Hands Across the Sand-Join us to stop near shore Oil Drilling In Florida Waters

[Minnie]

I completely understand where you are coming from Minnie, but the Federal Government of the 50's and 60's vs. current oil money is a whole different beast.

This lobby has essentially decided that they'll drill, to what degree they get to rape our natural resources is their only current debate.

As I understand it their big compromise right now is to move the line to 6 miles from the last attempt which was 3 miles. Even if this change occurs you will still see oil platforms from the beach. Currently you the line on the horizon is approximately 12 miles.

Despite all of that this is not a visual issue, it is an environmental, financial, military, and common sense issue.

Want to really stop the legislature in it's tracks? Send them a letter with a sample of our beautiful sugar white sand enclosed.

This happened in the early 70's. And yes it might be a different beast but my point is a small group can make a difference.

In Memphis, the Federal government had already secured the right of way for the Interstate all the way through Memphis, dislocating many home owners, right up to the park and zoo. People literally laid down in front of bull dozers to stop the advancement until they got the court order. There was only a small section of highway to be completed, the park section, as the government was so sure they would win they went ahead and completed the highway on both sides of the Zoo and park.

After this grass routes group won, basically the road became a highway to no where and the government had to back track and build the interstate around the city instead of through it. Alot of money, and man power was lost. And yes there were lobby groups that wanted the road to proceed and business groups that were going to benefit from the traffic generated into this area, as well as congressmen who stood to benefit from the road going through the city.

So while the specifics might be different it was a huge undertaking then, one few thought would succeed but they did.

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Just the beginning of the clever filth the oil lobby will spew

This is just the beginning of the clever ploys the oil lobby has planned to try to soften the bellies of the citizens of Florida to drilling. Believe me, they have been planning this argument for a long, long time. No, it is not a forgone conclusion that drilling will occur, not even close.

Certainly we need to get our politicians to turn to Solar. Incentivizing Solar through oil? It's laughable. Hell, this is the Sunshine State! Yes we should all work towards converting to Solar but it should not be through oil it should be instead of oil. Our state should be the leader in Solar and not clinging to a prehistoric technology. We need politicians who have the guts to lead us away from the inefficiencies of oil and not be mesmerized by the money it will bring to their campaign chests.

We can and will succeed in stopping this nonsense. Our cause is as pure as our coastal waters and white sand. No amount of hackneyed logic will succeed in turning our tide black with filth. Once the citizens of Florida are heard in Tallahassee there won't be a politician in the house and senate that even breaths the word oil.

All it will take is our joining hands and drawing a line in the sand, a very, very long line. Inland and Coastal Floridians will soon unite to protect our clean waters, our pristine beaches, our tourism and our way of life. It's really very simple.

Read this article today and thought it was appropriate to share on this thread. :shock:


› Solar Energy, Natural Gas: Florida's New Power Couple [Sentinel column]
Mike Thomas: The plan is to open up Florida's offshore water to oil drilling, then use some of the royalties to open up more rooftops to solar panels. This is the brainchild of future House Speaker Dean Cannon of Winter Park.

 

[Grayton Girl]

News article - Not all Republican Senators are for drilling

State GOP senators skeptical on offshore oil drilling - St. Petersburg Times

Goodwitch58 posted this article from today's St. Pete Times under a different thread in the lounge, but I wanted to make sure that those keeping up with the oil drilling issue would see it.

Contrary to Mike Thomas's opinion (Orlando Sentinel) that a bill allowing drilling in State waters is inevitable, this article highlights that some republican senators are NOT in favor of drilling. It also highlights the political "players" involved in this bill, including Sen. Gaetz (who is likely to be the Senate President in 2012).

Here's a good quote from the article from one of our local delegation, Senator Durell Peaden, who represents the north parts of all counties from Escambia to Bay:

"Once you ruin those pristine beaches, they're ruined forever," said Peaden, a retired doctor who worked for Texaco before he went to medical school. He describes out-of-state oilmen as "shysters" promoting a "shell game" at the expense of Florida's tourism economy.

"It's all about campaign money," Peaden said. "And it's one big crapshoot."

Another coastal senator is Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton. He says he is open to learning more about drilling but would vote no, "knowing what I know now."

"I don't think the Senate has the votes right now," said Bennett.
​

FYI - here is a list of Florida Lobbyists who signed up to lobby for Florida Energy Associates, the group proposing to open Florida's waters to oil and gas drilling. There are some real heavy hitters on this list:
Anderson, George Oscar
Barnett, Martha W. ?WD? 09/21/2009
Benford, Brady J.
Bibeau, Brian H.
Bradshaw, Paul R.
Brown, Monesia T.
Castro, Edgar O.
Cohen, Kelly
Daniels, Doug
Daniels, Douglas A.
Diaz de la Portilla, Claudia
Diaz, Nelson D.
Dudley, Christopher F.
Dudley, Fred R.
Fraser, Towson
Friedman, Bernie J.
Gosnell, Beth
Hopping, Wade L.
Jaber, Lila A.
Jackson, Yolanda Cash
Madden, Steven J.
Matthews, Frank E.
Mitchell, R. Paul
Montgomery, Matthew R.
Moore, James T. (Tim)
Phillips, Lance ?WD? 08/10/2009
Pittman, Sean A.
Rancourt, David A.
Sessions, Lewis
Smith, Jim
Stengle, Dan R.
Thrasher, John E. ?WD? 05/01/2009
Webb, Stacey S.
Williams, J. Larry

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Hands Across The Sand Mission Statement and Event Date

HANDS ACROSS THE SAND

Hands Across The Sand is a non profit organization devoted to protecting our coastlines and waterways from the devastating environmental effects of oil exploration and support industries. We are protesting to protect.

