Was the giveaway to oil interests a peace gesture?

[Go2Peace]

Could it be that Obama is not going to voice a strong fight against the onslaught of corporate money due to the recent Supreme court decision? Could this be an attempt to placate and energize the corporate windfall his way? That is what it feels like.

This is such a serious affront to traditional Democratic party values it is hard to explain it any other way?

[bluestateguy]

1. Don't know

But you mark my words, Obama will rake in shitloads of money from Big Oil in the 2012 campaign.

Remember he's the president.

[droidamus2]

2. An idea

I take it the first part of this process is for the oil companies to do some exploratory drilling. For years these companies and their supporters have claimed that there are 'vast' reserves of oil off our coasts. Here is my idea, what happens if they get to drill and they don't find near as much oil as they expected? (sure I know they would probably just lie so the could suck profits out of every last drop that they did find). Those supporting the continued drilling for and use of fossil fuels would lose a big part of their argument which is that we have enough oil to supply ourselves or a least lessen our need for foreign oil.

[aquart]

3. Except, as you said, they would lie.

[babylonsister]

5. You're not the only one with those thoughts...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x255482

snip//

estimates of how much oil can be extracted are very old -- decades old -- and, as the New York Times notes, "{i}n many of the newly opened areas, drilling would begin only after the completion of geologic studies, environmental impact statements, court challenges and public lease sales. Much of the oil and gas may not be recoverable at current prices and may be prohibitively expensive even if oil prices spike as they did in the summer of 2008."

[babylonsister]

4. OK. Prove it was or will be a giveaway. You're stirring the pot, aren't you.

:eyes:

[gleaner]

6. How about a simple explanation ....

they are usually best. He was acting in self interest. No more and no less. What self interest he is feeding is known only to him. Suffice it to say, he is not doing this for us. There is not much he has done for us. If you still think he has only the very best of motives, I weep for you, I really do. We have been had. Over and over again, and it won't stop here.

[KharmaTrain]

7. Bargaining Chip...

I'm definitely not in favor of drill baby drill as it doesn't address the major core energy needs and delays the move to alternative energy sources...a stop gap at best that has little impact on the overall scheme of things, except for the possible ecological damage.

That said, I see this as a "peace offering"...a sign to big oil that he's willing to wheel and deal...trading the drilling for cooperation or at least minimal resistance in pushing through some revised form of "cap and trade" as well as investing money and giving tax breaks to companies developing alternative energy. Reminds me of the 70s...the first energy crisis when there were many new ideas about replacing fossil fuels coming to the front that were coopted by the major oil companies and slowed down the advancement of solar and other energy sources. This may be another "play" similar to trying to coddle big pharma at the outset of the HIR debate.

Do I agree with this strategy? If what we saw in the HIR situation is a blueprint, no I don't...as the scrupples of our corporate culture is so corrupt that cheating and going back on one's word is just a "part of doing business".

[conscious evolution]

8. He is doing what he was hired to do

and to hell with what the people think.