Tom Friedman Slams McCain, Mocks Republicans on Energy

By: Lowell
Published On: 9/8/2008 10:45:49 AM

Tom Friedman, energy expert (he really is) and author of the new book "Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America," says that drilling in America might add "about 1% to global demand, or global resources if we find anything."  In other words, yipee! Friedman then mocks the Republicans and their brain-dead "drill, baby, drill" chanting at their convention.

I tried to imagine if there were Russian, Saudi, and Iranian observer at that convention listening to them say "Drill, baby, drill" what would they have been doing? They would have been up their high fiving each other. They would have been leading that chant, because that means you, American, you're going to be focused on 19th century oil, rather than giving birth to a 20th century which could threaten us, renewable energy.

That's right, the Russians, Saudis and Iranians LOVE the Republicans' cluelessness on energy, because it simply means that America will stay addicted to their oil for longer, possibly MUCH longer. New framing: Republicans are not only friends of Big Oil, they are Putin and Ahmedinejad's best pals!

Comments



No a fan of Thomas Friedman (relawson - 9/8/2008 11:19:16 AM)
He is historically not very comprehensive (or accurate) when it comes to his reporting.

In this case, the "drill here drill now" mantra will perhaps increase our supply by 5%.  I think Friedman's estimates are low (1%).  Even so, it is clear that Friedman's point is spot on: we cannot drill our way out of the energy crises.

Shame on John McCain for politicizing this issue.  This is the exact type of political rhetoric that got us into Iraq.  They appeal to the ignorance in this country - and brainwash people into following them into the depths of hell.  

We need to drill for oil - and we need to drill for more oil.  But that is only a small piece of the puzzle - as most of us recognize.  We need oil, natural gas, wind, solar, nuclear, and in my view the most important thing we can do is improve battery technology so that it is lighter, environmentally friendly, more efficient, and has a longer lifetime.  I can see a day where we pull into the service station and we swap battery packs (for long trips) and simply charge up at the home or office for our daily commute.



5%? (Lowell - 9/8/2008 11:22:56 AM)
Friedman's talking about the WORLD oil market, not just the US.  Are you saying that "drill here drill now" in the United States will increase world supply by 4 million barrels per day?!?  That's incredible, I've never seen an estimate like that...do you have a source?

In general, I think Friedman totally "gets it" on energy, I'm not sure why you don't like him.



I was speaking about US demand for world oil (relawson - 9/8/2008 11:31:18 AM)
And I don't like Thomas Friedman for reasons unrelated to the energy debate.

Since we consume about 25% of world demand - and drilling "here and now" would increase supply by 1% according to Friedman and other sources - that means our demand for foreign oil would decrease by 4% using his numbers.  I think we are talking about the same thing, just looking at it from a different perspective.

Also, our oil (in theory) shouldn't go into the global supply.  By law it is suppose to remain in the US.  So that could change the formula quite dramatically.  It may not change prices much, since that is mostly cartel driven, but it would change actual supplies.

I agree with Friedman on his main point - "drill here drill now" is nonsense.