Member Posts

Charlie Crist's Identity Theft Problem

Daniel Tilson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:50:51 EST

Coincidentally enough, Florida is the state with both the highest rate of identity theft, and with a governor suffering through the most prolonged identity crisis in recent political history.

Charlie Crist’s “Man In The Mirror” confusion was in full view during the 2010 State of the State speech, when he launched his third 180-degree turn since becoming governor in 2006 - this time trying desperately to swing back towards what was a winning identity for him back then.

That Crist was posing as a Republican centrist eager to appeal to moderates of all affiliations. He was going to help protect the environment, help Floridians with housing and health care, things that sounded downright…Democratic. But he didn’t help with any of that, focusing instead on building his campaign war chest and appeasing the entrenched special interests that dominate Florida's economic and political landscapes.

Crist = Toast

Ray Seaman — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:37:27 EST

Public Policy Polling's latest poll on the GOP Senate Primary:

Rubio now leads Crist 60-28, including a staggering 71-17 lead with conservatives. Crist has a 49-36 advantage with party moderates, but they account for just 31% of likely primary voters compared to 65% who describe themselves as conservative.

Granted, the primary isn't until August 24th, but I just don't see how it's possible for Crist to pull this one out. Traditionally, if an opponent is below 50%, it's possible to for them to be beat. With Rubio at a commanding 60%, Crist is done, finished, caput.

The only way Crist could remain an elected official after November is if he decides to drop out and run for reelection as Governor or if he runs as an independent for Senate. There's always dog catcher, too.

Opposition to Oil Drilling: Now In A Handy Map!

Ray Seaman — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:20:05 EST

We were proud to put together this map of counties, cities, chambers of commerce, and local agencies that have passed resolutions against drilling in Florida waters.

Big Oil certainly has taken a lot of serious hits over the last few months. Hands Across the Sand was a big success. They've pared back their lobbyist presence. Plus, a recent report has demonstrated what defenders of Florida's beaches and coast have known for a while: that they're just isn't a whole lot of oil out there and it would do squat to lower the price at the pump.

Regardless, everyone should remain vigilant. Most of our legislature is still in the pocket oil and gas interests, and Gov. Crist would probably do anything to out crazy Marco Rubio in the GOP senate primary.

Incumbents v. People of Florida

Ray Seaman — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:40:45 EST

Here's Sen. Haridopolos trying to fight back against Amendments 5 and 6, the Fair Districts amendments. His message? Redistricting is haaaard!

Haridopolos made available the Senate’s redistricting guru, John Guthrie, a nationally renowned expert on the once-a-decade process of redrawing legislative and congressional boundaries, to walk an audience through the process of moving the lines to see how it works in practice.

Among the mountains of data used to draw the lines are Census tidbits on age, sex, race and voter-registration, all mapped down to the neighborhood-level. One blogger in the audience repeatedly wanted to know why voter data was used at all to map political districts, apparently annoying Haridopolos a bit (he told him to stop clicking his pen once).

Haridopolos is also calling Amendments 5 and 6 "lawsuit city." Yet so far, no lawsuit has been filed.

However, there should be no doubt that incumbents in the legislature and Congress who benefit greatly from their gerrymandered districts will fight Amendments 5 and 6 with everything they've got. The very thought of actually having to defend their actions and votes to the people they "represent" in the context of a competitive election scares the bejesus out of them.

Editorial cartoon of the week: Nightmare be thy name

Jon Bleyer — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:57:29 EST

Our Editorial Cartoon of the Week feature is part of Progress Florida's popular FREE Daily Clips service:

By Chan Lowe, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Read the artist’s commentary here.

BONUS CARTOONS

By Jim Morin, Miami Herald

By Jeff Parker, Florida Today

Will Jeb Bush Forgive Himself?

Ray Seaman — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:44:22 EST

Former Gov. Jeb Bush, last week:

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush made his strongest statement to date on the Republican Senate primary unfolding in his state, telling the conservative publication NewsMax in an on-camera interview that he considers Gov. Charlie Crist's support for last year's stimulus bill "unforgivable."

The stimulus essentially bailed out Florida last year, preventing deep and incredibly destructive cuts to our schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. In my community, 522 first and second year teachers still have jobs because of the stimulus. If the right wing Florida legislature had its way, those folks would be on unemployment, likely still searching for a half-decent job.

But back to good 'ol Jeb. To him Gov. Crist's support for the stimulus was "unforgivable." But that didn't stop Jeb from showing some love for Race to the Top, a federal education grant program set up by the stimulus.

Matt Yglesias caught this, and noted the following:

And you see this time and again. Folks on the right are sharply critical of “the stimulus” but generally raise no objections to large swathes of the stimulus—they like their local infrastructure projects, they like their tax cuts, and the more sensible among them like the education money.

