Jack, NO. By the time they drill for more oil and it goes through the whole refining process demand will be up further and prices will go up with it. Drilling for more oil isn’t the solution, now or ever. We need alternative forms of energy. Here is a thought, lets take the $10 billion a month we spend in Iraq a put it towards renewable energy.

Bush would never go for it though, he wouldn’t make any money off of it.

Offshore drilling should not be on the table at all! It will pollute our waters and is not a solution to the rising oil prices. See you tmrw! If my flight ever takes off from miami. - Sam

Drilling for oil in Alaska and off shore will probably not make our energy crisis go away, but for us to allow the environmentalists to force us into an economic collapse to save caribou and a few other forms of sea life is absurd. By the way, most species of animals that have ever lived on earth are now extinct….and that happened LOOOONG before man was around to screw up the environment!

John McCain released a new commercial claiming that he will be strong on environment issues and the next day urging that we start drilling around the shores of the United States for oil is simply outrageous. What about his gas holiday tax proposal? We are starting to see John McCain win the gold medal on lying and pandering. He is winning this award by a landslide, thus he will lose by a landslide!

Jack,
I don’t believe that drilling offshore will do anything to lower gas prices. There is no shortage of oil. Every gas station in America is receiving regular deliveries. What we really have is a manufactured price infrastructure that’s created years of record profits for big oil. So all drilling offshore will do is prolong the fleecing of the American people by the big oil companies.

Michael In Skowhegan, Maine

If we started construction today we wouldn’t get the first drop of oil from the fields until 2015. I dont’ see how it will help. Plus will the speculation go down if we start drilling? No it won’t.

Also, so long as we end these silly wars, if we invested heavily in alternate energies, perhaps we could be largely free of oil by 2015. People might think that’s crazy but did people in 1940 really think we’d have the bomb by 1945? Did people really think in 1960 that we’d land on the moon by 1969? Probably not. But if we put the same amount of money and intellectual energy into finding a way off of oil instead of fighting Arab civil wars maybe we might get somewhere.

no, the oil companies will then tack on fees to pay for the drilling. there is no shortage now. you never go to the pump and find that there isn’t any. the pres. is an oil man,you figure out why prices are as high as they are!

Even McCain admits it would take five years for the oil to come online. By that time demand will be greater in the world and we can expect to pay even more at the pump. There is no real solution to the problem but it could be ameliorated by cracking down on speculation.

Ray Kinserlow
Lubbock, Texas

No, it’s a short-term fix for a long-term mess. The oil companies have plenty of sites but covet these particular sites. Why? Maybe we should check the land holdings of some of the Fat Cat CEOs and their rich friends and stockholders before we do anything further. They’ve already proven they can’t be trusted to do the right or moral thing. Why trust them now?

First, it was all about ethanol, and now we need corn for food. Now it is about drilling off the coasts of CA and FL with its own set of potential risks. How about just outlawing SUVs and Hummers? Couldn’t that do the trick just as nicely?

Jack, The oil companies are holding us hostage. The ransom is drilling on our shores and on our pristine land. They will continue to raise prices until we knuckle under and give in to them. Isn’t it a crime to hold a country hostage. Geez, talk about terrorism. Patsy in Nebraska

No, I see this is no more than a useless threat to OPEC that will put us in a deeper hole than drilling for oil.

I think we all understand that all of this is only short term, and long, long overdue… We should have been able to see this coming in the 70’s… Jack, the long term is the answer for this country, and I hope congress is working on this… but that would also be a dream..

My only hope is that the Democrats reach accross the isle, join hands and GET SOMETHING DONE… This congress has been sitting on their hands WAY too long.. “I’m madder than hell and I’m not going to take it any more” — remember this movie quote..?

Jack,

I want to thank John McCain, George W. Bush, Charlie Crist and Mel Martinez. I am a longtime Florida resident. I live a mile from some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

I am also a Democrat and a member of Move-on. These guys have just handed the state of Florida on a platter to the Democrats. They will all be long-gone from politics years before anyone tries to put an oil rig offshore here.

Jack
Seminole, Florida

According to the Congressional Committee on Natural Resources, the oil companies already hold leases on nearly 68 million acres of federal land that they are not using to produce oil or gas. They also have stockpiled nearly 10,000 extra drilling permits that they also are not using to increase domestic production.

The question of drilling for more oil in Alaska is nothing more than a political motivator to influence the outcome of this election, just like it has been in the past, the big difference this year is that gas is over 4 bucks, oil companies get richer, we get poorer and politicians get re-elected.

The money it will take to set up for drilling could be better spent on developing alternate fuel sources, like hydrogen cars, ethanol derived from something OTHER than food supplies. Big oil needs to take these record profits and put them into alternative fuel sources in order to get back in the good graces of the American people. If they would do that, they can still make their money AND get us away from the high dependency we have on oil.

No, because after Obama becomes prez and we develop alternative fuel solutions we will still have clean, pristine coasts. He thinks ahead, not just for the now which i love. On the other hand, John mcwar can only think in the short term because let’s face it, how much longer does he have? And besides his buddies, the oil companies are rich enough already.

Dinosaur fuel is not the answer to our salvation, it will only prolong the inevitable, while damaging the environment. We need to develop alternate energy sources such as nuclear FUSION (not fission), wind and solar. At the same time we will need to advance battery technology so we can drop oil dependence entirely. We will be much safer when we can stop supporting the people who hate us. Without our money they will die.

Hey Kristen, Philadelphia, PA - Couldn’t have said it better myself! Brilliant you are!

Here is an idea: lets go out there and just ANNOUNCE that we are going to start drilling in Alaska…we don’t even have to do it. Just the sound of those words will freak out OPEC and gas will drop in a heartbeat.

-Efren

Phoenix, AZ

I would like a straight answer about the Chinese/Cubans , Canadians, Norwegians, etc drilling off our shores. If someone else is going to do it , maybe we should at least make sure we get what’s off our coast before someone else does. I think we will drill a little more safely than the Chinese. Also, explain about the area that has been approved and is not yet being developed. why? and Alaska, is that a proven reserve or just speculation? Can CNN do a show on this topic in depth without all the bs and bias and just give us the facts.
Thank you.

