Congress gets confused, thinks it's Parliament

Normally I'm not one to start political threads on this most wonderful of forums, but, you know, I've often wished Congress had the flair for the dramatic Parliament did.

No matter if you think it's a stunt or the GOP growing a spine, it's damn interesting and you don't see if every day.

"I am a Democrat, and here is my energy plan" and he held up a picture of an old VW Bug with a sail attached to it.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hR0FZ1kvikt98uSZpxlR7nnAAV2AD929M2DO0 http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0808/House_Dems_turn_out_out_the_light_but_GOP_keep_talking.html?showall

Classlessness and grandstanding run amok.

That's just my opinion.

I think Parliament is a worthless bunch of tools also, if it matters...

I think it's great. They're trying to draw attention to the absolute ridiculous manner in which our current energy situation is being handled.

This is a Republic! Let our representatives vote!

It's just dumb on so many levels. Drilling off shore isn't going to bring oil prices down any time soon. As Obama said recently, the US would save more oil if everyone kept their tires inflated than there is to be had off shore.

If they wanted to affect oil prices tomorrow they would approve selling from the reserve but the GOP blocked that.

Not that I'm really against drilling off shore, just don't claim it solves a problem it doesn't.

Oh yeah.....I'm a parent. I've seen that before:

We're going to stand here and hold our breathe until we get what we want.

No thanks. You've helped enough for the last 8 years. Even if I'm not that enamored by the new crowd, let's at least try something different.

The House of Commons is actually pretty cool to watch on CSPAN.

doitover wrote: It's just dumb on so many levels. Drilling off shore isn't going to bring oil prices down any time soon. As Obama said recently, the US would save more oil if everyone kept their tires inflated than there is to be had off shore. If they wanted to affect oil prices tomorrow they would approve selling from the reserve but the GOP blocked that. Not that I'm really against drilling off shore, just don't claim it solves a problem it doesn't.

You're right. There won't be any short-term effects (other than the possible deflation caused by speculation). However, President Clinton decided that drilling in ANWR was not a good solution to anything in the short-term 10 years ago when gas was $1.50 a gallon. Well, we sure would be better-off today wouldn't we? Along those lines, would doing nothing today be better than doing something today that will pay off in two to five years?

I'm still a huge proponent of alternative energy: and not just the temporary let's pollute a bit less by using different hydrocarbons. That's great for the next few years. But I want electricity to power my car, I want that electricity to come from the sun, wind, water, or nuclear fusion, and I want to start doing something now to get us there.

Has anyone looked at Pickens' plan? He is going to push it hard as soon as whatever president we vote for gets into office. He has some pretty ambitious goals, but they look attainable in the near future at a really reasonable cost. Not to mention, all of the money that will be used to develop his plan will go right into the pockets of American companies and workers (better than the trillions of dollars that are going to leave our shores in the next few years that are going toward paying for gold palaces, Silver Audis (the metal, not just the color), and luxury under-water hotels.

Osterkraut wrote:

"I am a Democrat, and here is my energy plan" and he held up a picture of an old VW Bug with a sail attached to it.

Sounds like there taking a lesson from Kirk Cameron's rhetorical genius ie. "The Crockaduck"

but just for E36 M3s

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7205217.stm

Gearhead_42 wrote: I think Parliament is a worthless bunch of tools also, if it matters...

These guys? Tools? You've lost your mind.

Unfortunately all this is is drama. They're talking a good fight and getting nothing done.

They can't pass legislation right now. Doesn't even sound like they're trying to draft any. Sounds like a crotchety-old-white-guy cabaret.

16vCorey wrote: These guys? Tools? You've lost your mind.

Someone totally needs to photochop with with the faces of leading Reps.

P-Funk? No way dude! I need me some Lowrider

I was listening to some George Clinton on the way home today actually

confuZion3 wrote:

doitover wrote: It's just dumb on so many levels. Drilling off shore isn't going to bring oil prices down any time soon. As Obama said recently, the US would save more oil if everyone kept their tires inflated than there is to be had off shore. If they wanted to affect oil prices tomorrow they would approve selling from the reserve but the GOP blocked that. Not that I'm really against drilling off shore, just don't claim it solves a problem it doesn't.

You're right. There won't be any short-term effects (other than the possible deflation caused by speculation). However, President Clinton decided that drilling in ANWR was not a good solution to anything in the short-term 10 years ago when gas was $1.50 a gallon. Well, we sure would be better-off today wouldn't we? Along those lines, would doing nothing today be better than doing something today that will pay off in two to five years? I'm still a huge proponent of alternative energy: and not just the temporary let's pollute a bit less by using different hydrocarbons. That's great for the next few years. But I want electricity to power my car, I want that electricity to come from the sun, wind, water, or nuclear fusion, and I want to start doing something now to get us there. Has anyone looked at Pickens' plan? He is going to push it hard as soon as whatever president we vote for gets into office. He has some pretty ambitious goals, but they look attainable in the near future at a really reasonable cost. Not to mention, all of the money that will be used to develop his plan will go right into the pockets of American companies and workers (better than the trillions of dollars that are going to leave our shores in the next few years that are going toward paying for gold palaces, Silver Audis (the metal, not just the color), and luxury under-water hotels.

Where/when have Republicans or the Bush administration claimed off-shore drilling "solves" the oil supply problem, let alone immediately?

