# Republicans block vote on Hagel; WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 15, 2013, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-block-vote-on-hagel-wtf/650364 "2013-02-15T03:26:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-block-vote-on-hagel-wtf/650364/101 "2013-03-05T13:24:35Z")
Republicans have a simple but wrong answer for everything. The Keystone Pipeline is not a magic panacea for jobs and cheap energy. The jobs are temporary and few in number while the effect on energy prices might be to raise them. For a fairly evenhanded assessment, see [here.](http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/on-energy/2011/12/16/the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-the-keystone-xl-pipeline) > [@](#): > > By connecting Canadian oil to the Gulf, there is the distinct and likely possibility that Canada will begin exporting this type of crude oil, which would open the possibility for international buyers, thus increasing demand for Canadian Sour, and causing the price to rise. This is exactly why Canada is pushing so hard for this pipeline–the more potential buyers, the more demand, the higher it can be sold for. This is bad for American and Canadian motorists. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-block-vote-on-hagel-wtf/650364/102 "2013-03-05T14:56:06Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Republicans have a simple but wrong answer for everything. The Keystone Pipeline is not a magic panacea for jobs and cheap energy. The jobs are temporary and few in number while the effect on energy prices might be to raise them. For a fairly evenhanded assessment, see [here.](http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/on-energy/2011/12/16/the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-the-keystone-xl-pipeline) This is a polemic against the pipeline. It may be a reasonable argument, but I wouldn’t call it evenhanded. It’s tough to find straight talk on this topic, really–the buzz has become deafening. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-block-vote-on-hagel-wtf/650364/103 "2013-03-05T15:02:39Z")
I am curious about the Cornell study cited in the editorial, though. **Dave** , is that something you’d like to weigh in on? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-block-vote-on-hagel-wtf/650364/104 "2013-03-05T15:27:30Z")
> [@LonghornDave](#): > > Therefore, from an environmental standpoint, it really is this simple: 1) is it better to transport this oil by pipeline or by a combination of pipelines, rail, and tankers; and 2) is it better to refine this oil in the U.S. or in China. Or to 3) leave it in the ground, unburned. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-block-vote-on-hagel-wtf/650364/105 "2013-03-05T15:35:48Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Or to 3) leave it in the ground, unburned. Well now that’s just crazy talk. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-block-vote-on-hagel-wtf/650364/106 "2013-03-05T15:44:40Z")
I agree this thread is probably winding down, but let’s take the Keystone XL discussion to another thread. ---
**Author:** ![LonghornDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-block-vote-on-hagel-wtf/650364/107 "2013-03-05T16:46:34Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I am curious about the Cornell study cited in the editorial, though. **Dave** , is that something you’d like to weigh in on? I will open a new thread in Great Debates if I get a chance. I am sorry for taking this thread off topic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-block-vote-on-hagel-wtf/650364.md?page=5)