Political spins blurring energy realities

Both parties tending to play loose with the facts By RICHARD S. DUNHAM WASHINGTON — When it comes to the raging national debate over energy policy, reality is often in the eye of the beholder. President Bush declares that drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve will reduce the price we pay at the pump without threatening endangered Alaskan wildlife. Democrats say drilling under the Arctic tundra will have no impact on gasoline prices for at least a decade — if ever — and risks environmental catastrophe for what would be nothing more than a few drops in the proverbial bucket of world oil supplies. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., declares that an excess-profits tax on American oil companies would recoup some of the unconscionable profits obtained through gouging consumers at the pump. Republicans respond that a... [read full story]