--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], Doug Pensinger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>
>Dan Minette wrote:
>
>
>Of course politics are regional as well so that while W might be >middle of
>the road in Texas, he's much farther right in comparison >with other
>politicos in California
Such as Ronald Reagan? While I know that California has gone to the left
since that time, there are still strong conservative trends there. Making
English the only official languag or the tax roll backs that have severely
undermined the California schools come to mind.
Texas is actually increasing the amount of money it spends on schools.
Indeed, Bush's major initivave, which was defeated,
was to
>and he'd probably be labeled extremist in some European countries (not to
>mention U.S. College campuses 8^) ).
Well, that depends on the country. He certainly doesn't strike me as more
conservative than Maggie Thatcher. As far as the campuses go, I think that
they have a lot more conservatives than they use to before the draft was
ended. I remember the big sea change when the dorms went for Ford in '76.
>From my perspective he is well right of center.
Of your center, or the nations? Are you saying he is one of the more
conservative Republicans?
>
>More important to me is my perception that he's an oil corporation >toady;
>that his loyalties aren't quite where they should be.
His disbelief in global warming is disconcerting, that's certainly valid.
However, I would guess that his view is honestly held; I think he doesn't
understand the science well enough to understand the evidence. I'm opposed
to drilling in the Artic Refuge, but for different reasons than most.
For the self interest of the United States. I think we should keep that
reserve as long as possible. We should use relatively cheap oil from the
Mid-East and elsewhere and keep that reserve in the ground for when we
desperately need the oil. Prices are still relatively low. Energy costs
are still below the inflation multiplier over the last 20-30 years.
Eventually, prices will be a lot higher, and that oil will be the equivalant
of scores of Strategic Oil Reserves.
But, as far as the environment is concerned, the actual risk is rather
small. With directional drilling, the number of platforms needed to obtain
the oil will be relatively few, and the environmental ipact of the drilling
will be small.
It should be worth noting that the Norwegians, who score very high on
environmental protetion, IIRC, are very comfortable with drilling. Now, I
know that the Californians are not, but I find that less than admirable in
the Californians. They are perfectly willing to buy SUVs that get 10 mpg
and to use vast amounts of electricity but will not have oil wells or power
plants in their back yards.
And, for what its worth, the oil patch has had more than its share of
downturns. I've been through seperate downturns that involved layoffs of
60%, 80% and 50%. The oil patch is fairly flush now, but oil companies were
selling oil below cost 2 years ago.
Dan'm Traeki Ring of Crystallized Knowledge.
Known for calculating, but not known for shutting up
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