Energy
Independence at Last!
The
last time, it was Weapons of Mass destruction in Iraq. And we fell for it! This
time it is Drill Away to Energy Independence! And I smell that the American
people will again succumb to another mirage.
The Professor and I could not avoid
talking about the recent noises made about Energy Independence. Even at the
cost of forsaking second helpings of a most attractive Key lime pie. I said;
“Is this the beginning of another snow
job, Professor?’
“If they blow this up as skillfully as
they did the Iraq episode, they will score. The American people will fall
easily the moment you talk about lower energy prices and bandy around
resounding phrases like ‘energy independence!”
“Yes, I noticed that President Bush had
not finished his speech when several of his neo addicts in the TV screens of
the nation were enthusiastically declaring ‘mission accomplished’! Energy
independence is here! Back to dollar a gallon!
The professor smiled and added:
“Senator McCain, the Republican
presidential candidate had recalled the 2007 Energy Independence and Security
Act some weeks before and now, he and President Bush realize that the theme for
the presidential election in 2008 is before them. It is perfect; it contains
the proper dosage of patriotism covered with exciting rosy projections and on
top of that, answers to God’s special designs!”
We went on to comment on Congress
initial rejection of the Act mainly on the basis of the damage it would do to
the environment, but left the door open
to further investigation and appropriate protection rulings.
I could not help saying;
“This refusal enabled the Bush-McCain
duo and the Republican Party to blame
the Democratic Congress for refusing to support Energy Independence and thereby
ignoring their patriotic duty to provide for the well being of the American
public, proving once more that in politics you can twist, reverse, imply,
suggest, distort and stretch any situation to advantage or disadvantage at
will!
The
Professor laughed and said:
“Now that it will be possible to proceed
with off shore drilling it is easy for President Bush and Senator McCain to
grab Energy Independence as the theme. As in the case of the WMDs, the
references so far are vague. Just start drilling tomorrow afternoon along the
coastlines and gasoline will come out of one of those pipes in a little while.
Gas prices will plummet!”
He shook his head and continued:
“Judging
by the reaction of some of the so called ‘opinion makers’, energy independence
is just around the corner. Now, this is a fallacy. Such thing as ‘energy independence’
for the United States is a golden dream that has its roots in the lack of
understanding of the matter and therefore presents itself as an easy ‘sell’”
It
brought to my mind the big smile on the face of one of the better known TV
reporters and the collective applause of an audience eager for some good news
after eight years of drama, tragedy and failure. I said so and the Professor
thought for a moment and then said:
“This
year we imported around two thirds of our oil needs and, as our consumption
keeps on growing, we will be importing more. Our reserves and additional field
explorations will not solve the problem. The US has been exposed for years to
more explorations and tests for oil than any other nation on Earth; there is no
multi billion barrel deposit waiting to be tapped in.”
How
bad is the present situation?’ I asked.
“In
a nut shell, we produce 8 million barrels a day, use 22 and import 14. In 3
years we will produce the same but will use 26 million barrels a day, so
instead of importing 14 will have to import 18. Meanwhile, China, India, Japan and Russia will
each will use oil at a rate higher than ours and that means a more competitive
market and of course higher prices.”
“Professor,
you just about talked me out of exchanging my Jaguar for a Ferrari. Now, what are our possibilities?
“The
possibilities of increasing our own production through offshore exploration and
drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and in the Gulf of
Mexico will be limited and it will take years before substantial outputs can be
obtained. To insist that by just opening these new areas of exploration will
lead to energy independence is both childish and dishonest.”
“What
next, Professor?’
“I
don’t know about you but I am going to have another slice of that Key Lime Pie
accompanied by a cup of coffee and crowned with a glass of Remy Martin!”
Another great one! Keep it up. Just read A MATTE OF ENERGY. lOVE IT!
Posted by: john bake | June 21, 2008 at 06:16 PM