Barone: $4 gas hits the Nuke the Caribou button
posted at 11:45 am on July 26, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
Michael Barone says that the American people have begun to turn against the environmentalists after having a dash of cold water — or expensive gasoline — splashed in their faces. They have awakened to the overblown catastrophe fantasies and have started demanding common sense policy from Washington. And those politicians who stand it the way may find themselves looking for a new job (via Let Freedom Ring):
Sometimes public opinion doesn’t flow smoothly; it shifts sharply when a tipping point is reached. Case in point: gas prices. $3 a gallon gas didn’t change anybody’s mind about energy issues. $4 a gallon gas did. Evidently, the experience of paying more than $50 for a tankful gets people thinking we should stop worrying so much about global warming and the environmental dangers of oil wells on the outer continental shelf and in Alaska. Drill now! Nuke the caribou!
Our system of divided government and litigation-friendly regulation makes it hard for our society to do things and easy for adroit lobbyists and lawyers to stop them. Nations with more centralized power and less democratic accountability find it easier: France and Japan generate most of their electricity by nuclear power and Chicago, where authority is more centralized and accountability less robust than in most of the country, depends more on nuclear power than almost all the rest of the nation.
In contrast, lobbyists and litigators for environmental restriction groups have produced energy policies that I suspect future generations will regard as lunatic. We haven’t built a new nuclear plant for some 30 years, since a Jane Fonda movie exaggerated their dangers. We have allowed states to ban oil drilling on the outer continental shelf, prompted by the failure of 40- or 50-year-old technology in Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1969, though current technology is much better, as shown by the lack of oil spills in the waters off Louisiana and Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina.
Why the sudden awakening? Barone hints around at it, but never quite explains it fully. It’s simple: it costs too much to be self-indulgent on environmentalism. Barack Obama hinted at the phenomenon here:
Liberals wanted the change to be so gradual that it wouldn’t alert Americans to the folly and cost of radical environmentalism. The cause suited their purposes perfectly, not for environmental reasons, but to gain control of energy production from the private sector. They wanted to produce so much regulation on the industry that it would all but grind to a halt, providing a rationalization for major government intervention — which Maxine Waters and Maurice Hinchey both explicitly demanded. And if gas prices hadn’t shot up so rapidly, they would probably have succeeded.Now that the cost has come home to a wide swath of Americans, environmentalism doesn’t sound as uplifting as it once did. When the kangaroo rat kept one man from using his private property as he saw fit, only a few people objected to it. When Congress and then Bill Clinton blocked exploration of ANWR, Americans shrugged. Who needed American oil, which would have produced American jobs, when we could buy oil cheaply on the world market, providing price supports for countries like Iran and Sudan, and dictators like Saddam Hussein? It was much better to have that feeling of self-congratulation for keeping this area pristine!
Suddenly, though, it’s not just a few farmers in California or Washington being victimized by runaway environmentalism. It’s all of us — and now everyone understands the vapidity of radical Earth worship. We’re not ready to “nuke the caribou”, but we’re finally finished with obsessing over each and every potential piece of damage that might occur on our own land while demanding that every other nation assume those risks on our behalf. It’s long past time for that level of maturity, which is usually what develops when the bills suddenly come due.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Coming soon (hopefully)…….Senator McCain to visit ANWR with Gov. Sarah Palin. (Oh please, please, PLEASE!)
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 26, 2008 at 11:48 AM
This is why Obama will be flipping on drilling soon.
freedomplow on July 26, 2008 at 11:50 AM
I am hoping.
jencab on July 26, 2008 at 11:51 AM
The only way the democrats can win the presidency and hold the Congress is by mistruths and deception. It is mandatory that they deceive the electorate into not believing their eyes and ears. They are masters of racism and class envy. That will always work on a majority of brainwashed democrats, but the internet has diluted the MSM to the degree that this may not be enough.
volsense on July 26, 2008 at 11:53 AM
“…but we’re finally finished with obsessing over each and every potential piece of damage that might occur on our own land while demanding that every other nation assume those risks on our behalf.”