Jack
pony up to a press confrence and tell them that the reason their in the pressure cooker this summer w/$4 gas
is because its all a Big sceem to pressure Congress to allow off shore oil drilling so the big Oil companys can make Trillions in Profit!!
you know it and i know it! the secret is out! lets see how fast they try and shut you up! for knowing it!! i dont know what this country is comeing too Alquida done owns CSX! Cheny and Bush have stolen the $9 billion gone missing in Iraq,hell their leaveing the white house with the silverware in their pockets! my dead father would have led a revolution!
Where is a George Washington when you need one?
You’d be a Hero!
Thievery,Greed&Avarice…

Canada is absolute proof having abundant oil reserves will not lower gas prices. The province of Alberta has some of the largest oil reserves in the world and ship to the rest of the Canadian provinces and to the U.S.

If have these extra reserves lowers gas prices how can you justify all the other provinces in Canada paying higher gas prices than you pay anywhere in the U.S. Canada ships oil to the U.S. much cheaper than the Middle East does yet prices remain the same.

Gas prices today in Ontario are $1.34 a liter so you have to multiply this $1.34 X 4 = $5.36 a gallon for regular with premium and diesel much higher in price.

This should be proof positive that expanding oil reserves will only raise the profits of the oil producers and not benefit the consumer at all.

No, offshore drilling would just be another in the long line of appeasements handed to the oil companies in the past eight years.
More corporate welfare will not solve the problem of greedy oil companies. We need leaders in our government who aren’t afraid to take them on instead of leaders who play golf with them.

By the time any of that oil would come into the system, we will probably have found clean energy alternatives and not want it. If not, we will be so far down the road of climate change we’ll be dealing with the consequences and even George Bush won’t be interested in using fossil fuels.

No. By the time any of it is available - estimated to be 10 years - those of us who haven’t frozen to death from lack of affordable heating oil will be fighting over bicycles to get around. In any case, the current problem has more to do with unregulated speculation than supply. Do you see gas lines anywhere?

It won’t help gas prices in the short term. But we have to take a 4-pronged attack. 1. Drill now. 2. Conserve. 3. Look for alternative sources of energy. 4. Build more nuclear plants.
We can’t wait on any of these options. But of course, drilling and nuclear plants are off the table, so the pain will only get worse.

Well Jack we should drill off shore it is safer now and less chance of error. Why should we let China and Cuba in a joint venture drill for it in the Gulf for example and not care how they get or how careful they are while doing it and then selling it back to us so we still have to pay more. As for Alaska live it alone it would take 30 to 40 years to get the oil there and it is so remote the cost will be high to get it.

Paul
Texas

Jack
This will just be a band aid and will not be available to us till 2015. Lets get out of Iraq bring the troops home and we will be saving billions which can be better spent if managed properly on alternative energy sources. And oh by the way lets stop producing these gas guzzling SUVs, Hummers and the big 8 cylinder luxury vehicles.

Hey Jack
This is a good question for McCain to answer, he’s on both sides of the issue!
Cinti, Ohio

Jack

Drain America First is NOT the answer. We’d just be in the same hole but deeper 20 years down the road. The answer is to drop peetrofuels entirely and transistion as quickly as possible to a different fuel. of all the options out there, the best and safest and most efficient substitute for gasoline, diesel, and the combustion engine is the HYDROGEN Fuel Cell technology. If starting from scratch we can put a man on the moon in less than ten years; then we can darn well make the switch to hydrogen technology in ten years or less.

Pablo in Tejas

It’s very arrogant that the United States, for “environmental” reasons, would forgo its own natural resources yet want other countries to “ruin” their environment by producing more oil. We are not willing to do for ourselves what we are demanding others to do. Want higher gas prices? Continue the ban on offshore drilling and you will ensure it until commons sense, once again, wins the day.

Cory
Atlanta, GA

Jack,
Apparently Cuba and China seem to think so, as they prepare to start drilling just miles off the Florida coast. I disagree. I think Obama is the only one with the right idea. Drilling for more oil might bring down gas prices but all we’re really doing is lining the pockets of big oil companies and our enemies in the middle east. It’s time to spend that money and time investing in alternative fuel sources that can create American jobs by the millions and keep us from being so beholdant to other countries. If we start distroying our beautiful country by drilling for oil wherever we can then we’re only compounding an existing problem and not looking to the future.

Drilling a decent short term fix. But that is all that it is. Short Term. Long term we need to develop some alternative energy sources. Obama and McCain offer no real long term solutions to this nations problems. I’m staying home on election day Jack. These two are pathetic.

its not any better or worse than obama and his stupid windfall profit tax. put a stop to out of control speculation, reduce dependence on petroleum (foreign or domestic) and invest in renewable energy source. thats how we fix the problem, at least that is what my 13 yr old tells me. if he can figure this out why cant our government? because he isnt corrupted by money the way our government is.

It takes ten to 15 years for oil to come to market after beginning drilling and even then, the amount of oil still untapped in North America is no more than a drop in the bucket of the world oil market. The only thing that would effect oil prices is to reduce demand two ways. First, conserve now and expand the use alternative energy sources in the future. Second, undo the Enron-backed deregulation of 2000 that allowed market speculation to run amuck since its effect is being felt now. Somehow, I don’t think Bush will mention how the deregulation has hurt everyday Americans, both at the pump and in the grocery stores, where inflation due to high fuel costs is rising in a similar trajectory to that of the 1970’s.

Didn’t we steal all of the Iraqi’s oil? I’m not convinced I believe that there’s a shortage of oil. Bush and his cronies are making a fortune stockpiling oil and claiming that there’s a shortage. Drilling for more oil will only help the oil companies not the rest of us.

Jack,

No.

Natural gas companies have been drilling hundreds of new wells around me for the past 4 years.

They destroy the local enviroment and infrastructure without remorse or reimbursement.

