Comment from trehuger
August 14th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

i would like to see you put some pressure on nancy pelosi who is flying all over the country in a private jet not even working for her constituants, but promoting her book. and at a time when the country is in crisis not having the house in session working on the problems that are crippling our environment and our economy.

Comment from pat bacon
August 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

i'm right behind you trehuger.most of the leaders in our country are not doing their jobs. incredible! i would like to oust all but a few and start all over again. and the candidates we have running for president. it's a joke. Obama is no better than mccain and has so much less experience. wants ot drill offshore now too like all the idiots.

Comment from MICHAEL J. SCHMITZ
August 14th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH POLITICIANS AND GOVERNMENT IS THEIR ACTIONS ARE ONLY THEIR MOUTHS. YOU SAY WE THE USA NEED THIS, SO QUIT TALKING AND DO IT. DID YOU KNOW THAT EXON MAKES $2-1/2 BILLION A MONTH IN PROFIT ALONE YET THEY PUT BLAME ON THE OPEC, INSTEAD OF DROPPING THEIR PRICES TO HELP THEIR NATION. SO DRILL IT NOW. IF EVERYONE STOPPED USEING TEXACO, EXXON AND SHELL FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR, ALL GAS STATIONS WOULD LOWER THEIR PRICES AND THEN WE'D HAVE A GUESS WAR. THIS IS WHAT DROPS THE PRICES OF GAS. WE THE PEOPLE MAKE THE CHOICE BY CHOOSING NOT TO BUY AT CERTAIN GAS STATIONS, THEREFORE THOSE STATIONS WILL DROP THEIR PRICES TO GET MORE CUSTOMERS IN FOR MORE PROFITS.

Comment from Thomas Fedorka
August 14th, 2008 at 5:35 pm

Disobey Bush. He is the only one who thinks he is a god. He really is a poor excuse for a human being. NO DRILLING!

Comment from Kitty I
August 14th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

I can't believe how much air travel they do. They also are paid big bucks for a lousy job, get free medical beyond my wildest and pensions for life on each position they hold. I don't even have a car. Now I don't have a social life either because the buses don't run in the evenings…when they have all the meetings I should be attending to make my voice heard.

Comment from Thomas Fedorka
August 14th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Bush only wants to make the rich richer and the poor poorer while at the same time destroying the environment. DISOBEY BUSH!!!

Comment from Fight4UrRights
August 14th, 2008 at 6:57 pm

I can't believe how so many people dismiss the environment as "fine". Just "fine". How annoying! Talking to somebody about the issues at hand, someone said, "Who gives a crap? The only thing I care about are if polar bears die." It's not okay. It's not fine! So much of the earth is being destroyed, and it's up to the people to make their voice heard! Let's make the world listen! And not JUST listen, let's make them follow.

Comment from Mary
August 14th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

If we stop using oil they would have no choice but to turn things around. I have bought a hybrid car (which is wonderful). i bought it secondhand and the seller bought a new one same type again. I have marched in Climate Emergency Rallies created our own group to stop the government from killing as all. I grow much of my own veggies organically, put in water tanks and eat very little red meat. If we lead the way politicians will have to follow or loss their cushy jobs. I live in Australia WE HAVE THE POWER !!

Comment from Dawn Grabemeyer
August 14th, 2008 at 8:41 pm

We have to stop using gas.

We have to have safe towns so people can live on bus routes.

We have to encourge people who live outside of towns to drive to town and park and bike our use a bus as they go around town.

People need to know which contractors in their community can correctly install energy saving equipment for their homes, such as solar panals. There should be home tours of energy saving homes; simple ones not big expensive ones. We need to be more familiar with the equipment.

We need to solve problems and this will involve some sacrifice and commitment. I can't believe there were air shows this summer while workers couldn't afford to drive to work. We aren't thinking. There was a time when gas rationing and such was used to address problems.

Dawn Grabemeyer

Comment from gray kinnie
August 14th, 2008 at 10:17 pm

I'm very much FOR saving the environment, but you folks need to be better informed and pursue better goals and get more honest information. Example 1. How many wells are not counted as working because they don't produce enough oil per day. (More than are counted as working.) Also, approved, unused drill sites were approved decades ago and today's technology has changed the picture of where oil has a better chance being productive. Only one percent of oil spillage comes from off shore drilling; 5% comes from shipping and a whopping 64% come from nature's natural leakage. We know how to develop oil fields much more environmentally friendly than we did just 10 years ago. 2. Our "once through" nuclear policy is the cause of so much waste; full reprocessing can reduce a family's waste from the size of a Kleenex box to that of a thimble. How many of you know that "spent" nuclear fuel has more fissionable than when it first went into the reactor? (It just has three new impurities which need to be removed. = Reprocessing.) 3. You all know about Solar, Wind, Tidal, Wave, small water sources, creature waste and garbage dump fermentation, nuclear…All non-polluting. For liquid fuel, bio-diesel and cellulosic ethanol (Every plant that grows in nature is made of cellulose, including most of our garbage.) are the most promising… But the government should increase up-front support by 5000%. (DOE is supporting 11 US companies, but the most promising company is in Canada.)Hybrids are good but how about the "Compressed Air Cars" designed in France and Australia and their expected hybrid versions; 125 miles, without pollution, on $2.00 worth of electricity. 4. Within reasonable cost we should support our endangered species. But remember, the most dangerous animal on our hemisphere and the only one of them that considers you to be part of his normal diet is the polar bear. Remember the "Endangered American Alligator?