Sorry, I’ll believe the American people are finally finished obsessing if they actually get off their butts and vote the damn Democrats out of power. Until then, I don’t have any faith in the American people whatsoever.
The American people gave John Kerry the most votes for President in history (save for President George W. Bush) and the American people puts Democrats in power in both houses of Congress in 2006. The American people also gave us two of the worst Presidential candidates in history.
Forgive me if I have no more faith in the American people to do anything correctly.
People keep making fun of the Democrats and Congress and our Presidential nominees, but not too many people are pointing the finger in the right direction. Our government and our ‘elected leaders’ are a reflection of the American people. We get what we deserve.
I’ll wait until November to decide whether the American people have regained their senses or if we are still on the fast train to socialism in this country. The 2004 election, the 2006 midterms and the Presidential primary results don’t give me any faith that the American people have gotten off the socialism train.
I hope I am wrong though.
Michael in MI on July 26, 2008 at 11:53 AM
There is no question that Obama will be a champion of off shore drilling and in ANWR. He just has to wait until after democratic convention. He has to deceive the democrats before he deceives the rest of the electorate.
volsense on July 26, 2008 at 11:58 AM
The Republicans will never take back Congress as long as they are so obviously just tools of the oil and defense industries.
Just sayin’
alphie on July 26, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Important Action Alert to the MSM:
Exterminate this socio-psychological backlash immediately.
Commence drumbeat, blast it louder than urban rap on pounding to the max on high capacity woofers.
Your assigned narrative: “All American Citizens value Gaia Earth, and are willing to pay the price. America, you will pay the price. Pay the price or die. There will be Nuremburg-like trials for deniers.”
jeff_from_mpls on July 26, 2008 at 11:59 AM
This coming from a gigantic tool.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 26, 2008 at 11:59 AM
@ volsense on July 26, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Or they could just book McCain on a few more late night talk shows.
muyoso on July 26, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Yep. Tru dat, playa.
The Messiah will wave his hands and black gold shall spring forth. It’s sooooo coming. He’ll piss off his radical base, but MDS, just like BDS, will have them vote for him anyway.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 26, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate the deniers!
Alfer is part of the solution!
jeff_from_mpls on July 26, 2008 at 12:03 PM
I think–hope, anyway–that the tipping point has finally been reached, yes. My family and I have had many conversations over the years about this topic, along the lines of what will it take to open people’s eyes about the radical environmental movement and their long-term strategy to take down western society? One of the things we agreed on was the price of oil. Many of us can do without some things, but we are all affected when the price of oil skyrockets–from gasoline to food to heating our houses. This recent jump opened some eyes, yes. That’s good.
But as Michael in MI said, it’s a hard habit to break. We are used to blaming the right for every bad thing because that’s all we hear from various media outlets, and let’s face it: the left does a much better job demonizing the right than the other way around. It would be great to see the American public wake up and smell the coffee, as it were, but I’m not convinced that many people actually realize who the culprit is. Republican candidates need to hammer that home this election, and hammer hard.
Just being right is not enough.
Bob's Kid on July 26, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Gahh, I love the smell of abject ignorance in the morning.
Fishoutofwater on July 26, 2008 at 12:05 PM
@ Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 26, 2008 at 11:59 AM
He has a point. The problem with people on this website, is that they are clueless as to how REAL Americans see various political things. By real Americans, I mean the average dummy voter. They DONT see all of the small quirks in Obama’s campaign, they don’t hear about the small positives for McCain. They see a guy who looks like he is a 100 years old, who isnt funny, and who is very awkward on their late night talk shows. They also see a young black man, very elegant, very well versed, who makes stirring speeches and is loved by te world. It doesnt matter that Obama doesnt have crap for ideas to really help the country. Likewise, the average view of republicans is that they are bought and owned by oil and defense industries. Possibly this arises because of the tons of no-bid contracts during the Iraq war, and the feeling it was a war for oil. It doesnt matter how true it is, the average American thinks its true.
muyoso on July 26, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Alphie…
Two questions….