I have not noticed a drop in natural gas prices

Need more refineries over open up the last remaining drilling. And we need these 2 oil men out of office pdq.

Jack, Deilling for oil will be NO help NOW it will be years before that
works STOP the BIG MONEY people in Wash,& the ADMINISTRATION from WASTING FUEL flying around the Country
having there pictures took.

No. More drilling will not make the prices go down. For too long, we Americans have been in denial of our wasteful lifestyles. The current high prices are here to stay regardless of how much more drilling occurs. The fossil fuel age is past. Now is the time for us to change the way we live and find cleaner renewable (multiple) sources of energy.

Hi Jack

In the 70’s oil companies were looking for alternative sources until the oil embargo was over. In the 80’s the big catch phrase was “trust me”. In the 90’s global warning was considered something thought up by liberals and environmentalists. More recent history has taken us into Iraq because of weapons of mass destruction. Now George now wants us to trust him that drilling off shore and in Alaska will lower oil prices? Oil companies want to keep the money and keep us dependent on oil. George is an oil man. No, off shore drilling and drilling in Alaska is not the answer.

Peg in Green Bay Wisconsin

There is no answer for high gas prices–they are here to stay. Any increase in the domestic oil supply, from whatever source, will be more than offset by the rapid rise in global demand. We should save offshore reserves, western oil shale, and other undeveloped resources for national emergencies and future generations. The necessary transition to much more fuel efficient vehicles will benefit everyone on the planet.

Fort Collins, CO

Mark from OK City: Caribou is not sea life. This is why we have so many right-wing wackos in America: they won’t put up the money for taxes to pay for a decent public education.

Don’t be silly Jack, we know at least one mission was accomplished and high gas prices are here for the forseeable future. More drilling will lead to more record profits. Now regulating energy traders, there’s an idea that might actually save us a few cents. Bush and his oil buddies got exactly what they wanted, and as usual, the ignorant masses will just bend over and take it. Maybe if someone in WA grew a pair, emissions standards would be increased, we could encourage people to you know, conserve energy, and we could finally get this country on the right path to an oil free future, b/c that’s where we really need to be.

Gas prices will never decline again. Corporations don’t give back profits to the consumers. But if we allow expanded drilling in this nation’s reserves, coastal or Alaskan, Congress needs to make certain no oil pumped from U.S. territory is allowed to be sold to Japan, China, or any other nation. If the oil companies won’t build refineries in the U.S. then they should not be allowed to pillage national resources any longer.

No. We would not see results at the gas pump for five or more years.

Most importantly, we should not proceed without first addressing
related public policy issues(priority of energy source type and amount, independence on foreign energy sources, investment in alternative energy sources). We should also and take stock of what energy sources are currently available but are not being accessed (millions of acres leased to oil companies for drilling) and developing combustion systems that are less dependent on gas such as Honda’s fuel cell cars.

Canada has some of the largest oil reserves in the world so why are they paying more for gas than anyone in the U.S. if having lots of oil production will lower the prices?

Jack,
No!
Reduction of consumption of oil is the answer. Maybe the high cost of gas will force us to conserve. Nothing else has caused us to reduce our fuel consumption. Pain in the wallet is a great motivater to learn about reducing excess use of gas

Judie
St. Augustine, Fl.

Most experts will tell you that it will anywhere between 5 to 10 years before they know what effect this drilling will have. We can’t wait 5 to 10 years for help, What this incompetent administration needs to do is to appoint a commission to find out exactly who is screwing us and start inforcing the anti-gouging laws on the books.

With Cuba’s help, a Chinese oil platform has just begun drilling 50 miles offshore from the US coast. If America will not pump out its own oil, the Chinese will do it.

It may help down the line, but I don’t think it will affect us anytime soon.

On another note, Jack, can your fact finders figure out how much per barrel we pay when we get the oil from the US? Are we going to drill it and sell it to foreign countries? or distribute it cheaply to American citizens?

I live in Louisiana and they drill off our coast, but my gas prices are just as high as the rest of the country…

McCain was against off shore drilling and drilling in Anwar but now he is for off shore drilling but not drilling in Anwar.

Once he realizes he will lose all the coastal states for his latest position he will be against off shore drilling for oil and for drilling in Anwar.

In any event having high oil producing capabilities won’t reduce gas prices as Canada is living proof of that but it will help increase oil producing revenues which in turn should provide higher taxes being paid. Oh I forgot McCain wants to lower the income tax on oil producers!

Jack: It is like putting a “bandaid” on a hemmorhage. I read an article today that scientist have discoverd a bactera that will consume waste products and the end result of the bacteria is “oil.” Now if we can gentically produce a bacteria that will consume the end product of the waste consuming bacteria to produce “gas,”……gas crisis solve. They are a penny late and a dollar short. Our government has truly missed the boat on this one……..and I fear that it is going to be a long time, if ever, and I know not in my lifetime, that we will recover.

Off-shore drilling is very costly. But maybe it would be better if we were to pay American Oil Companies for the oil than to pour money into foreign suppliers pockets.

Yes, why should I care where it comes from? As soon as it’s out of the ground it ends up at a refiner in North Jersey anyways.

Jack:

Anyone who believes we can simply drill our way out of this mess is missing the point. When do we come to the realization that it is time to find other alternatives to the internal combustion engine? When do we come to the realization that the worlds population is growing and we cannot continue to consume the natural resources of this planet at our present rate without consequences.

Those who want to drill here and there are trying to find a temporary fix to a permeant problem. There will come a time where the oil will run out, that is a fact so why do we continue to wait until the last minute to fix the problem? It is time to stop relying on outdate solutions and find new ways to fuel our world.

Between starting off shore drilling, Anwar drilling and shale mining a compromise can be reached. We only need to start one of the three at the moment to have an leg-up in 5-10 years. We definitely need more fuel and yet don’t want or have to start a full scale attack on the environment. It’s time for our legislature to do what we pay them for and start acting in the best interests of the country.

I think finding a solution to high gas prices is the most myopic thing we can do. Gas prices need to keep going up, as demand for energy increases, or we will never see any kind of commitment to alternative energy sources in this country.

