Alaska land opened to drilling

[Judi Lynn]

Alaska land opened to drilling
Friday, January 23, 2004 - 12:00 AM
John Heilprin THE ASSOCIATED PRESS |
WASHINGTON -- Interior Secretary Gale Norton signed off on a plan Thursday for opening most of an 8.8 million-acre swath of Alaska's North Slope to oil and gas development. Some of the drilling could occur in areas important for migratory birds, whales and wildlife.

The Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management will use the plan to manage a northwest portion of the government's 23.5 million-acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Geologists believe the reserve may contain 6 billion to 13 billion barrels of oil.

It is located just west of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where President Bush wants to open a 1.5 million-acre coastal plain to drilling as one of his top energy priorities. The Senate, in debating a massive energy bill, has rejected drilling there.

Environmentalists said the management plan threatens the health of Arctic tundra, ponds and lakes that are home to wildlife and migratory birds and provide a vital subsistence hunting and fishing ground for native Alaskans.
(snip/...)

http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=12263&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

[cleofus1]

1. Judy I love you but....

As a registered Democrat and a self avowed liberal I often feel conflicted by these types of posts. I think for the people and the state of Alaska this is a good thing. Just yesterday Warren Buffet and a consortium of Native Corporations (all 13) made public plans to build a natural gas pipeline from the north slope. Alaska is the most costly state to run. It is a vast landholding state with it's small population scattered across thousands of miles. The Native villages need money from the state for many different reasons...and nearly every native I've spoken with supports this type of development. I am a native american from the southwest. My wife and kids are Eskimo (the kids of course are half eskimo and half pueblo).
I realize development of natural resources is not a popular position to take here on this board, but most Alaskans need this.

[w4rma]

29. IMHO, the oil should stay there for national security reasons

We should leave it there, untouched, essentially in storage, until we *really* need it. The world will run out of oil eventually. Only so many dinosaurs died to make the oil that is there now. And before the oil runs out, the oil will be harder to get at since we have to dig deeper and deeper for the resource.

Also, I don't trust a Republican government to treat Alaska's wilderness well when digging up there. And I don't trust them to use the oil in a way that helps America, rather than Haliburton and other oil companies' profits.

[cleofus1]

32. oh well

no one here seems to get it.
oil development funds the schools that my kids go to. It pays for the hospitals my family is treated at. It pays for the plows that keep my roads clear. etc etc etc...programs for the homeless...money for artists...yes real people actually live up here...and it's very expensive...we need the cash flow

[0rganism]

66. What will you all do when the oil wells run dry?

Someday, that oil will be gone. You and I both know that every possible spot that CAN be drilled for oil eventually WILL be drilled for oil, in Alaska and elsewhere. Within our kids' expected lifespans, they will see global oil production peak -- some speculate that it's happening already.

If what you imply is the truth, that oil development is the irreplacable economic operation of Alaska, you're all in quite a bit of trouble.

[pinniped]

69. They will probably look towards casinos...

unless they have them already.

But I've read that basketweaving and pottery interest is on the rise.

[leftyandproud]

2. Even Alaskan DEMS have been begging for this..

I really don't give a shit...I will NEVER visit that place...I have no desire to go there...and I doubt 99.9% of DU'ers will either. Do you really care that much...or do you oppose drilling (as I suspect) just because the reich wingers will probably make money out of it? I honestly couldn't care less about that ice cube...If the people want it...If it will give them jobs and bring down the cost of gasoline/heating bills for 300 million Americans, I say go for it.

P.S.

Did you know you can actually WALK to Russia from America?
It's true...via Alaska.

Fact of the day. :)

[leftchick]

3. yeah, you are right....

fuck those stinkin birds, whales and other wildlife that God put there. We need that precious crude even if its only a tiny bit and won't make a dent in what the US consumes. But what the fuck it's there so why not make a few bucks while we can.... :eyes:

[cleofus1]

4. Hi left chick

Your passion for the wild animals of Alaska is appreciated. The oil companies have been drilling on the North slope for many years now and the impact on wildlife has not been proven to be detrimental. In fact population growth of land animals has grown.
Everyone here is pushing for responsible development. As a native myself I want my brothers and sisters to be able to subsistance hunt well into the future. This includes Whales, Seals, Walrus, Bears, Caribou, Beaver and all the land's creatures.
We need the development...not out of greed...but out of survival.

