Reuters - "Majority backs oil drilling despite spill" - Really???

[TomCADem]

I have to say that I have some doubts about these numbers. I know we have a declining number of people believing in global warming, but a majority still supports offshore oil drilling despite the ongoing disaster?

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64B4T620100512?type=domesticNews&feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews

(Reuters) - Despite the huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, 57 percent of likely American voters agree that offshore drilling "is still a safe, reliable and cost-efficient method of producing oil," a Zogby Interactive poll showed.

However, 53 percent of respondents also said expansion of offshore drilling would lead to increased environmental problems, according to poll results released late on Tuesday.

"These results show again our addiction to oil," pollster John Zogby said.

"For now at least, economic concerns outweigh worries about the environment, and a small majority of voters are willing to risk the latter for the sake of cheaper oil and a reduced dependence on oil from nations that may not like us," he said.

[Bobbieo]

1. Wonder how many of the positive respondents live near a sea coast!!!!

[TampaAnimus2010]

2. I'm fine with it, as long as they fix the issues...

As much as I would love to snap my fingers and have everyone on solar and wind tomorrow, its just not going to happen. I'm quite sure after the money that BP is about to pay out, that they will make damn sure it wont happen again... not to mention whatever oversight the government drops into place now. And I live in Clearwater Florida and Ive signed up to help with the cleanup when it gets here.

[Cetacea]

3. It fails to mention that support has dropped drastically per previous poll

There was a poll out about a month or so ago that showed support for drilling was dropping.
I believe it was a Gallop poll.

[laughingliberal]

4. God, we're a horrible country & a blight on the earth. nt

[Scuba]

9. It's not just us. The corporatist masters will be pleased...

...to work with any corrupt government.

[BzaDem]

5. Zogby Interactive polls are not very accurate, though other polls have shown similar results.

Nate Silver talks about how inaccurate Zogby Interactive (voluntary invitation Internet-based polling) are:

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/03/worst-pollster-in-world-strikes-again.html

However, other reputable polls have confirmed this data.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37116587/ns/politics-more_politics/

--snip--

Despite the spill, 60 percent say they support allowing for more drilling off U.S. coasts, and 53 percent believe that offshore drilling’s potential economic benefits outweigh its potential harm to the environment.

--snip--

[ShamelessHussy]

6. BULLSHIT! They say folks don't want wind farms, but love'm some ugly off shore oil rigs w/skyline

Yeah, right... I think they have been yanking our chains for years, and it is time we call them out, and cancel all our cable.

Once they see a drop in ad revenue they will wake up, since all they can think about is $$$.

[jeanpalmer]

7. "reduced dependence on oil

from nations that may not like us...." How many times do we have to explain that oil from offshore drilling is sold on the global market and is not reserved for US consumers. If you really wanted to reserve it for US consumers, you'd leave it in the ground, like the SPR, and use it only when foreign sources run out, at the earliest.

[Kablooie]

8. Might be true if you poll Americans who don't live near coasts.

But soon the disaster will grow big enough to get their attention too.
I predict it will continuing to make coastlines toxic zones for years to come.