The politics of oil exploration

Dear Editors:

This election season brings with it exceptionally high energy prices. The hardship afflicts us all but is exacerbated by the lack of effective policy measures. While neither presidential candidate demonstrates a thorough grasp of energy fundamentals or has proposed practical policies, Sen. Obama has shown especially breathtaking naïveté.

Displaying ignorance of market workings, Obama asserts that increased domestic oil exploration would do nothing to help in the short term. In reality, the instant the U.S. demonstrates to world markets that it has mustered the political will to tap its domestic supply potential, the dollar will rally and intense speculation will subside, driving oil and gas prices appreciably lower. We should open access to our reserves on federal land. President Clinton’s veto of the 1996 bill opening a tiny part of the Alaskan National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) to exploration has cost us dearly. We are late but not too late.

New discoveries are not the only way to increase domestic supply. A Department of Energy study estimates that an amount equal to nearly half of all the oil produced by the U.S. since industry inception is accessible in existing reservoirs via enhanced oil recovery using carbon dioxide as a recovery agent. Investing in rapidly developing technology to extract CO2 from combustion gases and the atmosphere itself would allow these reserves to be produced without environmental impact, while substantially reducing carbon emissions.

Instead Obama calls for “windmills, solar and biofuels.” Windmills and solar do not offset oil use. According to the World Bank, corn-based biofuels have already caused a huge cascading inflation throughout the food chain. This has prompted UN Special Rapporteur for Food Jean Ziegler to call it a “crime against humanity to divert arable land to the production of crops which are then burned for fuel.” And this without making a wit of difference in our imports or carbon emissions.

While decrying the “failed policies of the past,” Obama calls for “windfall profits” taxes.  This was tried 30 years ago and led to higher prices and reduced production, rendering his “failed policies” pronouncement an Orwellian contradiction. Furthermore, in today’s4 global economy, governments can no longer tax in a vacuum. International corporations can take their charter to countries where corporate taxes are more favorable, which is pretty much the rest of the world. Should this happen, domestic tax revenues and jobs would decrease as both migrate offshore, in opposition to the intended impact.

Failing to utilize our resources in an environmentally responsible manner as part of a balanced energy strategy is a self-inflicted wound to our security and economy. In not recognizing this, Sen. Obama appears either utterly clueless or politically calculating.

– Roger W. Cohen, Durango

P.S. Anyone who still believes that the ANWR exploration site is the aesthetic equivalent of the Grand Canyon or that caribou and other fauna would be displaced or otherwise harmed is invited to visit http://icecap.us/images/uploads/The_Real_ANWR_Story_in_Pictures.pdf

Getting decked in Durango

Dear Editors,

Is anyone interested in a story about a local contractor who ripped off an elderly, low-income, disabled woman confined to a wheelchair?

I, Michelle Liemandt, P.O.A., caregiver and daughter of Barbara Lee, acted on her behalf and paid Animas Deck Builders to build a deck and walkway at our new home. There has been a breach of contract. “Responsible and timely manner” has not been fulfilled. He wouldn’t even give us a schedule.

$18,330 and 11 months later, we have nothing but footings. Shawn P. McConnell has given us a lot of lies and excuses but no product. I don’t want him to rip anybody else off. He won’t even call us back.

– Thank you, Michelle Liemandt, Durango

A dogged take on river running

Dear Editors,

This paper claims it will print just about anything. I would like to put this claim to the test. This letter is a response to the thumbs down section on dog owners allowing dogs to go through Smelter Rapid. In March of 2006 my boyfriend and I chose to take our dog to Smelter and teach him how to swim. The Telegraph was down at the water taking photographs that day. They chose to shoot a picture of our dog practicing his new skills less then 5 feet from the rapid. They thought it was print worthy and no negative connotation accompanied the caption. I find it extremely ironic that suddenly your stance has changed. I appreciate the right of this paper to print its opinion, in return I hope you print mine. We live in a country where millions of men and women have died for our freedom. In the spirit of July 4th, I would like to remind us all how lucky we are to express how one feels whenever one chooses. Thank you to those who have fought and those who are still fighting. Without you, our opinions would mean nothing! On that note, please take the following tips into consideration before entering any form of water:

#1) Always wear a life jacket…even if you are a dog!

#2) If you are not experienced in water, do not place yourself or someone else at harm.

#3) You live in the United States of America, if you would like to take your children or pet down the river, you have every right to… and thank you again to the troops who fight for us as I write this and as you read it.

– Born and Raised in Durango, Colorado, Amber Treace Pedigo

(Editors’ reply: Just a point of clarification, if you read the Thumbs Down carefully, it included the words “high water” and was directed at people who raft through during peak run-off flows and/or with animals not wearing proper flotation. Last summer, our photographer came across a less pleasant picture and had to try to resuscitate a dog that swam the rapids after its owner flipped in Smelter at 5,000 cfs. That dog eventually died. We also witnessed a frantic golden retriever puppy being saved by a Good Samaritan kayaker this year at 6,000 cfs. We agree that Americans have the right to take their pets down the river. However, carelessly drowning animals qualifies as abuse in our book.)

Integrity, honesty, intelligence

To the Editors,

Recently the League of Women Voters encouraged voters to register by July 14 in order that they might vote in the August primary election. If you are an unaffiliated, registered voter, you may choose one of the two major parties and affiliate with that party at the polls on Aug. 12. On that day, registered Democrats will determine whether David Duncan or Todd Risberg will be their choice to run for district attorney of the Sixth Judicial District on the November ballot.

David Duncan has lived and worked in and around this community for more than 30 years. I personally have known him for more than 40 years.  

David has consistently been known as a man of integrity, honesty, intelligence and curiosity. He is a good listener and has the ability to weigh varying opinions accordingly. He has affiliations with people from all walks of life and relates well with them. David has an impeccable work ethic, which has gained him the respect of the many people he has served and/or worked with. He not only expects a great deal of himself; he expects those with whom he works to demonstrate that same dedication and effort.  

If you as a taxpayer want a highly qualified, dedicated professional as your next district attorney, help to put David Duncan on the November ballot by registering and voting in the Aug. 12 primary election.

– Sandra D. Francik, Durango