Field Notes Inside an Integrated Communications Agency

As the N&O reported Sunday, our beautiful barrier islands are in danger.

I have not yet absorbed enough information to be able to formulate a definite, unflappable position on the hotbed debate over offshore drilling. I consider myself an environmentalist, but my head is not in the clouds. I understand that we must take dramatic steps to free ourselves from the bear trap of dependence on foreign oil; I am pragmatic enough to understand and agree that this will not happen overnight, and that, at least in the interim, we must find a way to safely pull some of our eggs out of that basket. Now - having hopefully established my willingness to be a rational person, based in reality - I choose my next words very carefully:

WE MUST NOT OPEN NORTH CAROLINA'S COAST TO OFFSHORE DRILLING.

North Carolina's Outer Banks offer the world over 100 miles of truly unique barrier island coastline, visited by over 5 million people every year. These islands are the crown jewel of our state. Mostly untamed and uninhabited, these barrier islands are in constant flux, molding and remolding themselves while protecting thousands of square miles of sensitive marsh and wetlands against the onslaught of a turbulent south Atlantic Ocean. These islands are home and habitat to dozens of rare and endangered species of animal and plant.

Some of our state elected officials are clamoring to voice their support for and get in line behind those who would fling open the gates to a new, unchecked land rush for exploration of our continental shelf. I am confident that for some of these folks, the impetus for taking these positions runs no deeper than to provide a means to distance themselves from any public blowback from our current energy woes. Essentially, to say to their constituents, "See, it's not my fault." This is shameful. Sens. Richard Burr and Libby Dole, I'm pointing my finger at you.

Take a look at this aerial photo. Now, tell me where exactly among these shifting sands you would like to see pipelines run. Tell me where you would like to see refineries built, for oil that may or may not be there, but which certainly would not be pumped for at least the next 8-10 years. Tell me which of these islands you are willing to sacrifice.