Raves, Rants & Roses

REPLY: In response to Elvin Taylor’s letter criticizing my letter, I submit the following:
I am aware Congress traditionally takes off in August, but this energy problem is shaping up to be one of the biggest peacetime crises our country has faced. It has the potential to put us in a depression and I feel they could forego their vacation one time to work on this problem.

The Republican Energy Policy established in 2000 was adequate for the time — not perfect but adequate. However, radical changes have occurred in the world’s economy in the ensuing 8 years. China and India are fast emerging as modern nations and their demands for oil increases constantly.

The first President Bush entered an executive order barring offshore drilling during his term because there were adequate supplies of relatively cheap oil and such drilling was not necessary. His son revoked this order about a month ago because circumstances have changed dramatically.

Releasing our oil reserves when we are fighting a two-front war would be the height of folly. This would satisfy our country’s needs for about one day — like giving a patient an aspirin when major surgery is needed.

Having grown up in the oil field, I know oil companies sometimes lease areas when they have no intention of drilling there in the near future. Preliminary testing of these areas may or may not reveal the presence of oil. However, modern technology has already revealed vast oil reserves in ANWR and off shore.

Since I worked in Congressman Louie Gohmert’s campaign, I can assure Mr. Taylor that he was not in Congress in 2000. Mr. Gohmert was elected in 2004 and took office in January 2005.

I’m sure Mr. Taylor didn’t intend to, but, in a “backhanded way,” he proved the main point of my earlier letter.

Stephen Thompson
Tyler