[salinen]

5. There were barrels full of lies to promote

drilling the north shore. The Football sized footprint is the biggest. What about roads, housing, repair shops, restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys, starbucks, runways, chevron stations, etc. And they only mentioned caribou, as if they were the only affected wildlife. In the era of lies and left out information, this was a text book case of RW propaganda. Nobody uses truth to sell anything anymore.

[cleofus1]

6. Hi Salinen!

The National Petroleum Reserve is different from ANWR and is also different from The North Slope. I just used the north slope as an example.
When you talk about the North slope...borough wide the population is app 7500. Nearly 70% of that population are Eskimo. Barrow is the largest city up there. Barrow whaling captains are legendary. You make it sound like they live in a city akin to seattle or san fran....nothing could be further from the truth. They hunt, they whale and nearly half the people still use Eskimo as their primary language.
It's a hard life. The native people tax the hell out of the oil companies...and to me that's a good thing.

p.s. most liberals and democrats up here support this...we are not stupid or misguided. But thank you for your concern!

[salinen]

7. Hi back, cleofus

I'm not hugely opposed to drilling, but I'm hugely opposed to lying. And that was the sales technique used by Norton and the thugs, especially Alaska senators. BTW, I'm fascinated by way north Indian culture. Kayaks made from skins, totally cool. I work archeology in coastal central California. Home of the Chumash and Salinan tribes.

[cleofus1]

9. I was born in Califas

My family is from across the southwest. Arizona and New Mexico are the two main culprits. I still have loads of Family in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Solomansville, Tempe, Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Most of the lies are spread by Politicians (oil drilling) I tend to listen to friends and family. My wife is from Nome and we know literally hundred of people from the villages. I think I'm related to
at least half of them (by marriage). :grouphug:

[JailForBush]

8. Arctic Beaver???,

I've worked in both the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Barrow with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the North Slope Borough Environmental Protection Office. It is indeed a complex issue, one on which Alaska Natives may not see eye to eye with either conservatives or liberals. Some Barrow native killed a "liberal" (a couple?) who went their to protest the whale hunt. Some liberals really are clueless and have a bad habit of sticking their noses into other people's business. On the other hand, I really don't think many Alaska Natives would appreciate it if the Republicans paved the Arctic.

What pisses me off is the fact that Republicans won't even entertain the thought of energy conservation. Their reaction is to just run out and drill for oil with little regard of the consequences. The North Slope is also of great symbolic importance. If it falls to the Rethugs, there's little hope for anything else.

"The oil companies have been drilling on the North slope for many years now and the impact on wildlife has not been proven to be detrimental. In fact population growth of land animals has grown."

That's baloney. It may be true that there have been no spectacularly negative impacts on wildlife, though you have to keep in mind that scientific reports may be tightly censored and even manipulated. Sheez, the ANWR was very politicized even twenty years ago.

But saying that wild animal populations have grown is simply bizarre. If it's true, WHY have they increased? Have caribou increased because the oil industry has killed their predators? If so, will their population crash soon?

It reminds me of an ad that I heard on the radio years ago. It said the oil industry had created warm-water lakes or ponds, where the fish grew faster. Even if it was true, SO WHAT? I mean, how many warm-water ponds could there be, and who did they benefit? Did they add another million dollars to Alaska's economy? Did sportsmen pay big bucks to fish in the shadow of oil machinery, so they could catch Arctic char that are one pound heavier than average?

I really don't see how the oil industry could improve the Arctic. The best they can do is cause minimal damage.

"Everyone here is pushing for responsible development. As a native myself I want my brothers and sisters to be able to subsistance hunt well into the future. This includes Whales, Seals, Walrus, Bears, Caribou, Beaver and all the land's creatures."

Beaver? Are there beaver in the Arctic? Are you REALLY an Alaska Native???

