Senate Votes to Allow Arctic Drilling

On March 16, 2005, Donald S. Heintzelman wrote:

I am LIVID with anger over this latest assault on ANWR. This is nothing more than another vote for big business that will have NO impact on America’s use and waste of oil. I think environmentalists, animal rights activist, and Democrats generally should raise HOLY HELL over this and get very nasty with the money grubbing bastards who care about nothing except money.

On March 16, 2005, Patricia Porter wrote:

What is wrong with these senators?? We should be seeking alternatives to fossil fuel with all possible vigor, instead of jeopardizing one of our few remaining places of beauty and refuge for sentient creatures. For shame!

On March 16, 2005, Mary Schlieve wrote:

I am very upset by the recent vote on the drilling in Alaska. I just watched a video about the drilling in one of my classes today. I feel that the people who depend on the resourses up there and who depend on the animals migrating through should be considered in this issue. Yeah, it is more oil for us to drill, but its also taking away valuable habitat from these people and animals. What if another oil spill happens? Think about how many acres of land will be destroyed along with millions of organisms.

On March 17, 2005, Tom Williams wrote:

Any lingering doubt that the national cable news channels have lost their collective minds should have been dispelled on the afternoon of March 16. While the U.S. Senate was voting that day on the Cantwell amendment, an attempt to stop the Bush administration from allowing oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), CNN and MSNBC were blathering on about the death-penalty ruling in the Scott Peterson case. Outside its immediate community, the Peterson case is a total non-event. And it’s not as if the Senate vote on ANWR wasn’t good video: As dutifully covered by C-SPAN, the vote was close (49 to 51 against), and Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), chair of the proceedings, was wearing—and I could not make this up—what appeared to be an “Incredible Hulk” tie. Stevens’ tie perhaps aptly describes the current state of national cable television news: an incredible junkpile.

On March 17, 2005, Cindy Ginart wrote:

While those of us who value the earth and all of our four legged brothers and sisters, see the wrongness of this abuse of power, we need to open the perceptions of those who are blind to natural magic. The way to do this is to get at what they can see and that’s money. If we band together and boycott all products from the corporations who are major contributors to the campaigns of those who chose this road. All of us… who voted against the corruption in Washington in this past election. All of us who maintain our position as supporters of a future in which we work for a return to health of our planet, not a rollback to the position of thirty years ago. Numbers count to them. Money counts to them. This is how we can get in their pockets. They need us. Connect to the only power that they understand. And while we’re at it, if possible we should switch to Biowillie (biodiesel) and take it away from big oil. For those interested try visiting Jim Hightowers web site. In his newsletter a few weeks ago, he published a multi corporate list of major contributors to the Bush campaign. Remember,it was the boycott of the bus companies in Montgomery, Alabama that opened the door to civil rights for people of color in this country. Let’s do the same for planetary rights.

On March 21, 2005, Yvonne Clark wrote:

I am ashamed to live in a state where both senators voted to go into the last frontier of this country and destroy it. Like others have said before me, we need to put an end of dependency on oil and look for alternatives to our energy needs. I find it hard to believe that we, meaning the United States, have not come up with something to replace oil. Maybe we have but it’s being kept quite. This country is being run by special interest groups and we have got to stop this. I know that Bush has his hand in the oil companies pockets and because of that, this country will one day fall. I just hope to God that I’m not around to witness it.

On March 22, 2005, susan turner wrote:

This is a shame for the environment. These people running our country are so shortsighted and care nothing for bio ecology. We are destroying our earth for a few gallons of oil. Next, the area to drill will be expanded. This is a sad day indeed.

On March 22, 2005, Tony Frank wrote:

As my brother would say: “It’s a snow white shame” what the Senate and the Administration have done to jeopardize the protection of the flora and fauna of this preserve. In this case, his oft’ used expression is a very unhappy pun. I am proud of my NY Senators, Clinton and Schumer, for standing up against this folly. And to think that some even believe that it will help with our energy crisis! When I was younger, the “Red Menace” was the USSR and the People’s Republic of China. Now we have a new one: the Red Senators from the Red States. I fear this incarnation even more!

On March 22, 2005, Kathryn Dalenberg wrote:

My constant urgings to Alabama’s two senators to vote against drilling for oil in ANWR fell on deaf, dumb ears. They always vote how their puppet boss indicates they should vote. I would SO LOVE IT if I had representation in congress!

On March 22, 2005, Catherine Luening wrote:

The desecration of the Earth and its resources which have made “human life and fulfillment” and that of of all the “other” inhabitants of this planet possible is deplorable - unspeakable! Have we no concern for the generations that follow us?

On March 23, 2005, ANNE CURTIS wrote:

I am so disappointed in our senators from Hawaii; they should,

most of all, be aware of the impacts to environment and culture as it exists in this area. For 6-12 months of oil supply, this is a travesty, in my opinion, to ALL of the natural habitat, caribou included. They are setting a precedent that may mean the

destruction of many additional ecosystems in the U.S.