Their proposals include further development of alternate energy sources, even those that are not yet financially viable in a free-market economy. Tapping domestic oil resources should be recognized as a stop-gap measure and one that is only a component of any proposed energy plan. Seems like it's the drilling part that irks the Dems, as they are determined to wean the country away from fossil-fuels without much regard to the cost and consequences and push that agenda with no shame.

In regards to Pickens' proposals, here's a link to an opinion-piece that takes exception to his ideas:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,395304,00.html

For any of you who refuse to read it because of the source -

I love talking to my grandfather about this. He was on the House Energy Committee back in something like '78. They developed a plan for more sustainable energy use, that got completely ignored as soon as it left the Committee. He loves to go on whenever he hears people in congress talking about energy policy.

doitover wrote: It's just dumb on so many levels. Drilling off shore isn't going to bring oil prices down any time soon. As Obama said recently, the US would save more oil if everyone kept their tires inflated than there is to be had off shore. If they wanted to affect oil prices tomorrow they would approve selling from the reserve but the GOP blocked that. Not that I'm really against drilling off shore, just don't claim it solves a problem it doesn't.

Obama also refuses to wear an American flag pin on his suits, took it off his plane, and continues to be an a$$hat. I'm not saying McCain is any better, as I personally think this years national campaign slogan should be "Obama vs. McCain - You're F*cked in 08!"

http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036

And I hear that when saying the Pledge of Allegiance, instead of saying "One nation under God, he says "One nation under Allahalalalalalala!" and fires off his AK.

That video is just trash. To any video of similar nature targeting McCain, I would say the same thing. It's simply sensationalist bullE36 M3.

DirtyBird222 wrote: Obama also refuses to wear an American flag pin on his suits, took it off his plane, and continues to be an a$$hat. I'm not saying McCain is any better, as I personally think this years national campaign slogan should be "Obama vs. McCain - You're F*cked in 08!" http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036

I dont think we are berkeleyed with either of them. They will almost certainly be better than the little bush administartion and what in the hell does a flag pin have to do with anything?

what in the hell does a flag pin have to do with anything?

That appears to be exactly the point Obama is making. That somehow empty gestures like this have become more important to some people than, y'know, what you actually DO for your country.

doitover wrote: It's just dumb on so many levels. Drilling off shore isn't going to bring oil prices down any time soon. As Obama said recently, the US would save more oil if everyone kept their tires inflated than there is to be had off shore. If they wanted to affect oil prices tomorrow they would approve selling from the reserve but the GOP blocked that. Not that I'm really against drilling off shore, just don't claim it solves a problem it doesn't.

1. Since when was short-term the proper way to run an oganization? Half the reason Wall Street is so berkeleyed is because CEO's became beholden to short-term performance over strategic long term goals. Just because a good idea takes a long time to implement, doesn't mean it's not a good idea.

2. The strategic oil reserve serves a purpose. If anything, it should be expanded, given the obvious supply problems that we have. Tapping the emergency stash truely is a short term, and short sighted, solution.

Josh wrote:

what in the hell does a flag pin have to do with anything?

That appears to be exactly the point Obama is making. That somehow empty gestures like this have become more important to some people than, y'know, what you actually DO for your country.

Easy, cheap shot: What has Obama done, exactly, for this country?

Osterkraut wrote: Easy, cheap shot: What has Obama done, exactly, for this country?

Well, not being a supporter of his (or Mccain's for that matter), I'm not sure. But at the very least, he's devoted a significant portion of his life to formulating and advocating for ideas that he thinks will help the country, which is more than I can say for myself, and I do respect that whether I happen to agree with the ideas or not. I just think it's stupid and frustrating that a lot of people are more aware of a silly pin than the candidates' actual ideas.

Yeah, Obama must not really love this country. He just wants to be president because it's such a cushy, well paying, low stress, gig.

oldsaw wrote: Where/when have Republicans or the Bush administration claimed off-shore drilling "solves" the oil supply problem, let alone immediately?

McCain Ad

In McCains latest round of ads (pre-Brittny Spears), they directly accuse Obama of causing the rise in gas crisis by not allowing drilling off shore.

I also fall into the "I don't like my choices" camp but the Republicans have done it, have claimed it will "ease the pain at the pump" and blame the Democrats for not letting it happen.

I don't need someone wearing a flag pin to prove he's patriotic. I don't question that Obama loves America. He just has a different idea of what America should be than I do so I can't vote for him. I also can't vote for Mccain. Times like this I envy convicted felons. Atleast they probably have a cool story behind not voting for one of them.

MitchellC wrote: And I hear that when saying the Pledge of Allegiance, instead of saying "One nation under God, he says "One nation under Allahalalalalalala!" and fires off his AK.

That's funny right there though.

I wish the Republicans had gone away for the summer. The less time congress spends in Washington the less damage they can do.

I'm all for drilling in the Gulf, because it should bring well-paying jobs to the south and maybe help offset our trade deficit. However, when considering the state-run oil companies and their massive pumping capacity and reserves, I don't know if it will be enough to make a decisive downward shift in the price. From what I have heard it's not going to be drilled and processed here; it's going to be drilled and combined with all the other world oil supply.

I support drilling in ANWR for no other reason than that I hate hippies and caribou.