Posted on 09/12/2008 8:41:41 AM PDT by bobsunshine
Never underestimate a politician's ability to wriggle out of a clear choice. So it is with the so-called "Gang of 10" energy plan that is becoming the political escape hatch for Members of Congress, especially those "green Democrats" who suddenly want to appear to favor more oil and gas drilling.
The Gang of 10 compromise was released before the August recess by five Senate Republicans and five Democrats. The plan would at least allow drilling offshore of four states -- Georgia, Virginia and the Carolinas -- and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. It would also allow modern seismic surveillance, which would show how much oil and gas is really out there. Louisiana Democrat Mary Landrieu, who is undeniably pro-drilling, tells us this compromise is about as much as the current Congress will do and would galvanize other states to follow when they see the financial windfall.
The problem is that the proposal still doesn't open drilling enough, and it raises taxes and subsidies in the bargain. Today 85% of the Outer Continental Shelf is off limits for drilling. The Gang of 10 would only reduce that to 75%, according to the pro-exploration Institute for Energy Research. It also allows drilling only outside of 50 miles and only if the states allow it. That arbitrary 50-mile buffer zone is more than three times farther than necessary to be out of sight from shore. It also walls off many of the most promising and least costly drilling sites, such as the Gulf of Mexico's Destin Dome, which is some 25 miles offshore of Florida.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
has anyone actually seen a draft of the bill or just talking points?
the talking points sound like “none of the above” and more of the same from the do-nothing RINOs and idiot Dims.
When are all these idiots going to get it. They don’t need to pass any bill. All they need to do is let the current moratorium expire on October 1 without passing an extension.
Bingo. No halfway measure should get a single GOP vote.
Why only open up offshore drilling to 4 states, but not to all of America?
This is an insignificant gesture, just like congress and their 9% record of favorable achievement.
The gang of 10 needs to take a hike to their home states and be retired.
In extreme Southwestern Fla.--Cape Sable-- the Gulf drops about a foot a mile.
So if you drill 40 miles offshore which should be no brainer,you are drilling in 40 feet of water.
(I know we fish there all the time) This is a huge advantage for energy security of the country since shallow water drilling comes on line much,,much faster than deep water drilling.
And the rats know that!!
That's exactly why they oppose it as well since their influence wanes if we drill in shallower water since we get oil much sooner,perhaps 2-3 years vs much long in deeper water and 8-10 for Anwar which also needs to be done as well to keep the pipeline (currently 707,000 barrels per day) flowing.
You have to remember that oil /energy is just one more issue that the rats use to further their overall goals of a Marxism/Socialism agenda.
We need to hammer the five Republicans.
heard Saxby Chambliss on Rush’s show. This total POS needs to resign from the Senate and get an honest job as a DC parking lot attendant.
Call the Republican committee 202 675 6000....then call Mitch McConnel’s office.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121815293390922431.html?mod=todays_columnists
And here is the article from Hot-Air.
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/01/gang-of-10-compromise-on-energy/
Summary, Reid and other Dems support it. Just Google “Gang of 10”, you can also get Graham's site who is part of the Gang. In the interview with Rush, one of the senators said that the people “want us to do something”.
You said it. The more I contact Chambliss’ office to complain about this Gang nonsense, the more disrespectful the replies become. When a senator is too big and important to listen to his constituents—and to respect them—it’s time to get a different job.
thanks.
look like a bill to do just that for the Dims-make the sheeple believe they “did something”. not something useful, just something.
GOOD FOR YOU!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.