Yes indeed. Even right wing hero Jeb Bush loves some part of the stimulus.

The Big Oil roundup: Risk with "no discernible" reward

Jon Bleyer — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:33:06 EST

The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 3-5-10:

Drilling push continues despite findings

By Keith Laing

News Service of Florida via Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Despite the Senate's seeming reluctance to lift a 20-year ban on offshore oil drilling in Florida waters, the first legislation on the subject was filed in the upper chamber.

Senate 2622: Relating to Regulation of State Lands & Oil and Gas Resources

General Bill by Haridopolos

The Florida Senate

Regulation of State Lands & Oil and Gas Resources; Provides for the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund to accept and award bids for oil and gas leases on submerged lands underlying the territorial waters of the state.

Lawmaker: Any drilling bill would ban 'visual blight'

By Jim Ash

Tallahassee Democrat

Floridians won't have to worry about oil platforms spoiling their view if the Legislature opens Florida waters to offshore drilling this year, the chief House proponent said Monday.

Pledge to keep oil rigs out of sight from coast falls flat

By Laura Ruane

Ft. Myers News-Press

Southwest Florida's tourism industry took no apparent cheer from a Florida legislator's remarks Monday that any bill permitting offshore oil drilling also would require that platforms be kept out of sight from shore.

Oil drilling backer drops lobbying corps

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

Florida Energy Associates, one of the primary backers of the push to open Florida waters to oil drilling last year, recently trimmed its lobbying force to zero after having more than 30 last year.

Offshore Florida oil: Not much there, there

By Michael Peltier and Kathleen Haughney

News Service of Florida via Orlando Sentinel

A new report says drilling in Florida waters would “have no discernible impact” on gas prices or the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, but could pump millions into state coffers.

Report says oil supplies in Fla. waters negligible

By Bill Kaczor

The Associated Press

Estimated reserves in Florida waters would provide the United States with less than a week's worth of oil and have no discernible effect on prices at the pump or U.S. reliance on foreign oil, says a report released Friday as part of a state Senate review of whether a ban on offshore drilling should be lifted.

Century Commission report tackles oil drilling

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

A state panel's draft report issued today takes on the major questions and concerns about allowing oil drilling off Florida's coastline.

In Florida, support for offshore drilling depends on where you live

By Craig Pittman

St. Petersburg Times

When it comes to drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico, it's as if there are two Floridas.

Palin slimes Florida with oil-drilling push

By Tony Plakas

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The unctuous Sarah Palin recently surfaced in Florida on a national tour like an unwanted oil spill, spewing her slippery nonsense to thousands of race fans at the Daytona International Speedway.

Experts: 2010 may not be make, break for drilling

By Melissa Nelson

The Associated Press

The Florida House last year voted to allow exploration for oil and natural gas in state waters, but the Senate didn't bring it up for a vote. This year the issue may not come up for a vote at all - but it will still weigh heavy in the upcoming session's background.

Offshore oil drilling not in Florida session

By Lindsay Ubinas

10 Connects News Tampa Bay

Florida legislators agree that offshore oil drilling is an important issue but they still might not tackle it during their upcoming session.

State lawmakers expected to discuss oil drilling, but little action expected

By Michael Peltier

Palm Beach Post

Expect a lot of talk but possibly little action as lawmakers continue the debate on offshore drilling when they return Tuesday to begin the 2010 legislative session.

Offshore oil bill is viewed as risky

Staff Report

Florida Today

Despite the backing of two heavy-hitting Republicans, Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos of Merritt Island and House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon of Winter Park, the push for offshore drilling has slowed to a crawl.

Florida's offshore drilling panel convenes today

By Jim Ash

Ft. Myers News-Press

The House panel looking into oil and gas drilling in Florida waters convenes this morning, a day before the start of the legislative session and after the release of an academic report that proponents are already criticizing.

Hands Across the Sand Spreads Message "Love Tourists, Not Drilling"

By Heidi Lux

Tampa Bay Informer

Hands Across the Sand, a statewide, peaceful protest against offshore drilling, was held throughout Florida's beaches on February 13th.

Area lawmakers still opposed to offshore drilling

By Matt Dixon

Panama City News Herald

A predictable sequence of events played out over the past few days.

State House hopeful Barker comes out against offshore drilling

By Tom McLaughlin

Northwest Florida Daily News

Craig Barker, who is running for the District 4 state House seat, took a bold step Tuesday when he declared his unequivocal opposition to offshore drilling close to Florida’s coast.

Local politicians weigh in on drilling

Staff Report

Bradenton Herald

State Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton: “Offshore drilling? I oppose it. Although there are ebbs and flows from a public perspective, there are better ways to address it than to put at risk our coastline.”

