Bush On The Environment: Top 5 Stupidest Things Said Yesterday
Tuesday morning, President George W. Bush held a press conference to address national concern over the economy and escalating gas prices. In addition to announcing "temporary steps" to stabilize the housing and financial markets by bailing out major mortgage enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Bush reconfirmed his support to lift the ban on offshore drilling.
Although it's great to see Bush take on our nations concerns, I must call out five dumb things he said during Tuesday's press conference.
1. Offshore Oil Is "Responsible"
"Democratic leaders . . . should repeal the congressional ban and pass legislation to facilitate responsible offshore exploration."
There is no such thing as "responsible offshore exploration." Offshore drilling poses the risk of oil spills that would negatively affect marine life, destroy ecological habitats and damage coral reefs. Lets remember the 1969 Oil Spill Off Of Santa Barbara.
2. Offshore Drilling Is "Action"
"Democratic leaders have been delaying action on offshore exploration . . . they should match the action I have taken, repeal the congressional ban and pass legislation to facilitate responsible offshore exploration."
How can Democratic leaders match your "action" if you are not actually "taking action?" Increasing oil supply brings us NO closer to solving America's energy crisis. For starters, it could take years to implement. And although renewable energy will also take years to implement at least that's a step in the right direction. The United States Energy Information Administration predicts offshore drilling would take a lengthy 20 years to affect US oil production. And then what? Oil is still a non-renewable resource unable to match our country's needs. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, claims the U.S. consumes 25 percent of the world's oil and natural gas. With offshore drilling the US would still contain less than 6 percent of the world's reserves.
In sum, offshore drilling is not an action, but a DISTR-action, further diverting us from finding a sustainable energy source. Lets spend our precious time, money and energy (no pun intended) on more important things: long-term solutions.
3. "It Took Us A While To Get Here"
"It took us a while to get here and we need to have a good strategy to get out of it."
Funny it took about 7 years and 6 months for oil prices to triple.
4. Supplies Of Oil Will Increase
"It seems like it makes sense to me to say to the world at we're going to use, you know, new technologies to explore for oil and gas ... to send a clear message that the supplies of oil will increase."
Wasn't that the message we were sending when we invaded Iraq? After securing the oil wells, you'd think we'd have a steady supply at bargain prices.
5. Offshore Drilling "Protects" Reefs
"The technology is such that you can protect the reefs. You don't have to drill on top of a reef. You can drill away from a reef and then have a horizontal hole to help you explore a reservoir."
Although offshore drilling technology has improved, studies by the Rainforest Action Network confirm offshore drilling is still damaging to kelp beds, reefs and coastal wetlands. Worst of all, drilling exposes wildlife to the threat of oil spills.
Several major oil companies including Chevron, Mobil and Exxon already confirmed the brutally devastating effects of offshore drilling. Must we remember that Chevron USA has already pleaded guilty to 65 violations of the Clean Water Act?
Watch the live video of yesterday's press conference . . .
So there you have it. Five stupid things Bush said about the environment. And here's one more gem--just for fun. This doesn't need repudiation . . . just enjoy.
"The president doesn't have a magic wand. You can't just say: 'Low gas!'"
hmmmmm . . . . what would Bush look like as a wizard . . .
Photo Courtesy Olivia Zaleski's Photo Shop Skills
Read The Full Press Conference by the President
Read The White House Report In Focus: Energy
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I'm sorry, but didn't Bush say that with his experience as an oil man, if the price of gas was too high, he'd just tell OPEC to lower it? Sounds pretty damn "magical" to me....
I'm not here to defend Bush, but as an engineer supporting oil production in the Gulf of Mexico, I must clarify on a few points.
1) There is such a thing as responsible offshore exploration. We constantly work to improve our operations and to minimize impact on the environment. The last spill we had at the facility I support was 2.5 barrels last fall. We reported this spill to the government immediately, and paid a fine and restitution. It felt like being punched in the gut. Everyone I work with felt terrible about it, even though it was a relatively small spill. There was a design flaw in our system, and nearly 15 engineers and offshore personnel put in 12+ hour days for over a week to find out exactly what went wrong. We did a presentation on our findings to the Minerals Management Service and were issued an Incident of Non Compliance for our failure.
Yes, spills do happen, but there are thousands of people with convictions and morals that work very hard to minimize environmental impact and bring America the energy resources it needs. Technology and culture in the industry has improved since 1969.
since bush announced he was lifting the ban on off shore drilling, the price of barrel of oil has dropped $10.00 in the past 2 days. go figure
I agree with the presidents decision to drill offshore. Why shouldn't we when other county's ARE? Instead of procrastinating that it will take 10 years to get it up and running, he is going to take action, so that in 10 years we wont be saying the same old tired line "It'll take 10 years".
My 1995 Ford F-150 gets between 7 and 9 mpg, my wife's 2003 Ford Expedition gets around 13-15 mpg. My bass boat sucks gas like there is no tomorrow and I have to fill it up on average every two weeks with 52 gallons of petrol. I mow my lawn at least twice a week too.
