y'know, this has been a topic of discussion around here recently (unbelievable, right?) and I think the realistic view on this is not to ban all drilling, but drastically improve the response mechanism so that leakage is contained when/if something unforeseen does occur. The response of our government has been a joke, and maybe even criminal if the Clean Water Act is to be believed. I understand that the government has no skill or expertise in plugging wells from a mile away, but they do have precedent and experience with all of the tools needed to help keep the spill mostly away from the shores. In my opinion, there is no acceptable reason for letting the oil hit the coast. Use prisoners, coast guard, national guard, .... every freakin warm body you can round up in order to check and maintain boom lines, skimmers, whatever is needed to intercept the slick.