On March 23, 2005, VICTOR MAIN wrote:

I love animals but i believe drilling at anwar is a great thing for the country. Only one tenth of one percent of the refuge would be affected. I would like to see a few cents per gallon be contributed to wildlife funds. How come all the comments i read on this site are negative? Do you edit out the ones you don’t agree with?

On March 23, 2005, Elvira Rich wrote:

It is curious to me that the price of a barrel of oil hit an all time high just before the Senate voted to drill in the Arctic. Do they really think we are that stupid? Obvioulsly they don’t care. I am also very disappointed in the senators from Hawaii. This administration and its followers will stop at nothing to further the interests of the oil and automobile companies. We still don’t have a meaningful energy policy. We are still making the gas guzzling SUV’s. Much of the blame also rests with the American public who are still buying these automobiles and who re-elected this group.

On March 23, 2005, Camellia Stadts wrote:

It really breaks my heart and spirit to hear of the drilling that has been O.K.’d for the ANWR. Already there is no room for wild creatures to call home. There are so many alternatives for energy such as wind and solar energy, but our greedy government insists on destroying the environment. I guess smarter and more humane options just don’t put enought money in their pockets.

On March 23, 2005, Jen Poole wrote:

THIS PROPELS ME TO A LEVEL OF PISSED OFF I HAVE NOT KNOWN SINCE NOVEMBER!!!!!! Why does our government hate the environment so much?!?! Do those idiots not realize that we ONLY HAVE ONE WORLD and if we *#@% it up we won’t get another chance!! We need to be working on finding ways to use LESS OIL not destroying what little is not yet destroyed so we can use MORE OIL!!! I’m just glad my guy Obama voted against it.

Save a tree. Remove a Bush.

On March 24, 2005, Cathy Popp wrote:

It seems as though humans are once again resorting to the easiet way out by seeking a quick fix to obtain more oil instead of a real answer to fuel shortages.

The cost in terms of the long term destruction of that ecosystem far exceeds any benefit from the small amount of oil that will be obtained. I am proud of my Connecticut representation that voted against this outrageous bill.

Humans such as these who support the bill put themselves to shame by supporting the destruction of the very environment in which they live simply order to maintain a certan way of life. Even worse, this is done without any regard to the lives of the other co-inhabitants of that world. Those who support this bill are saying that human lives are the only ones that matter.

I am very sad to say, that the passing of this bill is another statement of our collective failure to live in harmony with the animals that also inhabit the world. If anything, our brain’s increased capacity confers on us an even greater responsibility to come up with a good solution for all the earth’s inhabitants, including plants and animals- not to mention Mother Earth!

It’s time we thought outside of the box and stopped crawling into it.

On March 25, 2005, Nya wrote:

I just can’t believe that Republican’s and others that support this bill is so greedy that they are willing to distroy the earth and everything sacred just to make money, all for 6 months worth of oil. I’m sure there are other ways to get through life than distroying everything around you. As a mother, this is more frustrating because, even though all this might not affect me, it will certainly affect my children and my children’s children. It boggles my mind that everyperson on the Senate or of any authority with a family is not considering alternative methods. And this is the resons other countries consider the US greedy and have no respect for us.

Bush is by far the most backward president we have had since Reagan…I cannot believe the calousness and stupidity of his leadership…and we can’t even empeach because look at the Vice president. We can’t win for loosing. And what is even worse, the media is treating it like it’s no big deal. I am really scared for the future.

On March 25, 2005, Heather League wrote:

I am outraged at this decision…yet some how not surprised that Big Business is calling the shots once again. Do we not see the long term impact of wasting such a beautiful landscape for a TEMPORARY solution to our oil problems? Our course we do, but do we care? Probably not. Why not invest our hard earned money into a solution…such as an alternative energy source that would provide better more efficient sources of energy/oil without sacrificing our environment. There are other answers. We can invest. IT may take time and money but in the long run we will all win. For once…please do the right thing.

On March 25, 2005, Kris wrote:

What we are doing to this world just makes me depressed. If we keep letting money and profit get in the way of what matters the most life our future generations will suffer greatly. We are already seeing the impacts of industrialization in the Arctic, do people really think drilling holes into the ground won’t hurt the environment?

On March 26, 2005, Christa Q wrote:

I am a very Christian, Bible-believing Republican. I am also against oil drilling. It’s terrible and irresponsible! God told us to take care of the Earth, not exploit it!

No matter what they say about oil drilling not hurting the wildlife, there really isn’t a way to avoid that.

We are going to destroy the world that God has entrusted to us. It’s shameful. Shame on some of us humans…

On September 15, 2010, peter chlebogiannis wrote:

I’ve been on this earth for 14 years, all Ii ask from the ones before me is one favor, don’t kill my earth, it’s the only one I’ve got