At present, oil saturates the Gulf Stream. An official six-month cessation of permits for new drilling did not actually affect the industry or government decisions. Despite Moratorium, Drilling Projects Move Ahead. To explain such an authorization and waiver, the Department of the Interior and the Minerals Management Services Division which regulates drilling, pointed to public statements by Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar. He did not intend to forbid all first cuts in the Earth's crust. Absolutely not. The Federal Government approved wells off the coast of Louisiana in June. Regardless of the day, or realities that are anathema to our citizenry, little has truly changed. Today, just as in yesteryear, we, the people of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect Union, polishpolicies to appear as though our civilization would wish to protect and defend all beings, equally.
For more than a century, in unison, the planets' population proclaimed, thankfully petroleum flows. Oil powers our machines. The refined product has helped us manufacture massive quantities of clothing, aluminum sheet, and photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. "Plastics." As was professed in a popular film decades ago, "There's a great future in plastics." Presently, and in the past, BP understood this and much more. The company's Executives knew petroleum could and would provide endless profits, power, and a perpetual presence.
Americans acknowledge there is a problem. Petroleum pours out from a broken pipe. Thousands of barrels of fuel flow freely through the Gulf of Mexico, just as they have for more than a month. Plants, animals, and people are affected. People express distress. Millions are dismayed. What can BP do. Indeed what can any company or citizens do? Most call upon the President. Mister Obama, the electorate pleads, please, protect us. These same citizens ignore that the protection we need is from ourselves. Our present circumstances are a reflection of our past. Many Americans have forgotten an earlier time, when another of this country's Chief Executives attempted to avoid the nightmare we experience today.
"Drill baby, drill," is the now ever-present and popular battle-cry for many Americans. From Presidential candidates to everyday people, those who wish to consume sweet light crude as they have for a more than a century remind me of my hair, and the current President's energy policy. I ponder the parallels and invite you to consider . . .
During a recent press conference, as I gazed upon the President of the United States, noticeably aged after years in the Oval Office, I thought of my hair and my history. His wavy gray locks are not as the strands that fall from my head. Nor did the diminutive curl that danced on his brow remind me of my own tresses. The style the Chief Executive donned did not resemble the permanent waves, pompadours, or ponytails I once wore. As George W. Bush spoke of his energy policy, I pondered. His approach to petroleum and power were as the methodology I embraced when I colored my hair.
People may wish that the fuel tanks on the automobile they drive were full of gas. Yet, recently, due to the rising price of petroleum, many crude containers are empty. American citizens feel the crunch, the energy, and economic crunch. They have cried. They clamored. The public craves attention for what they think is issue number one, the cost of Texas Tea, Alaskan oil, and fossil fuels from foreign sources. John McCain hears the call. His Vice Presidential pick, Sarah Palin feels the pain of the poor persons, of all Americans, who scream for relief at the pump. Even Barack Obama has proposed a compromise on a previously held position.
Americans, addicted to oil and quick fixes, embrace a man and a mantra; yet, most are unwilling to envelop themselves in a cause. The public appreciates the need for clean energy. Accolades are bestowed upon the former Vice President, author, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and environmentalist Albert Gore for the work he has done to inform us of an inconvenient truth. Nonetheless, as knowledgeable as the public may be, nothing truly changes. Intellectually, nearly everyone accepts what a myriad of experts emphasize. The planet is in peril. However, emotionally, few internalize the urgency of what must be a global priority. There is a problem. We cannot wait to employ solutions.
Former Vice President Albert Gore challenges Congress, corporations, citizens in this country, and people planet wide to consider crucial connections, and what might be done to correct what appears to be an eminent disaster. Globally, civilization depends on us, and our commitment to change. Currently, the situation is critical. Catastrophes exist around every corner. The economy is shaky. Employment opportunities are limited. Weather is weird. Most experts believe the "energy tsunami" seems to have effected the environment. Forecasts for the future are not good. We can no longer count the years until our demise. The days are numbered. Too many species are now extinct; more are threatened. All people on this planet must acknowledge we are in peril. There is a climate crisis.
