In this article he blows some of his own smoke.
But Schwarzenegger made more news by criticizing proposals for expanding offshore oil drilling, which have been backed by Gov. Charlie Crist and Sen. John McCain.
"America is so addicted to oil that it will take years to wean ourselves from it," Schwarzenegger said. "To look for new ways to feed our addiction is not the answer."
Dumb metaphor. Oil is a natural resource, and a very dense source of energy. Its not an "addiction" to use the best raw material available. Like airplane makers are addicted to carbon fiber and aluminum, and if they could just kick the habit we could make planes from hemp and pine needles. Right now there are few alternatives to oil even at its current price.
"Anyone who tells you this would bring down gas prices anytime soon is blowing smoke," he added.
Yeah, sure Arnold. The price of oil includes expectations about future consumption and production. If you announce that the supply will be increased, even in 10 years time, some of that will be factored in the price. Also, there are oil fields that would not require 10 years to be on-line. Some were already developed but then capped after some areas of offshore production was banned.
5 comments:
Sorry i'm confused now Aaron - are you for or against opening new areas up for exploration/explotation? Also; and i can't believe i might be defending arnold, but didn't Bush start/endorse the whole 'America is addicted to oil' thing?
Aj
AJ,
I would probably be okay with more drilling, but I could live with higher gas prices, too. But if you want lower gas prices, drilling has to be one of the best options.
If Bush said we're addicted to oil, then he's got the same criticism from me. I guess I shouldn't be so hard, though - its sounds kind of cool in a speech, so I can see why they want to say it.
Aaron, the "addicted to oil" thing was from Bush's State of the Union back in '06. I blogged on it in April, and you left some comments. You gave no indication of thinking that it was a "dumb metaphor" then.
And I disagree that the metaphor is all that inaccurate. By your own example, if an airplane maker's purchasing of carbon fiber incurs a huge swath of associated costs, then the right business decision has to be to look for other materials. A lack of will to make that decision looks very similar to my smoking habits.
"Must be elections coming up with high oil prices.
People are truly shizzling themselves over gas prices. Irrational voters = Irrational Leaders"
This does not sound like a rousing vote of "YES BUSH IS RIGHT TO SAY WE ARE ADDICTED!"
p.s. It now costs me NT$ 100 to fill up my scooter.
"By your own example, if an airplane maker's purchasing of carbon fiber incurs a huge swath of associated costs, then the right business decision has to be to look for other materials. A lack of will to make that decision looks very similar to my smoking habits."
Looking for alternative materials is of course one solution to a high price for a certain material. If it turns out that importing Brazilian ethanol helps, fine by me.
Another solution is to create more capacity for the material you need, which will lower the price eventually,i.e. drilling
The problem with Arnold's statement is that he categorically says drilling more won't help, when it would. If his argument is to keep the price artificially high to encourage alternative energy sources, then please make sure to tell the public that's the plan. I don't know if they will like that.
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