[cleofus1]

10. Read my post and maybe you'll understand

My family is from New Mexico and yes I'm an Indian, I've spent my whole life living with Indians and trying to walk the path...All my lovers have been Indians...And my dad and brother still go to res.... My wife is Eskimo...full blooded...and as I have said we have family all across Alaska in a variety of villages...though primarily Nome and Whales.
As to my list of wildlife...I was talking about The village scene in general...not just the north slope. Yes there are beavers in Alaska. They are considered good eating.
I moved up here from New Mexico 13 years ago...and I've never heard about a villager murdering greenies. Could you give me more information about this?

PS I find it ironic that you worked in alaska and didn't know there were beavers there Mr. Jailforbush (if that's who you really are!)

[JailForBush]

18. Beavers & Barrow Murder

1. "PS I find it ironic that you worked in alaska and didn't know there were beavers there Mr. Jailforbush (if that's who you really are!)"

I've SEEN beavers in Alaska - but not in the Arctic (where there aren't many trees).

2. I have no details about the murder(s) in Barrow. It happened a few years before I arrived. I THINK I recall someone saying he/they was killed while sleeping in a tent.

I really wasn't terribly outraged by it. If an Eskimo wandered into South Dakota and started telling people to stop raising cows, he probably wouldn't survive long.

[cleofus1]

19. st clone

Sorry about the beaver thing. I was watching "heartbeat alaska" this last weekend on TV and Jeannie Greene did a piece on native foods and they talked about how yummy beavers were (mildly pornographic I grant you). So I guess I have beaver on the mind (and in my heart).

I work in news and I just don't recall a murder in barrow under those circumstances. How many years ago?
I support most native endeavors (my wife and kids are my favorite) but murder is a black mark on all of us.

[cleofus1]

21. thats Wales not Whales

My mother in law would kill me...actually she would probobly think it was funny.

[Art_from_Ark]

12. There are some beavers in the Arctic

"The furbearers common to Alaska are present, although many, such as marten and lynx, are mostly limited to the forested areas in the southern half of the park. Beaver, mink, and otter are present but are limited by a scarcity of suitable aquatic habitats."

http://www.nps.gov/gaar/pphtml/subanimals6.html

[StClone]

13. Detrimental

I observe bird populations for a living. Piece by piece manmade activities show little affect on wildlife. But altogether over this time our (Arctic) shorebird populations are crashing. I have observed shorebirds going on 34 years. How long you been making statements like this?

[leftchick]

15. It is the same type of logic as....

"There is No Global Warming. Look how cold it is!"

[cleofus1]

17. stclone/leftchick etc...

Thanks for the input. I do believe in global warming leftchick. If you could really read my mind...what a tale my thoughts could tell.
stclone...Stclone. I have only lived in Anchorage for 13 years so I don't claim to be an expert on Alaska. I know natives still hunt duck and geese and gather eggs. There are subsistance laws that they must follow and everyone is concerned about bird populations. You don't say which birds you're talking about...or even venture to guess why they're crashing. It could be many reasons. Radiation from russian sunken military vessels affecting food sources. Global warming. Deep sea fishing vessels etc. Even problems originating in other countries where we have no control. I've asked a couple of people here at work if they've heard about this and they are not sure what you are talking about. People are allowed to hunt and fish here and so far the resrtictions are mostly seasonal (there are bag limits). We are not just willy nilly wiping out populations. Nor do we want to.
And as to high expectations and low yields. Alaska has made billions of dollars in the last two decades in pumping oil. This is the lifes blood of this state and benefits the men, women and children here...regardless of race or class.

[theHandpuppet]

20. Take a lesson...

... from the long-term environmental damage to the unique Appalachian ecosystems of eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. Certainly, relaxation of environmental regulations with regard to the mining of coal (and drilling for natural gas) would benefit these poverty-stricken regions in the short term. But when the corporations which most benefit from this raping of the land are done, they leave the environment in ruins and the people to deal with the long-term health affects of a poisoned environment and the ensuing poverty. My own family owns coal and gas lands so I'm not just blowin' smoke here.

"Penny wise and pound foolish" is the old saying. Alaskans would be wise to take a lesson from their hillbilly kin.

