More Oil Drilling, Cont.

The LA Times editorial today says it all. Money quote:

Californians have been leery of coastal drilling since a devastating spill from an oil platform off Santa Barbara in 1969. Drilling proponents counter that new technology has greatly decreased the risk of spills, but they nonetheless still happen. And there's more to worry about than spills. Texas is not known for its beaches, which attract the detritus -- such as tar balls and empty oil drums -- from thousands of oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Drilling releases a host of toxic chemicals, creating such problems as dangerously high mercury levels in fish.

I looked online for pictures of dirty Texas beaches, but couldn't find any. Hmmm... must be like those photos of flag-draped coffins we can never see.