Comment from pat bacon
August 15th, 2008 at 6:53 am

I don't think we should be using fossil fuels of any type anymore. there are so many more innovative technologies out there to provide fuel. There is a huge experiment going on with framing of algae. it LIVES off of carbon dioxide. it grows so fast it can be harvested 3 times per day and it is being turned into fuel. Switch grass is another very earth friendly way to make fuel. We also need to stop the sale of all our open spaces to the exremely wealthy people who build mansions in these places and don't give a crap about the environment. I am building a small-960 sq.ft.-home with complete solar power for electricity and water heating with a Tarm super energy efficient and clean wood burning furnace. Check out firstday cottage.com. these people have their act together. Why is the US so far behind so many other countries that have moved right along with saving our planet????? I think it is greed and a diconnect of the politicians from the people.

Comment from Mary
August 15th, 2008 at 7:36 am

I think many politicians don't want to let go of the POWER of control with oil. Big Oil calls the shots and politiians are funded by big business, unless we the people show them that this is NOT ON any longer, until then, they will continue to do what big business wants.
We have to live the life without oil NOW. It will lose power of control on us. Wars that are fought over oil will no longer kill innocent people.
One thing politians do not want is to LOSE POWER. If they are voted out by the people based on their dependency of the oil $$$$ they LOSE. WE WIN. We have the Power …. PEOPLE POWER. LIVE IT !!!!

Comment from Mary
August 15th, 2008 at 9:31 am

Other countries have super-speed trains. Why don't we? We could put people to work building the infrastructure for them. They would cut down on pollution from cars, trucks and planes, and they would save fuel.

Comment from Norman Fonss
August 15th, 2008 at 5:35 pm

The oil companies and the other wealthy of this country, arecompletely out of touch with normal healthy change. They sit in their ivory towers oblivious to the real needs of this country and the people who inhabitate it.

It is ludirous that the changes that can be made through green thinking seem to totally escape them. It appears that the only green that attracts them is green money.

The real green that doesn't fade is the conservation of this planet's resources with an end result of wealth that doesn't burn up our resources.

Comment from Mary Swan
August 15th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

It seems we have two Marys the last comment is not me. All previous were me so I from now on I am Mary Swan. Anyway I agree with the last Mary comment but why not work from home or near home. We have technology with video conferencing, email, fax, farmers markets. Why not have small cottage industries like we did when I was a child. Locals working locally. I know it does not work for everyone but much of the travel could be avoided with forethought. Why do we send people all of the country/world ? What travel we need to do, could be with safe reliable public transport (which we don't have at present)trams, bike,and walking to work (much healthier)Bring back conductors. Forget the Gym lets walk…….

Comment from Mary Swan
August 15th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

Recent news this is what I mean ??

BHP Billiton poised for record profit
BHP Billiton the world's biggest mining company, is set to deliver a record annual profit in excess of $US15 billion ($17.26 billion), underpinned by a strong result from its petroleum division.

Comment from Bike citizen
August 16th, 2008 at 12:04 am

I am so pleased to be able to take matters into my own hands and rebel against the gas companies. I have found a way to commute the 17 miles each way to work through the combination of public transportation (free to all who live in our area) and a folding bicycle. The $200+ I spent on the folding bike has paid for itself in the money I'm saving in gas. The commute time has replaced the daily exercise I had previously spent on a gym (and it's membership fee) and I am soaking up valuable Vitamin D. I wish more people could benefit from this same situation.

Comment from Tom Austin
August 16th, 2008 at 5:02 pm

Subject: An Addiction to Drilling – It's a Sickness NOT a Solution

A series of ramblings for your consideration:

Every alcoholic knows that one can't "cure" an addiction to alcohol by merely giving up Russian Vodka, French wines and German beers, while continuing to imbibe domestic spirits. Likewise, President Bush, having finally stood up and admitted being "ADDICTED TO OIL," must know that we need to reduce our dependence on ALL FLAVORS of oil–instead of dredging up more homegrown MOONSHINE!

Why do American Oil Companies charge American consumers—based on World Market oil prices— for gasoline produced from oil extracted from American territories? Sounds un-American! They even charge the U.S. Military World Market prices—in our time of war! Sounds un-patriotic!

