The anatomy of capitulation
Submitted by James on Mon, 08/11/2008 - 8:40am
Over the past decade or so, the editorial pages of O-No! have raised wishy-washy to an art form. Today's caving compromise is emblematic.
With Americans clamoring for action to bring gasoline prices down, the notion of opening up further areas off the coast to oil drilling has become all the rage among some politicians. That would mean lifting a federal moratorium that has prevented drilling off North Carolina.
Here's a condition that should be attached to any such new arrangement: States should have the authority to designate areas along their coasts where drilling for oil and/or natural gas still would not be allowed. In North Carolina's case that certainly would mean the Outer Banks, at the very least.
...
U.S. Rep. David Price of Chapel Hill is among those insisting on a state's prerogative to keep some areas off-limits to drilling. That's an approach that could balance the pressure to open up new oil reserves with the need to protect the environment. It deserves to be part of any offshore drilling compromise.
Never mind that less than two months ago, O-No! was at least attempting to take a clear stand on the issue. I guess the boldness of their position left them feeling exposed ... because now they're talking "offshore drilling compromise."
We shouldn't be surprised. "Compromise" is the hallmark of the corporate machine in which McClatchy, Inc., operates. Who cares about the hard facts of the matter? Why bother to point out that the US uses a quarter of the world's oil and that even with all the offshore drilling we could muster, the amount of oil available in US territories would be less than three percent of the world's capacity? Offshore drilling would literally be a toxic drop in a dangerous bucket, with no sustainable upside - just more near-term profits for Big Oil and Big Energy.
By the way, I'd extend the same arguments to David Price's position, if that is being fairly represented by the editorial. Feeding public delusions about the benefits of offshore drilling by talking "compromise" is not something I expect from the 4th District Congressman.
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David Price is a joke. He is
David Price is a joke. He is the epitome of a politician who cares more about corporate interests than he does his constituents. His stand on NBAF was the last straw with me.
I don't share that view at all
but there are a number of areas where I wish he'd be more aggressive.
_____________________________________
Jesus Swept, this December
Tolerance ends
What is NBAF?
I have not seen that acronym. What was it about Price's stand that you didn't like?
__________________
"My darling girl, when will you understand that 'normal' is not necessarily a virtue. It rather denotes a lack of courage." - Alice Hoffma
National Bio and Agro Defense Facility
I still think that people MIGHT BE jumping at shadows on this one.
Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me
Thanks, Robert.
I don't think I know anything about that one.
__________________
"My darling girl, when will you understand that 'normal' is not necessarily a virtue. It rather denotes a lack of courage." - Alice Hoffma
Hey Linda,
Hey Linda,
It is the National Bio Agro-Defense facility that the Dept of Homeland Security are considering putting on the Granville/Durham county lines. The facility will be a biological level 4 facility that will replace Plum Island. If you go to http://www.nobio.org/ you will find out more about it.
Price supports it.
Thanks for the link, Marc.
Looks like I've got some reading to do.
__________________
"My darling girl, when will you understand that 'normal' is not necessarily a virtue. It rather denotes a lack of courage." - Alice Hoffma
David Price only NC Congress member who wants to close SOA
David Price is the only NC Congress member to co-sponsor HR 1707, legislation that would suspend operations at the School of the Americas, renamed WHINSEC, and investigate the history of human rights abuses and failed policies of the institution. www.soaw.org
Have you ever heard of a liberal shooting up a church?
“We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe.” ~ Barack Obama
I didn't know he was the only one.
That's no joke - Closing the School of the Americas should be a top priority.
__________________
"My darling girl, when will you understand that 'normal' is not necessarily a virtue. It rather denotes a lack of courage." - Alice Hoffma
It would carry a lot more
It would carry a lot more weight if he was willing to condemn human rights violations carried out by some of the folks trained at SOA.
Huh?
So you recognize he wants to shut it down but you are angry he wont condemn it? What else is shutting it down about if not a condemnation of its purposes?
"Keep the Faith"
"Keep the Faith"
No he wants to shut the SOA
No he wants to shut the SOA down but he doesn't condemn the use of the training of these folks when they go back to their respective countries. He also tours the world promoting Democracy but then condemns the results of democratic elections, such as in Palestine.
Enough for me.
No, here is a condition that SHOULD be met, O-No
When the oil companies complete exploration on all of their CURRENT land leases, if there is still a need at that time to open up new leases, Congress should take it up at that time.
That should give us a good 10 - 20 years to push towards the research and implementation of alternative energy options AND it'll give the oil companies and Republican Party of Greed something to do other than clamor over a new land grab for political and profitable reasons only.
North Carolina. Turning the South Blue!
North Carolina. Turning the South Blue!
Forced to Compromise
Given how effective the Right has been at pushing public opinion in favor of its position so quickly, and how difficult it will be to lower prices soon (if ever) I think we have two options.
Let the Republicans win in November because of this. Or, take it away from them by imposing strict environmental regulations, upping money for alternative fuel developement, and letting the states decide on their own.
Am I happy about this? No. Do I think we have a better chance to stop it a year from now in the General Assembly? yes.
"Keep the Faith"
"Keep the Faith"
Maybe for lawmakers
but not for editorial pages.
_____________________________________
Jesus Swept, this December
Tolerance ends
McClatchey: If it's good enough for California - LOL
Jim, another example of the N&O's loss of local perspective. If it's good enough for McClatchey's home state, it's good enough for NC, right?
Besides the obvious environmental consequences and the long lead time which will do nothing to help today's problems - drilling off-shore shows how little imagination and desire for change our leadership has...
At least the OC is moving forward with landfill gas recovery - an issue I started pushing nearly 6 years ago.
CitizenWill
there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right. MLK,Jr. to SCLC Leadership Class
CitizenWill
there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right. MLK,Jr. to SCLC Leadership Class