What if you... (politics/voting advice)

[Mathman]

I have many friends in the commercial fishing business and hear their sides, and they are different than what a lot of political talking heads say. Funny how that works

That is an excellent point, Toni. It all depends on whose ox is getting gored. There are a whole lot of people in the lower 48 who get a lot of pleasure out of contemplating the unspoiled natural beauty of the great frozen North. But they will never go there to see it, just stay home and think about it.

The people who live and work there have a different perspective.

JMO

Mathman

 

[BronzeisGolden]

But it is OIL what the Republicans want to screw up this northern paradise. Billionaires beget billionaires. The pipelines and the drilling will only further the disruption of a screwed up world already in existence. What a mess, but no matter, if one doesn't live there one can enjoy the results and live in a nice Texas environment away from all/oil that.

True, Joe. But, it isn't fair that the rest of the world has to suffer because of our insatiable demand for oil. They often happen to be peripheral and third world nations. For instance, Nigeria is the fifth leading supplier of oil to the U.S. It also is an extremely poor nation that has been rocked by civil war and social strife. However, giant U.S. oil companies have no qualms about disrupting their environment/social structure. Our need (and some other nations, England I believe) for oil is making an unstable situation quickly evolve into a potentially volatile one in Nigeria. We've done it in so many other places as well. However, because it doesn't directly effect us, we don't seem to worry that much about it. If it isn't in our backyard we tend to worry less about the consequences. I am in no way in favor of drilling for oil in Alaska, but it certainly isn't fair to exploit poor, vulnerable nations while we have the resources. We're no better than the British Empire was (and perhaps a tad worse...they exhausted their resources, thus the need to secure colonies and valuable resources)!

 

[PrincessLeppard]

I don't think it's England right behind us in terms of oil. The US uses 25% of the oil produced. I think India and China are coming up quick, just because of the sheer amount of people in those countries. However, to the best of my knowledge, gas guzzling SUVs are not the rage over there. Instead of drilling all over the place looking for new oil, we need to look at other sources of fuel, whether it's hybrid cars, electric cars, solar cars, wind power for cities, etc. Also, people who don't need large cars should get rid of them. I pulled into the parking lot of my school today, and my poor little Escort ZX2 was lost in a sea of giant trucks, SUVs and vans. Gads. All driven by ONE person, I might add. We don't do that liberal carpoolin' thing here in the Heartland. (and, yes, I realize it's hard for teachers to carpool. We all come in and leave at different times depending on our schedules. But if it's just the one person, why are they driving the giant car to work?)

Laura

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

BG - Oil means money and that's what I am talking about. Until we come with another substance to take care of our oil dependent life, we still have enough oil in the world that can be used. Not necessary to continue unecessary drilling.

Joe

 

[BronzeisGolden]

I don't think it's England right behind us in terms of oil. The US uses 25% of the oil produced. I think India and China are coming up quick, just because of the sheer amount of people in those countries.

Sorry, Princess, I should have clarified myself. I believe it is England that has the most at stake oilwise (behind the U.S.) in Nigeria. I'm not certain, but there are some great (and recent!) articles about this on CNN.com. You should check them out. They are very interesting. And yes, China is really growing by leaps and bounds! It is strange though. They are relying heavily on coal use (just as we did in our industrial rise), but they are getting a lot of international flack for it (especially from neighboring countries).

However, to the best of my knowledge, gas guzzling SUVs are not the rage over there. Instead of drilling all over the place looking for new oil, we need to look at other sources of fuel, whether it's hybrid cars, electric cars, solar cars, wind power for cities, etc.

I definitely agree with this. But, I'm affraid we are going to keep going until we almost or completely run out of oil. Maybe not, though. There have been many more reasonably priced hybrid cars coming out as of late. That is a good sign.

BTW, Princess, what grade/subject do you teach? I am just beginning my teaching career....so I am really learning by trial and error!

 

[merrywidow]

I heard on the news just a few nights ago that oil usage in China has jumped 40% over the past year.
Anyone know who is receiving the oil from Alaska's pipeline? My taxes helped pay for that project but I'm paying top dollar for oil right now that is coming from the middle east ($50.00 a barrel). The story we were fed about the Alaska pipeline was that it would reduce the US's dependance on foreign oil/prices. I'm still waiting after all these years to see a drop in the price Americans pay for oil. It hasn't happened in Montana.

 

[bronxgirl]

All I know is that gas prices here in the northeast are going up again. I try to not waste gas, to combine trips, etc, etc. but after a while, hurricanes or not, Florida's winters have got to be cheaper than what my winter will cost to stay minimally warm.