A Personal Message from Das

Don't Let Big Oil Steal This Election

Dear Friend,

Although it's hard to believe, we have now reached the final week of this long and hard-fought campaign.

Whether it's been walking precincts, phoning voters, taking part in our neighborhood teams or contributing; your efforts have been a crucial part of the success of this campaign. I am proud of how far we've come and what we've been able to accomplish together.

However, it's this final week when we expect my opponent and his supporters to make their most significant attacks against me. We are gearing up for what we expect to be a surge negative media directed at and against me -- funded by oil companies -- to try and steal the election.

DONATE NOW to ensure that our basic principles of preventing further cuts to our schools, protecting our environment and creating good middle class jobs are not at threat. If you can't donate, I hope you will contact one of our organizers to come in for a couple of hours this week and call voters to help combat my opponent's attacks.

We have one week left, but it is the most crucial one yet. Please do what you can to ensure our joint success on November 2nd.

Thank you,
Das

Das knows we need to "Get Oil Out"

Get Oil Out! (GOO!)

is a Santa Barbara based public interest group dedicated to the protection of the Santa Barbara Channel and coastline from the deleterious environmental, economic, and esthetic impacts of oil development.

GOO! was founded in the aftermath of 1969 oil blow out at Platform A in the Santa Barbara Channel, and is widely recognized as the first grass-roots environmental group in the United States.

So, when GOO sends a letter, people should listen:

Dear Councilmember Williams,

On behalf of Get Oil Out! (GOO), I would like to commend you for your vision, courage and leadership in the effort to bring an end to oil production in California.

The nightmare of the 1969 oil spill served as a wake up call to this community. In the wake of this disaster, grassroots activists united and built a powerful environmental movement to defend our beautiful coast line. You are one of the great leaders representing the next generation of the movement and your efforts are emblematic of the values of this community.

Your leadership at the City; opposing expansion of oil drilling, taking an official position against onshore drilling projects and calling on the federal government to terminate plans to add new onshore oil development, has helped California move a step closer to our goal of ending oil drilling. Thanks to your commitment to strategic, long term solutions -- rather than succumbing to the short-term fixes that so often bring with them gratification today along with a new set of problems for tomorrow -- we believe that our common goal of securing a permanent end to oil drilling is within reach.

In addition to your important work and commitment to end oil drilling, you have shown great leadership and vision, by spearheading a public policy that has moved our region away from oil addiction and towards a future of renewable energy.

Thank you for all of your work on behalf our community and our environment.

Sincerely,

John Abraham Powell, President

DAS WILLIAMS - Fighting for our future

The following is from "Das Gets the Last Word on PXP," at the Santa Barbara View:

“The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has strengthened my resolve to bring an end to oil drilling and move towards a fossil free energy future that relies on clean renewable energy.

“In order to end our dependence on oil we need a comprehensive strategy that stops oil drilling and promotes clean renewable energy. At the City Council, my colleagues and I have strongly opposed new and existing oil drilling as well as created tough renewable energy and energy efficiency standards that have created jobs, reduced our dependence on fossil fuels and helped protect the environment.

“The proposed Tranquilion Ridge agreement would have brought an end to oil drilling on four platforms in fourteen years. Without it, oil drilling will now continue for at least another two generations. For four decades we have been unsuccessful in our efforts to stop existing drilling. In fact, the platform that caused the 1969 oil spill still operates to this very day. If we are going to end drilling we need to continue to do everything in our power to end our dependence on oil.”

-- Das Williams, Santa Barbara Council Member

Das Williams supports bringing an end to offshore drilling

"I support bringing an end to drilling.
That has always been my goal. What has happened in the Gulf is exactly why we need to make that a reality as soon as possible."

Das supports bringing an end to offshore drilling. If you hear differently, someone isn't telling you the truth.

Das knows it's NOT just about stopping offshore oil drilling...but...

it's about PLANNING for energy alternatives...it's about WORKING toward energy self sufficiency....it's about TAKING initiative for positive change. It's about FORGING ahead to the future. It's all about the DOING. And Das is doing just that.



(hat tip to Santa Barbara Real Estate Voice for the video lead)

Das knows the dangers of drilling

When it comes to oil drilling - Das' goal and record on this issue are clear - bring an end to oil drilling as soon as possible. As a legislative aid for Hannah-Beth Jackson, Das helped write the legislation that put an end to the practice of transporting oil from offshore rigs via oil tanker, hence, reducing the chance of an oil spill. Das also helped craft a resolution calling on the federal government to terminate all offshore oil drilling leases. On the City Council, Das has been vocal in his opposition to all oil drilling including the Paredon project.

The Louisiana disaster is a stark reminder of why we need to end drilling now. The proposal by the EDC would end drilling on 4 platforms in 14 years. Without that proposal, drilling will continue indefinitely and we will live with the threat of a disaster like the one in Louisiana for years to come.