Pollution and drilling

by Tom Haughey

After years of pushing for expanded drilling, Republicans have finally gotten what they wanted –sort of. Anwar has been opened up for oil exploration. The President has also signed off on offshore oil drilling (which was halted when that Deep Water Horizon oil rig blew up in the gulf and several southern states had their shoreline temporarily ruined (with the loss of considerable animal and fish life). Now, we’re assured, safety protocols will be strictly enforced and it’s safe to drill again. Atlantic and Pacific drilling has also been authorized, although the Republican governor of Florida has successfully lobbied for an exemption. Florida, he feels, has an economy largely dependent on beach tourism and should not have to risk oil spills. Democrat governors will now no doubt make the same argument for their states, but with less chance of success

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