In an email message apparently designed for Earth Day and aimed at her constituents, Rep. Marsha Blackburn charges that the current high gas prices are the consequences of "environmental extremism."
If you are wondering what Marsha means by "extremism" - here's a clue:
According to the Sierra Club , Marsha Blackburn has cast anti environment votes at every opportunity. In fact, Congresswoman Blackburn has a perfect anti environment voting record for all the years recorded at the Sierra's website, that's 2003 - 2006!
Meanwhile, Congressional leaders are calling for an investigation into "possible price gouging by oil companies as crude oil prices hit new highs on world markets and average gasoline prices in the nation's capital blew through the $3-a-gallon mark."
"But leave it to Frist and Hastert to blame… 'price gouging.'"
And Exxon has been called "the enemy of the planet."
The Congresswoman from Tennessee's 7th district does not appear to be invited to any Earth Day celebrations.
Oops, sorry about that, Marsha. It's well known that the Republican Congresswoman prefers to be called the Congressman.
Apparently, Congressman Marsha Blackburn has as much difficulty with biology as she does with the environment.
Email Received from Blackburn:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 21, 2006
Press Contact: Ryan Loskarn - 202.225.2811 - 202.225-1112
ryan.loskarn@mail.house.gov
BLACKBURN: HIGH GAS PRICES THE PENALTY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXTREMISM
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "Americans can thank environmental extremists and their allies in Congress for high gas prices," Representative Marsha Blackburn (TN-7th District) said today.
"People want to know why gas prices have gone up," Blackburn said. "The answer isn't so complicated. Worldwide demand for oil has increased, hurricanes have knocked out some of our refining capacity, and thirty years of environmental extremism has brought domestic oil exploration to a virtual halt."
"Prices wouldn't be so volatile had we been exploring for oil on American soil and expanding our refining capacity as our population grew. But there are those in Congress who've fought tooth and nail to prevent any and all domestic oil exploration for thirty years. Today we're paying at the pump for their extremism."
"If we want to see gas prices stabilize then we're going to have to open up areas like ANWR to oil exploration and actually encourage refinery construction. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I know there are those across the aisle who've always placed the interests of environmental groups above American drivers and that's not likely to change soon."
"I intend to put pressure on those in Congress who've created this mess and hope my colleagues will join me."
On a related note, Kevin Drum and Laura Turner have some thoughts on conservatives and evil environmentalists. Our hero, Al Gore comes up in the discussions.
Earth Day Environment Marsha Blackburn Gas GOP Tennessee Exxon