-- the Handpuppet

[cleofus1]

22. Hi handpuppet

You speak about a very different situation. Here in Alaska everyone has profited from oil revenues. Most of the money went to the urban areas. The villages and native peoples also profited and still are. The infrastructure that has been built here has saved lives and made life easier for all. When I look at the elders who have fantastic medical facilities (in Anchorage) and other programs I feel very thankful for that money. Anyone who says that all the citizens of Alaska have not profited from oil revenues are speaking out of ingnorance. I don't say that in a mean way. :)

[theHandpuppet]

23. Alaskans will learn a hard lesson...

... and it's one they will have to learn on their own. Sad to say, but there it is. The lure of money under one's nose is simply so enticing it can become the only shade of green that matters.

I don't say that in a mean way, of course. ;-)

[cleofus1]

27. thanks

We are not stupid nor as greedy as you think.
But we can't live without money. And those that will suffer the worst will be the least among us.

[Just Me]

30. I, too, can attest to the corporate culpability,...

,...particularly in KY/WV; and while dollars and jobs are held out as the carrots of temptation to the struggling folks,...the corporations most benefit, raping the land, leaving a horrendous and lethal mess along with the all the people they tempted in their trail. If such endeavors were actually driven with any sense of responsibility and ethics, I'd be less skeptical. However, as one poster's line reads: corporations are not ethical. Moreover, those who run them have proven time and time again that there is only ONE objective,...to make as much money as possible for as little investment necessary in a short period of time.

[Skittles]

24. greed is a very powerful thing

very powerful

[cleofus1]

25. you don't know what you are talking about

come on skittles...have a heart...we are not living in the lap o luxury up here. This money will help old people and new born babies...I shit you not. State programs for the poor, elderly and youth are funded thru these sources. We are talking about real people...not just corporations

[kitkatrose]

34. Not to be rude, but what happens when the drillers leave?

I mean, there's a finite amount of oil under there. What happens when the cash flow stops?

[cleofus1]

35. does anyone here care about the people of alaska?

Doesn't sound like you really give a darn. maybe we could take up pottery or basketweaving. I hear there are lots of jobs available in food service.

[toopers]

43. What is interesting,

is that you want to preserve the Eskimo way of life . . . except for the roads, the hospitals, the new hunting technology, etc, etc. You can't have it all.

[cleofus1]

49. everyone wants to keep us in a box

are you saying native populations would not have progressed without white man's influance? I dispute that...we live in the 21rst century and we didn't choose this life. It was imposed...I don't need anyones permission to drive a car and be an indian too.

[kitkatrose]

58. Actually I do care, quite a bit.

That question I asked was in all sincerity and a really don't appreciate you telling me what I do and don't think. Okay, let me clarify this. Drilling for oil brings in revenue. People depend on that revenue. What happens when the oil companies leave, the revenue is gone and the environment is potentially devestated? It's called looking at the long term, something you seem to not be doing. And next time, answer my question, instead of presuming to know what I'm thinking.

[theHandpuppet]

37. Exactly...

But I think we're talking to the wind.

[Chico Man]

11. The area of Rhode Island is 776,320 acres

Just to put things in perspective.

Also, you may want to have a look at these photos so you can imagine what it will look like with all of the neccecary infrastructure in place for oil drilling. Can we not leave anything alone?

http://www.wwbphoto.com/Photo1-61Icebergs.html

[pinniped]

65. I saw that exhibit at the California Academy of Science.

Very fine exhibit. Everyone should buy the book because it might not look like that for much longer.

That ASSHOLE pres. would drill out every last drop anywhere on the planet given the chance. Stealing from other countries is no hard task either. Just add them to the axis of whatever and make up BS in the SOTU.

Hell, if oil reserves were thought to be residing within the boundaries of National Marine Sanctuaries that bastard would find a way to drill there too.

BTW- I was watching "Ivan the Terrible" as part of the madman series on the History Channel last night and I noticed the fake ass pres. wasn't scheduled for a special. I should email them and demand they portray madmen of history in its entirety.

[dusty64]

14. Another smash and grab

corporate giveaway before they are thrown out of power. The rush of horrific measures being taken by our extremist regime and their Democratic puppets is snowballing out of control, it smells of complete desperation. What will they pull next?

