yeah, I didn't understand that either.
I also like how 49 other states are trying to "protect" (aka, hinder growth of) Alaska from drilling on itself. what does a hippie in New England care about the ANWR. i was watching something on FOX the other day, and the moderator asked the Dim how many times he's visited the ANWR. "None," he replied, followed with a "and how many times have YOU been there?" Moderator "Twice, actually." It was hilarious.
Point is, we have the support of the two senators FROM Alaska. Yeah, they happen to be Republicans, but the majority of ALASKANS support drilling too. So why is there even a debate?
The bigger question is should the US govt be allowed to confiscate property from a state and then stop the state from developing it. Teddy Roosevelt started the practice to allow monopolies of his coal-mining buddies, and it needs to end.
It all can be solved by something simple. Something that the founding fathers (IMHO) wanted from the day that they joined the original 13 into a Republic. Each State has say over what and what not to do with the land in it's borders. That means that if Alaska wants to drill for oil in the ANWR, then it is Alaska's choice. If NM and AZ want to put a big wall on the Mexican border, it should be up to THOSE STATES. The solution is simple, give the states back the power that they once had in the begining, and use the Federal government to keep them safe.