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Its hilarious to watch people who are inherently subservient followers to authority desperately and futilely try to create a "mass movement". Its even more funny to watch them scratch their heads and wonder why they always fail.
I've heard drilling our way out our energy problem compared to trying to pay off your mortgage by looking for change in the sofa. Now I'm wondering if millions of rightwing deadbeats didn't cause our mortgage crises by actually doing just that.

libarbarian of DC 11:28AM August 13, 2008

while the idiots twitter away, the people that read things worth reading know offshore drilling will do nothing whatsoever to reduce gas prices, not even 10+ years from now when it starts flowing to refineries. and we've also thought that extracting that oil will be very expensive and only financially viable as long as oil prices remain high, so no gas price savings there either. and even more laughable is the idea that the little that will be extracted will reduce dependence on foreign oil, especially coming from the party that sniggers at conservation and championed the self-defeating gas guzzling SUVs over the last 15 years.

ron of PA 10:53AM August 13, 2008

You ask: "Is this a political stunt, as some have suggested, or the beginning of a new movement?"
It's a stunt.

Tom of FL 9:47AM August 13, 2008

he was whacking the volleyball player ON the ass, not in. Good Grief, mate. We all know he's into some weird stuff, but . . . watch out for those prepositions, dude.

mike in new zealand 3:33AM August 13, 2008

Hard to follow republican politics. Your pres. is off in china whacking vollyball players in the ass, waving an american flag backwards, looking bored and with no apparent friends. But his loyal stooges back in the 'village'- TM -Digby/ puff and hollar for drill now drill everywhere.Oh then you shout Nuclear power. thats a winner for sure... // snark... I kinda wonder who is your base? Have you thought out what can happen to Fla if a oil spill happens off your coast? Since I think most fla state taxes come from the tourist industry I suspect Fla beaches are less attractive when oil is on them an washing up for a few years ...Who gets taxed then? I hope being republicans you do not expect bailouts from the federal goverment.You drill , you clean up. Don;t expect others to clean up your messes.

Wayne Perkins of ME 10:52PM August 12, 2008

"from U.S. News regulars like Michael Barone and Bonnie Erbe"
Their names should have linked to their blogs. Duh.

of WY 11:14PM August 11, 2008

Have you been following the #dontgo movement on Twitter? I have, and it has been an excellent use of the 2-year old service. As a Florida resident I feel that this a crucial issue for our state and that the choice to drill offshore is THE issue this election season. I personally support drilling offshore to reduce dependence on foreign oil. $4/gallon gas has made me take a second look at the issue after the ban was lifted recently by the President. I have been aware of Twitter for a few months, having joined officially on May 26. It has given me the opportunity to follow such organizations as the White House, State Department, Homeland Security, the NRCC/NRSC, and the Republican leadership of the House to name a few of the 346 people I follow. None have intrigued me as much as the #dontgo movement, where with a membership on Twitter you can respond and comment on the ongoing House rebellion against the recess called by Speaker Pelosi before legislation allowing offshore drilling was passed. The Speaker turned out the lights but members used Twitter to communicate. You can follow the stream here.
US Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL) is involved as well. He states,”Democrats are being held back, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) will not allow them to come back to the House floor to speak and they are afraid of retribution. Alaskans want drilling, why can’t they decide when Florida was allowed to? This session is unusual - “usually standing in an empty chamber” giving speeches but now “can look out in to the chamber and see the faces of America”, referring to the lucky bloggers on the floor of the House.
12-term Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) is urging all Americans to “call 202-225-4131 and tell Democrats to come back to the House to vote on energy. Pelosi is the “only person who’s stopping us from any movement on energy independence.” The representative thinks there are at least 50 Democrats willing to vote to approve drilling.
Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) called #dontgo “one full week of “unprecedented” action on the House Floor.” and made an astute observation when he said the “American people need a strategy so we’re not dependent on (the) most volatile part of world” including the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea basin.
The RNC Chairman, Mike Duncan, applauds the new movement. “I cannot commend the Republican House Members enough for staying in town this week, while they, too, could be enjoying their August recess and spending time in their districts with their families. This is a prime example of the Republican Party taking the initiative for real change.
’”
Is this a political stunt, as some have suggested, or the beginning of a new movement? Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) stated that Americans have the “right to call their representatives and demand they get back to Washington to work and they have the right to vote against those who don’t respond to the will of the American people” in November. With the Congressional approval rating hovering around 9%, #dontgo’s call for them to do their job and acutally do what the American people want has come not a moment too soon.
Eric Wall
Candidate for State Committeeman
Bay County, FL

Eric Wall of FL 6:22PM August 11, 2008