[mbperrin]

16. The real truth is, these estimates of oil reserves never pan out.

The North Slope had 1/30 of the original promised volume.

So where does the big money come from? Government subsidy through tax deduction for building the roads, etc that service the industry. More money is made from the deductions from other revenues than has ever been made from the sale of the oil.

Ask anyone who lives there what has happened to each citizen's "take" from North Slope production.

This will be about 10% of that at most, but meanwhile, huge sums will be "protected" from taxation from production elsewhere. And when all is done, it will be up to the state to clean up the mess.

The state of Texas plugs 50,000 abandoned wells each year because their operators have "disappeared."

So the current tax liability to federal citizens is the issue now, and the tax liability for ultimate cleanup to the state government is the issue later. Both these costs will far exceed any revenues to the private sector.

Like burning your furniture for heat for a day, and then someone files an insurance claim, gets a check, and tells you to clean up the mess.

[KansDem]

26. I suspect this has little to do with oil exploration…

It has already been proven that ANWR has too little oil reserves to make exploration and drilling economically feasible.

This has more to do with:
1. Psychological defeat for the American environmental movement. Drilling and oil development in Alaska generally, and ANWR specifically, will “break the back” of environmentalists in the US, a right-wing neo-con fascist’s “wet dream”;

2. Mineral exploration. Alaska appears to have a wealth of minerals:

"One third of our known petroleum reserves are in Alaska along with even greater potential reserves. Actions such as preventing even the exploration of the Arctic Wildlife Range, a ban sought by one amendment, is an ostrich-like approach that ill serves our nation in this time of energy crisis. Instability of certain nations abroad repeatedly emphasizes our need for a stronger domestic supply of strategic and critical minerals."

http://stevens.senate.gov/pr041002.htm

Getting one’s foot in the door via “oil exploration” will lead to mineral extraction. Currently, a little oil exploration on the North Slope for “security concerns” can be made a bit more palatable than rampant mineral extraction in ANWR. Today, just a little oil drilling—C’mon, you know we need to! We need to “protect” ourselves from mid-east terrorists. Tomorrow, however, we strip mine ANWR!!!

Be very suspicious of ANYTHING the Bush Administration, or the GOP says! After all, Bush is on record as saying he will do NOTHING to harm US corporate interests.

[Lorien]

59. You left out PORK

I can't believe how freaking gullible even liberals can be. This is about more handouts to Bush* corporate donors at the expense of US taxpayers. More funding of Halliburtan, Exxon, Boots and Coots et al. FROM YOUR POCKET. It's "Iraqi reconstruction"all over again folks- along with the psychological games Bushco is notorious for. Ten years of raping the environment and the middle and working classes for a few days or weeks worth of oil. What a deal!

[cleofus1]

28. ok ok

Help I getting eaten alive by greenies!
seriously I just talked to a pal who did say that Coastal bird populations are going down. But from what I can see...no one knows why...environmentalists say a lot of things...over the years I have learned from first hand experiance to take them all with a grain of salt.

[Just Me]

31. Just don't make the mistake of taking corporate culpability,...

,...with that same "grain of salt". Given the opportunity, they will chew the people up, along with the land, and spit it all out once they have taken whatever is had to be grabbed.

[cleofus1]

33. we have extensive experiance up here

We are not ignorant hillbillies...nor naive marks waiting to be taken. We have been dealing with the oil companies up here for many years.

[Just Me]

36. "Ignorant hillbillies"????

If that was intended as a personal jab, you should know that I have a law degree and nearly a masters in clinical psychology to boot!!!

Kentuckians and West Virginians have been dealing with coal and gas industries for about a century!!!! If you want to summarily blow off their perspectives, so be it. But don't get personal with some such BS derogatory phrase as "ignorant hillbillies"!!!

[cleofus1]

38. wah wah wah

Your the one who first used the term Hillbilly. And your posts seem to insinuate that alaskans are dupes who could learn from our hillbilly breatheran. You say as much.

I just don't buy into your little hillbilly game..

