Tragedy in the Gulf

I like to get up in the mornings and read a number of newspapers, some of them on line. If an article interests me, I will print it out. These articles usually are about what is going on in our government.

The current massive oil spill in the Gulf, just 50 miles off the Louisiana coast sent me searching my “drilling in the Gulf file.”

Let me share with you short excerpts from several of these articles dating back to May, 2009.

May 1, 2009, St. Petersburg Times: “But the most devious maneuver was the last-minute House Republican effort to open up state waters to off shore drilling. It was a well-planned surprise attack financed by unnamed energy interests…….”

May 5, 2009, Pensacola News Journal: “Governor Crist, do you really think it’s a good idea to allow drilling for oil and natural gas within three miles of Florida’s coast? When the house passed a bill that would allow it, you said “It may have some promise. What I mean by that is if the technology can be proven, if it can be shown to be safe, I’m sympathetic to the notion…..”

May 13, 2009, Orlando Sentinel: “Mr. Crist began his term a stalwart on protecting the environment. Then, he wanted to join John McCain’s presidential ticket and because polls showed the public’s positions softening on coastal drilling, he gave up his opposition to oil rigs off Florida.”

December 19, 2009, Orlando Sentinel: “In one breath Mr. Crist said he’s open minded about drilling off the coast “so long as I can be convinced it can be done safely.” Then, poof, he became convinced. The “legislation Dean Cannon has been a real champion of is something I support” he said.”

April 2, 2010, St. Petersburg Times: “Rep. Dean Cannon, a Winter Park Republican and the House’s designated speaker next year, is on a crusade for oil and gas exploration 3 to 10 miles off Florida’s coast.”

April 5, 2010, Orlando Sentinel: “Environmental protection. Beware next year when Mike Haridopolos and Dean Cannon take the reins of the Senate and House and ride their bill lifting the states ban on off shore drilling to the governor’s desk.”

Here we are today, thousands of gallons of oil are spewing into the Gulf daily, from a well almost a mile deep. The oil is moving and will impact several states including Florida. We are witnessing a catastrophe in the making.

The oil company, BP, has no real plans to stop the leak anytime soon.

Our leadership in Florida is driven by the latest poll. Now Governor Crist has flip-flopped again and is calling a special session of the legislature to focus on a proposed constitutional amendment to ban off shore oil exploration.

This is just another clear example of the lack of leadership coming out of Tallahassee. Too many of our state officials will do or say anything to stay in office.

Florida’s fishing and tourism industry is in grave danger of being permanently damaged.

Oil and utility companies continue to spend millions and millions of dollars to influence legislation on the state and federal levels that benefit them.

Last year the Governor and many in the legislature were looking at the dollars the state could receive by allowing oil rigs 3 to 10 miles off Florida’s coast. Today we are looking at tremendous job loss and permanent damage to our seafood industry, wildlife habitat, and tourism.

Governor Crist, Senator Haridopolos, Rep. Cannon, you were very close to selling out our beautiful state for “30 pieces of silver.”

Ernie Padgett is a former county commissioner and elected official who resides in Marianna