Dan Gelber for Attorney General

Today my Dad turns 91

Sep 1, 2010

Pass the Ban

Jul 20, 2010

July 4th messages from the Gelber family

Jul 3, 2010

Doing the right thing

Jun 29, 2010

Father's Day 2010

Jun 20, 2010

FCAT chaos and why heads ought to roll!

Jun 8, 2010

Getting the BP Response Right

Jun 7, 2010

View All Posts...

Get The Gelber Blog delivered right into your email inbox.

Pass the Ban

Jul 20, 2010

By Dan

In early May I suggested that Governor Crist call us into a Special Session in order to put a near-shore drilling ban on the statewide ballot so voters can decide to permanently keep oil rigs off Florida’s coastline. Although the Governor waited, later today the legislature will convene a Special Session to consider a near shore drilling ban. You might think it was a no-brainer with thousands of gallons of loose oil stalking our state. But think again. It is possible – perhaps likely – that the Florida Legislature will arrive in Tallahassee, and go home without giving voters an opportunity to forever protect our beaches from oil rigs as near as 3 miles from our shoreline.

Florida Legislature is poised to stick it to the Governor even if it means sticking it to Floridians in the process. Some say the Governor is grandstanding, others say it is an example of rank opportunism. Perhaps. But just because you don’t like the motives of the person that calls for the idea (or the person himself), doesn’t mean you should demur to do what’s right. That would be childish.

We need the ban, and it is sound policy. Florida’s fiscal crisis started the drumbeat of near shore oil drilling. Heralding oil revenues as the next fix de jour to our budget shortfalls, an army of oil lobbyists descended on Tallahassee. In 2009 a bill allowing leases within miles of Florida’s coast passed the State House as it was supported by the incoming Speaker. And the incoming leadership of the House and Senate have been promoting near shore leases enthusiastically until the Deep Water Horizon catastrophe. Even some of the most ardent opponents had become part of the “let’s study it” gang. Absent this spill, it is more than likely that within months leases would have been sold within a few miles of Florida’s coastline.

Trust me, the pro-oil crowd is not going to back off something they think could be profitable. It may not be next year, but the moment they think they can bully near shore drilling through the legislature, they will do it.

So that is why we need to move now. While the iron is hot and current events have created some momentum, let's give Floridians the chance to memorialize this moment in the constitution so we never have to worry about the oil industry plopping massive oil rigs just a few miles off the coast of Tampa or Sarasota or any other part of our pristine coast.

I'm with you Dan. We need a ban. Better yet.... I wish there were a Federal ban. I wish Presdient Bush hadn't lifted it. Be that as it is... I want a state ban. Sure we need oil, but we need to consume less and conserve more. We shouldn't have to put it in our cars, and if we must... we should drive economically. We must all do out part. We are all part of the problem. Manufacturers can use the oil to produce wind turbines and solar panels, etc. until solar and wind can be used to produce solar panels and wind turbines. The sad truth is that many politians are bought and paid for by big oil. They need Big Oil's help to get elected because their own characters can't cut it. Sadly, Big Oil is only interested in making a profit and will do what ever is best for their bottom line. Wildlife and the environment and people ultimately suffer because their voices are not heard, or they have no voice to protest. Big Oil's got the money to buy what ever or who ever they want. Politians with principles must have courage and stand firm.

I am in favor of the near-shore drilling ban on the Florida statewide ballot so voters can decide to permanently keep oil rigs off Florida's coastline. I am sure that the majority of the Floridians do not want any off-shore drilling, especially anywhere near our own coastline after the BP DISASTER! Republicans, stop thinking of your own personal greedy and political interests. It is time that the Republicans really start putting the interests of the hard working American people and our Country before their own interests. The hard working class Americans are the ones that have lost and continue to lose our retirement money, our jobs, our homes, our security, our lives, etc., etc., etc. all thanks to the Bush administration and because of the Republican Party's continued selfishness. Republicans, stop inventing vicious lies against President Obama and stop being the party of NO to everything he is trying to do to fix our economy. It is time that you, the Republicans, redeem yourselves and really start voting in favor of our Country. In reality, what you are proving is that you, the Republicans, are the terrorists and demons of our Country. You, the Republicans, are truly the evil ones with all your vicious lies and greed.

I agree completely that the ban must go into effect. People (particularly politicians) seem to suffer from what I call the "one day wall". They cannot see more than one day ahead. If they can make money now, nothing terrible is going to happen by tomorrow so, why not? This was the reasoning behind the lack of safety inspections (BP said it was safe, didn't they? And they should know), the blind "drill, baby, drill" mentality, and many other decisions that take into account what I can get today and the hell with tomorrow.

Thank you for caring about the unemployed and urging Governor Crist to sign an executive order to over-ride the stupid cutoff of June 2, 2010. Please continue to help us. I have written and called Governor Crist's office about this. My prayers are with you, and with all of us at these desperate times.