Jay Bookman

By hillbilly ragger

June 25, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

But, like, the oil futures, man!

It’ll provide a psycho boost.

By RealityKing

June 25, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

No real supply releif for at least 5 years. But just image what it will do to the speculator driven prices we see today! That is the real problem…, right!?

By swolf4810

June 25, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

First…what about all the thousands of wells that were capped a few years back? Second… Drilling won’t do a BIT of good untill REFINING CAPACITY is increased.

By alan

June 25, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Jay, few bias-minded peeps will dispute this fact. We need to actively develop practical permanent alternatives now. Our theme should be “now or never”.

America must see the current energy crises as an opportunity to free itself once and for all from this monster called oil. Even if we drill at home, at some point it’s gonna run out and we will be back to square one. More drilling is definitely not the solution.

Alan

By reebok

June 25, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Sure, let’s destroy the coastlines, foul the oceans and industrialize a national wildlife reserve so that we can exercise our God-given right to fuel our SUV’s on the cheap. I personally hope oil prices keep climbing. It’s the only way consumers, industry and public policy will ever catch up to reality.

By Denns

June 25, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

First: Jay, a little savings at the pump is a savings at the pump.

Second: Energy Independence is more than sufficient justification to drill. And to build refineries. And to build nuclear power plants.

Third: Did you or anyone think to ask Mr. Caruso if drilling here now and building refineries here now would have any impact on future price increases at the pump? Refineries? Nuclear power plants?

By gadawg

June 25, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

No Alan, more drilling will not solve the problem, but it will help. The fact is, if you account for inflation, gas currently is on par with its price in the late 70’s. America has been too accustomed to cheap oil the past 30 yrs. Do you actually think that there hasn’t been active research into alternative energy? There has been immense efforts by various universities and industries. The financial windfall for such a development is enormous and incentive-laden. Still, fuel cell technology is at least a generation away. Solar energy at its current form is not feasible on a grand scale. The tree-hugging bird lovers don’t want too many wind farms b/c the turbine blades kill migratory birds. Just b/c you throw all kinds of research dollars doesn’t mean you will get instant answers. That leaves nonconventional oil drilling and nuclear. Now that prices are high, the economics for both make more sense. By 2040, the earth’s population will be 9 bn (from current 6 bn), do you really think we can all reduce our energy consumption by 50%—I don’t. To not exploit what current reserves we have until the “holy grail” of energy is found is foolish. And yes I do agree with the role of speculation. If the pres and Congress announced tom that we will immediately make efforts to start drilling in ANWR and the gulf, I will predict that prices will drop (modestly) immediately b/c of those same speculators. I’m actually glad prices are where they are now. Nothing in America ever gets done until it hits Joe Blow in the pocketbook, then everybody wants solutions—yesterday. We are SO spoiled!

Oh and by the way Jay, your famously liberal senator Chuckie Schumer recently said that if Saudi Arabia produces 1 million more barrels/day, prices would drop significantly. Funny—that’s the same 1 million/day we would have now if Clinton approved ANWR drilling in 1996. So how does it go from “significantly” to a “few pennies”—I guess it depends if you have an “-R” or “-D” after your name, huh?

By Politics Aside

June 25, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

Y-yeyeah! He’s been t-t-trying to t-t-tell us all….

W and his A-team have America on plan B, subsisting on C rations and D-list careers, E-mailing Fu’s to G-spot dreaming preparation H swabbing racists I know who are still bitter about oJ and test at pre-K levels and destined for h…e…double L, practising s+M, using the N word, O lord help these P-holes! the Q-ship senators R lisping the S in restrooms and sounding taps to a T, U would be suprised at how their wives wear V neck gowns against W’s morals, but to attract an X number of men, you can see Y they ZZZZZZZZ

By GOPs got to go

June 25, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

Even McCain admits that drilling will not do anything anytime soon for oil prices Wooten. He has proclaimed it a “Psychological” benefit. Can you say “Political” benefit? Auto designers have had 30 plus years to develop an engine with either better gas mileage or one does not run on oil. I agree with above poster, it is criminal to have had lobbyist squash the legislation passed in the 70’s to remedy this whole “oil problem” we Americans have.

COME ON ENGINEERS!! McCain is going to give you 300 million to get a better battery. If only we had said THAT back in the 70’s. I have no doubt enterprising young and old Americans would have been right on it. After all, we all know that money talks

By Freedom

June 25, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

The blog entry from Politics Aside is a shining example I’m sure of a product of government education. A dismal future in rap music lies ahead.

By TV Junkie

June 25, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this

I was going to comment here, but I don’t think I can say it any better than gadawg did at 4:55 PM. When you set aside all of the emotion, and look at the situation objectively, this post nails it.

By NRB

June 26, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

Well its better than the liberal plan of raising taxes on oil and stealing money from Exxon which is supposed to magically lower gas prices too. I dont hear any bright ideas coming from the commies, as per usual. Thanks for nothing Jay.

By hillbilly ragger

June 26, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this

gadawg, it’s never a good idea to begin a debate with a proveably false statement. You wrote: “The fact is, if you account for inflation, gas currently is on par with its price in the late 70’s.”

No, it’s not. It’s about 25% above its peak (which, by the way, wasn’t in the late 70s, but rather in March 1981). We passed the previous inflation-adjusted high for US gas prices over a year ago.

When you can’t get something as basic as that right, why should I believe anything that follows? It’s a lot of hooey and speculation on your part, particularly the business about what oil speculators are going to do if we were to relax drilling standards.

“Speculators”? You mean guys who invest in oil futures? Have you bothered to look into how far out oil futures investments typically run? How much of that market is in “long dated futures?”

Why don’t you do that and get back to us with your tail between your legs, dawg?

Sheesh. And gadawg is regarded by his fellow righties here as the “smart” one?

Jay, get some better trolls, please.

By Copyleft

June 26, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

NRB: The “liberals” are suggesting the same solutions we’ve been offering for the past 30 years: increased fuel-efficiency standards, conservation, and alternative-energy development.

Nobody wanted to listen, and oil-and-auto industry lobbyists made sure those simple, effective measures were never implemented. That brings us to today’s mess, as any reasonably bright four-year old could have predicted.

Ready to listen now?

By Truth

June 26, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. —Winston Chruchill

Example: The comments Copyleft leaves everyday.

By Gary

June 26, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

Oh please, let us drill anywhere we choose. That way we can ship more oil to Japan and assist the oil giants in their pursuit of even more profits. Man I love this free enterprise system we have for the poor and the socialist system we employ any time the rich have a problem. The Bear Stearns debacle comes to mind at this point.

By Copyleft

June 26, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Keep swinging, Truth… you’re bound to score a hit someday. (snicker)

By Truth

June 26, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

I will keep swinging Copyleft because people like me dont quit until we succeed. We dont just cut and run. (snicker)