I am not clear that this issue should be overlaid only on offshore drilling. All oil production, and transportation, involves risks. Perhaps what needs rethinking is the focus on using petroleum as if it is free (because it almost is at today's prices), without regard for the total societal cost of oil. We are addicted to oil, and that is the real problem. We need to demand more fuel efficient vehicles, move to smaller vehicles, and drive less in single passenger vehicles.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
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I agree with you, but it just seems like it is harder to contain/repair if something goes wrong a mile beneath the surface of the water. I guess I am just saying drilling offshore isn't going to fix our oil dependency problems. Plus, these rigs do not produce very much of our oil and the risks in this case seem astronomical, so why bother? Let's forget about the small percentage of oil we can get offshore and focus on reducing dependency 5-10%. It would be a wash.

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Profeshenal spellar

Maybe at the very least this fiasco will ensure proper safety protocol and equipment is all in place and maintained in the future... Just the known about issues that were intentionally overlooked by the execs would have stopped the major leak in the event of the failure/explosion. And the explosion itself could have been avoided had they not pushed on with known equipment problems simply because "it still worked before".

If anything it will give even more safety regulations/procedures for drilling, just like airport security was/is now. Kinda like slamming the barn door after the horses run out... too little too late.

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"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" (Bender, futurama)

You make something idiotproof, they'll make a better idiot

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Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.

Examine what is said, not who speaks.

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2003 4.6is

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Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

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Profeshenal spellar

I don't care what any of you say.
I know OBAMA is responsible for
this fiasco........

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Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

Nice.

Don't we have something called "The Army Corps of Engineers" in this country?? Aren't these guys able to build bridges in like 1 day, for 20-ton tanks to cross deep rivers and streams? Why can't Obama call on them and their technical expertise to plug this hole?

This whole scenario of having BP try and plug the hole for over a month, is sort of like sending a rapist back to his victim to do vaginal swabs and semen analysis. Or sending a murderer back to a crime scene to clean up the shell casings and wash away the blood stains. It's pretty retarded if you ask me.

Because they are civil/general engineers and do not specialize in drilling/repairing oil wells.

If the administration takes over and makes the problem worse, then what?

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2006 X5 Sport 4.4i

If Bush was responsible for Katrina and its aftermath, well then yes you are correct.

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Thanks Benny! Every Breath Bernanke Takes