[Just Me]

39. I don't know WHAT you are talking about,...

,...and my intentions were nowhere near being how you have just characterized them.

But, hey,...whatever. I'll say no more.

[cleofus1]

41. I don't mean to be rude

I just percieve a certain derision from you. For someone so well educated maybe you can brush up on your communication skills.
Once again I don't mean to be rude...but I won't just sit here with my mouth open while you throw poop in my face.

[theHandpuppet]

45. Excuse me...

It was not Just Me who used the term hillbilly, it was me. The example I provided in my post, one which was summarily dismissed, was meant to provide an example of what can happen to a land and people once the finite precious resources they hold have been exploited and depleted.

If you want to vent at someone, please direct your anger at the appropriate person. In this case it was me, not Just Me -- another poster entirely.

[cleofus1]

50. i'm multi tasking right now

my apologies...

[Just Me]

53. apologies accepted,...

:D

[theHandpuppet]

42. Thanks, Just Me...

I have a Master's myself, and a family with first-hand dealings with the coal/gas industry for generations now. But what do I know... if we balk at this latest scheme by the energy companies it must be because we just don't care about real people... or perhaps we're simply ignorant?

Personally speaking, I suspect there are very few people on this board who would benefit more than moi, at least financially, from a relaxation of regulations pertaining to the energy industries.
But as I said earlier, I believe the discourse on this one issue has come to an impasse.

[Just Me]

46. I am suspect of those who misinterpret concern,...

So, no worries here. What bothers me is that matters "in our neck of the woods" are getting so much more worse since the Bush cabal has been in power. It's heartbreaking. But, such conditions should inspire us both towards advocating the "boot" to this regime :D

[cleofus1]

47. I will vote democrat

across the boards in both local and national elections. I do agree that the current regime is out of control.

[Occulus]

40. Perhaps that's true, but

it also means that they have experience dealing with you. They know exactly which buttons to push to get you and otehrs to sympathize with their position, all the while laughing uptheir sleeves because they're misdirecting you and others away from asking the right questions.

It's a mistake to believe your enemies stupid, and yourself clever. I'm predicting in fifteen years you'll look back on this thread and wonder how you could possibly have been hoodwinked so badly.

After all, you've "been dealing with them for years." I guess you just... know all their motives, right?

I have exactly zero trust in any business which holds a corporate charter. They must prove themselves by their actions, not their promises, and on balance, I find the oil megacorps wanting, all over the world.

Assume you are not being told by them the whole truth, and assume it all the time. I find it's the only way to protect much of anything from the corporate charter.

Oh, and by the way, if corporations were not persons under the law, the oil companies would never have got this idea off the ground.

[cleofus1]

44. buttons

Yes manipulate me...please...i'm like a pinata in the wind...seriously folks...were just a bunch o yokels and ignorant natives...we should just stick to weaving blankets...

[Occulus]

51. That's not what I meant.

Manipulation is very, very hard to do to large numbers of people all at once. One thing that must be remembered is that these people will lie in the face of the truths that reveal the lie, and they will keep lying, and lying, and LYING, until people believe them. It really is true... the more often you tell a lie, the more likely it is that it will be believed.

I'm not trying to imply that you're easily manipulated; anyone can get manipulated. For example, they'll tell you drilling will be a Great Benefit for the people of the area. I, for example, would be asking just how big a difference exists between the benefit to the people and the benefit to the corporations doing the drilling. That's only one example.

Would it be in their interests to make this look like a bigger, better benefit to people than it actually is? Would it be in their interests to outright lie about detrimental effects to the environment? Would it be in their own best interests to simply forget to mention some of their intentions for that land until they actually have their hands on it? The answer to all that is, of course, a very loud yes.

What I'm suggesting to you is that not enough pointed questions have been asked. I'm also suggesting that too many of their statements have been taken at face value. And I'm warning you that if they're allowed to start drilling, they will find themselves unable or unwilling to stop.

Bank on it.

[cleofus1]

52. ok

Once again this is not the first time we've made deals oil companies and it probobly won't be the last. No one here views the oil people as saints or even believes them. But we do make sure that all agreements are written down. 12% at the well head is what we get...and that pays for a lot of social programs and has done so for decades.

