BP oil spill

In June of 2008 I wrote the following:

My response to Daniel Henninger's comment, "This is the year Americans joined the real world of energy costs. Now someone needs to explain to them why we -- and we alone -- are sitting on an ocean of energy but we won't drill for it," is simply one word: Good. Good that we won't drill. If Mr. Henninger needs an explanation, then surely his mind has been affected by the asphalt jungle. As a resident of Palos Verdes in Southern California, I walk the coastline daily. It is one of the most inspiring, uplifting, calming, rejuvenating experiences one can enjoy. To roll the dice on more drilling is foolhardy. We shouldn't be consuming so much oil anyhow. Our dependence on oil causes wars, damages the environment and fuels the fires of economic downturns like the one we are facing now. When "How much does it take to fill up your gas tank?" is the most common question asked these days, it's time to get our heads on straight. No to Mr. Henninger's mantra of drill, drill, drill.

My thoughts now...

In 2008, I responded to an article on offshore drilling. I was opposed. One respondent felt drilling was a God-given right. “Even the cavemen used or consumed their God-given resources. If they didn't, where would we be today?” What kind of thought process is that? In light of the worst environmental disaster in US history, God given resources includes 1) health (i.e. the well-being of the BP clean-up workers), 2) commerce (such as tourism and fishing industries) and 3) the stewardship of delicate eco-systems (wetlands, coastline and sandy beaches, et al).

It’s not about oil. God-given resources are about choices. Deep water drilling without disaster and mitigation planning lacks common sense. It is greedy. Fines are a slap on the wrist.
Let’s start levying penalties directly correlating to profits. Oil companies will stop viewing safety and environmental violations as an acceptable way of doing business.

While we are stymied on the current disaster, it is noteworthy to add that other countries are leap years ahead of us in alternative energy and energy conservation. Let’s get America moving in the right direction and not get further mired in oil like the floundering, dying state birds of Louisiana.

Some lessons are learned the hard way.