We are going to run out of oil. It’s not an issue of “if”, but “when.” If we devote all of our energy to finding more oil and making it more affordable, then we will have no one to blame but ourselves when it all runs out and we have no alternative.

No, it would just give us more time to stall in making decisions on alternative fuels. In a few years we would be right back at the same crossroads. Live by the Sweet Crude, die by the Sweet Crude.

It’s not the answer, but at least it’s an idea. That oil is not doing any good underground, and even if it’s just a bandaid for sometime down the road, it might give some hope to people who could use it. Unfortunately, turning to biofuels so far only causes hunger.

Jack,

I honestly do not know. I do know that my son who will graduate from highschool this next year has decided that he does not want to design cars but create an alturnative fuel source. I think that is great. Who knows in 5 years he may be on Larry King and AC 360 talking about his new fuel source!!!

Jenny Rome Ga

Jack, like it or not, here’s the answer, and it certainly wouldn’t be popular:

Raise government taxes on gasoline to bring it to $8.00 a gallon (close to what our counterparts in Eurpoe pay). Then use that additional tax income to put it in a subsidy bill that would help car companies to find better fuel alternatives.

This increase would limit the amount of gas people use, thereby forcing car companies to find new answers because of market demand, thereby decreasing our dependance on oil.

Simple solution, takes a little liberal policy and a little conservative policy and would fix it all…just one problem…Washington isn’t interested in fixing the problem, they’re interested in re-election. Like I said, not going to be a popular policy, but give something like that a few years and the innovations will sky rocket.

It would be a “band-aide” for the energy crisis like the economic stimulus check was a “band-aide” for the economy crisis. Look how that worked! It would be a terrible idea.

If there isn’t enough oil in ANWR to last but a year, the only need is for expedient profits. Geologically, there isn’t enough there to do much but sell it offshore, assuming it isn’t high sulfur grade! If we get most of our oil from Canada and Mexico, why the need to drill offshore unless it is for profit only. Prices will not fall whatever happens. And the notion that Brazil and North Dakota have resounding finds hasn’t been lost by Big Oil. No, when they have you by the #alls, they want all of it!

I am not an geologist, but is not common sense that where there is coal there might be oil? So why not drill right here in the USA itself using modern technologies and safety protocols? Yes we all remember Valdez in 1989 but was not that the fault of the Captain of the oil tanker? Regardless drilling in Alaska is a joke, drilling off-shore is more reasonable as it is closer to home. The faster we take the oil out of the ground here on USA owned land, while we simultaneously develop alternative fuels for the future, the faster we get off our dependence of oil from the Middle East (a desert land that offers nothing else to the world to trade with) and Venezuela where they offer little to nothing else but oil and can tell them both to go to hell. Then when their countries economies implode without the financial backing of the United States, we will see who comes crawling to whom!

certainly,and 20 years from now we can gaze in awe at sattelite images,showing wonderful new colors of oil slicks in the gulf of mexico,after a devastating round of hurricanes,or the entire state of texas is turned black, when our oil refineries are destroyed by tornado outbreaks,and then we can hone in on the innumerable sea animal carcasses,covered in spilled oil, lining the coast of california,after a ‘big one’,and finally we can gaze starry-eyed ,on the wonderful contrasts of alaska’s white ,snow-swept landscape,dotted with pools of black crude.let’s solve our problems by not making them worse.we must go green!

It’s a short term fix with very bad long term consequences. In fact, it’s not even short term; we wouldn’t see any oil for years. And when the well runs dry in Alaska and in the Gulf, OPEC can start charging whatever they want because they know we don’t have a back up plan. This “let’s just drill more oil” mentality is what’s gotten us into this mess and it won’t get us out. And besides, does anyone truly believe the oil companies will pass the savings on to us?

Jack

Evertime you drill another hole in the ground you make the energy crisis bigger. The demand continues to grow and all you did was delay the pain.This is a energy crisis, not an oil crisis. We need to focus on lowering the price of enrgy; such as placing a solar array on every building in America. Build nuclear plant to produce hydrogen and windmills to produce electricity. This will put people to work and clean the enviorment. Oddly enough I don’t think past generations would have struglled with the same problem for 35 years..

Your question assumes the price of oil may go down. I do not believe it will. Oil producers and consumers alike are well aware that oil reserves are on the decline while demand has increased.

Yes it is if we can get it out of the ground next week and have someplace to refine it, but that won’t happen and these bozos know it. Now if this was in Japan, they would find a way to get the oil they need without delay and build a new refinery in less than 25 years. If it was in China’s control, they wouldn’t care about the environment as they have already proven, but it’s not, it’s in the Divided States of Americas control that will talk about it for another hundred years and then maybe we’ll be out of Iraq.

The answer is NO, NO, NO! Look at our Canadian neighbors who have ample supply and who export oil to us. Their gas is even higher! This election is about change in the right direction. Americans have already gotten used to a certain amount of suffering, and it will take some to convert to clean renewable energy sources, but at least it is something worth suffering for. Kind of like a woman in labor.

No. This is just the Bush Administration and the oil companies using a problem to get something they wanted all along. In fact, I wouldn’t doubt that they are making it worse than it has to be, in order to strengthen the arguement.

If there is even the slightest chance of cheaper gasoline, just give me a shovel.

One, the vast majority of oil spills are due to TRANSPORT of oil, not DRILLING for it. Two, drilling 50 miles off the coast is well under the horizon. You’ll have to be on a mountain to see rigs off in the distance. Three, oil is used for everything: buy a candle when you can’t afford your electricity, and what is it made of? How about your Nike shoes made in China. Got something made of nylon? How about your bicycle tires when you can’t afford the gas? What is going to replace oil for just about every product produced?

Sure, conserve: take gas to $10 a gallon, then cut the diesel in half for the truckers. And, oh, lets all cut the taxes we provide the governement by 20% or so to adjust for inflation. Afer all, neither party is doing anything to benefit citizens…

Instead of blaming countries like India and China for rising cost, why don’t we start making it compulsory for business houses to start switching off their lights at the end of the day? Have you ever wondered the energy wasted due to this? Has anyone ever researched this? Why don’t we first look within before looking outside our own country to pass the buck?

