Ecorazzi

Seems like those “Drill, baby, drill!” supporters aren’t keen to stop looking foolish. Adding another layer of inane reasoning to their arguments, protesters marched in Park City, Utah yesterday claiming that Robert Redford’s stance on drilling was “racist” and hurtful to the lower class. The group was led by the Congress of Racial Equality’s national spokesman Niger Innis — who suggested Redford should “relinquish his wealth” and live like a poor person. From the Salt Lake City Tribune,

“They complained that the filmmaker’s anti-drilling stance could lead to higher energy prices for inner-city residents, forcing them to accept a lower standard of living. The clergymen prayed for Redford ‘to see the light’ and linked his environmental activism with racism. ‘The high energy prices we’re going to see this winter are essentially discriminatory,’ said Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. of the Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md., chairman of the High-Impact Leadership Coalition, a petroleum industry advocate.”

It’s important to read that last bit carefully. Yes, the man leading the protest is the head an oil industry funded group. In other words, he’s a puppet for the drilling companies.

In response, Redford said his stance against drilling near national parks and monuments has nothing to do with the cost of home heating. “The fact is, the oil and gas industry already has more leases than it knows what to do with,” he added.

Just another sad and stupid attempt by the oil industry to discredit an activist. The racism charge is just another indication of how desperate they’re becoming now that the political climate is about to change drastically for them. Hooray for next Tuesday!

via Salt Lake City Tribune

Thanks to Shea for the tip!