I've heard it said that if the decision is made to add more offshore rigs that we wouldn't see a drop of oil from them for approx 10 years. Is that true? I don't see how it could be any faster. If that is true then it is just way too little, way too late, IMO. By then if gas rises at the current rate (at least $1 per year) then we would be paying what, $10 a gallon or more while sitting around waiting for the rigs to save us? Theres no way the majority of people can wait that long for relief without starting riots and chaos...Kinda like New Orleans after Katrina...

What we really need is NOT more oil but alternative fuels and more fuel efficient vehicles like the prius (only not so weird looking ). And that is not just because gas prices are high, but because of a bigger reason, regardless of the cost or origin of the gas, it makes more sense to build cars more efficient or even hybrid so we waste less fuel and use less resources and 'save the environment'. Some auto makers (mainly Toyota) have wisely been producing fuel efficient and hybrid vehicles, and others have introduced alternative fuel and flex-fuel vehicles. Very frustrating to me that plenty of new models are still rolling out with ridiculous 20 or less mpg in 2008, from several companies. For example the Saturn Vue hybrid gets less mileage than most cars 5 years ago (it only gets mid 20's last time I checked. Nothing hybrid about that!) Only problem with some of those efficient hybrids is the additional cost far exceeds the money one would save on the fuel savings, so for me for example, I am better off with my Dodge Nitro than getting a prius because the prius is approx $5k more which is way more money than I would save on gas. Yes I know that shouldn't stop me because I would still be doing better for the environment and less for foreign oil profits and so I believe my next vehicle will be a hybrid.

I'm just glad we don't fuel our cars with white-out or cologne! Now that stuff is expensive by the gallon!

Dave