Paging SWAMPRAT & other NOLA Duers - I gots a question

[jillan]

I have CNN on & some lady was just on (Charlotte Randolph). She actually met with President Obama when he was there.

She is saying how important it is to continue to allow offshore drilling because so many people in NOLA rely on the rigs for jobs.
She said that if we ban deepwater drilling the companies will move out of the Gulf and take the jobs with them & how that would be even more devastating for NOLA, people need the jobs.

She had a point. I point I don't like of course...I would like nothing more than to hear that we are done drilling forever, but it did make me think.

Just curious to get your feedback.

[shireen]

1. i also felt conflicted while watching it

Offshore drilling as a source of much-needed jobs vs. more accidents that affect the livelihood and health of everyone.

I feel the same, i don't like offshore drilling, but is it enough of a necessary evil that we need in our oil-dependent society?

[jillan]

2. If ONLY there was a way to immediately give these people green energy jobs.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

4. If corporations and the rich were required to pay

their fair share in taxes, we could fund the cost of re-training them easily, including a stipend so that displaced workers survive while going to school.

[bananas]

5. Off-shore wind - they can start immediately

http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/fbeinecke/which_would_you_choose_offshor.html

edit to add more info: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/offshore-wind-not-offshore-oil.php

[NYC_SKP]

3. The same dilemma exists in Coal Mining communities.

And, somewhat, to the logging and fishing industries.

The current models for these industries are not sustainable and the very jobs these people have are neither sustainable nor healthy for them or the environment.

A green energy jobs program, or at least some jobs program, is needed to guarantee a livelihood for them and their families and communities.

:patriot:

[obxhead]

6. Every one of those workers could put up windmills instead

or solar panels, or any number of other green energy jobs. We do not need to drill to employ a small fraction of gulf residents.

As for immediate employment let them clean up all of the oil before they go taping into more of it.

This is a meme from the oil industry only, that is being handily spread by the MSM. IT IS A LIE!!!

[MineralMan]

7. Short term thinking, as usual.

Yes, ending oil operations in the Gulf will impact many people. Not ending it will impact many people, as well.

The answer is to shift to another economic base for the region. That's the long term solution. But, here in the USA, we rarely think about long term solutions. I'm sure the buggy manufacturers and horse breeders fought against the automobile, too.