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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 24, 2008

Governor's Flip-Flop

Regarding "Crist Says Offshore Drilling A Possibility" (front page, June 18):

I'd like to thank the Tribune for pointing out Governor Crist's flip-flop on offshore drilling. The mess we are in is due in no small part to our current president surrounding himself with "yes men." John McCain and Crist are nothing more than the president's "yes men."

To the issue of drilling off our shores, it is not a quick fix. And to the idea that it will reduce gas prices, dream on. Predictions of an active hurricane season or any storm watches or warnings in the Gulf cause a spike in gas prices. Do you think that it will be better if we are more heavily invested in the Gulf? On the contrary, prices will increase even more.

Finally, although it takes forward thinking (something the oil companies haven't got), it would be better to invest in new technology, get off of oil and keep our reserves. until we can sell it to the Chinese for far more than current rates.

MICHAEL

VanAUKER

Wesley Chapel

Information Left Out

The president proposed the repeal of the offshore drilling ban and the naysayers scrambled to get their talking heads on the news, but not one of them so far has proposed immediate legislation to stop Alaskan oil from being shipped to countries outside the United States.

Alaskan oil currently goes to Asia. They also did not say anything about the Alabama offshore drilling units less than 40 miles from Florida or how the United States can stop China, Canada, Spain and Brazil from negotiating with Cuba for the rights to offshore drilling less than 30 mile from Florida. Why?

FRANK PANELLA JR.

Valrico

A Balanced Picture

Regarding "Gulf Widens Over Drilling" (front page, June 18):

Thank you for your insightful reporting and analysis of the McCain-Bush proposal for offshore oil drilling. You have provided a valuable public service with this evenhanded treatment of the economic and environmental aspects of this controversial issue. This is a shining example of the continuing merits of the print media in this ever growing era of electronic news dissemination.

Naturally, those with fixed agendas will find fault with your presentation. The right will decry you for your liberalism, the left will complain about your right-wing bias. In my view, you have presented concisely in a few well chosen words a very balanced picture of a complicated subject matter. I could find a few areas for suggested improvement; however, within the overall context, those "criticisms" would amount to petty nitpicking.

JAMES W. MOYERS

Sun City Center

Liberals Want High Prices

Regarding "McCain Makes False Promises With New Oil-Drilling Stand" (Our Opinion, June 19):

In 1995 President Clinton had legislation on his desk that would have allowed energy companies to drill in Alaska's ANWR zone. He vetoed the bill giving reasons very similar to the editorial.

Liberals said it would take 10 years to recover oil from ANWR and those years should be used to develop alternative energy sources. Has that happened? No, and in 2005 the American public would have benefited from American-sourced oil.

But the dirty little secret Democrats, and apparently The Tampa Tribune, does not want the American public to know is they want high gas prices. Liberals feel the only way consumers will get serious about energy conservation is if they feel pain at the pump. They blame the American consumer for causing global warming by using carbon combustible engines.

Democrats want high gas prices. They are more concerned about polar bears than the American consumer!

LEE GETTER

New Port Richey

Areas Already Available

Some energy facts relating to calls for new offshore drilling: According to the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, total U.S. oil production would double and domestic natural gas amounts would increase by 75 percent if oil companies would use the drilling permits they have already been granted.

In North Dakota, the Bakken Play reserve could produce up to 100 billion barrels of oil, twice the size of Alaska's reserve, potentially enough to meet all U.S. oil needs for two decades, with large volumes expected to be flowing in five years.

On the alternative energy side, according to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, cellulosic ethanol fuel made from switchgrass generates five times more energy than it takes to cultivate it and greenhouse gas emissions are 94 percent lower than gasoline.

It might be wise to look at what we are already capable of doing - and providing some serious investment - before leaping to the next drilling "fix," which won't be quick, clean or sustainable.

CHARLIE BRUSOVICH JR.

Tampa

Look To Alternatives

According to the latest polls, Floridians are now in favor of drilling for oil off our Gulf Coast. How can people be that naïve? We are being played by our government. Squeeze the middle class, raise oil prices, twist arms and in desperation we will go along with any idea to give us relief from high-priced gasoline.

Let's not pass this problem on to future generations. It's time to say no. We need to turn to alternative sources of energy. Let's stop being so selfish and think about the future.

LINDA BAXTER

Venice

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