The whole idea that we're protecting the environment by not drilling in the USA while we continue to consume oil sucked out of the ground by countries w/no environmental regulations whatsoever is just absurd.

I think we should drill but I think we should do it in an environmentally friendly way. It seems like there are many platforms that operate with little or no problems in the Gulf of Mexico. More drilling should not hurt and it may help with oil prices in the future. Should we find alternatives long term absolutely.

Whether we drill or not, we have to stop looking to oil as a primary resource for energy. The cash being spent on offshore drilling can and should be put to use developing alternative energy sources. Meanwhile, we each have a responsibility to do what we can, when we can, in decreasing our own consumption of fuel based energies and goods. Even little things count!

I feel like I don't know enough about what's true and what's spin to make a responsible decision. My instincts tell me not to drill... I've read about what has happened with spills in the past and for all the precautions it can and will happen. Does anyone want to see more animals and birds coated in oil dying.

At the same time there's the very real issue, as you say, of dependency on foreign oil. Forget the pain at the pump, our OPEC friends have us by the cahoonas and they know it and we know it and we don't like it.

I'm mostly rooting for all the folks who say we need another moon race to spur innovation in alternative energies and hoping the car companies will survive long enough to retool themselves to create smaller, more fuel efficient cars.