Long overdue, I'd say. And only a radical left President could get away with a move like this and be lauded by the left -- if this were a Republican president, the eco-animals would be blowing up buildings and parading nekkid in da streets.
I think it's a great thing -- anything to stop funding Islamic terror. But let's understand this. He is lifting a twenty-year moratorium imposed by the paralyzing left. This is not new drilling. The good news is, when a Republican gets into the White House, he/she will be able build on it and finally take off the leftist shackles.
Obama to Propose More Oil Drilling in Gulf
WASHINGTON—The Obama administration will propose allowing offshore oil and natural-gas exploration and development in a large swath of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, after months of criticism from Republicans who have made expanded offshore drilling a political rallying cry.
In addition, the administration plans to announce new steps to determine how much oil and natural gas is buried off the coasts of Middle and Southern Atlantic states, where oil-reserve estimates are decades out of date.
At the same time, Mr. Obama's plan wouldn't allow new oil and gas development off the coasts of Northern Atlantic states or California, whose political leaders have long opposed offshore drilling. The administration will call off a plan drafted by the administration of former President George W. Bush that would have given oil companies access to Alaska's Bristol Bay, an area teeming with wild sockeye salmon and many commercial fishing interests concerned about the impact of drilling on their livelihoods.
I am anxious to see what egregious piece of legislation this move is tied to.
How funny to read the NY Times and the Puff Ho lauding this -- as "brave."
The Puff Ho: Obama's Brave Decison to Drill Offshore
Obama
to clear way for offshore drilling for oil and gas ...
- Washington Post
Obama
to Open Offshore Areas to Oil Drilling for First Time
- New York Times
Obama
to unveil offshore drilling plans for oil, natural gas - Los Angeles Times
Bottom line, Obama wants cap and trade tax -- to the tune of an extra 600 to 700 billion a year in taxes to American families.
UPDATE: Obama also urged Congress to complete work on a climate change and energy bill, which has remained elusive. The president met with lawmakers earlier this month at the White House about a bill cutting emissions of pollution-causing greenhouse gases by 17 percent by 2020.
UPDATE: Stuart Varney on FNC- "Obama will order environmental studies that will take several years." More snake oil from the man