[Occulus]

55. It's good you get it all in writing

but what of the language? We're talking about people who would argue that there are exceptions to the word "all", for example.

[cleofus1]

48. I'm exhausted

boy aurguing with you greenies is like being attacked by rabid weasals
he heh ehe heh hurmmmm

[Bandit]

57. Are there weasels in the Arctic?

It is quite difficult arguing with someone who has never walked a mile in your moccasins. None have mentioned the Permanent Fund. They say Alaskans will be left out in the cold when the oil is gone. They know not of what they speak

[Baclava]

70. Bah - more "outsiders"

I'm an Alaskan landowner...why don't the people in the lower 48 mind their own business. It'll never end.

[cleofus1]

54. time to go

I still love ya judy and skittles...sorry I'm such a caveman...I have to go...bye bye

[Star]

56. Two questions

Cleofus, I understand what you're saying, but

1) Its too bad that we have to rape the land and destroy other species in order to provide a decent standard of living for any people living anywhere in this country. Other countries can provide those same services to all their citizens, why can't this country?

2) What happens when the oil runs out? How will Native Alaskans and other people living in that area maintain their standard of living once the oil companies pull out because its no longer economically feasible to continue drilling there? Are there groups working on solutions to this future problem?

[Lorien]

61. We're providing plenty of jobs

for the good people of India, Vietnam, China, S. Korea...how about sending some of those jobs with training to Alaska? Better than digging ditches and driving trucks for Halliburtan.

[Demo Gog]

60. Those sons of bitches.

God, the absolute arrogance of this "administration" just irritates me beyond rage!!!

[Kool Kitty]

63. My sentiments exactly.

I hate this administration.

[kwolf68]

62. I am always amused

I have seen the arguments suggesting oil drilling will pave the way for riches and gold for the Alaskan community. It’s almost like every man, women and child in Alaska will be showered with dollars the minute we begin to drill up there.

If this were the case, the state of Texas (and Louisiana) would have eradicated poverty in their states. As it is, Texas has plenty of trailer parks, crime, and poverty yet have been drilling there for 100 years. Makes ya wonder? Why has oil not brought mass prosperity to those states?

Another question is WHY is doing controversial things to the environment our only option to have a nice life? Is the only way we can create jobs and derive wealth through the exploitation of nature? Is this the best mankind can do?

Alaska is clamoring for oil drilling now in much the same way countless communities before did…Alaska will likely get what they want and then I fear realize what they lost was more important. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you and don’t spend your new-found riches in the same place.

[Toots]

64. Actually they do spend their riches in one place

It is called the permanent fund. It is a huge money fund originating from oil revenues and continued on with oil royalties and investment earnings. Every year every single person in Alaska no matter how young or how old receive a portion of the investment earnings as a dividend. The fund is close to thirty billion dollars so imagine the interest paid on that amount. It is actually more than just interest because a certain portion is invested in money markets, bonds, and some stocks. So every single year just before Christmas every person receives a substantial check and most dump that money right back into Alaska's economy giving it a huge shot in the arm at a needed time. If you have a family of four last year your family would have received five thousand dollars. Sort of a Novel Approach to how the people's resources are handled wouldn't you say? I doubt Texas or Oklahoma have any such program and the people's resources are spent by someone other than the people. That is one reason why a lot of Alaskans are in favor of more oil exploration and a natural gas pipeline. If the state handled it's resources as other states have done I would have a tendency to agree with you however I believe the state of Alaska has acted in a very wise manner with it's resources.

[0rganism]

67. The backside of the Hubbert curve is going to get real ugly

Please remember, after world oil production peaks, every bit of known reserve (including ANWR and other sensitive areas) will have to be drilled just to get us down the dwindling supply slope on schedule -- barring some unforeseen technological advance which either obsoletes fossil fuels entirely or enables a viable synthetic replacement fuel.

The fate of the biosphere as we know it hangs in the balance of the outcome of this race -- responsible technologies that reduce demand for resources vs. an exponentially growing population that increases demand for resources.

[Malva Zebrina]

68. Nothing to say but

:cry::cry::cry::cry: