1876 replies to this topic

[Sakura Blossoms]

Obama to lift longtime ban on oil drilling:

http://news.yahoo.co..._obama_drilling

[Dreamer]

Obama to lift longtime ban on oil drilling:

http://news.yahoo.co..._obama_drilling

I'm glad he changed his mind on drilling, i mean you can't just stop drilling over night and expect peoplle to have the money to buy a hydrogen or electric powered car. Especially with the economy in the shape it's in, people need relief at the pump.

[Nate River]

I'm glad he changed his mind on drilling, i mean you can't just stop drilling over night and expect peoplle to have the money to buy a hydrogen or electric powered car. Especially with the economy in the shape it's in, people need relief at the pump.

It would be if it were a genuine change of heart on the issue, but it doesn't seem to be one.

Obama made no secret of the fact that one factor in his decision was attracting Republican support for a sweeping climate change bill that has languished in Congress. "Drill, baby, drill" was a mantra of the GOP during the 2008 presidential campaign

If cap and trade passes, the additional drilling probably won't matter much. Additionally, more oil helps, but is only half the problem. It still needs to be refined in gasoline. We haven't built a new refinary in decades because of pressure from environmental groups.

[Nee-sama]

It would be if it were a genuine change of heart on the issue, but it doesn't seem to be one.

What does it matter what he really feels as long as he's putting it on the agenda? Even if the only reason he was doing this was to try to appeal to the republicans that are pissed at him over healthcare (and I'm confidant that is not the only reason) it would still be beneficial to everyone.

If cap and trade passes, the additional drilling probably won't matter much. Additionally, more oil helps, but is only half the problem. It still needs to be refined in gasoline. We haven't built a new refinary in decades because of pressure from environmental groups.

I don't know about the cap in trade thing. but Don't the two (drilling and refining) go hand in hand? A new refinery doesn't need to be built if this drilling means more people are given jobs in the existing ones that have probably recently laid off a lot of people. I'm no expert obviously, but it doesn't make sense that they would drill more with no place to send it for refining. The article I read suggests that he wants this to help stimulate our economy, so I don't think they would export that portion of the work, although I guess I can't put it past 'em.


P.S I know this isn't really political news but I thought it was hilarious: Palin vs. LL Cool J

Edited by Nee-sama, 31 March 2010 - 07:44 PM.

[Nate River]

What does it matter what he really feels as long as he's putting it on the agenda? Even if the only reason he was doing this was to try to appeal to the republicans that are pissed at him over healthcare (and I'm confidant that is not the only reason) it would still be beneficial to everyone.

From a pratical standpoint, it doesn't matter so long as he does it or isn't offering it only in exchange for something worse, which is why I posted that part about cap and trade. It sounds like he is offering it in exchange for something worse...well, I suppose that depends on how you view cap and tax.

EDIT: Lets assume for a second that Republicans are correct about the economics of cap and trade...if those negative effects on the economy outpace the beneficial ones of the driling, then it's still a net loss for the economy. This example simplifies big-time, but does illustrate why the trade off matters.

I don't know about the cap in trade thing. but Don't the two (drilling and refining) go hand in hand? A new refinery doesn't need to be built if this drilling means more people are given jobs in the existing ones that have probably recently laid off a lot of people.

No. That he opens more area to driling, doesn't ispo facto mean more refineries will be allowed to open. LA lower crude oil price changes the cost of an input. It's a key one so it has a big effect on price, but it's not the sole input. When the price of oil died one way in which companies to curb the effect on the gas price was to cut refining capacity.

To be fair, how much it will help depends on things like, what capacity are they operating at now and how much of the gasoline price is due to refining issues. Most of it is due to the oil price, I'm sure, but it's not the sole issue and expanding refining capacity is another thing that can be done to provide relief at the pump.

[Nee-sama]

No. That he opens more area to driling, doesn't ispo facto mean more refineries will be allowed to open. LA lower crude oil price changes the cost of an input. It's a key one so it has a big effect on price, but it's not the sole input. When the price of oil died one way in which companies to curb the effect on the gas price was to cut refining capacity.

To be fair, how much it will help depends on things like, what capacity are they operating at now and how much of the gasoline price is due to refining issues. Most of it is due to the oil price, I'm sure, but it's not the sole issue and expanding refining capacity is another thing that can be done to provide relief at the pump.

Right, what I was trying to say is that the cut to refining capacity could be undone and raised. Not that more refineries would be opened, but that the ones currently operating would increase output.

[Sakura Blossoms]

Environmentalists not happy with Obama's new drilling plan. Republicans only half care:

http://news.yahoo.co...clatchy/3466074

[Cloud]

People need relief at the pump.

Relief at the pump...

Pump...



I'm definitely driving Diesel.

[shadow_Uzumaki]

In other news, Obama is trying to sell his health care at a little acknowledged group.

[Sakura Blossoms]

Politics has really become an embarrassment...on ALL sides:

Spitting, brick-throwing, and name-calling. Is this what political discourse in America has come to?

