The professional right-wing noise machine aside, I'm pretty sure that many drilling enthusiasts

who bought into the idea that energy independence could be and should be achieved by domestic drilling are having second thoughts about this right about now. I predict that oil as an energy source is going to become highly unpopular even among "conservatives" once the beaches of four states are covered in it. Let's hope their conclusion isn't "yay for more nuclear". It somehow seems like they always manage to choose those worst of all alternatives once one option fails.

Everyone has known about the various problems with our dependence on oil since the days of Jimmy Carter. That was 25 years ago. Here we are 25 years later, and we have democratic president advocating that drilling for more oil is "part" of the solution to ending our dependence on oil. An accident like this won't really change anything. It's a speed bump at best. It will ultimately stop leaking. The sea food industry may, or may not, recover, but either way everyone will "move on". There will be court cases for the better part of a decade, but BP will survive. And as you suggest, if this causes some change in our focus with respect to the exploration of oil, and the direction we move with respect to our energy future, it will most likely be a renewed focus on coal and natural gas, or an increased push for nuclear.

Sadly, I think that's probably next.
What a mess we've gotten ourselves into.