Drill Baby Drill!

[Minor Axis]

BP Hearing on Capital Hill- finger pointing galore. The title of this thread was a favorite slogan of conservatives in the last election. One hundred deep water oil wells, one (1%) widely publicized failure, no big deal, right? Is it worth it? How many miles of ocean and beach will be polluted by this event? Is it a necessary evil to keep an oil economy well lubricated?

Speaking of oil companies, do you think oil companies are ethical? Should oil prices should be regulated? I ask as I watch gas prices approach $3 a gallon where I live, $3+ in California. I realize that government price fixing in the long run is bad because it sets up an artificial situation. But with an economy heavily dependent on oil, I cringe thinking of oil executives wheeling and dealing to extract huge profits out of U.S. economy.

The sooner, we get weened of oil, the better.

 

[Accountable]

You know as well as I that any federal price fixing will be gauged to be the top price people are still willing to pay. In other words, it will be designed to do no good at all. Just look at cigarette taxes for proof.

If the legislative branch hadn't fucked us over the last decade or so by spending every dime in reach, they could have tried to influence demand with an advertising blitz of some kind, and influence supply with tax breaks & other incentives. Since we're broke, it would be wiser to worry about relative trivia until we're rich again.

 

[Minor Axis]

Plus the cozy relationship of Congress to Big Oil result in a measly $75 million in liability caps? Man, what a deal...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-oil-spill-new-20100514,0,6291548.story :yuk

 

[Accountable]

I tell you whut!
I'm becoming convinced that the real coup happened when the corporations became people in the eyes of the law.

 

[Tim]

I tell you whut!
I'm becoming convinced that the real coup happened when the corporations became people in the eyes of the law.

:homo:



:24:



Seriously though


:homo:

 

[Minor Axis]

I tell you whut!
I'm becoming convinced that the real coup happened when the corporations became people in the eyes of the law.

I have a problem with that. What does that tell you about the members of our Supreme Court?

 

[edgray]

I tell you whut!
I'm becoming convinced that the real coup happened when the corporations became people in the eyes of the law.

they should try BP as an individual. Given the massive environmental damage they're responsible for, they should get the death penalty.

Who would get hung? The board? The CEO?

 

[Accountable]

I have a problem with that.

With my conclusion or with the coup?

 

[Dana]

Of course it's not worth it. We're ruining the ocean, & the life it sustains.

 

[Minor Axis]

With my conclusion or with the coup?

The coup.

 

[Accountable]

Of course it's not worth it. We're ruining the ocean, & the life it sustains.

You're aware, of course, that fuel is not the only thing that is produced from oil.

 

[Accountable]

I have a problem with that. What does that tell you about the members of our Supreme Court?

I've noticed that sometimes the SCOTUS seems to take what's "best" for America into account as much as what is actually supported by our Constitution.

 

[Minor Axis]

You're aware, of course, that fuel is not the only thing that is produced from oil.

Fortunately they are developing ways to produce plant based oil substitutes that would preclude the kind of disaster that is going on in the Gulf. I live near the Gulf coast (Houston, Tx) and I'm worried about the mess heading our way. I just remember all the grinning idiots at a certain convention chanting DBD!

 

[hart]

So Accountable, educate me, besides gasoline, what do we use the oil for? I am asking sincerely....

 

[Kyle B]

So Accountable, educate me, besides gasoline, what do we use the oil for? I am asking sincerely....

Many everyday objects are derived from petroleum products, believe it or not. For instance, sneakers, and many substances that have an 'oily' consistency.

 

[hart]

I do believe it Kyle, but although I rarely agree with Dana, I have got to admit I do care about the Ocean and it's inhabitants

 

[Accountable]

So Accountable, educate me, besides gasoline, what do we use the oil for? I am asking sincerely....

http://www.ranken-energy.com/Products from Petroleum.htm

Solvents
Diesel fuel
Motor Oil
Bearing Grease
Ink
Floor Wax
Ballpoint Pens
Football Cleats
Upholstery
Sweaters
Boats
Insecticides
Bicycle Tires
Sports Car Bodies
Nail Polish
Fishing lures
Dresses
Tires
Golf Bags
Perfumes
Cassettes
Dishwasher parts
Tool Boxes
Shoe Polish
Motorcycle Helmet
Caulking
Petroleum Jelly
Transparent Tape
CD Player
Faucet Washers
Antiseptics
Clothesline
Curtains
Food Preservatives
Basketballs
Soap
Vitamin Capsules
Antihistamines
Purses
Shoes
Dashboards
Cortisone
Deodorant
Footballs
Putty
Dyes
Panty Hose
Refrigerant
Percolators
Life Jackets
Rubbing Alcohol
Linings
Skis
TV Cabinets
Shag Rugs
Electrician's Tape
Tool Racks
Car Battery Cases
Epoxy
Paint
Mops
Slacks
Insect Repellent
Oil Filters
Umbrellas
Yarn
Fertilizers
Hair Coloring
Roofing
Toilet Seats
Fishing Rods
Lipstick
Denture Adhesive
Linoleum
Ice Cube Trays
Synthetic Rubber
Speakers
Plastic Wood
Electric Blankets
Glycerin
Tennis Rackets
Rubber Cement
Fishing Boots
Dice
Nylon Rope
Candles
Trash Bags
House Paint
Water Pipes
Hand Lotion
Roller Skates
Surf Boards
Shampoo
Wheels
Paint Rollers
Shower Curtains
Guitar Strings
Luggage
Aspirin
Safety Glasses
Antifreeze
Football Helmets
Awnings
Eyeglasses
Clothes
Toothbrushes
Ice Chests
Footballs

 

[hart]

Okay I have to admit I use a lot of those items...does that mean there are no viable substitutes? I would hope, considering there are no dinosauers on the earth to replenish the oil sources we are coming out with alternatives....

 

[Minor Axis]

Okay I have to admit I use a lot of those items...does that mean there are no viable substitutes? I would hope, considering there are no dinosauers on the earth to replenish the oil sources we are coming out with alternatives....

Lots of substitutes being worked on. Some are all ready on the market. Ethanol for one. I'm sure someone will step forward to educate us on the evils of ethanol but based on what is happening in the Gulf, I'd say it jut became a better alternative. They are also working on developing a grass based ethanol which is important because it removes the argument that it is taking away a food source in the process of creating a fuel.

 

[Accountable]

Odd innit? We don't want to use food sources because it will make prices rise, yet we pay farmers not to grow crops so as to artificially drive up prices.

I forget. Wasn't there a peanut-based plastic developed by GW Carver?