Another push for offshore oil drilling looms

Editorial

Bradenton Herald

When the state Legislature opens its annual 60-day regular session on Tuesday, the primary issue will be grappling with yet another multibillion budget shortfall.

Sticking with the drill: What do proponents of coastal oil exploration really want?

Editorial

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The Legislature's chief proponents of drilling for oil near Florida's coastline are nothing if not determined.

Oily facts

Editorial

Orlando Sentinel

Despite a new study that concludes drilling in Florida waters would produce less than a week's worth of oil for the U.S., no noticeable effect on domestic gasoline prices and nothing to lower the nation's dependency on foreign oil, Sen. Mike Haridopolos filed his bill Friday lifting the state's offshore drilling ban.

Love tourists, not drilling banner flying high over St. Petersburg Beach during Hands Across the Sand event, February 13, 2010.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty"

Big Oil and their hired hands in Tallahassee have sworn that drilling Florida’s coast would be “invisible” – that there would be no unsightly rigs just a few miles off our coast. We know different – and a recent eye opening story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune has proven Big Oil’s promises completely “empty.” Click the picture above – keeping the pressure on by letting our State Senators know people like you are paying attention is how we’ll beat Big Oil.

MORE ONLINE ACTIONS
Pass a Resolution To Protect Florida's Beaches Now, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend against offshore drilling within any previously protected coastal waters, via Defenders of Wildlife.
Tell Obama: Offshore Drilling is NOT the Answer to Energy Crisis, via Oceana.
Help Drill for Solutions Not for Oil, via Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Let us decide! Petition to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and House Speaker Larry Cretul, via Civic Concern.
Contact Your Officials About New Drilling Off Florida's Coasts, via Civic Concern.
Ask your state legislators to keep the rigs out, via Save the Manatee Club.
Write a letter to the editor, via Audubon of Florida.
Write your state legislators, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge Senate President Jeff Atwater to oppose offshore oil drilling, via Progress Florida.
Tell Sen. Atwater Not To Allow Oil Drilling In Special Session, via Audubon of Florida.
Sign the petition against oil drilling, via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Tell Salazar: No drilling off Florida's Coast, via Environment Florida.
Tell new Senator LeMieux to Repower America, via Environment Florida.
Related action: Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades, via Center for Biological Diversity.
Related action: Keep oil drilling out of climate change legislation, via Oceana.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE
Hands Across The Sand website; their Twitter page is here.
Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website.
Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook.
Think, Baby, Think blog via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Don’t Drill Florida website.
Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page.
Save Our Shores Florida website; their Twitter page is here.
Floridians Against Big Oil social network.
Save Our Shores Florida Facebook page.
Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website.
Environment Florida offshore drilling page.
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offshore drilling page.
Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info.
Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation.
Eye-opening map of oil and gas leases and infrastructure in Gulf of Mexico, via MMS.
EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here.

Cumulative oil slick "footprint" resulting from the 10-week Montara oil platform blowout and spill that occurred in the Timor Sea off Western Australia in 2009; superimposed on the Gulf coast of Florida for scale. More info here.

Best of the blogs: Change of course?

Jon Bleyer — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:56:16 EST

Progress Florida's Best of the Blogs for the week ending 3-5-10
Note: Best of the Blogs is featured weekly as part of Progress Florida's popular free Daily Clips service.

Crist gets back to his roots
By Steve Schale
Steve Schale
For most of the last year, Crist has ineffectually tried to define himself as the real conservative in his primary against Rubio.

Bilked: another story from South Florida
By Gimleteye
Eye on Miami
"Miami's little Madoff" is how one Cuban American investor described a prominent businessman and his wife, Gaston and Teresita Cantens.

For Florida, A Time for Leadership
By Ray Seaman
Progress Florida
St. Petersburg Times columnist Howard Troxler, cites my favorite Florida politician, former Gov. Reubin Askew, as evidence of leadership that worked out well for Florida.

Lying to Our Kids
By Beach Blogger
Pensacola Beach Blog
Louis Cooper in today's PNJ has an intriguing front page news story about the latest plans for a new elementary school in Pensacola.

Crist and Rubio: Playing Third Party Parchesi in Florida
By Trish Ponder
Pensito Review
The speculation in Florida that Gov. Charlie Crist might switch parties to beat his Republican challenger in the U.S. Senate race, Marco Rubio, says a lot about the state of the Republican party.

Premature Presiding Officers

Ray Seaman — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:21:33 EST

Sen. Andy Gardiner may be the next Senate President...after Jeff Atwater, Mike Haridopolos, and Don Gaetz that is:

Gardiner didn't pour cold water on the buzz, and would neither confirm nor deny the state of his candidacy. "I have to prove myself as a senator first," Gardiner said.

