It's important for Pennsylvanians to know that both our senators voted to drill for oil in the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and spoil one of the last great places on Earth. Irrespective of the fact that the U.S. Geological
Survey estimates that ANWR has less than a single year's supply of oil which would not reach consumers for at least 10 years,
our senators voted to drill there, disregarding the fact that the damage will be permanent and irreparable.
I was hopeful that Sen. Arlen Specter would have voted against drilling because on his Web site he states
that "[v]ery few issues that Congress faces each year are as important to the public as protecting the environment." Apparently
he is not concerned with protecting ANWR.
Even Sen. Rick Santorum claims that he wants to protect our environment. He wrote to me: "... protecting
our natural resources and preserving the beauty of the American wilderness for all generations to enjoy are among my highest
priorities as your senator." But his vote tells us otherwise.
ANWR is America's greatest national wildlife refuge and a majority of citizens oppose drilling in the refuge.
Perhaps our senators forgot this. Hopefully, the next time this issue arises, more people will speak up so that our senators
cannot ignore us.
Martin Gromulat, Harrisburg
Oil drilling an outrage
The latest outrage to come from the office of George W. Bush is the vote in the Senate to allow drilling
for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, one of the last pristine environments on earth. This administration
is not concerned with global warming, the Kyoto Treaty, or preserving our environmental heritage, only with the increasing
gas prices and with providing business for the big oil companies.
The end result of this action will be a negligible amount of oil and the cost to our environment will be
incalculable. It is an abomination. The area will be spoiled forever. This earth does not belong to George W. Bush, and it
is not his to destroy.
Please note that both our Pennsylvania senators, Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter, voted to keep the drilling
for oil provision in the ...[budget] bill. Call them to register your displeasure and outrage.
Joan M. Moran, Salisbury Township
A poor steward
Sen. Rick Santorum continues to disappoint with his votes, the latest being the support of Alaska arctic
drilling ("Alaska Drilling Wins Close Vote," March 17). As a conservative Christian, he does not represent my concerns or efforts. Arctic drilling is an abomination.
Can we gas-guzzling Americans not preserve just one pristine area of God's country? Surely God doesn't want
us to use up more and more of His precious resources. America doesn't need to drill more -- we need to use less! Simply stated,
we can do more with less. And we need to think smarter.
Promoting hybrid cars is just the beginning of possibilities. With this vote, Mr. Santorum has shown not
to be a good steward of God's resources. Truly, he needs to rethink his positions in the context of biblical principles, which
he so proudly boasts.
Rebecca Lewis, McCandless
