The whole idea that offshore drilling is a blight on the environment is the Big Lie which far too many people have bought. It simply is objectively not true.
There was a terrible oil spill at Santa Barbara decades ago. It was cleaned up, and we haven't had any repeats. Imagine if California permanently closed down its airports because there had been one terrible accident. What's the difference?
Simon is just wrong on this, and I still am surprised by his statement. It would have been better to have said nothing than to join those who promote the Big Lie.
Exactly. It would have been better for Simon to have said he was for responsible oil drilling and that we have the technology today to prevent a repeat of the 1969 disaster. He should have pointed out the enviro nazis pose a false choice between having a healthy environment and providing for the needs of the state's growing population. With sound planning and careful management there's no reason we can't protect the environment and provide for California's and the nation's energy needs. Its just too bad Simon missed the opportunity to challenge the entrenched Rat position here that passes for conventional wisdom.