In a move that does nothing in my opinion but validate John McCain's pandering and hackery concerning offshore drilling, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has told Senate Republicans that he'll be allowing four of their energy bills up for a vote. One of them is specifically concerning offshore drilling. Even CNN reported in that article that the move "surprised Senate Republicans."

Ok, let me get this straight: I have no problem with compromise. And if passing such a bill is the only way to get <i>sweeping</i> energy resolutions to pass, then I would take it (begrudgingly). My issue comes from the fact that this is a move that John McCain has consistently called for, and endorsed adamantly as being able to give almost immediate relief at the pumps.

In fact, McCain said just today that relief could come in only "months." Anyone with even a basic understanding of oil drilling, and of offshore oil drilling especially, would know that any benefits from such a measure would not be seen for several years. This is on top of the fact that it would, in the end, only save a couple of cents. Yes, if that relief was <i>immediate</i>, such a saving would be very beneficial. But at the rate we're talking about, the benefit will be practically unseen.

This is also on top of the fact that we should <i>NOT</i> be investing in continuing to feed our dependence on fossil fuels. We should be putting the money that would be spent on such offshore drilling endeavors into expanding renewable energy technology, such as solar and wind.

Barack Obama is absolutely right in his rejection of such measures. I understand that (hopefully) the vote will not even pass. Perhaps I am overreacting on this. But I have found McCain's offshore drilling advocacy to be one of hte most blatantly idiotic policies of his. Of course I can't say this move surprises me, considering Reid's history as Senate Majority Leader. But it's still disappointing nonetheless.