Well, given that Thomas Jefferson was called the Antichrist by members of the Federalist Party, the pitched emotions at a major political crossroads perhaps aren't so surprising – nor are threats against lawmakers.

Instead, this moment is a part of what the American political process is, say some political analysts: Every major shift in policy or political direction is a revolution in miniature, with both sides retreating toward the radical to rhetorically demonize the other.

The Republicans ratchet up the anger over the country's changing direction. The Democrats play to fears by painting large swaths of Americans as radicals, racists, and rabble-rousers.

"It's part of the balancing act this country has faced the whole time," says John Geer, a political scientist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. "If we only had moderate rhetoric, how do you create change? When something is radically wrong, how do you not do something radical to get it back on track?"

"Yelling is one way to get people's attention, and it underscores the intensity of the movement," he adds.

Politics from the fringe

Yet such politics include a measure of risk. Words can, in fact, spark violence.

"If you mix [violent messages] with people who feel threatened by the new political landscape and feel that armed resistance is something that is legitimate, you are lighting a fuse on a literally explosive group of people," David Olson, a communications professor at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, told PR Newswire.

"When House minority leader John Boehner calls fellow Rep. Steve Driehaus 'a dead man' for voting for the health insurance bill, and Driehaus consequently receives death threats, I think we can see a connection," he said

Teasing out the reality from the rhetoric, however, isn't easy – particularly in the current viral climate, where YouTube, blogs, and television news become instant echo chambers for every sleight.

For every truly reprehensible act of bigotry or violence, there are also instances of misrepresentation to manufacture controversy and "[criminalize] political dissent," as the conservative columnist Michelle Malkin puts it.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) of Missouri says he was spit upon at an anti-healthcare "tea party" rally where other Democratic lawmakers heard racial epithets. Conservatives say the spit was merely wayward saliva in a yelling match.

At least weekend's tea party in Searchlight, Nev., a tea party bus was egged. Conservative commentator Andrew Breitbart says anti-tea party protesters did it, then tried to blame him when the police arrived.

The cycles of accusation

The incidents - and the accusations and counter-accusations that followed - are parts of a recurring cycle, says Mr. Geer.

Today, many conservatives say liberal agitators and even leaders like House majority whip James Clyburn have embarked on a misinformation campaign to tar modern-day conservatism as the territory of the slightly unhinged.

Five years ago, though, it was liberals who were on the defensive. Many liberals said conservatives were trying to cast them as "unpatriotic" simply because they didn't fall into lockstep with President Bush's post-9/11 antiterror policies.

Historically, losing parties take their time to readjust "to the middle," says Geer.

On healthcare, "the strong reactions from Republicans could put them on the fringe," he adds. "But if the healthcare reform backfires, then it's going to hurt the Democrats."

[Dreamer]

Hasn't the dems and reps been going at each other since the creation of the parties? It's just the economy amplified their anger towards each and the health care bill passing just add more fuel to the fire.

[shadow_Uzumaki]

Kinda ironic because in the beginning, the Democrats were the conservatives, the Republics were liberals...and let's not get into the fact that they used to be known as the Democrat-Republics or something like that.....

[Dreamer]

Video Game Health Care Bill: http://www.collegehu...m/video:1931498

[Sakura Blossoms]

Obama *finally* calls out people like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh:

http://news.yahoo.co...ws/ynews_ts1437

[Dreamer]

Obama *finally* calls out people like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh:

http://news.yahoo.co...ws/ynews_ts1437

Don't you think Obama is acting childish letting Glenn Beck's and Rush's foul mouth's get to him. That's all part of their scheme to gain publicity.

[Sakura Blossoms]

Don't you think Obama is acting childish letting Glenn Beck's and Rush's foul mouth's get to him. That's all part of their scheme to gain publicity.

How is he being childish? He didn't act like they were 'getting to him'. Just like they have a right to spout off on all the crap they do, he has the right to respond. And they have been doing it for a long time and he's only *just* now responding. I would say he's been the bigger man for quite a long time.

[Strangelove]

Don't you think Obama is acting childish letting Glenn Beck's and Rush's foul mouth's get to him. That's all part of their scheme to gain publicity.

He is the president, a high office...he doesn't have to go down to their level...

[Dreamer]

How is he being childish? He didn't act like they were 'getting to him'. Just like they have a right to spout off on all the crap they do, he has the right to respond. And they have been doing it for a long time and he's only *just* now responding. I would say he's been the bigger man for quite a long time.

He is the president, a high office...he doesn't have to go down to their level...

What I'm trying to say is he fell right into their scheme trap, Him getting involved will only increase their ego and publicity just like Glenn getting into with James Cameron a little while back.

[Strangelove]

well, to your answer...yes he acted very childish indeed.

Edited by Strangelove, 02 April 2010 - 11:40 PM.

[Dreamer]

I mean think about just like you said he's the president, he has more important issues that need to be dealt with. He should just turn off his blackberry and start focusing on getting stuff done to help stabilize the economy from falling on it's knees.

Edited by Uzumakikage, 03 April 2010 - 12:10 AM.