1.) Name something in your home that didn’t get there via oil.
2.) Name one country that would stop producing arms the day after we do.
Thanks!
Limerick on July 26, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Just wait until October when the weather turns cold and people are spending $800 or more to fill their heating oil tanks. Wait until old people on fixed incomes start suffering from hypothermia because they can’t scrape up the cash to fill the tanks. Just wait…we ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.
TheBigOldDog on July 26, 2008 at 12:12 PM
You mean tools for the free market. So be it. Businesses create goods for the people and create jobs for the people. Governments don’t. They take the earnings by force to create corrupt, inefficient, ineffective, self-serving bureaucracies that don’t work. Look around at the communist/socialist “utopias” that are out there. It sucks to live there. There’s no greater economic force than parents trying to do for their families in free enterprise.
Mojave Mark on July 26, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Praise the oil speculators and pass the recall petitions.
Dusty on July 26, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Please, please, please don’t nuke the caribou!!!
Just shoot ‘em, then eat ‘em! They’s tasty!
Frozen Tex on July 26, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Man, you live in a very different country than I do. In the America I live in, the average Joe is pretty darn smart and can sniff out sincerity from bullshit a mile away.
TheBigOldDog on July 26, 2008 at 12:17 PM
The democrats will never get the presidency or Congress without mistruths and deception. Alphie removes all doubt that is the case.
volsense on July 26, 2008 at 12:19 PM
There are tools mentioned in alphie’s comment. I’m convinced he is unaware of exactly who they are.
MCPO Airdale on July 26, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I personally am waiting for $5/gallon gas. $6 will be much better.
That’s when the Boston Tea Party-like riots against Congress and the Democrats will surely begin.
newton on July 26, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Absolutely. In fact, did you catch this most recent awkward moment for McCain?
wise_man on July 26, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Yeah, better to be tools of the abortion industry.
Akzed on July 26, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Man, you live in a very different country than I do. In the America I live in, the average Joe is pretty darn smart and can sniff out sincerity from bullshit a mile away.
TheBigOldDog on July 26, 2008 at 12:17 PM
I live in the same world as muyoso. The ignorance and shallowness eminating from many of the people I talk to about politics is just amazing.
All I have to say is that I hope the America in which you live gets out to vote in November. But, I would like to ask if the America in which you live existed in 2004 and 2006, when John Kerry received the most votes for a Presidential candidate in history (save for President Bush) and the Democrats gained control of both houses of Congress based on lies and corruption. Those two instances, and including the nominations of Obama and McCain do not give me much confidence in the average Joe here in America. If the average Joe were so smart, they wouldn’t have nominated Obama nor McCain, nor given us Demcrat majorities in both Houses in 2006.
But, once again, I hope you are right. I just don’t see the country trending the right way.
Michael in MI on July 26, 2008 at 12:27 PM
The dems will be be for drilling if they get the White House in November. Then they will tax the he!! out of it.
Les in NC on July 26, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Somehow I don`t think he`ll take what seems to be good advice.
ThePrez on July 26, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Looney Left troll alert!
landlines on July 26, 2008 at 12:31 PM
See, these lunatics have been so brainwashed by the power-hungry Left, that they don’t even see that they are simply puppets.
marklmail on July 26, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Thank you alphie for you inspiring voice of reason, your insight, and your in-depth analysis of the American economy and capitalism in general. Power to the People!
Rod on July 26, 2008 at 12:43 PM
In general, Conservatives used to believe in the intelligence of the American people and their ability to make their own decisions and run their own lives. They used to leave it to the left to treat them like helpless idiots. The line between right in Left has shrunk in at least that one respect.
Kerry lost. The Republicans lost congress because they started acting like Democrats and they were taught a lesson by the electorate.
Wrt the nomination, come on, you know a small percentage of party activists determine the nominees. Down the stretch, when the people realized that Obama might actually win, what happened? People turned out in record numbers and tried to stop him, but it was too late.
