Posted by
Garnet92 on Saturday, August 02, 2008 2:14:15 PM
I know, I know, Osama is the founder of Al-Qaeda. He claimed responsibility for the carnage of 9/11 and has been officially branded a terrorist. He’s an undeniably bad guy. But what has he done TO us lately? His inaction has been far less damaging to the United States than Nancy Pelosi’s actions (and absence of action).
Which one is really an enemy?
San Fran Nan, in the face of increasing gasoline prices and the plight of working families, has chosen to thwart all efforts to increase our own production of oil. She has blocked all efforts to even allow a vote. Why? Because she knows she and her minions will lose.
The price of a gallon of gas is only one problem. Our growing dependence on foreign oil is potentially much more serious – MUCH MORE SERIOUS.
Instead of drilling for new oil, she wants to release oil from the strategic preserve. Apparently, she doesn’t understand why the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is there. Let’s look at the meaning of the word “Strategic”: Highly important to an intended objective; Essential to the effective conduct of a war.
Either Rep. Pelosi doesn’t know the definition of the word “strategic” or she thinks that we are in a situation where defending ourselves against $4.00/gal. gasoline is more important than defending ourselves from an supply disruption – whether caused by an aggressor or a natural disaster.
We currently have 727.2 million barrels in reserve (U.S. Dept. of Energy). Our capacity was authorized to be increased to one billion barrels by The Energy Policy Act of 2005. Those one billion barrels were determined to be a reserve in case of war or disruption in the supply of oil – not to temporarily reduce the price at the pump. We’ve tapped the reserve only twice: in 1991, during Desert Storm and again in 2005 (after Katrina) to replace output from shutdown Gulf of Mexico facilities. Each of these drawdowns were for 30-35 million barrels. The current inventory in the SPR would last from 33 days (with no domestic production) to 98 days with continued domestic production – and only supplanting imported oil.
The SPR is insurance, pure and simple. It would allow our economy to survive a serious blow. Reducing our “insurance” exposes the country to dire consequences if the unthinkable occurs. Is Nancy really willing to go “all in” and expose the country to economic disaster? Apparently, politics is more important to Sen. Pelosi.
Drawing down the SPR is the best solution Nancy’s got? Based on her current immovable position, she could be potentially more harmful than Bin Laden.
Let me say that I’m sure if we were attacked, she would change her tune. I’m sure that DEEP down inside she is a patriot. But she is placing the country and our economy at serious risk for purely political reasons.
There aren’t many LESS noble reasons to stonewall any exploration of domestic oil – and for that unyielding position, I believe her to be currently more dangerous to the country than Bin Laden.