The Politics of Pettiness

On a post to this blog, I commented on this headline:  Trump Administration Proposes Massive Expansion Of Offshore Drilling.

 

When Trump and his cronies do anything, it’s always important to ask why. Trump himself doesn’t do shit unless it’s for his benefit.

 

I wrote this:  “One should observe that states most impacted by these changes are California, Oregon and Washington, states that Trump lost in the 2016 election. California contributed a lot to Hillary Clinton's popular vote total over Trump, a particular point of annoyance for Li'l Donnie.    

Would Trump actually be that petty?”

 

My answer to that was “Well, yes, of course he would be that fucking petty!!”

 

But really?

 

Get a load of this news item: The Interior Department announced Tuesday that Florida is exempt from the Trump administration’s new move opening up offshore drilling, raising questions about whether the Trump team is playing favorites with particular states.

 

Here’s what Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke had to say about that: “President Trump has directed me to rebuild our offshore oil and gas program in a manner that supports our national energy policy and also takes into consideration the local and state voice. I support [Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s] position that Florida is unique and its coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver. As a result of discussion with Gov. Scott’s [sic] and his leadership, I am removing Florida from consideration for any new oil and gas platforms.”   

 

I imagine that California sees it’s coasts as heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver.  

 

In fact, here’s what California Attorney General Xavier Becerra tweeted to Zinke: “California is also ‘unique" & our ‘coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver.’… If that's your standard, we, too, should be removed from your list. Immediately.”

 

So why the special attention for Florida? 

 

1. Trump won Florida in the 2016 election.
2. Trump owns coastal property in Florida.
3. And outgoing Republican Governor Rick Scott is running for the U.S. Senate.

 

So I ask again, would Trump actually be that petty?”

 

My answer to that was “Well, yes, of course he would be that goddam fucking petty!!”