Methinks ANWR is, for the most part, merely a symbol to engage in political combat over. One side seeks to protect a nice area they’ll never see, while the other seeks to extract from it enough oil to make only a small dent in our consupmption; these positions are overblown into grounds for a huge knock-down drag-out fight (which I believe is the actual goal of the discussion).
In the meantime, nobody gives a hoot that the value of the dollar is, in fact, plumetting - a far more real problem than inflammatory rhetoric over fuel which is still far cheaper than in most other nations (a Belgian brewer is ‘bout to buy Budweiser fer Bob’s sake!).
If a Belgian brewer buys Budwieser it is a win/win for the entire planet!
I would even support the Beligian beerboarding the former Budwieser execs until they beg for forgiveness.
“while the other seeks to extract from it enough oil to make only a small dent in our consupmption; these positions are overblown into grounds for a huge knock-down drag-out”
The notion that ANWR is overblown because it will only supply part of our needs is one of the dumbest ever put forth in discussing energy needs. That is, unless some think we’ll find the one big gusher that supplies all our energy needs.
But a million barrels per day from ANWR, and a million from shale, and a million from the Atlantic, and a million from the Bakken formation, and maybe another million from the Gulf and even the Pacific, then we’re talking some real crude oil.
There will be much economic hardship because of the failures to address this issue sensibly since the 1970s. The left is more to blame, but those on the right who pretend the markets will solve all problems are also to blame.
You may be right, but I think it’s a distinction without a difference. Yes, ANWR is the battleground on which the two armies have chosen or been destined to meet. No, it is not enough of a find to change our energy destiny for all time. But the side that wins will have momentum and a precedent for drilling in many more places in Alaska, the Rockies, the Gulf, and the Great Plains.
Anyone who opposes drilling ANWR is an enemy. They seek the downfall of America. They are NOT patriotic americans. They are NOT good people. They must be defeated, utterly crushed.