Absolutely not!!! We have such a good chance now to create a comprehensive, environment friendly energy poilicy. Why do they want to kill it. What are they afraid of they wont be able to capitalize solar, or wind, or hydrogen? Just this week Honda has produce and gone into productin for hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. 270 miles to a tank. Seems to me the future is here. Dont those in office get it? Houses can be heated and cooled by sunlight. What is fixation with fossil fuels. Money will still be made and jobs created. Come on lets get this right if nothing else. No drilling!!!

In a word . . .NO! Let the oil companies drill in the land they already have and leave the wildlife preserves alone. They could also use some of those obscene profits and try building more refineries. After that, we need to get serious about alternative solutions. There is a car in France that runs on batteries with a small gas run generator to keep the batteries full. Imagine going from Florida to Michigan on one small 5 gallon tank of gas. That’s part of the technology we need to be investing in.

Jack,

It appears to be a lot more complex than that. We are in the current oil crisis due to a number of factors such as global demand from China and India, lack of refinery capacity, the difficulty getting to oil reserves and the decline in the value of the dollar. These are long term problems that will require long term solutions. Conservation, alternative sources of power and the building of new refineries are part of the solution but they will not happen over night.

Robert
Forest, VA

I find it ammusing that Mr. Bush finds this issue to be of importance NOW, after years of soaring gas prices. This is a Political Stunt at it’s best, and is NOT the answer for a long term solution.

And while I’m at it, I would like to point out that I live in the Mid-West— Wisconsin to be exact. We have record level flooding going on, and I have yet to hear Mr. Bush say anything about it, much less do anything about it. Fast forward to Obama… He isn’t even in the WH yet, and still, he’s out there helping people fill sand bags. Thank God someone really cares about us, cause at this pace, we WILL be the next Katrina.

Jack, anyone with at least half a brain knows that drilling in search of oil that MIGHT be there and MIGHT be available several years from now is not a solution. We can increase supply all we want - the oil companies will still hide the truth from us and keep prices high.

The only way to get the price to come down is to use less. We know this is the answer. So why do we keep asking the same question?

Boise, ID

Hell No! We will further destory the environment, not cutback on our energy consumption and from what I hear drilling will not help America with energy prices for at least 5 years and the impact will be minute at best. This is another gimmick like that ‘Gas Tax Holiday’ B.S.

Jack, it will take at least 10 years to get any alternate energy source into large scale use. It isn’t about drilling vs. other sources of energy, it’s drilling PLUS alternate sources. We need the entire spectrum of energy sources including nuclear, solar, wind, AND more oil. Imagine gas prices in 10 years if we don’t start now.

There is a saying by a very wise man “If I am not for me who will be”.
If America does not find its own oil then they will always be independent on foreign suppliers no matter what the price is. A tax of 5 cents a gallon devoted exclusively to research on alternative energy and will be the financial funding for this research. However Americans will require the will not the rhetoric.

But most important Americans will have to do it all the above o resolve the energy situation and need to realize it can never be short term
Archie Goodman
Thornhill, Canada

Jack, there are so many reasons why new offshore drilling is NOT the answer to either short-term gas prices or our long-term energy needs that the mere proposal insults the intelligence of every American.

June 18th, 2008

The President has been trying (and succeeding) to manipulate the people over oil. (He needs to be “Tried” for this, but let’s wait until he’s out of power, ‘kay). Do not fall prey to his calls for “offshore drilling.” We can drill offshore, as long as he has nothing to do with it; and We Californian’s can use the profits, -as a State- to reduce (if not eliminate) our State’s deficit.

drilling is not the quick fix issue. The US is over 10 years behind the rest of the world in research for Alternative fuels. the US automakers are more concerned with MPH and not enough in MPG. We really need to diversify our energy needs. We are only one terrorist attack away from $6 a gallon gas. We have the will, we have the drive, we have the intelligence to create alternatives to most of our Crude Oil needs. So why are we not doing it?

The answer to high gas prices is decreasing the demand.

Rail, charged with triggered strips which alternate at 110AC, and can span two tracks making it 220AC, the tracks main feed lines power the neighborhood, and a nationwide underground pipeline of water emergency drainage pumps.

Super I-2000 trains which draft pull the traffic of uniform but for function delivery transport vessels, and personal EM-Pulse craft.

this problem has created by the war and the economy, which Bush is trying to pass blame on…… that is the GOP moto”create and blame,don’t take responsiablity”. They create havick(by not doing the peoples will— they listen to big business),pass blame to take the heat off them and claim no reponsiablity for there actions. When is people going to see this and say “no more” !!!!!

If we devoted our resources and energy on an alternative solution to Oil, we wouldn’t be having this conversation….

You mean to tell me we can land a person on the moon but we can’t engineer a clean energy policy??

Extranational, interstate

No! It takes yrs to build & drill for oil. The same reasons given now are the same ones we heard when the first Alaska pipeline was built. We, the people ,thought the oil was for our own consumption Guess what? It went to China and other countries then and now. Too bad the oil cos. could’nt contibute more than 1% towards research for alternative fuels. We have wasted years and I’m sure it could be done very quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately, the line between supply & demand is getting thinner and thinner. So those who are in position to really do something better put survival ahead of greed & power.Cortez Co.

temporarily.But we should do like the Germans did in WWII and make gasoline out of coal(we have more coal than ANY country).
Of course, big oil is more concerned about short-term big profits than the American consumer or national security.

It’ s time to move forward. forget oil and use what is abundant in nature and a nonpollutant :hydrogen.

Jack,
Ge, what is more important to all of us an energy policy to help save the Earth or one that is continuous of the status quo which is slowly destroying the plant…

C.I., New York

We shouldn’t try to lower gas prices. Maybe when they’re 10$ a gallon, people will start saving money and taking responsibility for themselves for once. If you want cheap gas, go make your own. It’s all online.

