Letter | Don’t buy phony argument about drilling off Myrtle Beach coast

Don’t buy phony argument about offshore drilling

Offshore drilling is not a method for raising revenue. It is a tax-evasion scheme morphed into a campaign strategy.

One of the very-wide-of-the-mark arguments made in support of drilling off South Carolina’s beaches is the contention that it will free us from the political influence and economic dominance of Middle Eastern kings and ayatollahs. While that concern has merit, the conclusion ignores a present reality: gasoline sells for something over $2 per gallon today not only because we have too much petroleum, but also because, as the world’s largest producer, Saudi Arabia manipulates the pricing levers that control the oil market.

American fracking - not my favorite way of polluting aquifers - has proven so successful that, in reprisal, the Saudis have turned up the spigots that gush oil in the Arabian Peninsula. They do this to drive frackers out of business and to avoid losing market share. In so doing, they have flooded world oil markets.

For example, between what it produces and what it imports (existing contracts cannot be broken), the U.S. faces a danger of exhausting our petroleum storage capacity. Each day, import and production deliver 1 million more gallons of oil than we can consume.

Are the Saudis succeeding? The April 1 issue of USA today reports that “Falling Oil Prices Cost 100K Jobs,” many in recently rich states that have been the beneficiaries of the new drilling techniques. Because these dynamic market interactions are so far beyond our control, there is only one point to be made here. That is, that those promoting offshore drilling in the Atlantic as a method for getting out from under Middle Eastern monkeying with our oil supplies need to shift to a more creative argument – one with at least a little credibility.

This one won’t hold water.

Veterans know real compromise

Thanks to the city for making sure that veterans have a chance to remember and pay homage to those who have given their lives for our country on Memorial Day.

For Myrtle Beach City Spokesman Mark Kruea to say that it was a great compromise to acknowledge veterans’ desire to recognize Memorial Day clearly indicates that he and many Americans do not realize the importance of Memorial Day.

All of the other military events scheduled for May are great for living veterans, and we are thankful for those recognitions. For those who have fought for our country, Memorial Day is set aside to remember our fellow brothers and sisters in the military who have given their lives to keep this country free.

Now that is compromise, serving your country knowing it could cost your life.

Thanks again to the city; however, the dead soldiers, sailors, airmen and Coast Guard know what true compromise is.

These snowbirds plan to return after great experience

My husband and I have spent the last 10 winters in North Myrtle Beach. We are called “The Snowbirds from Virginia.”

We’ve had an experience we treasure and want to share. Often, we judge our younger generations harshly. At 90 and 86, my husband and I find ourselves comparing our young adult life to those of now. We are realizing that just can’t be done; the times are different.

Recently, our friends took us out to dinner, to Bonefish Grill in North Myrtle Beach, a rare treat because we don’t function well at night anymore. The restaurant’s small brochure claimed delicious food with an incredible gift of spreading love through good food. That was an accurate description. We had a wonderful, enjoyable evening.

It was a prelude to more, which came two days later when a “senior moment” told me to check on my cash envelope.

No envelope.

I had wanted to at least pay the tip, but it was declined by our friend. I evidently dropped the envelope back in my lap rather than in its zipped compartment in my purse. I phoned the Bonefish Grill manger, who was very happy to hear from me.

“Madam, I have your money, and I am so glad you called,” he said.

The patron who sat in our booth after we left found the envelope of money, and gave it to the manager - all $395.

Yes, honesty and caring are still alive in our wonderful country. Everyone involved were from the younger generations - and accepted only a hug. As we left, one of the greeters informed us they were so glad we found our money, and that they had been praying for someone to call. They certainly are incredible!

North Myrtle Beach has given us wonderful hospitality. To all, we leave a heartfelt thank you, hoping to return.

This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 2:03 PM with the headline "Letter | Don’t buy phony argument about drilling off Myrtle Beach coast."