Mission Statement:

1. To raise awareness about pending Florida legislation to drill for oil within 15 miles of our coast

2. To organize a Gulf coast wide and perhaps a statewide coastal movement to protest this legislation. This protest will bring thousands of Florida citizens to our beaches and will draw metaphorical and actual lines in the sand; human lines in the sand against near shore oil drilling in our waters. This event will be held on Saturday February 13, 2010


3. To convince our Legislators and Governor to drop any and all Legislation that would allow this folly.


In the near future The Citizens of Florida will have an opportunity to show their opposition to near shore oil drilling as close as 3 to 10 miles off our coast. This movement will be made of people of all walks of life and will cross political affiliations. This movement is not about politics it is about protection of our shoreline, our tourism, our valuable properties and our way of life. Let us share our knowledge, energies and passion for protecting our waterways and beaches from the devastating effects of oil drilling.

This event is planned for Saturday February 13, 2010, President's Day Weekend


Hands Across the Sand is coming to a beach near you.

It's simple

Step 1. Go to the Beach

Step 2. Hold hands forming lines in the sand against Oil Drilling in our Coastal Waters.

Step 3. Leave only your footprints.

Rules of the day:
Use only approved beach accesses and parking
Create as long a line or as many lines as you wish
Be courteous and respectful to those who disagree with your view

 

[Geo]

Hi Dave, good stuff but just curious-

Why are you specifying a distance? I am under the impression that a spill/accident 13 miles or 15 miles out would have the same catastrophic consequences to our beaches as would one that is closer. Is Hands Across the Sand not opposed to any/all Florida drilling irrespective of distance from shore? Thanks! G

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

We are specifically targeting the current House Bill that was just passed and any changes they might make as well regarding distances. We oppose drilling anywhere in Florida waters. I'll clarify it on the website. Thanks!!

Hi Dave, good stuff but just curious-

Why are you specifying a distance? I am under the impression that a spill/accident 13 miles or 15 miles out would have the same catastrophic consequences to our beaches as would one that is closer. Is Hands Across the Sand not opposed to any/all Florida drilling irrespective of distance from shore? Thanks! G

 

[Camellia]

Wanted to share this e-mail received today about a workshop Wednesday to address off shore drilling.


As you may know, there was a bill proposed in the Florida House of Representatives this past April that would have allowed oil and gas drilling in State waters. For the Gulf coast, state waters are from the mean high water mark along the beach to 10 miles out.

The County Commissioners and the Walton County Chamber of Commerce passed resolutions opposing the bill.

The Bill passed the House of Representatives on April 27. As it was being considered in the House an uproar developed over the of introduction of such a significant piece of legislation in the closing days of the legislative session. On May 2nd, the Bill died ?in messages? to the Senate. ?In messages? refers to the location of a bill in referral from one Chamber to the other. The proponents of the Bill indicated it would be reintroduced in the next General session or a Special Session. I have been told the Bill will return in the General Session. That session begins in early March. If you google ?oil and gas in Florida waters? you will get a lot of information on the topic. I have been told by Walton County officials that the Governor, in a meeting with them recently, indicated he felt drilling in State waters ?could work? and that he would consider the Bill.

I will be sending a synopsis of the Bill shortly.

This Wednesday, October 21st, there is a very important meeting on the oil and gas issue in Tallahassee. It is a workshop on ?Energy Exploration in State Waters? in the House of Representatives. The workshop is from
1:30 to 6:00 PM and is located at Webster Hall (212 Knott). It is open to the public.

This will be the first public opportunity to get more information on this very important issue.

We will keep you updated on this significant issue.

Anita Page
SWCC Executive Director

 

[Free2be]

HANDS ACROSS THE SAND

Hands Across The Sand is a non profit organization devoted to protecting our coastlines and waterways from the devastating environmental effects of oil exploration and support industries. We are protesting to protect.

Mission Statement:

1. To raise awareness about pending Florida legislation to drill for oil within 15 miles of our coast

2. To organize a Gulf coast wide and perhaps a statewide coastal movement to protest this legislation. This protest will bring thousands of Florida citizens to our beaches and will draw metaphorical and actual lines in the sand; human lines in the sand against near shore oil drilling in our waters. This event will be held on Saturday February 13, 2010


3. To convince our Legislators and Governor to drop any and all Legislation that would allow this folly.


In the near future The Citizens of Florida will have an opportunity to show their opposition to near shore oil drilling as close as 3 to 10 miles off our coast. This movement will be made of people of all walks of life and will cross political affiliations. This movement is not about politics it is about protection of our shoreline, our tourism, our valuable properties and our way of life. Let us share our knowledge, energies and passion for protecting our waterways and beaches from the devastating effects of oil drilling.

This event is planned for Saturday February 13, 2010, President's Day Weekend


Hands Across the Sand is coming to a beach near you.

It's simple

Step 1. Go to the Beach

Step 2. Hold hands forming lines in the sand against Oil Drilling in our Coastal Waters.

Step 3. Leave only your footprints.

Rules of the day:
Use only approved beach accesses and parking
Create as long a line or as many lines as you wish
Be courteous and respectful to those who disagree with your view

What time?
I've never replied to anything on sowal before but this is something that I very much want to be a part of. I want my kids and grandkids to enjoy the beaches that we have now.

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

What time?

It's a little early to pick the time but more than likely it will be around 12:00 noon. Thanks for your support.

 

[jack S]

As we know, the oil people and their pawns will tell us that the technology has come SO far that spills will not happen! Well here is another article about a current spill that they CAN'T STOP! So much for the lies!
Call for action as oil spill gushes | The Australian