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

[scooterbug44]

I have absolutely had it with the MORONS who keep pushing drilling off the Florida coast!!!!!!!

Demand for oil is down, it has been demonstrated just how important the tourism generated by resources is to our economy, and yet these shortsided twits (who are getting money for their support BTW) keep trying to push it through!!!!

[MattLorton]

count me and my family in the line. You don't hear of people traveling to TX to vacation on the beach for good reason. This must be protected.

I know what you mean... I've been there before.

I will definitely show up for this event.

[jack S]

oil drilling blog;

Not the Answer

[DavidD]

If any graphics need to be produced to help the cause, I willing to donate my efforts.
I don't want my kids growing up with drilling platforms sitting on the horizon.

[Dave Rauschkolb]

In the near future The Citizens of Florida will have an opportunity to show their opposition to near shore oil drilling 3 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.

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. (forgive the pun)

The date and time of this event will soon be released

[Geo]

I'm in...

[Geo]

Dear Don,

I had an opportunity to read your position on oil drilling in Florida, which you shared with your long time friend, Dave Rauschkolb.

While this might not be a straight forward "bumper sticker" issue for you, I can assure you that it is a very straight forward issue for millions of Florida voters who love our beaches.

Let me be clear. If you vote to allow for drilling of any kind off the coast of Florida you will lose your job as our Senator.

I urge you to do the right thing and reconsider your strategically ambiguous position on this issue.

-GW

[Grayton Girl]

Hello Everyone:

Please check out this great website: Protect Florida's Beaches from Oil Drilling

It's full of information about why there should be no oil and gas exploration off of Florida's coast. It is a very comprehensive site, it references blogs and newspaper articles on the subject, it gives the history of why drilling is bad for beaches, it has a listing of all "no drilling" resolutions recently passed by local governments, etc.

Dave, this would be a great place to put the word out about the Hands Across the Sand protest when all the dates, times and details are worked out!

If you are interested in this issue - and we ALL should be - you need to see this website.

[Walton Outdoors]

Walton Outdoors fully supports the efforts, and please keep us posted on info and dates for the event, as we will be delighted to post on WaltonOutdoors.com

[Geo]

I've thought about this issue a lot this weekend while enjoying our lovely beaches...

Ask yourself a question. What do you love most about living or visiting here? Is it an active lifestyle? Is it the weather? Is it the restaurants? We love all of these things. But when you get to the heart of the question, odds are your answer is that your greatest love of living/visiting here is the beach.

Hold that thought for a minute...

Now ask yourself-
In general what is your greatest love of all. Odds are you would answer that it is your spouse, your children, your family and dear friends.

So what if someone came along with an offer to address any short term monetary/budgetary issues you might have. But there was a risk, albeit a small one, that your greatest love of all could be killed or severely harmed. Would you take the money?

You would not. Because no amount of money is worth putting your greatest love of all in harm's way.

Despite what the corporations, the lobbyists and the politicians say, this really is a simple issue. They are considering putting our greatest love of all in harm's way.

This isn't about energy independence, this isn't about lowering anyone's cost at the pump. This isn't about creating jobs. This is about the rich and powerful wanting to become more rich and powerful.

The oil companies will parade their experts in front of our elected officials. They will present data that says drilling is safe because of advancement in technology and technique. They will make many promises and entice us with legal tender.

No. Not here. There are some things more precious than money.

Let's send a message to our elected officials that we will hold them accountable. As far as I am concerned, any politican who is seriously considering putting my greatest love of all in harm's way should be aggressively campaigned against. They lack judgement or their priorities are misplaced. They don't represent our best interests but rather- they represent the interests of oil companies. They are in it for only the legal tender.

End rant.

G

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Very well spoken and well thought out!

Bravo.

I've thought about this issue a lot this weekend while enjoying our lovely beaches...

Ask yourself a question. What do you love most about living or visiting here? Is it an active lifestyle? Is it the weather? Is it the restaurants? We love all of these things. But when you get to the heart of the question, odds are your answer is that your greatest love of living/visiting here is the beach.

Hold that thought for a minute...

Now ask yourself-
In general what is your greatest love of all. Odds are you would answer that it is your spouse, your children, your family and dear friends.

So what if someone came along with an offer to address any short term monetary/budgetary issues you might have. But there was a risk, albeit a small one, that your greatest love of all could be killed or severely harmed. Would you take the money?

You would not. Because no amount of money is worth putting your greatest love of all in harm's way.

Despite what the corporations, the lobbyists and the politicians say, this really is a simple issue. They are considering putting our greatest love of all in harm's way.

This isn't about energy independence, this isn't about lowering anyone's cost at the pump. This isn't about creating jobs. This is about the rich and powerful wanting to become more rich and powerful.

The oil companies will parade their experts in front of our elected officials. They will present data that says drilling is safe because of advancement in technology and technique. They will make many promises and entice us with legal tender.

No. Not here. There are some things more precious than money.

