At last! A tiny step and only one. I hope America's industries are making all-out efforts to finally deal with our energy-producing block. Follow all the avenues and options to end our begging for energy. Think of what it might mean for our foreign policy options.

Another option might have been to not start wars on two fronts that have both turned out to have long term goals driven by oil access, and maybe tone down the hawk lobby that continues to drive up speculative prices on oil, and puts more money in Iran's coffers by the minute as they keep cranking out that 2million barrel per day export.

This is a serious issue that preceded the current Bush Administration by about 25 yrs. Everyone knew this *day* was coming. This is a world-wide problem especially within the industrialized countries. America has the opportunity to be more self-sufficient and not at the mercy of unfriendly countries.

The ban regarding U.S. offshore oil drilling has been in place for years now. It was a legislative act that preceded then President George Bush, Sr.

In order for the repeal of the offshore drilling ban to be effective it will take the actions (or inactions) of the democratically controlled congress to also lift the ban.

And like Jatfla stated above, this event has been on the broiler for a long time. Time's up. Speaking of time, here's a short history of Oil events WORLDWIDE since the 1970's. Read and learn, if you can. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_world_oil_market_events_%281970-2005%29

I agree, cjartists.