Again, Stay and do what? I just pointed out that there is nothing to sell them now that they intend to explore now. So why be in a hurry to hand over the leases? Because we are afraid? Please stop and consider that.
What is your goal? To have lower prices? To make us independent of ME oil? To insure that we have oil if we need it?

None of those things are accomplished by handing over leases at todays values. First they won't agree to working the leases sold to them. They won't agree to only sell it to the U.S.. And it won't stop our reliance on ME oil. So when ever they do decide to pump those leases it will be when it suits their business interests. They have a loyalty to the stock values. Not Americans. So all this effort in congress is BS. Where is the fight for tax breaks to get off the grid. Where is any progressive forward thinking proposals. I almost wish they do get it passed. Just so the phony argument ends. Let them have the leases. Go ahead and give them all to them now. Right now. At todays prices. Lets give it all to them. Then maybe when we are dripped dry someone will realize the waste of these foolishness and partisan nonsense. If you give these leases to big oil I hope it solves the problem. Because I promise you this. Once you force the Dems to sign on to this givaway what leverage will you have to force the right to support the alternatives that they don't beleve in now. None. But big oil will have their day. People had better wake up. Before the corporate lobby kills us.

Energy is an issue that should have been addressed decades ago by democrats and republicans. Both are guilty of stall tactics for different reasons, but the overriding reason is that THERE IS NO SILVER BULLET SOLUTION. Nor is there an immediate solution.

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Agreed, but then the question becomes, "Why discount options?"...

The Republicans want ALL options on the table...Even some Democrats agree on the hill...

But the Congress' leadership (Pelosi and Reid) not only refuse to acknowledge certain options like drilling and nuclear power, but thay ALSO refuse to evan have a vote on it!!!...

Democracy is when you block a vote on something?...Are they scared it might actually pass???...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

If you hand over what the oil companies want. Where will you have the leverage to force doing other energy bills? If the republicans want alternatives then why not make a proposal? Its always the DEms that have to drag the right kicking and screaming in to the future. I'll tell you what. You show me a republican bill that actually gives people tax breaks to upgrade their homes. Raises cafe standards promotes new technologies. Etc. first. And then one that requires oil companies to explore those leases on some kind of time frame. And one that gives Americans a good price for their oil. I will vote for it. It will never happen. But I would support it.

Put all the options on the table and VOTE on it.The D's have the edge, what do they fear? No..there are no "easy" solutions but the American people want to get this show on the road! Democracy delayed is democracy denied and congress will continue to enjoy very unpopular ratings on this very important issue.The D's need to understand that perception matters,the opposition will have a field day with this most untimely "vacation"...

I'm beginning to actually think McCain could win,not so much on substance or solutions but on the D's failure to read the majority of Americans perception of this congress and their "perceived" lack of concern with the energy issue.

You could be right. But what you are right about is that Americans are stupid. And that is the sad part. The Dems could lose by not bending over fast enough for big oil. That is the state of the countries intellect. And believe me that I understand that that is the way the right will play it. Nothing to break our dependence on oil will be expected from the right. That is tree hugger stuff
But if we don't handover swaths of leases then the Dems will be to blame. Even though it will do nothing for you and me they have convinced the country that that is job one. I give up. I can't seem to get through. So go ahead and hand everything over to big oil. I am wasting my breath.

Mikeyy, since we Americans are so stupid and since "BIG OIL" contols the Rep. party, then we can expect a big gas price drop right before the elections coupled with a big "Thank you." from "BIG OIL" to the Reps. to make sure that they stay in office. If I was in thier position, that's what I'd do. I'd drop prices, and then tell the American people that it was due to discussions with Rep. congresscritters convincing them to make a sacrifice for the greater good of the American people. Then, after the elections were over, start slowly and steadily raising prices back up to where they were. If the Dems. still got elected, in spite of their efforts, spike the gas prices HARD claiming that stock-holder demands were the cause. If I can figure out this little scenario, I'm sure that "BIG OIL" could. So lets just wait and see what happens. If they are in control of gas prices and the Rep. party, they'll do something like this or very similar to it.

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Our nation has not always lived up to its ideals, yet those ideals have never ceased to guide us. They expose our flaws, and lead us to mend them. We are the beneficiaries of the work of the generations before us and it is each generation's responsibility to continue that work. - Laura Bush

God is a conservative -

Ecclesiastes 10:2--"A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left."

McCain has received 2 million sine flipping on drilling back in June 13th. Why? Duh!

Saw some of th Republicans get interviewed today on C-Span. Same old rhetoric, unfortunately. I wish they would let saner heads talk. but then why should they act any differently than their opponents?
Ran across this article today:

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