We have proven oil reserves of at least 21 billion barrels in the United States. But a broad federal moratorium stands in the way of energy exploration and production,” said McCain. “And I believe it is time for the federal government to lift these restrictions and to put our own reserves to use.”

You really can’t understand the significance of 21 billion without considering the 7 billion gallons we use each year. Why don’t news sources mention that very basic basic context?

In checking around, McCain’s figures of 21 billion are certainly an underestimate of actual domestic oil reserves. But even if you assume 10 times the amount (for which few would be willing to argue), we’re talking about energy independence for at best the next few decades.

It’s not a solution for our own lifetime much less our children’s lifetime (even ignoring climate change and other impacts of oil.) 30 years is not a long time for a major shift in energy sources.

A sincere “all of the above” approach is a reasonable approach to weaning ourselves off a dwindling resource. But “drill baby drill” does not give me confidence that the reality of the situation is being acknowledged or taken seriously; we’ll end up with a “one of the above” stopgap measure that helps for an election cycle or two but leaves us even worse off.