A rebuttal on my opinion

[Vespias]

A recent letter was sent to me vilifying me for my views on the oil industry. As it was sent to me in private I will keep the person's name out of this but I will not stand by and let it go. So let's get rolling.

First of all, I served my country in Viet Nam. I watched friends lose limbs and even worse, die. I still stand at attention whenever I hear the National Anthem being played. I vote in every election, local up to national. I have earned the right to call this country a hellhole but let me explain why it is.
It's that way because of people who have put their personal greed ahead of what is the right thing to do for America. Politicians, business leaders, and religious leaders are all guilty of this. Make no mistake, I love this country and that is why I have every right to voice my displeasure at it.
Secondly, yes demand is at the core of the problem. This country is far too dependant on oil. But what are the alternatives? Yes, solar and wind power and geothermal technologies are growing and homes will benefit greatly from them. What about cars? Where is the development in the auto industry. Sure, there are "flex-fuel" cars but in my area there is one (1) gas station in a 10 mile radius that carries the fuel and it's frequently out of it. And really, is flex-fuel an alternative? It still has gasoline in it.
Now, I do blame greed on this. And at the root of the greed lies the oil companies. First of all, men and women are sacrificing their lives in the middle east for what? You think there is any other reason than oil involved? You think we went there to rid the world of a tyrant with chemical weapons? Where do you think he GOT those weapons???
Why do I call it greed? These are figures for just two CEOs.
In 2009, R. W. Tillerson received $27,168,317 in total compensation. By comparison, the average worker made $32,048 in 2009. R. W. Tillerson made 847 times the average worker's pay.
In 2009, John B. Hess received $18,950,608 in total compensation. By comparison, the average worker made $32,048 in 2009. John B. Hess made 591 times the average worker's pay.
I understand your father's friend worked at an oil rig, but I seriously doubt that he was called in to the CEOs office to discuss the wheres and whys for drilling or the prices to set for gasoline and heating oil. So in reality, your father's friend has pretty much no bearing on my remarks.
And I did read all the remarks, and I say this. If China and India want to continue on their path of oil consumption, who cares? I don't give a rats ass if they bath in it. I care about what America is doing to get away from oil and on that end I see very little effort.
And why do I say all these things? Do a bit of research on the Valdez oil spill. See when it happened and along the way read about the "sweeping reforms" that would have to come to the oil industry. I've been seeing the same thing happen over and over with the same rhetoric following. Why hasn't anything been done? Why are we still drilling in our waters? Why are we looking to drill in some of the most pristine and unpolluted places in America? Why do we have to fight tooth and nail to stop drilling in our national parks? The only answer I can come up with is that some people don't want to give up a 27 million dollar a year job. I sure wouldn't. And while you contemplate the why ask who could stop all the efforts and press to open new drilling sites. And who would have an incentive to do so.
There's only one answer.
So now I am satisfied that I have "removed my head from the ground and shaken the dirt from my ears". In my opinion the oil comanies in America are corrupt, unpatriotic, and just a plain bunch of assholes
One request, if there is an answer to this, kindly post it here so everyone will get a chance to see your opinion as I have posted mine.

[Saturo]

Well said!

[Dewclaw]

Agreed.

[Palladiamorsdeus]

Definitely agreed.

[Vespias]

Sorry to rant like that but what really yanked my chain was being told "people have died so you can have the freedom to call America a hellhole". I think that if not for that statement I would have just deleted the letter and gone about my business. I hate when people say things and they have no clue as to who you are or what your life has been like.