No kidding. Gardiner was elected as a state senator just 16 months ago in the 2008 election, and now he's vying to be the presiding officer of the Florida Senate. Pretty crazy, huh?

This is nothing new, by the way. As soon as members of the majority party are elected to the House and Senate, the race begins to decide who will be the presiding officer in 6 years.

I'm pretty sure most Florida voters who had knowledge of this would recoil. Yet this is the byproduct of term limits.

Editorial cartoon of the week: White flag waver

Jon Bleyer — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:34:59 EST

Our Editorial Cartoon of the Week feature is part of Progress Florida's popular FREE Daily Clips service:

By Andy Marlette, Pensacola News Journal

BONUS CARTOON

By Andy Marlette, Pensacola News Journal

For Florida, A Time for Leadership

Ray Seaman — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:52:25 EST

St. Petersburg Times columnist Howard Troxler, cites my favorite Florida politician, former Gov. Reubin Askew, as evidence of leadership that worked out well for Florida:

A new governor named Reubin Askew — sometimes with the help of the Legislature, and sometimes despite it — led Florida in an unprecedented program of modernization and reform, including:

• A total revision and modernization of the way Florida paid for schools.

• A much-needed statewide system of water regulation.

• New programs to buy and conserve Florida's natural land.

• The first law requiring "comprehensive planning" for Florida's growth.

• "Fair share" taxes on businesses that, because of their political influence, had enjoyed one of the nation's lowest tax burdens.

• A burst of "sunshine" and ethics laws, including a constitutional amendment requiring public officers to disclose their personal finances. Opponents of these ethics reforms mocked Askew as "Reubin the Good."

Askew then ran for his second term.

At every step Askew was working for the long-term interests of the state, and he did not care if he lost popularity because of it.

Winn-Dixie's founders fought him. St. Joe Paper fought him. Associated Industries of Florida fought him. To rebut the claims of Florida's businesses that a fair tax would drive up prices, Askew famously displayed to the public a Sears shirt bought in Georgia, and the same shirt bought at a similar price in Florida, even though Sears paid far more in taxes to Georgia.

Troxler goes on to bemoan the lack of "leadership" that exists with the current regime in Tallahassee. And goes on to propose a set of ideas that have mostly been embraced by progressives and Democrats:

Above all else, fix Florida's tax structure. Get rid of the loopholes and tax breaks — and if you're worried that's a "tax increase," then you should lower the overall rate on everybody else who's been paying all along.

Quit fighting the "fair districts" citizen petition in an attempt to protect your own empires.

Do something about the sneaky political committees that you have formed to launder campaign money.

Once you agree to fair districts and honest money, then you should be able to ask voters to increase your terms from eight years to 12, so we can develop a little more maturity up there.

Give the universities what they want. All of it. Quit fighting them over political control.

Give the Ethics Commission what it wants, too.

Don't decide oil drilling until you've heard every study, from every party, and maybe not even then until you've gone to walk on beaches in oil-pumping areas yourselves.

If you really must gamble, don't give away the store to the casinos. Extort them until they scream and threaten not to come. Then get even more for the problems they're going to cause.

The first item, reforming Florida's antiquated and regressive tax structure that harms working families and lets the wealthy get away with quite a bit is correctly put at the top of the list. Progress Florida's "Stop The Cuts" petition effort, which we launched yesterday, is a first step to move momentum for reform out of the think tanks and newspaper columns and into the grassroots.

But here's the thing about Troxler's otherwise great column: the regime that occupies Tallahassee believes they are leading. The problem is, as we know, that their reactionary "leadership" has hurt our state immensely for the roughly 12 years the Republicans have controlled the legislature and Governor's mansion. And no, any attempt by the press to do their typical "both sides are at fault" meme is just silly. The Dems haven't been in charge of any house of the legislature since 1996 and the Governor's mansion since 1998. Gerrymandering has kept them out, and the minority party is powerless to do very much.

Until there's a change of leadership and focus in Tallahassee, it will be very hard to accomplish much of anything that will benefit working people rather than just special interests who can bundle $500 checks.

However, leadership is also required from everyday Floridians, too. We can't just leave it to the politicians to solve our problems. Grassroots oriented, progressive/pro public interest groups will be needed to apply external pressure for progress regardless of who's in power. While I'm obviously biased, I think Progress Florida is a great example of such a group. Others I think also do this well include Worst to First and Fund Education Now, both of which employ organic grassroots strength to tackle major problems Florida faces.

Howard Dean is still right: "You have the power."

Best of the blogs: Charge it!

Jon Bleyer — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:49:05 EST

Progress Florida's Best of the Blogs for the week ending 2-26-10
Note: Best of the Blogs is featured weekly as part of Progress Florida's popular free Daily Clips service.

