What to Do About ANWR
The Selfservatives passed it, but here's your chance to give them hell
Yesterday the Selfservatives in the Senate (read: REPUBLICANS) forced through passage of drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, against the will of Americans, with no regard for the opposition, and in an entirely disrespectful way.
They attached it to a budget bill, something that's nearly unheard of and completely backhanded. It's further evidence that the Bush administration and its entire coterie of Republican me-too-ers have no regard for more than 49 million Americans or their elected representatives--or even their Republican constituents.
First, they're lying. There is not enough oil in ANWR to last long enough to make a difference in either the “oil security” of this country or in oil prices domestically or worldwide. It won't be available for ten years, at least by best estimates.
Second, they're lying more. While they claim that it will “affect no one” the truth is that there are Inuit tribes who regularly hunt and traverse that territory.
Third, they're continuing to lie. They either outright deny or snidely minimize any impact to the environment and wildlife. It's clear that 2000 oil-developled acres in a vast, untouched refuge will affect both wildlife and the ecosystem adversly.
Fourth, they're still lying. Their already-misleading talk about “impact” doesn't include the roads and pipelines to and from the drilling and processing areas. It doesn't address the fact that as written, it doesn't even need to be 2000 contiguous acres; it could be five here, five there all over the entire region.
Fifth, and maybe most important of all, this isn't really about the oil in the 2000 acres. (i.e., they're lying through their teeth). It's about two other things: Drilling, clearcutting, and mining in other National Wildlife Areas, Preserves, and National Parks. In addition to being a clear payoff to the oil industry, this is a precedent, a foot in the door. What they're doing is the same as the neighbor who builds a second or third story without city or neighbors' approval, knowing that it's easier to just build it illegally and without regard for your neighbors or other impact than it is for you to sue them, stop the building, or have it removed afterwards. It's a grab.
Of course, there's always the option that they're being totally sincere, and that they think this is the best thing to do for the country. I think some of them really do believe this. But honestly, this is the most pathetic and pitiful option of all. Because it shows the extreme of their shortsightedness. Add it up: Insignificant amounts of oil. Ten years before anything is done. Millions of dollars in expenses beforehand, which could be far better used to invest in alternative energy structures which are already viable, or research ones that are on the brink. Environmental destruction and degradation of one of the last pristine areas in our country. Answer? Shortsighted, or lying. You choose.
Here's what you can do:
Call your state's REPUBLICAN senator and tell them that you're a constituent, that you're outraged over their backhanded tactics, and that you will now do everything you can to get them replaced in the next electoral cycle. If they ask your party affiliation, (or not), tell them it doesn't matter. What does matter is that they're being backhanded and aren't supporting family values, integrity, trust, or democracy. The ends DO NOT justify the means.
Call your officials at 1-202-224-3121 or contact them online at http://www.senate.gov
Contact your local media here, courtesy of Mr. Bush and enjoy a little political aikido: http://www.democracymeansyou.com/action/aikido.htm
It really doesn't matter if you think they'll listen to you. The important thing here is numbers and response. They need to know that they are not just living in a little Senate vaccuum, and that despite their arrogant disregard for the democratic process, you are watching, and taking them to task. IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
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J Klein is the creator of DemocracyMeansYou and occasionally writes and pens cartoons for the site. He lives in an undisclosed location in North Carolina with Dick Cheney.
DemocracyMeansYou was started as both an artistic response to the ubiquitous flag stickers after 9/11 (the THINK sticker was the impetus for the whole shebang), and a forum for liberal and progressive opinion, humor (always important), and inspiring / urging / demanding participation in the democratic process.
He has written for various publications and websites over the years, has worked as a licensed Psychiatric Technician with both the mentally ill and the developmentally disabled; worked as a mechanic for several years; worked for local government promoting ridesharing and alternative transportation in California; quantifying school accountability for California schools; and marketing writing and web design.
