Risk is clear in drilling: the payoff is not. (Alaska - R Senator says it's "better than nothing.")

[Bluebear]

WASHINGTON — In proposing a major expansion of offshore oil and gas development, President Obama set out to fashion a carefully balanced plan that would attract bipartisan support for climate and energy legislation while increasing production of domestic oil.

While the oil industry, business groups and some Republicans offered muted support for the proposal, most environmental groups denounced it. And the senators whose support Mr. Obama is courting for highly contentious climate and energy legislation to be introduced in the coming weeks gave decidedly mixed reactions: For every senator who praised it as at least a partial answer to the nation’s energy needs, another raised alarms about befouled beaches and continued dependence on fossil fuels...

(Sen.) Menendez (D) issued a strong statement Wednesday, saying, "I have let the administration know that if they do not protect New Jersey from the effects of coastal drilling in the climate change bill, then my vote is in question.

Mr. Begich (R) of Alaska is among those undecided on climate legislation, waiting to see what would be done on offshore oil drilling, among other issues. He supports exploration in the Arctic under appropriate safeguards. He said the Obama plan was helpful, but not enough to win his support.

“It’s not a perfect deal, but it’s better than nothing,”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/business/energy-environment/01drill.html

[Newest Reality]

1. It looks like

the growing joblessness, poverty and homelessness sweeping the country will help to lower our nation's energy needs! What better timing could there be, magically, as if it were made to order? Less people working and spending and thriving and eating means lower energy consumption and assures that more American's will be doing their part to conserve fossil fuels so that the people who deserve to have and use them can.

In fact, what better solution could there be? It's no a perfect deal but it is nothing ... left to lose and that means less energy to use!

[Bluebear]

2. Problem solved!

It would be funny if it weren't so tragic, eh?