Taxpayer’s American Express Card? Rubio Never Leaves Home Without It!
By Inkberries
Beach Peanuts
Fiscal conservatism. Tax cuts. Small government. Marco Rubio (R-West Miami) has based his campaign for the U.S. Senate on these issues.

Is Crist laying the groundwork for an independent bid?
By Peter Schorsch
St. Petersblog 2.0
Either Gov. Charlie Crist realizes he can’t escape the stimulus, or he’s leaning toward an independent run for Senate.

Florida meet the DREAM Act
By Juan Saaa
Progress Florida
Florida as a whole has seen a increased upwelling in the area of immigration reform lately, mostly in part from youth activists who have had enough of living in the shadows and are mobilizing all across the state to make a push to move the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, otherwise known as the DREAM Act.

Ray Sansom Resigns to Avoid Ethics Hearing
By Beach Blogger
Pensacola Beach Blog
Northwest Florida state representative Ray Sansom (R-Ft. Walton Beach) resigned his seat at 8 pm last night rather than proceed with the state ethics hearing he had requested.

Chronicles of Republican "Fiscal Responsibility:" Rubio and Dorworth (Updated)

Ray Seaman — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:12:15 EST

Republicans were very busy showing off their "fiscal responsibility" creds this week.

Marco Rubio, Republican Senate candidate and Tea Party hero, has been mixed up the Republican Party of Florida's implosion. He, like other members of the RPOF's top brass, received an American Express credit card which he used for a number of personal "expenses."

Records show Rubio sent payments to American Express totaling $13,900 for his personal expenses during his tenure as House speaker. But those payments were not made monthly. He made no contributions to the bill during a six-month stretch in 2007, records show.

Charges covered by the party as political expenses include:

• $765 at Apple's online store for "computer supplies."

• $25.76 from Everglades Lumber for "supplies."

• $53.49 at Winn-Dixie in Miami for "food."

• $68.33 at Happy Wine in Miami for "beverages" and "meal."

• $78.10 for two purchases at Farm Stores in suburban Miami.

• $412 at All Fusion Electronics, a music equipment store in Miami, for "supplies."

Not to be outdone, the full breadth of Republican House Speaker-designate Chris Dorworth's financial problems were revealed this week. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up:

A top Republican selected Tuesday as the future speaker of the Florida House can't get his own financial house in order.

The home of Rep. Chris Dorworth of Lake Mary is in foreclosure. He is struggling to pay a $2.7 million legal judgment from a bad land deal. And his driver's license was temporarily suspended this month after what he called a misunderstanding with his car insurer.

Dorworth won't be House Speaker until 2014 (yes, you read that right: Rs not surprisingly believe they'll hold on to the majority thanks to wonders of gerrymandering.) However, the idea that someone who can't manage their personal finances will have a big hand in crafting Florida's $66 billion dollar budget (or whatever it will look like by 2014 if the far right has its way) isn't very comforting to Florida taxpayers.

Update: It looks like the Sink campaign is smartly taking advantage of the multiple RPOF-related scandals by releasing a comprehensive ethics plan today.

Editorial cartoon of the week: I'll get back to you!

Jon Bleyer — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:34:42 EST

Why Florida's ethics laws need an upgrade!
By Ed Gamble, Florida Times-Union
Related editorial: State ethics: the hall of shame

BONUS CARTOONS

By Jeff Parker, Florida Today

By Andy Marlette, Pensacola News Journal

Florida meet the DREAM Act

JuanSaaa — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:01:01 EST

Florida as a whole has seen a increased upwelling in the area of immigration reform lately, mostly in part from youth activists who have had enough of living in the shadows and are mobilizing all across the state to make a push to move the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, otherwise known as the DREAM Act.

A federal piece of bi-partisan legislation, the DREAM Act addresses the situation of students across the country who were brought by their parents at a young age, or fell victims to the significantly dysfunctional immigration system currently in place, and became undocumented as a result. If passed, such legislation would deem said students as “conditional” permanent residents which could eventually apply to citizenship, it goes without saying however, that the requirements to qualify are very specific in denoting who qualifies as a ‘DREAM’ student.

The Big Oil roundup: A line in the sand

Jon Bleyer — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:41:32 EST

The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 2-19-10:

Hands Across the Sand at St. Pete Beach.

Hands Across The Sand coverage

Hundreds line Pinellas County beaches to protest near-shore oil drilling

By Curtis Krueger

St. Petersburg Times

Hundreds lined Pinellas County's beaches and many more came to more than 70 coastal locations around Florida to protest the idea of drilling close to the state's shoreline.

Protesters across Florida rally against offshore oil drilling

By Maria Herrera

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

They looked like dark spots of tar freshly washed upon the shore.

