Shifting Sands

With Oil's Rise, Floridians Shift on Drilling

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. -- Neighbors Jo Ellen Sharp and Kristin Jenkins stood beside each other after a day on the beach of this barrier island, divided by the thought that Florida's corner of the Gulf of Mexico could some day be dotted by gigantic oil rigs.

"This is such a big part of our economy and our lifestyle; nobody is going to come here if there is drilling," said Ms. Sharp, 39 years old, who runs a marketing firm with her husband.

Ms. Jenkins quickly cut in. "Do what you've got to do," the 35-year-old schoolteacher

First off oil production platforms are not gigantic, they wouldn't be noticed if they were five miles out, except by the fishermen who would frequent the fish attracting oil well production platforms. Second off, why are "gigantic oil rigs" offensive, yet truly gigantic windmills whacking birds right and left are beautiful? Me I see the stupid windmills as offensive, yet didn't that Gov Crist want windmills everywhere?