MISTAKING RETREAT FOR A STRONG DEFENSE

This morning's editorial in the St. Petersburg Times slams three Florida congressional representatives, Mike Bilirakis (R - Tarpon Springs), Cliff Stearns (R - Ocala), and Jeff Miller (R - Chumuckla) for supporting a proposal which would allow oil drilling within 100 to 120 miles off Florida's coast in what is known as "Area 181" (sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, eh?). Another collegue, C.W. "Bill" Young (R - Indian Shores), has said he may join the effort depending on the details of the measure.

Currently there is a moratorium on any drilling within 200 miles of the Florida Gulf Coast, so the idea which these three congressmen are favouring would cut the distance in half.

In the biggest snow job since the Great Blizzard of 1888, Bilirakis says his intent is "to give states long-term permanent control over their waters." But he would shrink Florida waters.

If anyone doubts the magnitude of the threat, look no further than Louisiana's experience with Hurricane Katrina. The storm sank or destroyed about 50 of the 4,000 oil rigs off the Louisiana coast, and pipelines on the gulf bottom were so badly damaged a full assessment has yet to be done. If such an event were to happen off Florida, a 100-mile buffer would be inadequate protection.

The L-shaped "Area 181" actually begins only 30 miles south of Pensacola. Last time I read a map, Pensacola was a part of Florida; so much for the 100 mile buffer.

While there is certainly additional pressure to begin oil exploration in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the threat to Florida is substantial. Now is not the time to give up the fight.