Protesters draw line in sand over oil drilling

By Sarah Owen

Panama City News Herald

Chains of hand-holding Floridians stretched across shorelines from Pensacola to Key West to show solidarity in their opposition of offshore oil drilling.

Hundreds hold 'Hands Across the Sand' to protest oil drilling off Florida's coast

By Adam Playford

Palm Beach Post

The man on the stage says it's time, and Ian, who is 8, is ready.

Protesters gather at the beach

By Todd Ruger

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

More than 250 people joined hands on the famous powdery sands of Siesta Public Beach on Saturday to show opposition to oil drilling as close as three to 10 miles offshore.

Floridians protest offshore oil drilling

By Robert Green

Reuters

Thousands of Floridians demonstrated against moves to allow offshore oil drilling on Saturday along the east and west coasts of the state in a protest dubbed "Hands Across the Sand."

Hundreds say 'no' to offshore drilling

By Rebecca Ross

Pensacola News Journal

The line of black-clad protesters was stark against the

sugar-white sand. Hands clasped, they stood shoulder-to-shoulder, staring out to sea.

Activists unite on beach in protest against oil drilling

By Cammy Clark and Robert Samuels

Miami Herald

Dressed in black, some 200 people stood hand in hand on South Beach on Saturday afternoon, raising and lowering their arms as surfers behind them rode the waves.

Offshore drilling protesters join hands

By Richard Dymond

Bradenton Herald

An event didn’t take place Saturday at Manatee Public Beach — officially — because there was no permit for one.

Floridians join hands to protest offshore drilling

By Jeff Barker

Northwest Florida Daily News

Hundreds of people clasped hands along the beach Saturday to show their opposition to proposed offshore oil drilling.

Naples protesters drill home the message: No oil rigs off Florida's Gulf coast

By Sarah Donovan

Naples News

Despite biting winds, a small group of protesters held Hands Across the Sand at a Naples beach Saturday to send a message to Florida lawmakers and coastal communities statewide.

1,000 strong at ‘Hands Across the Sand’ on St. Pete Beach

By Cathy Harrelson

Creative Loafing

Our experience with the three ‘Hands Across the Sand’ locations on St. Pete Beach, from the public beach to the Sirata Beach Resort and past the Tradewinds Resort, was thrilling.

Surfers, Scientists Say No to Oil Drilling Off Florida Coast

By Natalie O'Neill

Miami New Times

Jesse Bull, a surfer with a tidy goatee, rides a four-foot wave to shore on a blustery South Beach day.

"Hands Across the Sand" Protest of Oil Drilling off Florida's Coast

By Geniusofdespair

Eye on Miami

The protest went on all over Florida yesterday. People dressed in black, to signify an oil slick, joined hands at about 2pm in solidarity against oil drilling off Florida's Coast. Thank you Miami Surfriders and Progress Florida for bringing Hands Across the Sand to my attention.

Hands Across the Sand Was A Huge Success: Human Chain Creates Line Around State to Protect Florida's Beaches

Audubon of Florida Advocate

Thousands of people at scores of locations throughout Florida showed up to hold hands and form a human chain to protect Florida's beaches.

Oil drilling could change Florida for the worse

Editorial

TC Palm

The Treasure Coast chapter of Surfrider and others concerned with the environment got together Saturday at Stuart Beach for “Hands Across the Sand,” a statewide protest of efforts to open Florida waters to offshore oil drilling.

Editorial cartoon by Andy Marlette, Pensacola News Journal

Other drilling news

Rep. Seth McKeel Pushes For End To Off-Shore Drilling Moratorium

By Bill Rufty

Lakeland Ledger

Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, asking the U.S. Congress to remove the moratorium on oil drilling in federal waters surrounding Florida, cleared the House General Government Policy Council on Wednesday.

Experts: 2010 may not be make, break for drilling

By Melissa Nelson

The Associated Press

The Florida Legislature has considered for several years changing state law to allow exploration for oil and natural gas but hasn't brought the issue up for a vote. This year may be no different - but it will still weigh heavy in the upcoming session's background.

Oil drilling legislation not likely this year, lawmakers say

By Daniel Carson

Panama City News Herald

Area legislators expressed doubts Friday that the Florida Legislature will pass any offshore oil drilling-related bills in 2010 due to concerns about impacts on military missions, the region’s tourism industry and the environment.

Florida lawmakers hear good, bad of Gulf oil drilling

By Brandon Larrabee

Florida Times-Union

Those involved in responding to offshore drilling incidents in the Gulf of Mexico told lawmakers Thursday about the steps that had been taken to minimize the impact of oil spills, as others warned that the consequences of exploring for oil in state waters might not be clear.

