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Subscribe to RSSThe oil industry is a huge employer on the gulf coast, and many people there support drilling even though they live close to the spill's impact. This rally was sponsored by oil industry companies, but they couldn't have filled the Cajundome without some popular support. Outside there was a smaller group of people showing their support for maintaining the deepwater drilling moratorium. What do you think about the moratorium?
Ann Heisenfelt / EPA
People wear 'Keep Drilling' tee shirts at the 'Rally for Economic Survival,'a rally opposing the federal moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA 21 July 2010. Supporters of the rally want President Obama to lift the moratorium immediately to protect Louisiana's jobs and economy. BP continues to evaluate a new containment cap that they hope will allow them to eventually shut down the blown Deepwater Horizon well.
Ann Heisenfelt / EPA
While over 13,000 people took part in the 'Rally for Economic Survival,' a rally opposing the federal moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, a handful of people gathered in support of the moratorium in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA 21 July 2010. Supporters of the rally want President Obama to lift the moratorium immediately to protect Louisiana's jobs and economy. BP continues to evaluate a new containment cap that they hope will allow them to eventually shut down the blown Deepwater Horizon well.
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So many libs want to deride the teapartiers because of some poor spelling, so let's hear about the ENVIORMENT.
Lafayette is the perfect place to hold a Keep-Drilling rally. It is a major base for offshore drilling operations, but isn't actually on the coast, so it isn't affected by the pollution from the blown-out well. A more balanced turn-out might result if such a rally and counter-rally was held on a coastal location like Morgan City, which provides support to the off-shore drilling but is also a major center for the seafood industry.
The moratorium is a reasonable response to the appalling safety record of the oil companies. Make it as safe as can be, and then resume drilling, but not at depths where blowouts cannot be quickly plugged. As for the unemployed workers? Let BP pay them 50-75% of the salary they would have earned if there hadn't been a moratorium. They've got the money to do it, and much of their money has come at the cost of environmental damage. I shed no tears for BP.
From what I've read, it's seems as though it was irresponsible of BP and the regulatory agency to allow this type of activity under a "Categorical Exclusion" for meeting federal regulations for safety and the environment. Had a full blown Environmental Impact Statement and/or whatever else is typically done (or should be done) for oversight, then we could allow accidents happen. After all the investigations are done, it looks like there will be negligence cited at many levels. It will be helpful when that's complete so we have a better understanding of why this happened in order to help prevent it again.
So yes, I support deep sea drilling, local economies and workers, but assurances for safety, the lives of the workers and the environment must be strigent as the consequences are too great if we don't.
aka bikerlady
To halt all deepwater drilling in light of BP's disaster would be like halting ALL auto production in light of Toyota's debacle. Continue to drill, place tougher guidelines and regulations, and fine the HELL out of everyone who does not meet standards. One day this country will have to decrease it's dependance on foreign oil.
Keep Drilling-That's what my dentist must be thinking....
Oh, and if you plan to attend a protest, regardless of which side you are on, you should make sure that your sign's message is not misspelled; it just makes you look stupid.
Keep Drilling....... Thats what she said !
Sorry, all I can see is pro and con. Black and white, jobs or no jobs. Wonder why?
The impact is certainly more widespread than the immediate area of the spill. The effects are widespread when one considers environment, jobs, impact on the seafood and oil industries, tourism and I could go on. From what I understand, regulations that are already in place were apparently ignored. Bottom line-the petroleum industry can get away with shortcuts that any other group would be punished for. Our addiction to oil may be our undoing.
In light of the testing of the marine life in the area indicating it is safe for consumption; 2 courts ruling that the moratorium is wrong, and reports that there are, indeed, clean beaches in the area, the moratorium ought to be lifted. The administration's knee-jerk reactions to EVERYTYHING only highlight its incompetence.
To stop drilling just sends more of our jobs elsewhere. Companys and rigs go where they can make money (China, Brazil). Yes we depend on oil to much, all oil both forgien and domestic so lets use this to have congress move to a entergy plan that includes all forms of production ( Nuke, wind, solar, hydrogen, geothermal) which they will not do untill "we the people" make them. As far as continued drilling we HAVE to for now. BP has a record of safety failures ( Texas City 15 dead ) but that doesn't mean all oil companys act that way.
Here is the answer -- I work at nuclear power plants. ALL Nukes in the United States must follow the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) guidelines and regulations -- This commission is part of the Federal Government -- which makes any violation of those guide lines a violation of FEDERAL LAW..To put it short -- If I (as a Nuclear Worker) deviate from a simple work assignment (such as changing a light bulb while standing on a chair instead of an approved ladder) at a Nuclear Power Plant, I am in violation of Federal Law, and can be charged with a felony...I think the Government should regulate the Oil Drilling just as it regulates the fission of uranium-235 atoms....They are doing a great job with the uranium -- why not move on to the basis for hydrocarbons...
The "Deepwater Horizon" oil spill is a physical manifestation of the book of "Revelation." BP also stands for "The Blood Prophecy." The second angel has sounded and the third and fourth are in the process of sounding. Watch what comes out of the Afghanistan war! Yes, it's time.