The Republicans claim we haven’t been attacked since 911. Most of the attackers were from Saudi Arabia. We shouldn’t be supprised that gas prices have gone through the roof. Bin Laden wants to destroy our economy. What better way to destroy our economy, then through the one product that can destroy it. This is not rocket science; it’s the oil stupid!

I’m for drilling in Alaska, but only as a “band-aid” solution until automakers start mass-producing hybrids and alternative-fuel vehicles that are more affordably priced.

No! Bush must be overlooking the facts of the oil company revenues. Gas has not gone up because demand has gone up-our president needed to see larger numbers come across in his financial portfolio so the pit bulls have been let out on us to swallow all of our cash and our guts. He will leave us in a recession and he, his oil allies and family will be living like fat cats without a care in the world-even though he has disrupted the relationships with multiple nations who used to respect us and view us as allies.

Opening up exploration won’t do diddily-squat about gas prices. The oil and gas exploration folks have not exploited the leases they currently have; will they also just sit on the new leases trying to get oil and gas prices up to $200 (and above) a barrel?

This is all typical GOP politics where a corrupt administration blames anyone and everyone for their criminal activities and incompetance - they’re nothing but a bunch of whiney kids!

Let’s look at the real problem - which every few of the media have mentioned, by the way. Cheney held secret talks with the oil industry execs and allowed them to determine energy policy - and gas prices have steadily gone up (Heck of a job, Dick!). For 6 years the Republicans controlled both the executive and legislative branches but nothing - literally, absolutely nothing - was done during those years.

The country needs leadership, not to be sold out to big corporations.

Harvesting our energy resources on US soil is too lengthy a process to affect oil prices anytime soon; it’s too litle, too late. Which isn’t to say it shouldn’t be done at all. Waiting to drill in ANWAR or offshore in the Gulf won’t get it done any sooner.

No, Jake!
This is a dinosaur solution to a 21st century problem.
I hope this controversy will lower McCain’s popularity among independents.
This issue is a mind-opener for the general public about McCain’s constant flip-flops, you know, the famous “say anything, do anything in order to get elected”.

Yea, and I’m supposed to expect a “failed oil man” to know what the country should do about gas prices. As if he’s right about every other debacle he says will work. Give me a break!!!

Sure, it is assured to increase the cost of oil revenues for the Oil Companies and their shareholders, the price of oil will continue to go up and GWB, DC and JMcBush will get their cut as well. Seriously, if they started drilling tommorrow, you would not see an effect on the market for up to 4 yrs. It’s just another tactic of the Bush economy to help the 1%, not the 99%.

Absolutely NOT! As a former Alaskan who was there for the Exxon Valdez spill and as one who knows about all the leaks in the aging pipeline through the tundra and who has observed other spills and cover-ups, I’m here to tell you that the oil companies cannot be trusted, nor can the Bush Administration.

The oil companies just want to park more oil leases. They could be drilling in many many areas they hold current leases in right now, but they are sitting on them, keeping the prices high. Giving them more control over our resources is NOT the answer.

The answer is to bite the bullet and work on alternative energy, plus cutting oil use with hydrogen fuel cells and the air car. We need to get moving.

We can drill holes in our country until it looks like a sieve and it will not change the fact that we are burning up our planet and that it’s going to run out of oil anyway at our current lifestyle. Why wait until the habitat is totally destroyed and the oil is totally gone? That will be too late. We need to change NOW!

I don’t know why McCain is trying SO hard to lose the election this year. Doesn’t he know that Florida is a swing state? Did I say is? I meant WAS.

Luke
Chicago, IL

People want lower gas prices and they want them now. Though we all know this will only be a temporary solution. Of course we need to look into alternative energy solutions, but for the immediate future we need oil. At least McCain is doing something about gas prices by doing this temporary fix, unlike Obama.

I have yet to hear Obama actually give a REAL answer to how he’s going to fix anything. 90% of the time he just complains.

Somehow I think it’s going to put more money in Big Oil’s pockets than ours. I also love how they keeping saying “enviromentally safe drilling”. As if all the bans are for nothing, and it really has no adverse effects whatsoever.

Jesus! It’s not going to help me or you, but surely you can see this is going to line the oil companies’ pockets! Why else would Bush want it?

NOPE !!!

Keep everyone’s foot out of the “carberator” (i.e., slow down), or better yet WALK (i.e., lose weight and get healthy).

Common sense, Jack, but we know how uncommon that is !!!

BTW - I bought a Camry Hybrid - 38 to 42 mpg once I learned how to drive it correctly. Love it !!!!

Thanks

Jack, there 68 million acres,on shore and off shore,that are under oil leases that havn’t been developed. So why the push for off shore leases.They need to tell the public the truth, and stop the gimicks.
harlan
kansas

Yeah Jack, just like invading Iraq would keep oil prices low. The Republicans do not have a clue how to handle this oil debacle.

Wake up voters - we let our elected officials let over 4100 soldiers die in the hope for cheaper oil - now we are going to let them trash our coastlines!

JS
Sylvania, OH

I would suggest doing research on a way to convert a car to run off of something other than oil. Then I would figure out a way to convert current models to run off that alternative source until car can be made that can run without gas. There has to be a way to do that. Drilling in my opinion is not going to fix the current problem..I think we can find a solution faster if we look at alternative methods that won’t ruin the world.

Are you kidding me Jeff? Of course not and who wants to beleive any more lie and deceits from the Bush led republicans? not this time again, long live democrats and our newly found “HOPE” Obama.

In Canda it is currently $1.48 per litre where I am. There are 3.5 litres in 1 US gallon. That’s $5.18 a gallon. The currenices are basically the same now. So in Canada it’s $1.18 a gallon more. Why? We drill tons of oil here, it doesn’t drop the price. Drilling isn’t the answer. Brazil’s policy is the answer.

Of course that isn’t the answer, and everyone except politicians know it. There is no silver bullet out that will cure our consumption ills in the forseeable future. As long as automakers and big oil are in collusion to perpetuate low-efficiency vehicles, new and innovative power sources will never be allowed to become mainstream. Also, our national energy policy is designed by, of all peolple, big oil. How insane is that? That would be like felons designing the prison system.

