Sure I have heard the reasons... from fear of oil spills to the fear that tourists wont come if they drill off the coast. The fact is much of the oil to be had in the northern and eastern GOM off Florida is over the horizon and the platforms would never be seen. I guess if they have GOOD reasons not to drill off florida using your train of thinking then we shouldnt drill off of Texas or Louisiana or Mississippi or Alabama, or hell anywhere for that matter because if we think long enough and hard enough I am sure we can come up with reasons NOT to drill ANYWHERE. The fact is it the same old BS... we want oil... we want nuclear... we want coal... hell even the Kennedys put a stop to wind power in MA, ..etc etc etc.. but NOT if its in MY backyard.... well if you dont want it in YOUR backyard... thats fine...just be prepared to pay MORE to have it brought to you.