- Joined
- Aug 9, 2010
- Location
- Coral Springs, Florida
This was a story in our local Sun Sentinel today. She isn't going to win many votes in Florida proposing drilling in the Evergaldes where our drinking water comes from.
Michele Bachmann, who has long blamed “radical environmentalists” for blocking access to energy supplies, has touched a nerve in Florida by promoting oil drilling in the Everglades.
Michele Bachmann in Sarasota
Speaking to supporters in Sarasota on Sunday, Bachmann said the nation needs to tap all of its energy resources, if it can be done responsibly.
“Whether that is in the Everglades, or whether that is in the eastern Gulf region, or whether that's in North Dakota, we need to go where the energy is,” she said, according to an Associated Press report. “Of course it needs to be done responsibly. If we can't responsibly access energy in the Everglades then we shouldn't do it.”
The Everglades has been a treasured symbol of environmental restoration for both political parties. Environmentalists are horrified by the idea of drilling near Florida’s shores, let alone in a delicate ecosystem like the ‘Glades.
The Everglades Foundation, based in Miami, said, “Congresswoman Bachmann needs to understand that oil and drinking water do not mix.”
“NRA card-carrying hunters, fishermen, water-fowlers and other outdoors enthusiasts do not want to see oil drilling in their Everglades wildlife paradise,” the Foundation said. “In addition, the Everglades is the source of fresh, clean drinking water for more than 7 million Floridians.”
Opposition to oil drilling in and around Florida was once a cause that united most Florida leaders. But since the 2008 campaign – when John McCain encouraged chants of “drill, baby, drill!” – Republicans have been more inclined to support it.
This will likely be an issue in the 2012 presidential campaign in Florida, secondary to jobs and the economy but still important.
Michele Bachmann, who has long blamed “radical environmentalists” for blocking access to energy supplies, has touched a nerve in Florida by promoting oil drilling in the Everglades.
Michele Bachmann in Sarasota
Speaking to supporters in Sarasota on Sunday, Bachmann said the nation needs to tap all of its energy resources, if it can be done responsibly.
“Whether that is in the Everglades, or whether that is in the eastern Gulf region, or whether that's in North Dakota, we need to go where the energy is,” she said, according to an Associated Press report. “Of course it needs to be done responsibly. If we can't responsibly access energy in the Everglades then we shouldn't do it.”
The Everglades has been a treasured symbol of environmental restoration for both political parties. Environmentalists are horrified by the idea of drilling near Florida’s shores, let alone in a delicate ecosystem like the ‘Glades.
The Everglades Foundation, based in Miami, said, “Congresswoman Bachmann needs to understand that oil and drinking water do not mix.”
“NRA card-carrying hunters, fishermen, water-fowlers and other outdoors enthusiasts do not want to see oil drilling in their Everglades wildlife paradise,” the Foundation said. “In addition, the Everglades is the source of fresh, clean drinking water for more than 7 million Floridians.”
Opposition to oil drilling in and around Florida was once a cause that united most Florida leaders. But since the 2008 campaign – when John McCain encouraged chants of “drill, baby, drill!” – Republicans have been more inclined to support it.
This will likely be an issue in the 2012 presidential campaign in Florida, secondary to jobs and the economy but still important.