No offshore drilling

Full time, I am from Louisiana and have been fishing off the coast many times. The place looks like the end of the world from a Mad Max movie. Yeah, the fishing is great, but there's NO WAY I would swim in that water. And yeah, the oil companies promise to clean this and take care of that and guess what - they don't. And do you know why they don't? Because they don't have to. Raping and pillaging is alive and well, regardless of the sunshine and rainbow propaganda they push with their commercials.

Sorry, my friend, but you are the one who has been misled. Please join us in the 21st century. I promise it's not as scary as you seem to think it is.

Louisiana has been drilling for 6 decades (when drilling was a straight up and down exercise and no directional drilling) and the muddy Mississippi flows into the Gulf south of Louisiana. The Mad Max analogy for this area is hogwash unless the river changes course, and we have to use century old technology (which we might if we don't start drilling more and develop a comprehensive and coherent alternative energy policy). Regardless, the fact that you're fishing off of the Louisiana coast says tons about the lack of an environmental catastrophe, the existence of which you seem inclined to project.

Louisiana has been drilling for 6 decades (when drilling was a straight up and down exercise and no directional drilling) and the muddy Mississippi flows into the Gulf south of Louisiana. The Mad Max analogy for this area is hogwash unless the river changes course, and we have to use century old technology (which we might if we don't start drilling more and develop a comprehensive and coherent alternative energy policy). Regardless, the fact that you're fishing off of the Louisiana coast says tons about the lack of an environmental catastrophe, the existence of which you seem inclined to project.

Sweetie, there's a reason those folks fish there and vacation here. 'Nuf said. I'm done.

I agree with you that Americans have become dependent on others and it was not always like that nor should it be. I also agree that hydrogen fuel cells are the wave of the future for powering our cars although too unstable and inefficient at the moment, both of which I understand can be overcome. What you need to understand and consider is that it takes energy to separate hydrogen from oxygen and that energy must come from somewhere, whether nuclear (cheaper than solar and wind) or fossil fuels. Solar is possible but what do you do when its cloudy? It also takes time and money (a great deal of it) to convert your infrastructure to support alternative energies. I think we should invest the time and money now to work through the problems and begin implementation of our most promising (economically and environmentally) alternatives. We can also drill for oil safely off of the Florida and California coast and should do so immediately. Galveston is a convenient comparison but the tarballs are the result of currents that push oil bubbling up from reserves in the Gulf or seeping from ships or barges onto its beaches and probably has little or nothing to do with oil production on the rigs off of the Texas/Louisiana coast. I'll remind you that a bad oil spill in the panhandle did previously occur the result of a passing vessel. Don't think that refusing to drill insulates Florida beaches from a big mess (just ask New Orleans that had a collision involving an oil barge on the Mississippi River right off the French Quarter). I admire the concern for our waters and I love the thrill of catching a wave or watching someone else do it, but don't be so close-minded that the entire country suffers for surfers. Talk to some engineers (not affiliated with the surf groups) and gain a little more knowledge - it might alleviate some of your concerns.

drilling off florida is the feel good way to think you are part of the solution. i would rather pay 5 bucks a gallon than risk our environment for any incremental short term gain. Drill the hell out of Alaska. The citizenry up there all have their hand in the oil companie's back pocket.... 100 years from now, folks will laugh that we were arguing the small picture and ignoring the big picture right up to the moment it hit our pocketbooks. All you drill em up Repubs would stand mute and hop back in your SUVs headed for the golf course if oil went down to 70 a barrel. Your concerns only extend to the tips of your noses. We should all be paying 8.00/ gallon, because then the government would incentivise business to make the necessary massive infrastructure buildout to shift over to another fuel. cng/hydrogen/ take your pick

That's a crappy picture! You're a reasonable and intelligent guy with an unreasonable slightly considered view on this particular issue. After the drilling commences and you see it is not what you envisioned, we'll talk over coffee and a copy of this thread which I'm printing for posterity. Cheers friend!

I look forward to the Java and I pray you are right. Just not sure how we can risk the unknown. If we must look at history for our answers, drilling seems to be a poor decision. That is simply fact. Are you sure you are not the one being misled or the guy with an unreasonable slightly considered view on this particular issue?

