Pollution in the Gulf Not Just From Oil

"One of the methods used by statists to destroy capitalism consists in establishing controls that tie a given industry hand and foot, making it unable to solve its problems, then declaring that freedom has failed and stronger controls are necessary."

Ayn Rand

That statement could easily apply to any number of areas attacked addressed by the Federal government over the past 22 months. But I was thinking of it in the context of the recent oil leak off the Louisiana coast. The viro-Left and its parasitic travelers who never let a crisis go to waste have been making the usual noises. They chastise BP and rent their garments for having 'allowed' oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

Set aside that everyone from Russia to Brazil is drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S. couldn't stop it if it wanted to. Just ask why BP, Shell, and others aren't drilling in areas where accidents are much less likely and easier to repair. Why aren't they drilling in ANWR and Colorado and South Dakota?

Because those same viro-leftists who complain about the spill were successful in getting the Feds to make it illegal to do so. And, then, of course they clutch their pearls when an oil company has a problem capping a well in mile deep water far out at sea.

So to all those complainers: tough. Want to make a useful contribution? Invent a cost-effective, unsubsidized technology that will make petroleum as unnecessary as whale oil was made by oil and get it accepted in the marketplace. Until then, stfu.

Barring that astounding breakthrough, as an interim step, help get the Feds out of the way of safe drilling — in ANWR, the shallows off the California coast, and elsewhere. Stop polluting the political system with sludge that dirties humans. Then you won't have to worry so much about tar covering birds.