League of Women Voters opposes offshore, near-shore drilling

By Clara Anne Graham and Laura Miller

Ft. Myers News-Press

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty"

MORE ONLINE ACTIONS
Pass a Resolution To Protect Florida's Beaches Now, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend against offshore drilling within any previously protected coastal waters, via Defenders of Wildlife.
Tell Obama: Offshore Drilling is NOT the Answer to Energy Crisis, via Oceana.
Help Drill for Solutions Not for Oil, via Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Let us decide! Petition to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and House Speaker Larry Cretul, via Civic Concern.
Contact Your Officials About New Drilling Off Florida's Coasts, via Civic Concern.
Ask your state legislators to keep the rigs out, via Save the Manatee Club.
Write a letter to the editor, via Audubon of Florida.
Write your state legislators, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge Senate President Jeff Atwater to oppose offshore oil drilling, via Progress Florida.
Tell Sen. Atwater Not To Allow Oil Drilling In Special Session, via Audubon of Florida.
Sign the petition against oil drilling, via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Tell Salazar: No drilling off Florida's Coast, via Environment Florida.
Tell new Senator LeMieux to Repower America, via Environment Florida.
Related action: Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades, via Center for Biological Diversity.
Related action: Keep oil drilling out of climate change legislation, via Oceana.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE
Hands Across The Sand website; their Twitter page is here.
Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website.
Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook.
Think, Baby, Think blog via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Don’t Drill Florida website.
Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page.
Save Our Shores Florida website; their Twitter page is here.
Save Our Shores Florida Facebook page.
Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website.
Environment Florida offshore drilling page.
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offshore drilling page.
Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info.
Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation.
Eye-opening map of oil and gas leases and infrastructure in Gulf of Mexico, via MMS.
EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here.

Best of the blogs: Dog and pony redistricting show

Jon Bleyer — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:28:38 EST

Progress Florida's Best of the Blogs for the week ending 2-19-10
Note: Best of the Blogs is featured weekly as part of Progress Florida's popular free Daily Clips service.

The Redistricting Blues
By Tally
Florida Politics
Watching legislative committee hearings, especially contentious ones, is sort of like going to the theater, except there's no plot and the acting's not very good.

Note to Florida Voters: throw out the vultures and speculators
By Gimleteye
Eye on Miami
It was twenty years ago in the Keys and I was a novice activist when I first heard the oldest lie in Florida to justify another development, "expanding our tax base is necessary to provide services for residents."

No Child Left Behind, FCAT, and Children from Haiti
By R.S. Pienta
Leave a Comment A teacher I met via Facebook recently vented her frustration about the No Child Left Behind policy and how it is implemented via rules about FCAT in the state of Florida.

The Home Depot Misery Index

Daniel Tilson — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:45:31 EST

Extra, Extra. The economy still sucks. Didn’t need to hear today’s “unexpectedly” bad news from the Labor Department about a new surge in unemployment filings to know just how many of us are hurting, and how badly.

No, all it took to “rub it in” was a trip to my local Home Depot here in Southeast Florida - a trip I made with some degree of trepidation.

Editorial cartoon of the week: Yippee!

Jon Bleyer — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:30:41 EST

By Andy Marlette, Pensacola News Journal

BONUS CARTOON

By Andy Marlette, Pensacola News Journal

The Big Oil roundup: Show of Hands

Jon Bleyer — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:16:25 EST

The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 2-12-10:

Hands Across The Sand coverage

Offshore drilling opponents to join hands in protest Saturday

By Bill Cotterell

Tallahassee Democrat

Black-clad opponents of offshore oil drilling hope to mount the biggest protest in Florida history by joining hands along the coastline Saturday.

A Line in the Florida Sand

By Glen Gardner

Public News Service Florida

On Saturday, thousands of Floridians will literally draw a line in the sand to fight near-shore oil and gas drilling.

"Hands Across the Sand" - People gather in protest of Florida off-shore oil drilling

By Kathryn Bursch

10 Connects Tampa Bay

Even on a cool day, the Dahl family from North Dakota enjoys looking for shells and walking along St. Pete Beach.

One man draws a line in the sand against oil drilling: Dave Rauschkolb is hoping opponents will join hands on Feb. 13

By Deborah Wheeler

Ft. Walton Sun

When Bud & Alley’s owner Dave Rauschkolb hosted House of Representatives hopeful David Pleat at his 30A restaurant in October, he heard him issue a call to action against drilling for oil off his beautiful beaches.

Florida beach towns plan protest against oil drilling

By Curtis Morgan

Miami Herald

Beachside communities and environmentalists have planned a statewide protest against offshore oil-drilling on Saturday.

Offshore oil drilling foes to protest on beaches

By Craig Pittman

St. Petersburg Times

Opponents of offshore drilling are hoping thousands of people dressed in black will join them Saturday holding hands on beaches around the state for 10 minutes.

