Drilling off South Carolina's shore won't prevent energy dependence.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R, SC) is pushing for offshore drilling permits for South Carolina, no closer than 10 miles to the shore. Why?

"I can't promise America that we can get out of this mess without ... taking some risks," Graham said. "The risk we're trying to avoid is perpetual energy dependence."

But others say the risks (environmental impact) are undue, given the limited amount of oil that's likely off the SC coast; others say it's a ploy to boost his support among his constituents.

To Graham's point: America needs to get over the concept of perpetual energy dependence. Unless we do something transformative like radically reduce our consumption or take a much bigger step towards alternative energy sources, energy independence isn't going to happen. And if the concern is the unfriendly attitudes of foreign suppliers, how about if make them more friendly by adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and being more benign to those countries and their people and working to boost our image, undercutting the grievances?

The state will share in the profits under Graham's plan. But will they chip in to clean up any mess which flows north?

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(DISCLOSURE: I work for Abt SRBI. My company does polling. My opinions should not be construed as representing those of my employer.)