Let's send a message to our elected officials that we will hold them accountable. As far as I am concerned, any politican who is seriously considering putting my greatest love of all in harm's way should be aggressively campaigned against. They lack judgement or their priorities are misplaced. They don't represent our best interests but rather- they represent the interests of oil companies. They are in it for only the legal tender.

End rant.

G

[Cool Breeze]

Unfortunately, although I am generally a positive person, I have always been a believer that Big Oil would eventually have their way with our state regardless of its citizen's wishes.

However, I will do what I can to stand up and fight this cause!! Count me in for whatever you need and I will certainly be writing my congresspeople and governed.

[Grayton Girl]

If you are opposed to oil and gas exploration in Florida's waters, please take a moment and sign the petition that is posted on the right hand side of the home page of this website: Protect Florida's Beaches from Oil Drilling

You will get an automated "thank you" response and a request to add them to your facebook links (or something like that).

This is just a start, but I predict that if we can get the groundswell started, there will be no stopping us. I am looking forward to seeing some serious "back-pedaling" by those State representatives who voted in favor of the HB 1219 last session.

Let's hold these folks accountable for their actions and make them re-think their positions on drilling in our waters!

[Lake View Too]

Has anybody thought about an actual, physical "hands across the sand"? A chain of people holding hands along the Emerald Coast from, say, Destin to Panama City... The TDC could get involved and get untold publicity when it got covered by CNN... just a thought...

[Grayton Girl]

Has anybody thought about an actual, physical "hands across the sand"? A chain of people holding hands along the Emerald Coast from, say, Destin to Panama City... The TDC could get involved and get untold publicity when it got covered by CNN... just a thought...

That's what Dave is talking about! See his earlier post. I think it's a great idea!

[Dave Rauschkolb]

WE ARE WORKING ON THE WEBSITE. This could be on all Florida Beaches. Look for it soon.

Has anybody thought about an actual, physical "hands across the sand"? A chain of people holding hands along the Emerald Coast from, say, Destin to Panama City... The TDC could get involved and get untold publicity when it got covered by CNN... just a thought...

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Hands Across The Sand is is coming to a beach near you
In the near future The Citizens of Florida will have an opportunity to show their opposition to near shore oil drilling 3 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.

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. (forgive the pun)

The date and time of this event will soon be released

Coming Soon...

That's what Dave is talking about! See his earlier post. I think it's a great idea!

[Lake View Too]

Sorry, Dave, I dropped in on the tail end of the thread. You've got a great idea.

[jack S]

another article. Federal scientists say limit drilling

Federal scientists: Limit offshore drilling plans -- latimes.com

I have to point out the obvious;

Why does it seem that all the republicans in the country want to rape the planet as quickly as possible, and use fear to convince us to fall in line?

[Andy A]

another article. Federal scientists say limit drilling

Federal scientists: Limit offshore drilling plans -- latimes.com

I have to point out the obvious;

Why does it seem that all the republicans in the country want to rape the planet as quickly as possible, and use fear to convince us to fall in line?

As a member of the Republican party, I take great offense at your supposition that all Republicans want to "rape the planet as quickly as possible, and use fear to convince us to fall in line".
I believe we, as an individual, party member or anything else you wish to mention, can be concerned with our environment and our support of the issues concerning it without totally losing our common sense. There is room for compromise concerning the production of fossil fuels. This particular issue is not one of them, IMO, but to trash the entire Republican party over the issue is not only unfair but without merit and completely biased without reason as well. Just my opinion but a very strong one! That said, I will do anything I can to support Dave's "Hand Across the Sand" project.

[jack S]

Andy; I mean the republican elected legislators, where ever they are. read the reports, the news stories, even the last campaign... remember "drill, baby, drill". I did not intend to insult all republican people, but you all keep electing these officials who do not have the peoples best interests at heart. They sure do have a rape the planet attitude. every republican legislator in the panhandle voted to drill!
You remember after Ivan? For 2 and a half years after that, until turtle season of 06, we at blue mtn had to endure constant machinery and destruction of our access communitee. Running the beach was a constant hassle to avoid machines, And arrogant miserable workers.
Now, imagine how that would be magnified by an oil derrick washed on shore, with an oil spill!!!!! I would guess more years would pass, and the wise elected ones will say that that was unforeseen, when we already know it will happen.
I did not intend to make this thread political, but Hell Andy read the stuff, it ain't dem's who are in this rush to ruin!!!

[jodiFL]

We are in and look forward to making a strong statement. Media exposure would be great. Perhaps if we have matching t-shirts our voices would be heard louder???

I think everyone wearing a black shirt (something everyone has at least one of) would be a good choice since that black line in the sand would be exactly what would be seen from one SMALL spill (see Lebanon below). Probably just from the lubricants and diesel that are used on those rigs and the boats that supply them.