Now the oil industry has found a new strategy ? exploit Americans? distress over high gas prices by claiming that offshore drilling will make gas cheaper. It?s not true, but, unfortunately, it?s working. Some of our elected officials are wavering, even backing the industry. And let?s face it ? it?s hard for an elected official to stand up against a lie that their constituents believe.

Your elected officials need to know you don?t buy the big oil lie, and you still want them to draw a line in the sand against offshore drilling in Florida

The oil industry is making record profits, proving it?s not a problem of availability; it?s a problem of greed. It banked $44 billion in just three months and spent $80 million on lobbyists to call for more drilling and to oppose real solutions. Oil companies have access to 68 million acres that they haven?t started to drill on yet. And the Department of Energy says offshore drilling will not make gas cheaper before 2030, and even then, the difference would be negligible.

Offshore drilling will not reduce gas prices!

BTW, we already have world class fishing.

I look forward to the Java and I pray you are right. Just not sure how we can risk the unknown. If we must look at history for our answers, drilling seems to be a poor decision. That is simply fact. Are you sure you are not the one being misled or the guy with an unreasonable slightly considered view on this particular issue?

Now the oil industry has found a new strategy ? exploit Americans? distress over high gas prices by claiming that offshore drilling will make gas cheaper. It?s not true, but, unfortunately, it?s working. Some of our elected officials are wavering, even backing the industry. And let?s face it ? it?s hard for an elected official to stand up against a lie that their constituents believe.

Your elected officials need to know you don?t buy the big oil lie, and you still want them to draw a line in the sand against offshore drilling in Florida

The oil industry is making record profits, proving it?s not a problem of availability; it?s a problem of greed. It banked $44 billion in just three months and spent $80 million on lobbyists to call for more drilling and to oppose real solutions. Oil companies have access to 68 million acres that they haven?t started to drill on yet. And the Department of Energy says offshore drilling will not make gas cheaper before 2030, and even then, the difference would be negligible.

Offshore drilling will not reduce gas prices!

BTW, we already have world class fishing.

I was going to say that! thanks bobbyj.

Fulltime, while I agree that transporting oil will create hazards to shores due to accidents at sea, we can't ignore that the pipelines are just as big a hazard. How many pipelines that are leaking oil have been abandoned because of storm damage because of the high cost to even find them on the sea floor to even consider fixing them. Funny how that doesn't seem to make the big news like a ship piled up on a reef where it can't hide.

Apparently some of those big profits being made by big oil are being used to keep the media from reporting all the news.

What we don't see must not be hurting us......right?

I think I'll continue standing right here with my opinion that we need to do something other than poking more holes in Mother Earth to suck more life out of her.

I think we all would be disgusted if we really knew what went down. Do you really think they report what we do not see when accidents occur? I know locally some recent incidents that were covered up and done at night so the general public would not become aware. Big local company. I overheard the conversation and they were laughing! By saying no to drilling we are simply trying to protect our already damaged and fragile ecosystem. As earlier stated they have 68 million acres of untouched area to drill. Why do you think they want to drill in the gulf folks? MONEY and GREED! Any argument outside of that is bunk. Why would they spend $80,000,000 lobbying the issue?

I think we all would be disgusted if we really knew what went down. Do you really think they report what we do not see when accidents occur? I know locally some recent incidents that were covered up and done at night so the general public would not become aware. Big local company. I overheard the conversation and they were laughing! By saying no to drilling we are simply trying to protect our already damaged and fragile ecosystem. As earlier stated they have 68 million acres of untouched area to drill. Why do you think they want to drill in the gulf folks? MONEY and GREED! Any argument outside of that is bunk. Why would they spend $80,000,000 lobbying the issue?

Off the oil for a second in a parallel universe. Would it not be better to prohibit surfing here altogether or is it OK to make some compromise on the environment, make great efforts to minimize the adverse impact on a pristine environment and promote a recreational activity that benefits humans' well-being?

http://www.surfrider.org.au/publications/041029_WA_NingalooReef.pdf

I love the fact that the federal government is dictating what Floridians can and can't do. IMO Congress s breaking the law everyday they are in session except for 2 weeks, but that is whole different issue. Wrong is wrong and right is right. Don't try and sugar coat it. Greed, you don't have to say anything else. Don't sheet where you eat!!!!

