Fixing California: Drill, baby, drill!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

On the issues of climate change and support of renewable energy, Arnold Schwarzenegger's record is generally pretty good. So why did the California governor push to include expanded offshore drilling near Santa Barbara in the tentative budget deal concluded Monday night?

The obvious answer: When the economic pain gets bad enough, environmental considerations get flushed down the sewer.

The deal, writes Debra Saunders in the San Francisco Chronicle, received support from environmental groups because it only allows "Plains Exploration & Production Co. to slant-drill from existing federal offshore oil platforms into state waters." The Houston oil company has pledged to fold up its operation after 14 years.

The deal is expected to generate $1.8 billion over that 14-year period, or about $134 million a year, which might not seem like much compared to a $26 billion dollar deficit, but hey, every penny counts.

As for cuts, The Financial Times has a few more depressing details:

The agreement involves cutting nearly $6 billion from schools and community colleges and close to $3 billion from the state's university system, although Mr Schwarzenegger said education cuts would be fully "refunded."

An additional $1.3 billion will be cut from Medi-Cal, the health program for low earners and the poor.

CalWorks, the state's welfare-to-work program -- and the target of much criticism from Mr Schwarzenegger -- will have its funding cut by $528 million, while Healthy Families, a program that provides health insurance for 930,000 low-income children, will be cut by $124 million.

The state's in-home support services program for the frail and disabled will also have its funding slashed.

California's budget fix: Screw the poor, the frail, the young, the students, and the environment.

― Andrew Leonard

http://www.salon.com/tech/htww/?last_story...shore_drilling/

[dalegg 143]

The obvious answer: When the economic pain gets bad enough, environmental considerations get flushed down the sewer.

Don't ever forget that by the way.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The obvious answer: When the economic pain gets bad enough, environmental considerations get flushed down the sewer.

Don't ever forget that by the way.

Leading the nation in addressing climate change would actually be a boost to our economy. The problem is convincing the minority in the legislature.

Edited July 21, 2009 by Col. 'Bat' Guano

[Peikko 1,575]

Everything is spun so, it's giving me a headache. I want off the helter skelter, bring back proper journalism!

[_Simpson_ 250]

Tough times people, Arnie is doing the right thing and its not only the poor that are taking a hit. The rich are getting taxed to no end. The reality of it is that everyone is going to suffer and nobody will be happy and this complaining will never end.

The obvious answer: When the economic pain gets bad enough, environmental considerations get flushed down the sewer.

Don't ever forget that by the way.

Leading the nation in addressing climate change would actually be a boost to our economy. The problem is convincing the minority in the legislature.

Huh, how?

[dalegg 143]

Tough times people, Arnie is doing the right thing and its not only the poor that are taking a hit. The rich are getting taxed to no end. The reality of it is that everyone is going to suffer and nobody will be happy and this complaining will never end.

The obvious answer: When the economic pain gets bad enough, environmental considerations get flushed down the sewer.

Don't ever forget that by the way.

Leading the nation in addressing climate change would actually be a boost to our economy. The problem is convincing the minority in the legislature.

Huh, how?

All you have to do is convince some bank to loan California a trillion dollars for r&d + implementation of some new age energy source and you're there. Piece of cake. Everyone wants to invest in California.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Tough times people, Arnie is doing the right thing and its not only the poor that are taking a hit. The rich are getting taxed to no end. The reality of it is that everyone is going to suffer and nobody will be happy and this complaining will never end.

The obvious answer: When the economic pain gets bad enough, environmental considerations get flushed down the sewer.

Don't ever forget that by the way.

Leading the nation in addressing climate change would actually be a boost to our economy. The problem is convincing the minority in the legislature.

Huh, how?

Energy alternatives are not all that profitable right now, we just dont have technology, it will come.

All you have to do is convince some bank to loan California a trillion dollars for r&d + implementation of some new age energy source and you're there. Piece of cake. Everyone wants to invest in California.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Everything is spun so, it's giving me a headache. I want off the helter skelter, bring back proper journalism!

MC, this must be your pissy mood week, eh?

[Ban Hammer 13,366]

Everything is spun so, it's giving me a headache. I want off the helter skelter, bring back proper journalism!

MC, this must be your pissy mood week, eh?

maybe she's equating your threads to something that charlie manson would post?

[Peikko 1,575]

Ah, of course, I must be having a period because I think the quality of journalism is strained. That must be it. How do you get away with being such a jerk at times Steven?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Leading the nation in addressing climate change would actually be a boost to our economy. The problem is convincing the minority in the legislature.

Huh, how?

Alternative energy jobs.

[Ban Hammer 13,366]

Ah, of course, I must be having a period because I think the quality of journalism is strained. That must be it. How do you get away with being such a jerk at times Steven?

can i have a pissy mood week too?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Leading the nation in addressing climate change would actually be a boost to our economy. The problem is convincing the minority in the legislature.

Huh, how?

Alternative energy jobs.

Just what we need, more jobs that pay barely over minimum wage

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Leading the nation in addressing climate change would actually be a boost to our economy. The problem is convincing the minority in the legislature.

Huh, how?

Alternative energy jobs.

Just what we need, more jobs that pay barely over minimum wage

Such as?

[Mrs.Walker 0]

I say t Arnold, forget the loans, forget the struggle.........I say Smoke it up, everyone in Cali will be happy not stressed. Cali bud I hear is good if not try Arizona's and then the whole state can have a bake sale every Friday after work. This I know will pay some bills.

Tough times people, Arnie is doing the right thing and its not only the poor that are taking a hit. The rich are getting taxed to no end. The reality of it is that everyone is going to suffer and nobody will be happy and this complaining will never end.

The obvious answer: When the economic pain gets bad enough, environmental considerations get flushed down the sewer.

Don't ever forget that by the way.

Leading the nation in addressing climate change would actually be a boost to our economy. The problem is convincing the minority in the legislature.

Huh, how?

All you have to do is convince some bank to loan California a trillion dollars for r&d + implementation of some new age energy source and you're there. Piece of cake. Everyone wants to invest in California.

Edited July 21, 2009 by Mrs.Walker