The Natural Resources Defense Council asks those of us who care about our Mother Earth to contribute to a worthy cause, a plea to the people for a clean environment. Perchance, we can help advance the message.
Please help run this powerful new ad in The Washington Post and turn the tide in Congress against legislation that would sacrifice our fragile coasts to Big Oil and the threat of catastrophic spills.
NRDCActionFund.org With our economy sinking and oil prices soaring, George Bush is offering snake oil: a plan to sacrifice more of our coasts to oil drilling on the chance it will produce a few weeks' worth of oil and reduce gas prices by a few pennies a gallon...in 2028. Imagine America forever tethered to Bush's failed energy policy. It's like giving him five more terms.
It's a cruel Shell game. And BP game. And ExxonMobil game. Over the past five years, the number of domestic drilling permits has nearly doubled. But because of rising worldwide demand, oil prices have skyrocketed. More drilling off our coasts is not the answer. Once destroyed they can never be replaced. The only winners will be the oil companies.
Want gas at $1 a gallon? America needs a bold new approach to energy, from more fuel efficient vehicles to plug-in hybrids and electric cars. A cleaner electric grid powered by renewables.
Existing technologies could have us driving at the equivalent of a buck a gallon for gas!
Tell your Representative and Senators to stop the giveaway of our coasts. Tell them you won't stand for billions more for oil companies-and snake oil for the rest of us.
[The Advertisement will be] Paid for by supporters of the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund.
Thank you for your consideration and contribution.
In a nation, where appeasement is condemned, Americans are anxious. The people have been pacified for so long they can no longer recall what it means to be other than indulged. On June 6, 2008, Congresspersons, uncomfortable with the notion that they might have to use the rod, concluded, for now, it is better to spoil the already pampered Americans. Lawmakers said, as they have so often, "Let them eat oil!" After all, the people love petroleum.
Americans speak of the divide within this country. Most accept the labels. We are a nation of Red states and Blue regions. People define themselves as Conservatives or Liberals. West Virginian primary election voters, who were asked, reinforced the notion in this nation we are not unified. One fifth of those polled stated, skin color influenced their decision. Former Senator John Edwards often expresses his distress for what he sees as "Two Americas." The one time Presidential candidate reminds us of why the common folks clamor. The rich get richer while the poor become more impoverished. For some of those who fight to endure, a "gas tax holiday" is thought essential. Others believe such a measure will negatively effect the infrastructure and the environment. In Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 14, 2008 a Black man and a white man stood on a stage together united and equal. Some, in this splintered nation of ours, thought this was a sign. Perhaps, Americans would finally come together as one.
A soldier's story is our story. On this April afternoon, I attended a memorial. Americans in my local community, as well as those in every other region of the country, mourned the recession. People pondered the reality; this war affects our daily lives and our fiscal stability. In my neighborhood, Michael Prysner, an Iraq War veteran offered his theory on the theme, Recession and the Iraq War; A Soldier's Story. I share an introduction to his tale and an invitation. Please peruse the musings of Michael Prysner.
This week's concept was actually last week's runner-up in the sketchbook. While it would have been timelier right on the heels of the Congressional hearings, our insatiable oil addiction isn't going anywhere soon. It's also an underlying cause for so many of our problems, from our entanglements in the Middle East to global warming. So I went ahead with "The Hunger." It's not the most sophisticated metaphor, but I also wanted a simple, striking visual after last week's text-heavy toon.
In 2007, the State of the Union was not as we were told it was; nor is it as we were told it would be. Each year, and for eight long years, George W. Bush promised to unite us, and perhaps he has more so than most other Presidents. Collectively, Republicans and Democrats alike understand that as a nation we are not strong.