Off the oil for a second in a parallel universe. Would it not be better to prohibit surfing here altogether or is it OK to make some compromise on the environment, make great efforts to minimize the adverse impact on a pristine environment and promote a recreational activity that benefits humans' well-being?

http://www.surfrider.org.au/publications/041029_WA_NingalooReef.pdf

Surfing has absolutely nothing to do with it! Alternative energy! The Sun is free! Don't drink the corporate Kool-Aid! That is why we live hear so we can deal with the greedy people on a local level.

Surfing has absolutely nothing to do with it! Alternative energy! The Sun is free! Don't drink the corporate Kool-Aid! That is why we live hear so we can deal with the greedy people on a local level.

Frankly, I think it does have something to with the discussion. If I read the letter correctly, the organization is willing to make some concessions on the environment to promote the sport of surfing on and around a pristine reef. I read another article that there is a heated argument about whether surfing should be having a championship tournament at that location because of environmental concerns. I think surfers (and the public in general) would be better served if the organization was consistent in looking at potentially harmful activities in our Oceans and seeking compromise that maximizes human benefit while minimizing adverse environmental impact. BTW, when you call people "greedy" and accuse them of drinking "Kool-Aid, it does absolutely nothing to convince those who differ from you, that your position has even a scintilla of merit. Many on this board are clapping wildly, but 70% of the population (including in Florida) think your wrong and you and Bobby ain't changing minds with the comments here (not hear).

Be gentle please.

Off the oil for a second in a parallel universe. Would it not be better to prohibit surfing here altogether or is it OK to make some compromise on the environment, make great efforts to minimize the adverse impact on a pristine environment and promote a recreational activity that benefits humans' well-being?

http://www.surfrider.org.au/publications/041029_WA_NingalooReef.pdf

I think you may be a little confused here. Are you comparing drilling in the gulf having the same adverse effects as surfing in he gulf. BTW, the Surfrider foundation is not all about just surfers. It is for all those that enjoy the water. Surfers as the article states are the first to be concerned about their activity in the waters. But to compare drilling and surfing? Very short sighted.

Frankly, I think it does have something to with the discussion. If I read the letter correctly, the organization is willing to make some concessions on the environment to promote the sport of surfing on and around a pristine reef. I read another article that there is a heated argument about whether surfing should be having a championship tournament at that location because of environmental concerns. I think surfers (and the public in general) would be better served if the organization was consistent in looking at potentially harmful activities in our Oceans and seeking compromise that maximizes human benefit while minimizing adverse environmental impact. BTW, when you call people "greedy" and accuse them of drinking "Kool-Aid, it does absolutely nothing to convince those who differ from you, that your position has even a scintilla of merit. Many on this board are clapping wildly, but 70% of the population (including in Florida) think your wrong and you and Bobby ain't changing minds with the comments here (not hear).

They are consistent. You are only reading what you want to read into it. The 70% are clapping because they bought into the $80,000,000 spent to flip flop the real issue.

I thought you might enjoy this article. Fontova is one amazing dude from the north shore in Louisiana. He doesn't have any use for the radical environmentalists or PITA and some will probably find him too edgy but his book Helldivers Rodeo is a captivating read about spearfishing in the Gulf. He's been railing against the good Florida folks about the anti-drilling stance and makes some very compelling arguments for opening Florida to drilling.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=70901

It seems to me that he might know a great deal more than you are willing to acknowledge. A little advice - focus your efforts on ensuring the least intrusive, safest and most environmentally friendly drilling process for the Florida coast. Push that Florida receive a large cut of the poceeds and that those proceeds be used to position Florida as a leader in alternative energy for the future. I'll be alot more impressed with thoses efforts than seeing you stomp your feet and yell NO to something that is badly needed by the country at large and is going to occur regardless of your protestations - my final word.

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=D6D498F0-3A9C-47AB-8F5D-D029420EFFFC

It's the same opinion coming from the same author. And it's just a bunch of opinions, no statistics & a lot of biotching about environmentalists. Please supply some decent, factual articles. Your first post was well thought out & I could somewhat sense where you are coming from. From there, it just doesn't make much sense.

Be gentle please.

BTW, I am not a democrat. That is part of the problem with politics. Lets turn this into a democrat, republican issue. We simply do not need to drill in the gulf. It is a common sense issue. I guess this is where the Republicans and Democrats have issues? Thanks, for letting us know where you stand on the issue.

BTW, I am not a democrat. That is part of the problem with politics. Lets turn this into a democrat, republican issue. We simply do not need to drill in the gulf. It is a common sense issue. I guess this is where the Republicans and Democrats have issues?

