Government and Politics:
more than just old guys getting what they want by talking

The President recently revealed a new national energy policy, weeks before New Orleans submerged and many southern coastal refineries were devistated, which allocated funds for every kind of energy-producing industry.

It did not include federal permission to drill in the Arctic Refuge, a wildlife preserve in Alaska that has remained a total sanctuary for wildlife and Native American tribes who still live that same tradition.

The permission to drill in the Arctic Refuge was hidden within a new budget bill to be passed shortly, but did not go unseen by politically active people who are aware of the risks our civilization poses to the environment.

Therefore, money was donated by lobbyists for the environment to pay for busses that would bring college students from around the country to Capitol Hill in order to voice their concern over the prospect of drilling in the Arctic Refuge.

One of such busses departed from High Street in New Haven, at 3 AM, picked up more students from Fairfield, and arrived in Washington DC at about 10 AM, in time for several speeches and a rally in front of the Capitol Building.

Several members of the Senate and the House spoke on stage to vow that they would not vote in congress to pass the budget unless the clause that would allow the energy bill to pass would be removed.

Included among speakers were Robert Kennedy Jr, John Kerry, and Westville resident and senator Joe Leiberman.

There were also a number of other speakers, including Yale University undergraduate and environmental activist Irene Scher, who spoke to the crowd about how much the Arctic Refuge is worth preserving.

Many of the students lobbied their representatives and spoke to their staff, dropped off signed petitions, and generally made their presence felt within the halls (and lobbys) of congress.

The message was clear. That even by the supporters' standards, drilling in the Arctic Refuge would yeild only enough to lower the price of fuel by one cent, twenty years from now.

Other points were made, such as that if Americans used the proper amount of air in their tires, it would equal to millions of dollars of energy consumed, replaced by energy conserved. (website: pumpitup.org)

Overall the mood was hopeful that some of the undecided members of congress would be persuaded not to vote to pass the budget.
TownofNewHaven.org