Dems Concede Defeat on Drilling Ban Extension

We count our blessings while we can.

With prospects of Senate passage of HR 6899 dim and anticipating a Bush veto if it were, yesterday the Dems dropped their bid to extend the 1981 offshore drilling ban which expires on September 30th. A singular victory for American consumers and a tribute to the dogged determination of the Republican minority on the otherwise infamous Hill.

While the Democratic concession doesn't portend imminent federal sale of offshore oil and gas leases, it likely stems any immediate speculative spikes in oil prices and certainly buoys the spirits and aspirations of the "drill here, drill now" crowd.

So, for the moment, American consumers can breathe a sigh of relief. Now if D.C. can but untangle the morass of bureaucratic red tape to expedite actual drilling operations.

One step at a time, I guess. And we'd best watch our backs: the ever-ruthless party-first Pelosi-Reid diumverate will continue to shamelessly conspire against any actual drilling operations and any commonsense and comprehensive "all of the above" energy policies as well. Loyalty to their enviro-lobbyist buddies still very much outweighs their loyalty to country.