Logic of Bush Belies. Oil, Bush The Big Push! ©

by: Betsy L. Angert

Fri Apr 29, 2005 at 17:00:00 PM EDT

In the heat of the night, when gasoline is selling at and all time high and home heating bills are more burdensome than ever before, President Bush decided to speak to the nation. In a rare prime-time press conference, he publicly addressed the concerns of the American citizenry.

Mr. Bush knows that his approval ratings are low and falling. He fears that his capital is spent. He realizes that he must reach out. He must appease the people; his legacy is at stake. Therefore, on Thursday evening, April 28, 2005, our President appeared, he presented his priorities.

Mr. Bush bemoaned America's reliance on foreign energy. He proposed an aggressive expansion of domestic oil production. He said, "It's time for America to start building again." He wants to build refineries, to do more drilling in the States. He wants to destroy the pristine environment of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge [ANWR], Alaska.

President Bush asserted, "We must address the root causes that are driving up gas prices. In the past decade, America's energy consumption has been growing about 40 times faster than our energy production. That means we're relying more on energy produced abroad."

Yes Mr. President, we are, and how could we not?

The United States is the world's largest consumer of oil. Citizens of this country comprise six percent of the global population and yet, they, we, use 25 percent of the Earth's oil. In other words, little more than 5 percent of the people worldwide use one quarter of all the petroleum resources. The European Union follows; they consume 18 percent of the global oil supply.

As of 2002, 65.4 percent of the proven overall reserves were located in the Middle East. In the same year, it was determined that Central and South America held 9 percent. What is now Russia, formerly the Soviet Union held 7 percent, and lagging far behind was the United States. America was able to boast a whooping 2.9 percent of proven reserves.

In 2002, the Middle East produced 28.5 percent of world's oil. The Middle East had and has the capacity and the capability to produce petroleum. The United States does not; we may have capability, however, we do not have capacity! If we were to improve our technology, our capability, as the President proposes, this would not change our capacity. We cannot to fulfill our own demands. Supply is not the only dilemma, nor is demand. Physically, the United States does not have the resources to allow for oil independence.

It will not matter how well we use technology, how many refineries we build, or how much drilling we do. Geologically speaking, we will never produce enough oil to provide independence. The Bush logic belies.

The United Sates will always be dependent on others for oil. I believe that oil production is not the solution. Anwar is not the answer. Drilling in the United States will not drown our sorrows or produce an ample supply of petroleum. To continue in this vein only delays the inevitable. The President's argument may temporarily appease Sports Utility Vehicle drivers; it may lessen the woes of those living in oil-heated homes; however, it does nothing to resolve our dilemma.

I propose that we invest in research and development. Rather than rant and rage of the expense, we must consider the cost of casting money to the wind. Let us consider "progress." Progress is not paying for more oil production; progress is producing alternative energy sources.

Curious as to the thoughts of others speaking out on "oil," I discover . . .
The Left Coaster, "Peak Oil" And The Bush Energy Policy"
On May 23, 2005, there is good news.  There is a possibility and hope, even in the era of King George II.
Please read Apollo in Action by Jay Inslee, Grist Magazine, Alternet.