[SWGB]

I would never discourage anyone from joining the fight, but I think it needs to be made very clear that this is a bare knuckle street brawl to the death. Whoever these interests are that hide behind LLC's, Lawyers, and Lobbyists are in it for the long haul. One has to wonder if these are even US companies or if this is a huge smoke screen for China or India?

Something stinks and it's not the refinery planned for Nature Walk.

[2bohemians]

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


› 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]

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


› 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.

What a biased article!! The writer basically states that drilling off the Gulf Coast in state waters is a foregone conclusion....and that it's all good because they can use some of the profits to support the introduction of more solar energy.

This article makes me really sad....and mad!!

[mom of zoro]

My family will be there whenever the date is posted! Being a true sunshine state native, I know how our beaches are enjoyed by so many and how important they are to nature. Now, can we move some of the houses backward a bit and off the beach front so I can see?

[SWGB]

What if we took the beach to the capital?

Can you imagine thousands of people in bathing suits, with beach chairs, and coolers all around the capital?

[Everytime]

What if we took the beach to the capital?

Can you imagine thousands of people in bathing suits, with beach chairs, and coolers all around the capital?

This may be the best idea I've heard yet. (And I'm a common-sense conservative who usually votes Republican, but I'm opposed to the expansion of Gulf drilling).

[Minnie]

Unfortunately, although I am generally a positive person, I have always been a believer that Big Oil would eventually have their way with our state regardless of its citizen's wishes.

Please do not get discouraged thinking that citizens groups can not win against big business, lawyers, and even the government.

It can happen. During the interstate highway system's late 1950s and early 1960s building boom, public parks had been viewed as a desirable path. Building through them didn't require the federal government to use the power of eminent domain. With that mindset the Federal Department of Transportation divised a plan to take I-40 though Memphis and right through our oldest city park and our zoo.

A group called Citizens to Protect Overton Park dug in and went all the way to the Supreme Court and won.

Citizens to Preserve Overton Park versus Volpe, is a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that established the basic legal framework for judicial review of the actions of administrative agencies.

It also stands as a notable example of the power of litigation by grassroots "not-in-my-backyard" and preservationist movements to block government action.

If this small group could stop a federal agency that had already completed a major Interstate highway right up to the doors of the zoo and stop the development right in its tracks, I know the citizens and friends of Florida beaches can do the same to preserve and protect this wonderful natural resource.

[SWGB]

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.

[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]

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.


› 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]

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

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

[carmen]

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]

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

[Bobby J]

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

So this is what we get with a modern oil rig.....

"The disaster has now entered its ninth week after the failure at the weekend to plug the spill, which has seen oil spew into the Timor Sea at an estimated rate of up to 400 barrels a day. "

Thanks for posting that Jack. I imagine 400 barrels a day would make our pretty white beaches look pretty black!
I can see a bunch of guys in suits standing around going, "Hmmm, it was not supposed to do that. I wonder how we fix this here thingy?"

[jack S]

I was talking to a friend today who moved to santa barbara. He told me that they call the oil derricks the casinos, because they are all lit up at night. He also told me that when you have an on shore breeze.... you smell them!!!!
If they have their way, forget emerald coast, just say industrial beach!

[Dave Rauschkolb]

It has come my attention that the Governor might call a special session in December to take up the "high speed rail" issue. Evidently the Governor only needs ONE week notice to call a special session. They might do this a few weeks before Christmas because everyone will be occupied with the holidays. It is very likely the singular purpose of this is to get the oil issue pushed through.

HANDS ACROSS THE SAND will be designed to be implemented in a weeks notice to all Floridians on Thanksgiving weekend or December if necessary. Our website will be up by this Friday for all information regarding Hands Across The Sand.

Hands Across The Sand could become the largest public gathering in the history of Florida

Hands Across The Sand
NO OIL in our Waters
NO OIL on our Beach

[Jdarg]

Wow! Talk about fast action! Way to go Dave!

[Dave Rauschkolb]

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-20-voa10.cfm

[jodiFL]

a pic of the little beauty sitting off Australia.... looks like it would smell real nice with a light onshore sea breeze....


(you know the ones that start here about 2 pm every day)

[jack S]

And another 18000 gallons of oil in the gulf!

Tanker collision causes oil spill in Galveston. | KVEO.com | Rio Grande Valley

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Hands Across The Sand | A gathering of citizens of Florida to prevent near shore oil drilling in Florida's coastal waters.

Special Thanks to Cyber Sytes in Panama City Beach for donating the site and design work. Thanks to David, Tam and Noel. Great Job!!

[2bohemians]

Hands Across The Sand | A gathering of citizens of Florida to prevent near shore oil drilling in Florida's coastal waters.

Special Thanks to Cyber Sytes in Panama City Beach for donating the site and design work. Thanks to David, Tam and Noel. Great Job!!

Great job! Love the clean and easy design. We will start spreading it around. Thanks so much for all you do and to Cyber Sytes for their services.

[jodiFL]

joined and posted link on FB. If by chance someone gets some posters printed please let me know and I will be happy to post them in area businesses.