Even billionaire oil-man, T. Boone Pickens, knows we can't drill our way out of an oil addiction. Also, why should American taxpayers support more drilling by American Companies, on American territory, unless Americans are assured of receiving specific, meaningful and direct benefits in the price of gasoline? As long as American Oil Companies continue to charge Americans for gasoline, based on “world market” prices for “American oil,” then they ought to go drill in someone else’s backyard. In our time of War, American Oil Companies even charge the American Military for gasoline and diesel fuel, based on world market oil prices. What greedy sleazeballs!

Before drilling more holes in American territories, the American Oil Companies must settle the score with the American consumers, for those BILLIONS of dollars in taxpayers’ subsidy payments, for which we’ve received no direct benefit. We want a REFUND!

We know that the American Oil Company cartels have just used congressional subsidies to pay themselves for record profits, but what was the intended purpose of Congress in dolling out these gifts? Did Congress intend that the subsidies would be used to help fund exploration; to help share the cost of sourcing more difficult locations; to help expand refinery capacity; to help fund R&D for alternative energy sources (NONE of which they did); or WHAT?. What was Congress thinking? Were there no restrictions, oversight or accountability—or, did Big Oil just defy Congress?

American Oil Companies have used/abused American taxpayer monies for their own self-interests. They have taken money out of our pockets and food off our tables, while they raked in record profits and fattened their own paychecks. We want a REFUND of those subsidies—in verifiable and comparable pump-price reductions! Congress should:

1. The IMMEDIATE elimination of all existing congressional subsidies to the Oil Companies.
2. An IMMEDIATE congressional subsidy, in comparable total value, of consumer retail gasoline prices (e.g. a “contra” Federal gas tax).
3. An IMMEDIATE 20% reduction, from current market, for purchases made by the Federal Government for National Security/Strategic Reserves, and for Department of Defense/Military Operations.

Eight painful years of escalating healthcare and prescription drug prices, increasing insurance/Medicare premiums eroding benefits, now topped off by devastating food and energy prices, will indelibly and deservedly stain the legacy of President Bush. There has been none of the promised compassion in this Administration's harsh brand of conservatism, and history will highlight the despicable collusion by congressional coddlers of Big Business subsidies, promoters of anti-consumer practices and perpetrators of punishing senior-citizen, fixed-income economic policies. Senatorial protectors of these plundering pirates have allowed the rich have to get richer—at the expense those less wealthy, less healthy less fortunate and less young.

Congressional representatives should use both their regional and national influence to leverage meaningful and immediate actions to reduce fuel consumption. In particular and especially in urban areas, there is so much wasted fuel caused by unsynchronized traffic lights, the over use of traffic lights, when a flashing caution light would suffice, and the over-use of Stop Signs. It truly seems that traffic lights on major city streets are intentionally set to stop traffic, rather than to facilitate the flow. And, why do we need so many Stop Signs, when Yield Signs would often safely satisfy the intended purpose? My guess is that there are opportunities to save BILLIONS of dollars per year—and avoid massive amounts of pollution as an added benefit.

Re: “Awash in oil money, it’s time for Iraq to pay its own way” (USA Today Editorial, August 13, 2008)

“…the U.S. government is projecting a deficit of almost $400 billion this year. Meanwhile, Iraq is in budget heaven, awash with oil money…why isn’t the Iraqi government spending much more of its wealth to rebuild the country?…, or lowering American forces’ fuel bills, or maybe even reimbursing the United States for money Americans spend on rebuilding…”

Comment from Mary Swan
August 16th, 2008 at 6:49 pm

The only way to win IS NOT PLAY THE GAME.
My hybrid car (Toyota Prius) does not use any fuel when sitting at traffic lights. It goes into electric mode.

It worries me that we in Australia also have our own oil but use World Pricing our fuel per litre here is approx$1.50AU. However I do not want the Arctic to be drilled or Canada to be destroyed with oil rigs. So let's get off the oil road and look to a healthy safe sustainable future, Solar/ Wind and Wave. Here in Australia our government are trying to push Clean Coal… basically pumping the Co2 underground….Like that is going to make it ok !!
The problem is it is not going away and will burp up Co2. Like Greenpeace says 'Clean Coal ia a Dirty Lie.'
When you look at the pollution in Beijing, at the Olympics, we are in part responsible for this also. We buy the products manufactured in China and sell the brown coal
to them. Not something to be proud of.

Comment from Sharon
August 24th, 2008 at 3:29 pm

More info and action against radioactive munitions such as "D.U.", please. This is such a high priority because the environmental contamination is permanent, and they are illegal by International Law because they indiscrimanently harm everyone including all future generations. We must stop their use immedietely and test returning Veterans for contamination. Thank you.

Comment from Mary Swan
August 24th, 2008 at 6:03 pm

They used the radioactive ammunition in Iraq. Tested using them on training in Shoal Bay Qld. What a terrible thing for the children in Iraq and all the creatures. Have to wonder who are the aggressors in this conflict ?

There will be long term conequences for this action.