Jack, I do not believe that offshore drilling will reduce the price in gas here in the USA. The only thing that would change is that the money that we are paying for oil will go to the US government and not to foreign governments in the middle east and elsewhere. The price of gasoline has been inflated and for the US to lower the price simply because we are providing the oil would seem pretty stupid. Why not help to fix our own economy by keeping all of the oil money right here at home.

Won’t the oil drilled from the US just go onto the open market and sell for the same price as oil from all around the world? How will that help me at the pump? Texas is currently exporting their oil. The only people drilling in the US is going to help is the big oil companies doing the drilling.

Jack, NO drilling for more oil of our coasts and in Alaska will not help gas prices. This is GW’s way of helping out his oil buddies and padding his retirement fund.

A bold, coherent national energy policy would be this country’s greatest asset in defending the homeland and furthering US interests abroad.

From the party that touts its record on national defense, the best the GOP can come up with is more of the same? More oil? Grand and Old, indeed.

I live and work in Canada’s Yukon Territory. As physically and culturally close neighbors we have much in common with Alaska. For years we’ve continued to watch two stories, that depending on who you talk to will either save our economy or destroy our way of life. The opening up of ANWR and the development of an Alaska Highway pipeline. The debate over each has gone from hot to cold, depending on the election year, and who has held control over the Whitehouse. Despite three decades of debate, or better, we seem no closer to resolving the two issues today than we were able to thirty years ago. Do we forget the shortages of the seventies and talk of exploiting Alaska’s oil and gas resourses then to put an end to domestic shortages? Aside from the fact that neither project would provide a long term solutions to North American energy needs either then or now, no one has been able to muster the political support needed to make either a reality. All the alarmist hand wringing at this late date will do litte to change the bottom line issue. A comprahensive wide ranging energy strategy needs to be developed for north america. Something with an eye on the future and not on the past. Those who keep eyeing Alaska as an energy savoir is praying to a false god. The only way to put our dependancy on foriegn oil behind us is to devote money to developing sustainable energy alternatives that are forward thinking and marry into larger economic plans. If not, economic instability, job loss and $10 to $20 a gallon gas prices surely lie in our future.

There are many good responses for not drilling off Florida, however when Red China, Cuba and the rest of the world is drilling soon 45 miles off the Keys we better be there too or the US is going to get left fast behind in the dust.

Steve from PA,
Lets drill off shore that way oil prices can sore everytime we have a hurricane in the Gulf or East coast. Why can’t we make breaking our dependecy on oil the next great race like putting a man on the moon. Government always seems to go for what they believe is easy. Even if they aproved off shore. It will be years before we see any oil assuming states allow it.

We need to find a happy medium between the environment and the industrial society we live in. While drilling off our coast will not have an immediate impact on gas prices it will eventually reduce our dependency on imports of oil. This policy combined with alternative methods of engery is a good one. Many other countries drill off their coastlines effectively. Look at Europe…I notice that their currency isn’t in the crapper these days….

Oh and I am just fine with a complete ban on all SUV’s and Hummers!

It’s only a short term solution Jack, there are potentially 10 years of fuel in the ocean floor, that is potentially. Even at that, we’ll just go right back to the high prices in time, at the risk of harming our environent. What should be done is focus more on alternative fuel sources, and try talks with OPEC over finding ways to lower oil prices since, apparently, there is no shortage of oil.

You know….after reading many of the enlightened and educated comments on this board, I have to change my mind on what to do.

Screw it….

Do as the Democrats preach — do not drill for oil….implement the Cap and Trade legislation….tax all Americans more….and drive up the cost of oil to 250 dollars a barrel…and let’s get gasoline up to $10.00 per gallon as soon as possible. That way we will force the US consumer to go GREEN…by forcing them to stop driving 2 or 3 cars per family….by forcing more car pools, and by cancelling everyone’s after school activities….

ultimately, we can force all US airlines to go bankrupt….force all truckers to stop hauling freight and food to our local stores…..force retailers to file for bankruptcy….and see unemployement rise closer to 10%…..while inflation will be climbing over 15%….and no-one will have cash flow or jobs to pay their mortgages, home equity loans, car loans, or even minimum payments on our credit cards….

Then…. the US consumer can file for bankruptcy….and maybe everyone then can move back home and live with their parents….

sounds like the Dems have a great plan!!! Sounds like a great future for the US economy….

Obama gets my vote. NOT!

It may not be the ultimate solution, but it is a step in the right direction.

With Al Gore greening up his house and using 10% more electricity by doing it, it makes sense to utilize our own resources in order to lessen our dependency on foreign oil.

We also need alternative energy development, cooperation from the auto makers to improve mileage, less driving, better utilization of our rail system, more mass transit, and A BUS LINE IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE! If I had access to public transportation I would sell my car, and I live in TEXAS!

Rediculous. It takes a year to refine any oil found in these locations even if it were found tomorrow. Impeach Bush is the best answer to cure the present rocketting upward of gasoline prices. These n’er-do-well needs to stay in Europe if he knows what is best for him between now ant the election. When he comes home, kick him out. Stop fooling around with this maniac…he has cost this country a hell of a lot more than at the pump!!!

first we need to find some politicians with the courage to speak out truthfully and educate the public. they need to tell Americans that we simply use too much gasoline, and that we do so because the vehicles we use are too big, too heavy and get too little mileage. Europe buys nearly all its oil from the same places we do, but they pay nearly twice as much for fuel. the response has been for most Europeans to drive smaller and more fuel efficient cars.

courageous politicians here could the same by imposing a substantial tax at the pump and offsetting it by reducing other taxes, such as a credit on income taxes, leaving the driver in much the same position economically, but having $7 gas staring him/her in the face. we would soon see a stampede toward smaller cars and the auto industry would produce smaller and more efficient cars pronto.