Trust in your fellow man Mike. They are a lot smarter than you think. They may not have time staying as informed on the issues as they like becuase they are busy making a living and raising their families but they have great built-in BS detectors which explains why in a year when no Republican should even by competitive, the race is a dead heat.
TheBigOldDog on July 26, 2008 at 12:43 PM
So you are all for no drilling and high gasoline prices?
Johan Klaus on July 26, 2008 at 12:44 PM
kangaroo rat on the endangered species list?
Why don’t we wake the *^%! up and put the RAT BASTARDS in Washington DC on the endangered species list?
mountainmanbob on July 26, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Caribou my…..the area of the coastal plain (where they are talking about drilling has little wildlife there according to the people who actually LIVE in Alaska….
http://www.anwr.org/ANWR-Basics/What-is-ANWR-and-where-is-it.php
The more I have been digging into this issue, the more I have come to realize that the enviro-nutters have been selling us a bill of goods on ANWR for decades!
LL
Lady Logician on July 26, 2008 at 12:45 PM
So if this is such a big deal with Americans then where the hell is a Michael Yon poking around the proposed drilling area showing us po’folk what the big deal is all about? Not the gazillion acres not set aside for production, but that 0.001% where the evil transformer rigs will be raping the planet.
Limerick on July 26, 2008 at 12:46 PM
While I certainly admire your confidence in our fellow Americans, I “sniffed out” Obama’s bullshit many months ago.
If you’re right, the only explanation I can think of for Obama’s popularity is that a very large portion of our fellow citizens have lost their sense of smell.
Rod on July 26, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Nice link.
For others here is the proportion: The drilling area for ANWR compared to the size of the State of Alaska is the same as the footprint of DFW Airport compared to the size of the State of Texas.
Limerick on July 26, 2008 at 12:51 PM
The Republicans will never take back Congress as long as they are so obviously just tools of the oil and defense industries.
Just sayin’
alphie on July 26, 2008 at 11:58 AM
So you are all for no drilling and high gasoline prices?
Johan Klaus on July 26, 2008 at 12:44 PM
That’s not what he’s saying at all.
He’d be all for the “People’s” oil and “People’s” Army.
It’s just a matter of degrees you see…
catmman on July 26, 2008 at 12:56 PM
I admire your optimism, also, BildOldDog. And pray you’re right - that the general election is a humiliating defeat for Obama.
Rod on July 26, 2008 at 12:58 PM
There’s a more sinister agenda at work here. Leftish ideologues and globalizing plutocrats united to take down the nation states, particularly the lone wolf, the USA. Global warming, we are all one planet, yadda yadda is just the Trojan Horse.
dhimwit on July 26, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Has anyone considered that “Alphie” might be short for Alfred E Newman?
Buford Gooch on July 26, 2008 at 1:05 PM
@ TheBigOldDog on July 26, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Pretty damn smart?
I bet you 70% dont know who the vice president is.
muyoso on July 26, 2008 at 1:08 PM
There you go again, trying to sway an argument using facts and logic…..
Ann NY on July 26, 2008 at 1:23 PM
1) Sunlight
2) Who cares?
alphie on July 26, 2008 at 1:35 PM
I wonder what alphie will say after Obama locks up the nomination and then advocates drilling in ANWR and OCS when the nutroots have nowhere else to go except Nader. It’s a guaranteed win in the general given McCain’s position on ANWR. How about it, alphie? will you trade a sure win in November for a 180 degree change in position by Obama?
a capella on July 26, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Yes, there’s a lot of oil on the beaches of Santa Barbara.
“Natural seepage of hydrocarbons from the ocean floor in the northern Santa Barbara Channel has been significantly reduced by oil production, according to two recently published peer-reviewed articles, one in November’s Geology Magazine, the other in the Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans.”
http://www.ia.ucsb.edu/pa/display.aspx?pkey=412
pedestrian on July 26, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Again, I am in awe. Absolutely brilliant. In two short words, he has summed up the entire content of the US Policy for Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control.
