liberals oppose drilling in ANWR is that it would affect the migrating habits of the porcupine caribou. However, near a drilling area in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the roads put up because of the oil drilling have actually helped the caribou population GROW, because the heat from the pavement helped kill insects that spread disease among the caribou. Secondly, drilling in Alaska is not seen as the solution to the problem of dependency on foreign oil. Drilling would give the US more time to research new technology, while tapping our own resources. Domestic drilling should be seen as a mere transition to alternative fuels.
We shouldn't be dependent on foreign oil, but we also shouldn't be so dependent on oil. In the time it takes the U.S. to drill up in ANWR and get the oil, we could be coming up with alternatives fuel sources that would help us out more in the long run.
I agree with you Reagan 08. Domestic drilling is not the solution. It is a step towards oil independence. I also agree with T. Boone Pickens. "Drill drill drill now. But people miss the point. Time." (Pickens paraphrased from his ads)
The country needs time to come up with alternative fuel sources. And contrary to public opinion, it will not happen overnight.
People also complain about the cost of the War on Terror. They only complain about the U.S. budget they pay for. Americans are actually funding two wars. The oil we get from Iran goes to corrupted Islamic fundamentalists who support terrorism. So maybe before we stop funding our War on Terrorism, we should end funding the terrorists' War on Freedom.
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