http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4018855Oh my.
cali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Wed Sep-17-08 06:51 AM
Original message
House approves offshore drilling in 236-189 vote.
WASHINGTON - The US House approved an energy bill last night that would allow offshore drilling as close as 50 miles from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, but a last-minute provision added at the insistence of Massachusetts members would prohibit oil and gas drilling around Georges Bank, saving New England's premier commercial fishing grounds from potential harm.
The legislation also promotes investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, paid for by eliminating tax exemptions for oil companies and increasing their royalty payments, and it authorizes more funding for heating assistance for low-income people.
The House voted 236 to 189 for the package.
The Democratic majority's support for expanded ocean drilling reflects mounting political pressure from an electorate deeply concerned about the distressed economy and high gasoline prices. Democratic leaders had previously criticized Republican proposals to end a longtime ban on offshore drilling, saying new wells would take years to produce oil and gas and thus have no immediate impact on prices. But with the ban set to expire at the end of this month and the November elections approaching, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shifted her stance, proposing legislation that would allow drilling as close as 100 miles from shore, and with a state's permission, as close as 50 miles from shore.
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http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2008/09/... /
Ain't that just grand.
taterguy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Wed Sep-17-08 07:02 AM
Response to Original message
1. Ever try to tell people that they drive too much?
If you do you'll understand why there's the clamor for drilling.
cali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Wed Sep-17-08 07:05 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. I understand that there's a clamoring for more drilling, but this isn't going to make an appreciable difference to the American driver.
The tater tots primitive unwittingly describes the primitives on Skins's island:
taterguy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Wed Sep-17-08 07:09 AM
Response to Reply #2
3. Addicts aren't exactly known for their rational thought process
rfranklin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Wed Sep-17-08 07:10 AM
Response to Original message
4. Any guarantee that the oil will be kept in the U.S.?
Any guarantee from the oil companies that the price of the gas will be $2 per gallon? I don't think so.
MadHound (1000+ posts) Wed Sep-17-08 07:14 AM
Response to Original message
5. More evidence that we're living under the two party/same corporate master system of government
Gee, wasn't the issue of off-shore drilling the one that killed Gore in Florida? Yet the idiots on the Hill pass this sop to the RW and a giveaway to the corporate masters, and once again, ignore their liberal, progressive base.
I'm still hanging with this POS party why? Oh, yeah, Palin scares the shit out of me. Hmmm, makes you wonder.
itsrobert Donating Member (1000+ posts) Wed Sep-17-08 07:16 AM
Response to Original message
6. Bush is going to veto it
GOP campaign issue over. Democrats can claim McCain was for drilling before he was against it. Democrsts voted for drilling, republicans voted against it. Americans aren't too bright to know what actually in the bill. All they will know is Democrats voted for it, the republicans voted against it, and Bush vetoed it.
cali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Wed Sep-17-08 07:20 AM
Response to Reply #6
8. Yep. And then the ban will expire, and they'll be able to drill as close as 3 miles from the coast. Aaarggh.
Loge23 (1000+ posts) Journal Wed Sep-17-08 07:17 AM
Response to Original message
7. More economic socialism
Is anyone really surprised by this?
More drilling means more money.
More money means more money - for anyone (Congress included) involved in this giveaway.
Economic socialism means more money for the wealthiest at the expense of the taxpayers.
AIG today, Mobil/Exxon tomorrow.
We are so f!&$ed!
Wait until November, when the primitives learn how f!&$ed they really are.
