Obama addresses the nation
In his own words:
“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 candour.
“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 $1bn of our wealth to foreign countries for their oil. And today, as we look to the Gulf [of Mexico], we see an entire way of life being threatened by a menacing cloud of black crude.”
Renewable energy? Addiction to fossil fuels? These are not the words of an American President, and mark a firm departure from the disaster of the previous decade. Or do they? In 2006, George W. Bush made similar observation of America’s addiction to oil. Yet here we are, four years later, listening to the same song and dance.
Actions speak louder than words. Obama’s address was decidedly vague, and it remains to be seen exactly what future energy policy will look like. The BP Oil disaster has certainly put the issue back on the map and in the minds of the American people. But until I see acres of wind farms and a solar heater on the roof of every suburban American home, Mr. Obama will remain, for me, a little more vanilla that tiger stripe.
Still, this is the man who managed Health Care reform, a feat so many before him had failed. Maybe he’s got some tricks up his sleeve yet.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
this is definitely not a blessing in disguise. It is probably the worst environmental disaster in human history. When this thing is still gushing oil a decade from now, there will be no silver lining to this storm cloud.
At this point, I think we’ll be lucky if we don’t have to evacuate millions of people from the coast to protect them from the toxic gasses being released along with the oil.
Presidents have been talking about eliminating the dependence on foreign oil for decades… so Obama isn’t exactly saying anything new. And instead of helping with the cleanup, Obama has left this crisis in the hands of BP (sort of like making an arsonist put out his own fire). Instead of using safe and natural methods to clean up the spill, Obama has allowed BP to dump massive amounts of toxic disputants into the ocean which are arguably more toxic than the oil itself. Let alone the fact that the US Government should have never allowed oil companies to drill this deep in water in the first place. The Russians were the only others to drill these super-deep wells, but at least they had the sense to drill them on land so that they can safely nuke the wells if there is a problem. Nuking the BP oil spill is the only way to stop the leak… but it also poses a significant risk that it just make the situation many times worse than it already is.
If anything, Obama will use this crisis as an excuse to seize control over the entire energy industry. This is part of the communist/fascist government take over plan. I’m sure he will not let a crisis go to waste and will take advantage of the situation to further the agenda of his elite banking masters. Obama has already passed his health care take over bill (in reality, a handout to the insurance companies who funded his campaign). He has taken over most of the automobile industry. The banking system is only solvent because of the bailout money and it is only a matter of time before the banking system is nationalized as well. He has already given the bankers at the Fed more power to “regulate” the entire financial industry. Obama and his banker friends will not be happy until they manage to take over every major industry left in the United States and transform the country into a police state. None of this should be celebrated. This is tyranny.
Hi Adam, Thanks for your thoughts.
I agree, Obama isn’t saying anything new. However, you should note that while this is the largest spill in US history, it is by far not the largest oil spill. And while it is certainly an environmental tragedy, and I agree that the government should not allow this type of drilling, the fact that it occurred in a warm climate is promising, as the oil will dissipate through evaporation, oxidation, and finally biodegradation. The greatest loss will of course be the destruction of costal habitat. The blessing in disguise, in my opinion, is that these mass spills have a tendency to catalyze public opinion, which can spur change.
Frankly, I believe in government, and the right to regulate, especially industries that can have a negative impact when they go awry. Banking and Oil come to mind. Maybe the reason we are facing these troubling times is in part because industry has been so unregulated for so long. Call me a fascist, but I’m all for a few rules.