The Corporate Destroyer is a peculiar mutation of man. It is known for its inactivity in the practice of any virtue. He is found in several different forms throughout the government, business, and nations. The fruits of his labors can be seen throughout the earth in 'greed, sloth, pride, wrath, avarice, envy, lust, and gluttony'. Absent conscience or allegiance to any land, this mutant will use any means necessary to feed his insatiable appetite.
The world is filled with distractions. Sex is on the streets. Violence filters through videos. Sensationalism flitters across silver screens. Television broadcasters speak of Senators in bathrooms. Fallen sports stars are caught in criminal acts. Americans are consumed with consumption. We eat fast. We play faster. We work to attend to the world woes. Yet, our eyes wander away from cold, hard, combative facts.
It is easier to escape than it is to cope with the realities that we create.
Saddam Hussein is scheduled to hang. I heard the verdict and my head hurt; my heart was pained. I pondered the situation and the sadness, as did the man himself.
Former Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein speaks of his life and of his probable passing in a letter written more than a month ago. The text is presented below. I acknowledge that Saddam Hussein did much harm to his people; however, I cannot ignore that he too is human.
Admittedly, there is much evidence. The former Iraqi leader did not respect the human rights of others. Nevertheless, can we justify our intent to cruelly kill this tragic tyrant? Are we able to excuse execution of any being? Apparently, the human race is infinitely capable of defending what it does; it has for centuries. I invite each of us to contemplate what we continue to do, kill in the name of righteousness.
You may enjoy this rumination. The presentation is lengthy, though perhaps enlightening, entertaining, and enjoyable. My own attention span for viewing video can be short. Comedy is not my style. However, there are historical references within this program. Thus, may I present . . .
Robert Newman gets to grips with the wars and politics of the last hundred years - but rather than adhering to the history we were fed at ... school, the places oil centre stage as the cause of all commotion.
This innovative history programme is based around Robert Newman's stand-up act and supported by resourceful archive sequences and stills with satirical impersonations of historical figures from Mayan priests to Archduke Ferdinand.
Quirky details such as a bicycle powered street lamp on the stage brings home the pertinent question of just how we are going to survive when the world's oil supplies are finally exhausted.
Please feel free to share your assessment. Your thoughts may ignite our own. We know petroleum is flammable. Look at the fires raging over Iraq, the Middle East, and all that oil.
The tide has turned. What was my truth only a day ago has been transformed. The reason for funding cuts has been revealed; brain-injured soldiers will suffer at the hands of a rancorous Republican, Senator Ted Stevens. Politically I rarely agree with syndicated Columnist Robert Novak. Practically, I acknowledge that he has access to information that few have. Certainly, I do not have the contacts he does. I think it is important to honor the right of entry Mr. Novak has in the halls of Congress. In this writing I am.
In my missive, I offered an appeal from Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Paul Rieckhoff. He, as I declared this issue is a vital concern. That has not changed. What has changed is my awareness. I discovered the "logic" for this damning plan.
Ironically, cosmically, I love these connections, moments ago a friend asked, "Why did we go to war in Iraq?" This man is proudly a Republican, a conservative, and one whose views, at times, differ from my own. I presented many options, among these, oil. This fine fellow stated, "No, not possible; oil is a commodity. We would not go to war to steal what is traded." We continued chatting. We wondered aloud, what were the true motivations for this "engagement."
Minutes passed; my email arrived, and there is was, here it is the parallel universe is partaking . . .
Mr. Bush knows that his approval ratings are low and falling. He fears that his capital is spent. He realizes that he must reach out. He must appease the people; his legacy is at stake. Therefore, on Thursday evening, April 28, 2005, our President appeared, he presented his priorities.
Mr. Bush bemoaned America's reliance on foreign energy. He proposed an aggressive expansion of domestic oil production. He said, "It's time for America to start building again." He wants to build refineries, to do more drilling in the States. He wants to destroy the pristine environment of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge [ANWR], Alaska.
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