I guess the problem is trying to get good information. We are already drilling in the gulf. If something happens off the coast of Alabama we are going to see the results in Walton County and the rest of Florida.

My thought on the WHOLE issue is that we, as humans (particularly Western culture), have only been depend on oil for a very short period of time but we have used so much of it that now the "powers that be" are claiming more offshore drilling is the answer.

It takes time to build the rigs, so it's not a quick answer. There are no sure fire ways to prevent oil spills of any kind. Saying that one way of obtaining oil is better than another, at this point, stinks of the sewage in Bobby J's photo.

It isn't going to last long if we're already depleting other sources. We don't have an endless supply. We learned that in elementary school science, didn't we?

Why are people complaining about alternative, renewable sources of energy? Is it because they might have to give up their huge SUVs & loose a bit of their American, macho, it's my way or the highway attitude?

Blaming environmentalists & liberals for this fiasco is a joke. The joke began long ago, when oil was chosen as the energy choice for powering our lives.

Like Bob, I have been looking forward to the day that gas prices are high enough that there are no more excuses.

BTW, I am not a democrat. That is part of the problem with politics. Lets turn this into a democrat, republican issue. We simply do not need to drill in the gulf. It is a common sense issue. I guess this is where the Republicans and Democrats have issues? Thanks, for letting us know where you stand on the issue.

I guess the problem is trying to get good information. We are already drilling in the gulf. If something happens off the coast of Alabama we are going to see the results in Walton County and the rest of Florida.

It's not a political issue. It's one of fixing mistakes of the past, but not with the same dirty bandaid.

I guess the problem is trying to get good information. We are already drilling in the gulf. If something happens off the coast of Alabama we are going to see the results in Walton County and the rest of Florida.

Soooo.... they should lift the ban? Your if is my whole concern. If means when.

Soooo.... they should lift the ban? Your if is my whole concern. If means when.

My thoughts exactly, If we are already at risk, why heighten that risk? WRobert, your argument there makes no sense, except that you like status quo.

Frankly, I think it does have something to with the discussion. If I read the letter correctly, the organization is willing to make some concessions on the environment to promote the sport of surfing on and around a pristine reef. I read another article that there is a heated argument about whether surfing should be having a championship tournament at that location because of environmental concerns. I think surfers (and the public in general) would be better served if the organization was consistent in looking at potentially harmful activities in our Oceans and seeking compromise that maximizes human benefit while minimizing adverse environmental impact. BTW, when you call people "greedy" and accuse them of drinking "Kool-Aid, it does absolutely nothing to convince those who differ from you, that your position has even a scintilla of merit. Many on this board are clapping wildly, but 70% of the population (including in Florida) think your wrong and you and Bobby ain't changing minds with the comments here (not hear).

This is the United States. Florida should not be at the mercy of congress. They are breaking the law everyday,(IMO) they are supposed to only meet twice a year. I go to Tallahassee twice a year to meet with legislators (all of them) and the only one I have found that is for offshore drilling is Patronis. His views may have changed, he is for commercial fisherman. Show me the #'S. I am assuming your either an engineer or a lobbyist for some company or really in a world all to your own.

My thoughts exactly, If we are already at risk, why heighten that risk? WRobert, your argument there makes no sense, except that you like status quo.

Not trying to argue one way or the other. We should have addressed this problem thirty years ago. Now that gas and oil prices are going up we will finally see some alternatives come about. It is ashamed that we have been stuck on fossil fuels as long as we have. This country is better than that.

Not trying to argue one way or the other. We should have addressed this problem thirty years ago. Now that gas and oil prices are going up we will finally see some alternatives come about. It is ashamed that we have been stuck on fossil fuels as long as we have. This country is better than that.

It is better than that and we have a responsibility to ourselves, our future generations AND the rest of the world. We are the biggest consumers in the world. It's so "Me, me me! What can I get for myself?" It's a hard habit to break, but at least we need to curb it.

Just remember who is driving this train of thought, the car manufactures and the big oil companies. Back to my belief in state an smaller government. Any time the government gets involved it screws things up. Any time someone brings up Republickin or Democraps it is a cop out or a moot point! If you wanna be controlled by big corporations or speculators keep thinking this way. This is the land of the free not the land of regulation. Welcome to SoWal a Gated community!!!!