6/16/2010
Welcome to the Wednesday night edition of The Bandit Speaks. If you didn't read the first part of my review of BO's speech last night then click on the link in the archives and check it out. Now without further delay...Part II of my review.
Please note quotations from Obama will be in italics...
One of the lessons we’ve learned from this spill is that we need better regulations better safety standards, and better enforcement when it comes to offshore drilling. But a larger lesson is that no matter how much we improve our regulation of the industry, drilling for oil these days entails greater risk. After all, oil is a finite resource. We consume more than 20% of the world’s oil, but have less than 2% of the world’s oil reserves. And that’s part of the reason oil companies are drilling a mile beneath the surface of the ocean – because we’re running out of places to drill on land and in shallow water.
Um...NO Mr. President that is not the reason that we are having to drill a mile beneath the surface of the ocean. That was a flat out lie to the American people. The reason that we have to drill a mile beneath the surface of the ocean is because the environmental groups forced them out there. Another blatent lie was the fact that we are running out of oil. Geologist have said that there are plenty of places that are shallower to drill in as well as plenty of places to drill on land. Why lie to the American people when the facts are readily available?
For decades, we have known the days of cheap and easily accessible oil were numbered. For decades, we have talked and talked about the need to end America’s century-long addiction to fossil fuels. And for decades, we have failed to act with the sense of urgency that this challenge requires. Time and again, the path forward has been blocked – not only by oil industry lobbyists, but also by a lack of political courage and candor.
So now here comes the Cap and Trade agenda. Obama is EXPLOITING this crisis and quite frankly the people of the Gulf Coast to further his agenda. One of Obama's goals when he came to office was to push this energy bill. They are not letting this crisis go to waste and they are getting the most mileage out of it as possible.
The consequences of our inaction are now in plain sight. Countries like China are investing in clean energy jobs and industries that should be here in America. Each day, we send nearly $1 billion of our wealth to foreign countries for their oil. And today, as we look to the Gulf, we see an entire way of life being threatened by a menacing cloud of black crude.
We could reduce the amount of money that we send to foreign countries for oil if we would drill more here at home. While I agree that we need to work on alternative sources of fuel there is no way we are going to get off of fossil fuels overnight. This is going to take many years. If we stop drilling here at home how much do you think we will send to our enemies for their oil then. A change to an alternative fuel could take up to 50 years. In the meantime we need to continue to use fossil fuels. Our economy runs on fossil fuels. The moratorium on drilling in the Gulf right now has the potential to kill our economy even more. The rigs in the Gulf are going to head elsewhere if they cannot drill and they won't come back anytime soon.
We cannot consign our children to this future. The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now. Now is the moment for this generation to embark on a national mission to unleash American innovation and seize control of our own destiny.
Never let a good crisis go to waste...I agree that we need to use American ingenuity to develop alternative sources of energy. But until we are able to switch over completely to a new form of energy then we are going to have to depend on DOMESTIC production of fossil fuels.
This is not some distant vision for America. The transition away from fossil fuels will take some time, but over the last year and a half, we have already taken unprecedented action to jumpstart the clean energy industry. As we speak, old factories are reopening to produce wind turbines, people are going back to work installing energy-efficient windows, and small businesses are making solar panels. Consumers are buying more efficient cars and trucks, and families are making their homes more energy-efficient. Scientists and researchers are discovering clean energy technologies that will someday lead to entire new industries.
I disagree...This is a distant vision. Is it possible? Yes. Will it happen in the next twenty years? Probably not. Last I checked I haven't seen anyone converting their cars to use a Mr. Fusion or a Flux Capacitor. Maybe BO can make Doc Brown from Back to the Future his invention czar.
Each of us has a part to play in a new future that will benefit all of us. As we recover from this recession, the transition to clean energy has the potential to grow our economy and create millions of good, middle-class jobs – but only if we accelerate that transition. Only if we seize the moment. And only if we rally together and act as one nation – workers and entrepreneurs; scientists and citizens; the public and private sectors.
Ok, so now it is my patriotic duty to play a part in a new future. I have no problem with that. But what I do have a problem with is the carbon tax that this administration wants to put on energy producers and companies while our country is dealing with the worst economy since the Great Depression. The economy is on life support right now. You put this tax on American businesses and you might as well pull the plug on the economy. People won't be able to afford anything and more people will be depending on the government handouts that those of us that are working hard will continue to pay for. Sounds like Socialism if you ask me. Hmmm...Sounds like it was all planned out doesn't it.
