<DrumBeat: June 22, 2006 The Oil Drum DrumBeat: June 23, 2006>

45 comments on Democratic Governor's Conference Call on Energy

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

| Show without comments | PDF version

Robert Rapier on June 20, 2006 - 11:51pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I agree. No softball questions. This is too serious for that. I think I will ask them who has the courage to get tough on conservation, and what do they suggest, since this is the root of our problem? Alternatives would be to ask them to scale back ethanol subsidies and funnel that money into conservation based on vehicle mileage. There are a lot of pointed, specific questions they need to be asked.

RR

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
step back on June 21, 2006 - 12:33am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
There is no way to force a politician to answer a question.

The best you can do is embed some basic premise in your question and hope they will allow you to pose that sound bite.

Example: "Mr./Miss Politician, what good will it do us to drill in ANWR and off our scenic coasts if domestic decline rates will exceed domestic discovery rates no matter what, as M. King Hubbert correctly predicted?"

Regardless of how the politician responds, if the question gets asked (and I doubt it will be, because "they" filter their questions just like the Republishcans filter theirs), you will have at least gotten the embedded message out that decline rates exceed discovery rates.  Maybe someone out there will say to themselves, is that true? I'm going to do some research.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
rwmcalister on June 21, 2006 - 12:43am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
But you need to be careful that you don't phrase a question that puts a different agenda on the table.  The reference to 'scenic coasts' sounds environmentalist and evokes a knee-jerk reaction.  Arguably ANWR will give a smoother transition to alternatives if (and it's a big if) the time bought by drilling ANWR is used to fund and develop alternatives, so the question should be how we intend to make the best use of ANWR.
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
step back on June 21, 2006 - 12:51am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
It all depends on who "we" is, Kimosabee.
In the ownership society, "we" is the corporation that maximizes return to its shareholders. $RO$I=max. There is no other equation.
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Richard on June 21, 2006 - 3:21am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
I have 10 euro's in my pocket. I try to maximize my own ROI. My strategy is to spend it wisely. Maybe lunch will be a good investment. I owe this money, so I am now an 'Owner', part of the ownership society. Does this make me a big corporation or am I now a conspiracy funded by Big Oil?

I wish we could let go of all this nonsense.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Jack on June 21, 2006 - 3:42am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
"I wish we could let go of all this nonsense."

What? And lay bare the reality they "we" are "them"? Then who would we be able to blame for everything?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
step back on June 21, 2006 - 4:17am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Let the feces flinging begin (aka blame game).

But before we start, note: I was just wondering out loud who the "we" is in this original text:

... so the question should be how we intend to make the best use of ANWR.

My suspicion is that "we" is Big Oil; and "best use" is a code word for maximized profits. You all must be shocked, shocked that I could have such impure thoughts. "We", but of course, must mean the entirety of humanity and "best use" means helping the poor and feeding the children, yes, indeed.  I apologize for having had delusional thoughts and for not recognizing reality for what it is.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
rwmcalister on June 21, 2006 - 8:20am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
My use of "we" was as the U.S. in general.  How can this country use ANWR to give us time to make whatever changes we need to be making (conservation/alternatives/etc,).  Of course big oil will want to maximize its return.  Of course, we could just use it to lengthen the 'oil fiesta' and continue BAU.  But hopefully it can be used to help the transition.
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
step back on June 21, 2006 - 11:40am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
rw,

Yes, your good intentions were apparent.
I was cynically pointing out that "we" has different meanings to different people.

There is a certain "we" who go to war and make the "ultimate sacrifices" when "their" country calls on them.

There is a certain other "we" who get the no-bid contracts as windfalls of war.

There is a certain "we" who suffer the pain at the pump because our wages are frozen thanks to the helping invisible hand and the threat of a globalized labor pool.

There is a certain "we" who enjoy record profits as the "numbers" for "their" companies leap from one stratum to a next higher one and as they promise trickle down rewards to those who lick their boots.

Yes, "we" will make the "best use" of ANWR once "we" get their hands on this supposedly reserved wildlife refuge that was supposedly reserved for America's posterity. And after that refuged oil is depleted, then what? Then what will the "we" on this side of the table do in order to keep going?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
tstreet on June 22, 2006 - 7:56pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
We wouldn't see oil from ANWR for ten years. So how does that make a transition which needs to begin now.  Drilling in ANWR will guarantee we make no transition because it will be just another reason for complacency.  Sounds like a heroin addict who just needs a few more fixes and then he will quit.
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Seadragon on June 22, 2006 - 8:03pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
No, it'll make us energy-independent!  Whee!
Comments can no longer be added to this story.

45 comments on Democratic Governor's Conference Call on Energy

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

| Show without comments | PDF version