“Who Cares?!”
Rod on July 26, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Too bad this happened on the SWAMP
joeswampy on July 26, 2008 at 2:15 PM
I’m watching CSPAN-2. What did Harry Reid do this morning to make the Republicans mad enough to come out and slam him? Anyone know? And they are really slamming him.
SouthernGent on July 26, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Mesiah brings liberals tactics to light in this interview. If we slowly open and ease the money out of American’s pocketbooks, they won’t notice taxation as much. Hence, the pain of taking all our money can be spread out over a longer period of time. Ain’t that nice.
oakpack on July 26, 2008 at 2:23 PM
The point is, Rod, that the oil and defense industries are now able to manipulate American government policy to maximize their profits.
Far more dangerous than in the long run than any other enemy.
That, and it’s so bizarre to see lower class Republicans shedding tears for guys who make tens of millions of dollars a year.
What is that?
Natural born peasants?
alphie on July 26, 2008 at 2:29 PM
There are a number of conservatives running in contested districts. One such is a woman (can’t remember her name–I’ve gotten a number of solicitations from conservative candidates around the US) running in Nancy Pelosi’s district. This conservative claims that Pelosi’s seat is being also challenged by a Green candidate who is peeling off votes from her highness. Pelosi’s seat may be up for grabs, and this may be why she is so bitterly clinging to her no-carbon energy mantra.
onlineanalyst on July 26, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I’m not so sure.
I’ve talked with a number of people who don’t follow politics closely, and they generally blame George Bush for high oil prices. They can’t tell you why he to blame, though the real reason essentially boils down to the MSM told them so.
The Republicans are going to have to push on this issue to get any traction - though on the positive side it does look like they are starting to do so.
Of course the issue is just electing Republicans isn’t enough to solve the problem. As has been pointed out, leftist bureaucrats and special interests will continue to slow down the process of bringing more energy resources to the public. True, it is something that our elected officials can change in theory - but the Republicans haven’t shown the willingness to take on the leftist NGO-bureaucratic complex since the mid-90s, and have never shown the ability to be able to do so.
18-1 on July 26, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Seeing as the modern left is nothing but Neo-Fuedalist, your statement is amusing.
Of course, when First Citizen Obama reduces your “carbon footprint” to practically zero at least you’ll know you are suffering to help your betters continue to live their charmed lives. And they will tell you that you are happier without all those material possessions anyway, subject.
18-1 on July 26, 2008 at 3:30 PM
The Santa Barbara blow out was the result of improperly installing the casing. This was done because the installation had to conform with California code. There was no choice for the owner (Chevron I think).
burt on July 26, 2008 at 4:20 PM
“The point is, Rod, that the oil and defense industries are now able to manipulate American government policy to maximize their profits.”
Yeah, let ‘the people’ regain control. The sun will shine, the children laugh, the parents love…and the world will be as one.
Alphie needs a couple of ‘ludes to mellow out.
GarandFan on July 26, 2008 at 4:31 PM
“Are now able”?
Aphie, you’re either very young or old and naive. If you’re young there’s hope for you. I suspect you are by your comment above. If you’re old … sorry you got stuck in the ’60’s. Get help.
I am not going to take the time to provide a detailed response to your boiler-plate liberal nonsense slogans. I will say I used to believe them too. With a vengeance. These “chants” were proven wrong in the 70’s and most rational folk moved on. In fact, you’d be surprised to find that many of today’s evil corporate executives that you despise so much we’re tie-dyed, pot-smoking hippies who trusted no one over 30. Like me, they saw the light and seized the opportunity this nation offers to make something out of themselves.
Government is friend to nobody, alphie. Least of all the oil companies. You can quote me - I spent 30+ years in the oil industry - 15 as one of those executives you hate so much.
Rod on July 26, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Thanks for making his position clear.
