Yes sir Mr. Responsible oil driller. Do you know another word other than hysteria? You use that alot. I simply try and follow the science.

So, while arguing for a possible contributions to a Wealth Fund such as Norway, are you also in favor of a very progressive tax on your income, such as Norway? Or, do you simply cherry pick your facts and figures forgetting to mention ALL the other factors affecting your conclusion?

Good editorials, both.
Unfortunately, these issues require critical thinking skills.
Until we get serious about education, all else is a mute point.
We live in a complex world. Having a say, as a democracy requires, is based upon knowledge.
There is no other way to get this knowledge besides extensive reading. Since we as a nation do little reading, we are very limited in making educated choices in our own lives, as well as, to act and vote in the best interest of the nation.
An educated populace no longer denies climate change. An educated populace does not have the rates of serious alcohol, gambling, wife and child abuse that we see in this country. An educated populace does not vote for people who have proven over and over that they have no interest in helping their fellow Bahamians. An educated populace does not behave in the manner as our newspapers chronicle daily. I am the first to admit that an education does not make a person good or moral. However, without an education and copious daily reading in today's world, is like sending a 2 year old across a busy street to get us a Big Mac, with not a worry in the world. And, then some will claim the tragic outcome is God's will.

Neil, study the history of slavery. It persisted for how many hundreds of years? Can you imagine a time when anyone who spoke out about the injustice and inhumanity of slavery was condemned in the same fashion, using the same faulty, go-along, get-along logic? I can. I am witnessing the same selfish, narcissistic perspective regarding the future of our species, our earth, and our children's dream's. You seem to have joined the club of non-thinking predatory capitalists. A disease from the north?

Where do see see anything but a continued grab for resources and money?
Sanity? Honestly! So those doctors of science whose ranks grow by the day, calling for the remaining oil to stay in the ground as the evidence becomes clearer by the day, are insane? Unlike those who only speak up when their own financial interests are at stake. such as the un-hysterical voice of Columbus Pillow.

And your point about money?
What percentage of Bahamians have stock in BPC?
Yet, they are the ones who will pay the highest price for this foolish and stupid proposal.

"One investor, requesting anonymity and describing himself as “just an ordinary shareholder”, urged Bahamians in a letter written to this newspaper not to “let a few thousand persons, some with no connection whatsoever to your beautiful islands, trick you” into blocking BPC’s plans and the potential financial windfall that may result IF commercial quantities of oil are discovered. While acknowledging the need for Bahamians to debate the merits oil exploration, they added that they “cannot help but question a few of the opinions expressed” about BPC’s plans to spud an exploratory well in waters some 90 miles west of Andros near the maritime boundary with Cuba."
Neil, how is this relevant to anything?
This is one of the worst articles I have ever read. What does a few thousand people matter? Isn't it about being right? Or, doesn't that matter anymore?

Idiot.

How many of the influencers and financial backers of the campaigns to stop exploratory drilling and eventually production, are connected to The Bahamas? Do they have conflicts of interest? Are they attempting to delay the drill or financially hurt BPC and its shareholders for personal gain?
What does this have to do with anything?
My family opposes female genital mutilation in Africa. They don't live there. Should they shut up?
Do you not have a conflict of interest, investing in a technology that most educated people can now see is destroying life on our earth?
Does it occur to you that someone might speak their mind for reasons other than "financial gain" I see what motivated you. However, as an outspoken opponent of drilling for oil and other destructive enterprises humanity is engaged in, what would be my financial interest in devoting a good bit of time in staying current and voicing my opinion? Yours is money, mine is not. So, who should the people listen to?
I do get tired of having to endlessly, it seems, counter these adolescent arguments for drilling for oil.
\If you have the dream of becoming rich, or richer, fine. Say so. But, do not try and use illogical arguments to convince others to sacrifice their lives, their homes, their children's future because of your selfish agenda. We've heard it all before. Your letter is empty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VSE5ub…

This is the view from money, and money alone.
I heard nothing of the overwhelming science on the climate crisis. When we are looking at the massive changes occurring and still see the need to write a letter protecting our ability to gamble on our children's future, do we really not see the moral disconnect?
Nothing from the world's most eminent scientists on why oil needs to stay in the ground.
I heard nothing about the existential threat of near term sea level rise.
Nothing about the threats to our way of life, food sources, tourism.
The arguments for drilling for oil today are like the arguments used not so long ago for slavery.
Yeah, it's probably wrong, but look at all the good it has done. Look at the USA. How could one imagine a prosperous country like that without a few hundred years, most of its history, of people donating their lives to the betterment of white human kind.
The BPC shareholder writes, "My family and I have been to The Bahamas and witnessed its lovely people. A people with the dire misfortune of having to deal with a terrible hurricane and pandemic. Do not let a few thousand people, some with no connection whatsoever to your beautiful islands, trick you."
Sir, or madam, thank you for "witnessing" our lovely people. The vast majority of people who object to this drilling are Bahamian and some of us read extensively. The only ones trying to "trick" us are those who would seek to make money while doing nothing but "witnessing" the problems we are facing as a nation, as a world.
To state, "To debate safety and the environment after an oil discovery is welcome. And if no oil is found, somewhat irrelevant." This one of the more ridiculous statements I've ever read." When do you worry about your family's safety? When do you buy health insurance? After a major heart attack? Sorry, quit trying to make illogical arguments sound reasonable.