Breaking down Obama's Oval Office speech

Obama champions alternative energy

Obama addressed America from the Oval Office yesterday to outline his desire to clean up the oil spill mess and compensate those affected by the disaster. He also championed the need for cleaner energy, claiming it should be a "national mission" for Americans to "seize control of our own destiny."

Main points of the speech:

• Obama refuses to allow peoples' lives to change due to the spill and pledges to aid in any way he can.

• Obama plans to make available a fund for those affected by the spill. This will be funded by BP, but handled by a third party.

• Obama makes a commitment to cleaning up the spill, after other catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters have decimated the lives of people within the Gulf region.

• Obama explains that the six month ban on offshore drilling is to protect rig workers.

"We need to know the facts before we allow deep-water drilling to continue."

• Obama explains that they have taken action at the Minerals Management Service (MMS) because they were turning a blind eye to required practices and in return "oil companies showered regulators with gifts."

"Over the last decade, the [MMS] has become emblematic of a failed philosophy that views all regulation with hostility."

Obama explains that with Secretary Salazar the management at MMS is being overturned to include Michael Bromwich, who Obama describes as "a tough federal prosecutor and inspector general," who's charge will be to act as a watchdog for oil companies, not a partner.

• Obama explains that America uses 20 percent of the world's oil, and yet only produces two percent of the world's oil reserves. "For decades, we have known the days of cheap and easily accessible oil were numbered. For decades, we have talked and talked about the need to end America's century-long addiction to fossil fuels, and for decades, we have failed to act with a sense of urgency."

• Obama blames the lack of action against fossil fuels due to a lack of "political courage and candor" and claims that like China, America should invest heavily in alternative means of energy, raising more and more jobs and increasing America's security.

"The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean-energy future is now."

• Obama urges entrepreneurs, scientists and citizens to get behind alternative energy and claims that together, the fossil fuel infrastructure can be overturned, and can be made profitable, creating a million jobs.

Related articles:

Obama U-turn on offshore drilling | No more offshore drilling under Obama | Is Obama's oil policy too contradictory? | Is Obama set to increase America's reliance on foreign oil?

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