If we started the process of drilling off the coast of California and Alaska it won’t affect gas prices for 5 to 10 years. This is no answer for the high gas prices we are suffering through. We finally have the public and most politicians behind developing alternate fuel sources. Even car manufactures are helping in the advancement of alternate fuels. America has a chance to fix our dependence on foreign oil, let’s not throw this chance away.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to high gas prices. Only a mix of driving less, lower speed limits, (again), replacing gas hogs with more fuel-efficient vehicles, hybrids & flex fuel vehicles will help in the short term.
In the near term, expanded drilling & domestic production to offset imports & increased production of ethanol by more nontraditional means means, e.g. sugar cane, sugar beets, switchgrass will help.
In the long term, electric commuter vehicles, fuel cell hydrogen powered vehicles, and more and better mass transit systems in urban areas will help.

Charles Greene
Lewisburg, KY

Jack,

Why can’t We ( USA ) use ” Sugar Cane ” as an alternative souce
of fuel. Brazil has prefected this resource which now accounts for nearly 40% of it’s fuel consumption and General Motor’s is right in
the thick of things in this Country.

Maurice

ah, another quick political fix…gotta love election years — it’s the only time when gaping wounds are so easily remedied by itty-bitty bandaids

Only if you’re a brain dead republican

It’s amazing how many people oppose a common-sense, rational idea such as drilling for “our own oil.” They prefer to remain captive to OPEC and terrorist states.

The common argument against drilling in ANWR and other coastal regions is that it will take “ten years.” It has been at least ten years since the ANWR debate and the Democrats continue to block drilling. The call to lift the oil moratorium is not new! If we would have started drilling ten years ago, like the Republicans wanted, we would not be in this predicament and we surely would not be paying $4 a gallon. In addition, drilling for oil is not our long-term policy. It simply buys us more time to develop alternative fuels and technology. The Democrats are dead wrong on this issue and we will continue to pay $4 or more for gas and pay luxury prices for Hybrids and other energy saving vehicles! The Democrats must accept responsibility for their posturing with environmentalists.

Why would big oil seek alternatives to gasoline? This is the best crisis of their life, and best profits too. Also, battery powered vehicles are the only solution for the consumer. Corn, sugar, oil…it will all be $4 a gallon, especially when the speculators get mixed into it. The consumer being dependent on any “resource” for their vehicles will be at the mercy of a higher power.

Allowing offshore exploration and drilling for oil only strengthens our dependence on oil instead of decreasing and eliminating our dependence on oil. Wrong strategy by the crooked-talk express, backed by a misguided President is not the change we need.

The problem with that question is the fact that there is no answer for high oil prices. We need to pursue alternative energy incentives instead of feeding the big oil companies, because they dont want more oil, its better business this way.

Absolutely not. The oil companies are holding a gun to our heads.
Should we agree to oil drilling then the gas prices will dramatically drop. This is blackmail.
Never!
Carol, Oakland, CA

Jack, are you kidding ? Remember, WE’RE ADDICTED TO OIL ! Drilling in the Arctic wildlife refuge or off the beautiful coasts of Florida and California is like having your local drug pusher GETTING IN A FRESH LOAD OF HEROIN ! And remember Jack, any oil pumped from these areas WON’T go to decreasing our dependency on foreign oil, the oil companies will sell it ON THE WORLD MARKET for TOP DOLLAR ! We need a national “Manhattan Project” to reduce our consumption of ALL oil (massive tax rebates for hybrid cars and solar electric and hot water panels would be a good start !).

I want to apologize to everyone, you can blame me…I voted for Bush in 2004. I am sorry about the war, I really thought Bush was telling the truth about WMD.

I am also sorry about the high price of oil and gasoline…I would have thought the President and his claim of compassionate convervatism he would have done something sooner, but i guess the pockets of major oil companies were more important…

Sure go ahead and drill off the coast of Florida…I dont care that you will ruin our coast line. While you are at it…kill off the Manatees..there are only about 1200 left and we can do away with laws protecting them…

So please forgive me.. I am sorry….Be thankful i cant vote for Bush again. and this time in November..maybe I should stay home….
I

Hit where it counts, NOW….the SPECULATORS who are making money off our misery! Drilling won’t help anyone except the oil companies in both the near and long-term scenarios!

I think it is a bad idea. A bad political stunt. Drilling in Alaska and offshore I don’t think is the answer to high gas prices. I would rather have high gas prices than risk destroying the environment.

YES, YES, YES, we MUST start drilling. Prices are bad now, but prices will be much worse in 5 years as China, India, and other nations continue to grow. We must also pursue alternative sources of energy, but to be realistic, we must drill for oil even if it takes 5 years to get it to market.

Absolutely not. ANWAR and offshore oil should be left alone. Only oil barons such as Bush and Cheney feel otherwise. This is their last attempt at rapine and pillage on their way out the door. I can’t wait to see those two on trial for their conduct during the past eight years - and war crimes are only part of the picture.

It is a completely ridiculous idea. It is time to wake up and smell the coffee. We can’t keep living the wasteful lifestyle that we seem to think we are entitled to. We need to change our ways and use less oil. The only thing that motivates people to change is money. I think oil should be $5.00 a gallon – or more!

Absolutely not. Forget about the multi-year delay between the time we decide to do it, and the time we actually get oil into our greedy hands. The way to lower prices is to do away with our demand. We didn’t leave the Bronze Age because we ran out of bronze, we found something better.

Absolutely not! The answer to lower gas prices is lowering demand. So maybe the politicians and the voters that are supporting this idea should get off their lazy bottoms and start walking and riding their bikes more! I do not even own a car so I am doing my part to encourage lower gas prices already…what exactly are you doing???

Drilling for more oil is quite possibly the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. It will not lower gas prices by more then a few cents, the oil won’t come online for years, and its not a plausible nor good solution. Its a way for politicians to look good for their constituents.

This may be worse then their calls for a ‘gas tax holiday.’

Lets develop the wells that have been found but capped–about 10,000

The only change that will happen is the addition of a few more states into the Democrat column - even Florida with its sycophant governor who will sell out his own state for a chance at the VP slot. Go enviromentalists!!!