Wicker repeats offshore drilling myths

Maybe if you say something enough, people will believe that it is true. That strategy seemed to work well for George W. Bush in the last two election cycles, so I can see where Wicker is coming from. From today's Hattiesburg American,

"With no oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, today's technology has proven we can utilize our domestic energy reserves in a safe and environmentally-sound way," Wicker said.

"Congress should take immediate action to utilize this domestic energy in order to lower gas prices."

We have already shown both of these statements to be categorically false in this post and this post.

From today's New York Times editorial "The Pander to Big Oil"

There is no doubt that a lot of people have been discomfited and genuinely hurt by $4-a-gallon gas. But their suffering will not be relieved by drilling in restricted areas off the coasts of New Jersey or Virginia or California. The Energy Information Administration says that even if both coasts were opened, prices would not begin to drop until 2030. The only real beneficiaries will be the oil companies that are trying to lock up every last acre of public land before their friends in power — Mr. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney — exit the political stage.

Roger, there were oil spills due to Katrina. Just saying that there were not does not change the reality. Gas prices will not be brought down by any drilling until 2030, so stop acting like this a sure fire fix.

Roger, Mississippians are smarter than you think. If you persist in your dishonest political pandering, you will find out just how smart we are in November when you pack your bags and head back to Tupelo.