Oil-drilling protest planned Saturday on Pinellas beaches

By Dennis Joyce

Tampa Tribune

There may be more hand-holding in Pinellas than anywhere in Florida on Saturday when people at a dozen local beaches join a statewide oil-drilling protest.

Offshore drilling opponents plan beach lineup

By Dinah Voyles Pulver

Daytona Beach News-Journal

Volunteers are expected to line up along the coast Saturday in Florida to protest proposals for oil drilling in the state's offshore waters.

Oppose offshore drilling with strong show of hands

By Cathy Harrelson

Tampa Tribune

It isn't always easy to organize people in a far-flung state like Florida. But we're trying to do it to stand up for our beaches.

Other drilling news

Drilling off Florida: A closer look at the risks

Offshore Drilling Factsheet

Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition

A closer look at the facts proves hands-down that drilling is shortsighted, reckless, and simply not worth the economic or environmental risk.

Offshore oil drilling supporters prize access to federal waters

By Paul Flemming

Ft. Myers News-Press

Sometimes the money quote takes some time.

House panel hears about oil spills, beach sand

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

Members of a House panel Wednesday were provided with oil spill figures and they were told that seismic research is needed to find offshore deposits of beach sand before oil drilling is allowed.

Ag commish candidate: 'No, baby, no' to drilling

By Matt Dixon

Panama City News Herald

Democratic candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Scott Maddox held a press conference Wednesday with Mayor Scott Clemons regarding their opposition to offshore oil drilling.

Offshore oil drilling forum draws more than 125 on both sides of the issue

By Eric Staats

Naples News

Florida legislators in Tallahassee are teeing up a debate over drilling for oil in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

A Dark Cloud Lingers Over Our Beaches (scroll down to page 7)

By Sarah E. Gerard

Pinellas Scene

On Saturday, February 13, thousands of Florida residents will stand up on their local beaches in protest of a legislative bill threatening offshore drilling within 3 to 10 miles of the shoreline.

Don’t drill the heart out of economy

By Citizen Contributor

Collier Citizen

As a concern citizen of Southwest Florida (Naples) I’d like to draw the attention onto the Florida Drilling issue.

To drill or not to drill: South Walton High School holds forum

By Angel McCurdy

Northwest Florida Daily News

Just weeks before the Legislature takes up the issue, supporters and opponents had their say Thursday on a proposal to drill for oil off Florida’s coast.

Sun takes the pulse of the region on gulf drilling

By Deborah Wheeler

Ft. Walton Sun

Big Oil may face big opposition in South Walton, a recent informal poll from The Sun reveals.

Transcript of Skytruth’s John Amos to Senate on Offshore Oil Drilling

By Congressional Aid

ThatsMyCongress.com

The following is our transcription of the November 19, 2009 testimony of John Amos of Skytruth, a non-profit environmental imaging organization, to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Environmental monitoring 'tardy and superficial'

By David Weber

ABC News

The environmental monitoring program in the wake of last year's oil spill in the Timor Sea has been described as 'superficial'.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty"

MORE ONLINE ACTIONS

Urge President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend against offshore drilling within any previously protected coastal waters, via Defenders of Wildlife.
Tell Obama: Offshore Drilling is NOT the Answer to Energy Crisis, via Oceana.
Help Drill for Solutions Not for Oil, via Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Let us decide! Petition to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and House Speaker Larry Cretul, via Civic Concern.
Contact Your Officials About New Drilling Off Florida's Coasts, via Civic Concern.
Ask your state legislators to keep the rigs out, via Save the Manatee Club.
Write a letter to the editor, via Audubon of Florida.
Write your state legislators, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge Senate President Jeff Atwater to oppose offshore oil drilling, via Progress Florida.
Tell Sen. Atwater Not To Allow Oil Drilling In Special Session, via Audubon of Florida.
Sign the petition against oil drilling, via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Tell Salazar: No drilling off Florida's Coast, via Environment Florida.
Tell new Senator LeMieux to Repower America, via Environment Florida.
Related action: Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades, via Center for Biological Diversity.
Related action: Keep oil drilling out of climate change legislation, via Oceana.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE
Hands Across The Sand website; their Twitter page is here.
Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website.
Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook.
Think, Baby, Think blog via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Don’t Drill Florida website.
Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page.
Save Our Shores Florida website; their Twitter page is here.
Save Our Shores Florida Facebook page.
Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website.
Environment Florida offshore drilling page.
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offshore drilling page.
Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info.
Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation.
Eye-opening map of oil and gas leases and infrastructure in Gulf of Mexico, via MMS.
EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here.

”We really do want to do for Florida, what oil and gas has done for Texas.” – M. Lance Phillips, the Texas oilman leading the charge to overturn Florida’s ban on oil drilling.