Introductioin to Offshore Drilling

Lately is seems like offshore drilling has been a topic in hot debate. Gas prices have affected everyone and many are looking for a new and cheaper way to get gas. With the recession everyone is looking for ways to cut down expenses. Many have turned to offshore drilling, which is, the drilling for oil in the ocean. Although it is an alternate way to get oil, it is not the moraly accepted way to find oil. Drilling in the ocean will affect many different species in the ocean making all enviormental friendly people completly against offshore drilling. It is not a quick fix to lower gas prices. The Boston Globe says "It would take at least a decade for oil companies to obtain permits, procure equipment, and do the exploration nesessary to get the oil out of the ground."http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/20/new_offshore_drilling_not_a_quick_fix_analysts_say/

This whole process seems like a big, costly production at time where money is tight. Especially because this comes at such a highly enviormental cost and the gain isn't even guranteed to be that substantial. Drilling in a place as pure and untouched as the coast and wilderness of Alaska should be a last resort, not a politcal scheme to gain 'points' or to gain cheaper oil. Whatever the decision may be, action may not even take place for years due to environmentalists blocking progress and many other legal battles. Focuses should continue to be on alternative fuel sources.