What I'm saying is I use ALOT of gas every week and I'm not going to change, so the more we can drill for it the better.
Wow sir. I hope your joking because its people like you who've helped us to get into this mess. (your last line makes me think you must be joking because I don't see how anyone could be that obstinate).
Sir, your selfishness is mind-boggling. You are using far, far more than your fair share. You deserve to pay $10 per gallon of gas if you drive a vehicle that gets 9mpg. It's all about you and no one else, isn't it? The fact is, oil is a finite resource and we have had 30 years to clean up the debacle that we now find ourselves in. YOU and others like you have made this planet a mess, and now you are going to have to bite the bullet.
We cannot drill ourselves out of this debacle. Continue your overconsumption and enjoy your high prices, because they aren't about to drop. In the meantime, I will adapt and try to make the world a slightly better place, unlike yourself.
Enjoy your view of the world. From where your head seems to be permanantly lodged, I doubt that it will be very bright.
His english is not good enough for me to understand it.
I remember listening the radio when he announced the war in Iraq and said to myself,' you dont know what you getting yourself in to' but the impression I had was of a man who had decided on this war for long time and for other reasons that the one he was giving.
Every time he talks he lies.He has made a complete mockery of the presidency.
I am sure he cannot wait to get the hell out.
...and most of us can't wait to be rid of him.
Bush as a wizard? Could you please explain .... a wizard of what, exactly? Everything the man has touched in his life has turned to .... well.... don't want to be censored, so let's say.... garbage.
Hi Wilburr,
I have put an image of Bush As A Wizard in my post because Bush said yesterday, "The president doesn't have a magic wand. You can't just say: 'Low gas!'" It got me thinking . . . what if Bush were a wizard . . . he'd look funny in the cloak. Don't you think?
Thanks for the comment.
Olivia Zaleski
yeah.... he looks funny in the coat. He looks funny without the coat.... he is just funny lookin'
I'm sorry, Olivia, I would have enjoyed this much more about 7 years ago but today I am just sick of what this administration has done to our planet, our constitution, our safety, and the status in the world that my father and grandfathers sacrificed so much to gain. We should be leading the world in advanced, green technology; instead we are looking to Israel, France, Germany, and even China for advances that we pray will save this place. Everything this administration has done has been for the benefit of GWB and Cheney's big oil buddies; huge 'subsidies' from our government while making more than record profits and place minimal efforts into alternative energy R&D, a war in Iraq, and continued de-regulation. Bush could lower oil prices right now by opening the countries strategic oil reserves. Carter did it successfully, but Bush doesn't want to lower oil profits.
"...it took about 7 years and 6 months for oil prices to triple." -- Isn't it gas prices that tripled and oil prices that quadrupled or more? Guess it depends on what months you compare.
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Hi Sumocat,
Thank you for your comment.
Yes, it does depend on which months you compare. But, I should make this more clear . . . the point is prices have risen--significantly--for both crude oil and gas in the past 7.5 years.
Many thanks for your comment.
Olivia Zaleski
You know, when Obama is elected, I'll throw your hat in the ring to head the EPA or the Energy Dept.
You rock!
In what way is the President saying something stupid news? For him, five things doesn't even set a record.
i have tons of respect for environmentalists
but it is my duty to criticize when a mistake is made
so here it goes
5 stupist things bush said today:
# 3 "It took us a while to get here and we need to have a good strategy to get out of it."
you said: "Funny it took about 7 years and 6 months for oil prices to triple"
yep -- that's true but...,
it did take a while to get to this point
aside from geology;
there were many turning points in history
the last major turning point was when we voted in reagan over carter -- huge mistake
carter (engineer) believed in limits -- reagan (2nd rate actor) didn't
we ignored the warnings of m. king hubbert who predicted the U.S. would peak in 1971 -- it did but we ignored him
after wwII urban sprawl became our religion (major mistake) oil is a finite resource
cars used to be a toy of the rich, then henry ford started mass producing them, making them affordable to the middle class
this led to the GM and firestone buying up light rail and street cars forcing people into cars
another huge mistake
it just goes on and on
so yeah..., this mess, which is a function of geology, does have roots
that go back way b4 bush took the oath of office or stole office
i can't believe i just defended bush
i feel like i need to be sanitized
...and remember it was the oil, tire, and auto companies that talked us into ripping up the light rail systems that used to exist in every major city.
I strive to be a well-informed, attentive, responsible American citizen, but I can not listen to this President except in very small doses. Between his insufferable arrogance, snarky partisanship, and bottomless ignorance, I have to switch him off after a couple of minutes. I'm impressed that the author of this piece restricted herself to only "five" of the stupidest things he said. You're to be commended for your discipline.
Agreed.
I feel my skin start to crawl if I know he is ABOUT to speak. I literally run for the remote.
Hmmm.
It is the LIES that get me screaming at the TV...
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