When I was a candidate for this office, I laid out a set of principles that would move our country towards energy independence. Last year, the House of Representatives acted on these principles by passing a strong and comprehensive energy and climate bill – a bill that finally makes clean energy the profitable kind of energy for America’s businesses.
This bill will kill our economy plain and simple. I can't put it any clearer than that. I've already laid out the reasons above.
Now there are costs associated with this transition. And some believe we can’t afford those costs right now. I say we can’t afford not to change how we produce and use energy – because the long-term costs to our economy, our national security, and our environment are far greater.
Oh gee...there are costs associated with the transistion. Well no crap Sherlock. Thank you once again captain obvious. Who are going to pay for those costs right now during a time when we may be looking at a double dip recession? That's right...It will be we the TAXPAYER. I want alternative energy as much as anyone but you cannot spend money you don't have. PERIOD.
So I am happy to look at other ideas and approaches from either party – as long they seriously tackle our addiction to fossil fuels. Some have suggested raising efficiency standards in our buildings like we did in our cars and trucks. Some believe we should set standards to ensure that more of our electricity comes from wind and solar power. Others wonder why the energy industry only spends a fraction of what the high-tech industry does on research and development – and want to rapidly boost our investments in such research and development.
Ok, so let me get this straight...You'll look at anything as long as it's part of your agenda. Also, you want to have the government encroach even more into peoples lives by regulating how we build our homes, what kind of cars we drive, etc. Next thing the government is going to want to tell me when I can and can't use the toilet. This is ridiculous.
All of these approaches have merit, and deserve a fear hearing in the months ahead. But the one approach I will not accept is inaction. The one answer I will not settle for is the idea that this challenge is too big and too difficult to meet. You see, the same thing was said about our ability to produce enough planes and tanks in World War II. The same thing was said about our ability to harness the science and technology to land a man safely on the surface of the moon. And yet, time and again, we have refused to settle for the paltry limits of conventional wisdom. Instead, what has defined us as a nation since our founding is our capacity to shape our destiny – our determination to fight for the America we want for our children. Even if we’re unsure exactly what that looks like. Even if we don’t yet know precisely how to get there. We know we’ll get there.
I agree, the task is not too big and not too difficult. You forgot something though. Right now it is TOO COSTLY. Let's go after a cleaner, more efficient future but while we are doing it we will need to continue to produce energy from fossil fuels. You cannot stop doing that at this time. Our economy and our national security DEPENDS on it.
It is a faith in the future that sustains us as a people. It is that same faith that sustains our neighbors in the Gulf right now.
I've got news for you Mr. Obama...My faith is not grounded in the future. My faith lies elsewhere.
Each year, at the beginning of shrimping season, the region’s fishermen take part in a tradition that was brought to America long ago by fishing immigrants from Europe. It’s called “The Blessing of the Fleet,” and today it’s a celebration where clergy from different religions gather to say a prayer for the safety and success of the men and women who will soon head out to sea – some for weeks at a time.
The ceremony goes on in good times and in bad. It took place after Katrina, and it took place a few weeks ago – at the beginning of the most difficult season these fishermen have ever faced.
And still, they came and they prayed. For as a priest and former fisherman once said of the tradition, “The blessing is not that God has promised to remove all obstacles and dangers. The blessing is that He is with us always,” a blessing that’s granted “…even in the midst of the storm.”
This is a heart warming story but is just a blatent attempt to appeal to the Gulf voters.
The oil spill is not the last crisis America will face. This nation has known hard times before and we will surely know them again. What sees us through – what has always seen us through – is our strength, our resilience, and our unyielding faith that something better awaits us if we summon the courage to reach for it. Tonight, we pray for that courage. We pray for the people of the Gulf. And we pray that a hand may guide us through the storm towards a brighter day. Thank you, God Bless You, and may God Bless the United States of America.
Bottom line...Maybe this speech would have worked if he would have given it when we were one or two weeks into the crisis. IT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS and you are just now addressing the American people. Where has your leadership been? Your leadership has been completely absent. Your leadership was too busy having concerts, playing golf, catering to foreign leaders who like to bash our country, and entertaining sports teams.
That is the major issue here...that is why you are tanking in the polls Mr. Obama. Don't kill the economy anymore with your energy legislation. Now is not the time for that.
Until tomorrow night,
Stay Educated, Stay Informed, Stay Alert, Stay Safe
Sonny "Bandit" Darlington
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