Johan Klaus on July 26, 2008 at 5:09 PM
Obama is providing the usual do-nothing excuses- as per the NO ENERGY Democrat Party line- that makes him look weak, indecisive and full of it.
Good luck with that, schmuck.
McCain has the winning issue if he can hammer the Dems with it hard enough, and smart enough.
Energy is vital for Security.
profitsbeard on July 26, 2008 at 5:26 PM
We should go easy on alphie, I suspect he’s a youngster who’s been punked by some hippies.
Alphie, as a moderate conservative, and a former liberal, I’m pretty sympathetic to your opinions. I tend to agree our ruling class is in the pocket of big interests, our system borders on a plutocracy. But here’s where we part. You’ve been convinced by God-knows-who that Big Oil is running the country. You’ve been sold that because whoever sold it represents an interest that itself wants to own the ruling class. For example, leftists want the gay lobby, or the environmental whacks, or feminasties of NARAL, etc. to own the ruling class. They don’t give a rat’s ass about our country any more than Big Oil does.
So you see, alfie, you’re listening to bitter hippies who are just envious of corporate interests. They don’t mind that congress is bought and paid for, they just want to be the ones to buy, your piglets want the teats all to themselves.
Come on, alf, do some studying. Learn what America’s founding principles are, and become a moderate so that together we can vote for people who won’t bastardize our system of government, left or right.
jeff_from_mpls on July 26, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Say What?
Words of wisdom.
1GooDDaDDy on July 26, 2008 at 7:06 PM
newton,
Home heating oil this winter is already getting people uh, DISTURBED around the frozen north. The dems are in for it.
dogsoldier on July 26, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Caribou are not an endangered species and are regularly hunted and eaten.
- The Cat
P.S. Caribou are also all over Canada. I think when people think about Alaskan wildlife they forget about that tiny plot of land called Canada.
MirCat on July 26, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Hey, alphie? As a couple of others here have said, I too was like you, when I was young. Maybe even more so. But I grew up, and found out that people matter more than platitudes. And so will you (unless you get one of the few jobs out there that entail trying to destroy people in lieu of snail darters, or even worse - government.)
So enjoy your youth, and try not to be too angry all the time. Just don’t forget one thing - even though I was a lib like you and I said the same inane things you say, my words weren’t posted on the internet for everyone to remember (how stupid I was.)
Squiggy on July 26, 2008 at 9:41 PM
LMFAO HAHAHHAHAHAAAA!
Well, you gotta cook them somehow! Yummy, BBQed Bou!
upinak on July 26, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Ed, I laughed at this earlier but I decided to come back and read it again.
No one (besides those on here) know or care about ANWR. They think it is much like the area of Yellowstone NP and think that one day they will make areas for people to stay and camp and so on. Such absolute absurdity is just that, absolute!
People won’t change their mind unless it is shown and none of the MSM will show it. Nor will the “regular” conservatives because we aren’t stupid enough to try to go there and show them, the liberals nad moderates of the United States, what ANWR is or can be.
They all go off NOVA, Nature, Discovery and so on on what it looks like and do not think beyond thier TV’s. I hope they still like the rising gas prices. One day when they are looking for change in their cars, trucks, couches, in their penny jars just for enough change to get a gallon of gas in their tanks to get to work, they might think better.
upinak on July 27, 2008 at 11:55 PM
I have been amazed that no one has been putting out some commercials on this. We need some smart commercials to help get the drilling going as well!
I remember how effective the insurance industries commercials were against Hillary care during the 90’s!
The truth is very powerful when presented well!
JellyToast on July 28, 2008 at 5:00 AM
Because you know, 9% profit margin is absolutely obscene!
dominigan on July 28, 2008 at 9:27 AM
#1…WRONG! Sunlight arrives in your home because of glass windows. Glass requires furnaces to produce, which consume energy. Glass is also transported from the manufacturing plants to distribution outlets and then to home building sites… all on trucks that use oil-based fuels.
dominigan on July 28, 2008 at 9:54 AM