FRACKING SILLY

Yesterday I came across an article in the NY Times Energy and Environment Section and found nothing special till I read this quote from a "responsible" Pennsylvanian who is active in the movement to improve regulation of the gas industry:

"This is a billion-dollar industry going after a trillion-dollar asset. Opposing it would be silly. But people aren't aware of the risks to the environment."

For article - click here. It also mentions the new MIT study which is another very annoying and familiar story.

As one who stands unalterably in opposition to drilling - not only to fracking but also to all that comes after (more on that to come) - I object to my opposition being characterized as "silly".

I don't just object -

I strenuously object.

I have been agressively investigating every aspect of this issue, including some angles that have not yet received attention here in our state, and have concluded that the only intelligent, reasonable, sensible and "responsible" position is to demand an outright ban - and to make it loud.

Of course, odds are that the drilling will proceed and I surely do and will support all efforts to regulate the hell out of the frackers. And I admire Mr Bogle's recent letter to the president of Penn State University - see Splashdown post about this - here. 

Today I have resisted my usual cynical and sarcastic inclinations out of respect for Mr Bogle, to whom I say - please take a very hard look at the name of your organization and tell me what you see:

RESPONSIBLE DRILLING ALLIANCE

can you say -

 

FRACKING INVASION

YOU ARE BEING ASSIMILATED

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE

 REGULATIONS ARE IRRELEVANT

POLLUTION IS IRRELEVANT

WATER IS IRRELEVANT

CHILDREN ARE IRRELEVANT

YOU ARE IRRELEVANT

Think this is too much?

Think this is exagerated?

You been paying attention?

In Pennsylvania it has only just begun.

It is going to get far, far worse.

Open your eyes!

Wake the frack up! 

FRACKED UP

7/2 - update; sorry bout that but all the recent news and Don's blogs about the water withdrawals up north had me feeling totally frustrated, helpless and ANGRY.

Where are super-powers when you need them?

FRACKED UNDERCOVER

Northern Tier

Marcellus Shale

Business Expo

Background: I've been wanting to get some insight into the minds of all those seemingly average people who have apparently fallen under some sort of spell cast by the drillers and politicians and their fecal marketing ploys. And there it was - an Expo - I could slip in among them and observe up close how this could have happened to so many innocent citizens. So I put on my typical person outfit, hid my camcorder, had a double of single malt just in case, and hit the expo. Besides the huge shiny wastewater trucks and tall drilling rigs it was a lot like many other conventions and expos I've attended. But then I noticed there was a drilling opportunities seminar being given by Chesapeake in a corner room so I slipped in the side door. I was totally unprepared for what I saw and was only able to film for a couple of minutes before fearing that I might become infected - I blew on out of there as fast as I could. The Chesapeake guy in the white shirt and tie scared me the most. And I swear - I didn't put anything in the kool-aid.

Be Afraid - Be Very Afraid 

FRACTRACKER

Conrad Dan Volz, DrPH, MPH

University of Pittsburgh

Center for Healthy Evironments & Communities

Principal Investigator and Director

FracTracker.org

Marcellus Shale Data Tracking

I have been "tracking" Dr Volz for some time as he has been quoted in numerous articles, primarily in the western PA press. I enthusiastically applaud his new site and its goals which, if supported, promise to become of unique benefit for us all - the real people of the Marcellus.

Dr Volz and his organization have assumed a vital responsibility too long abrogated by our "leaders" in government and industry. Well, Frack Them.

Sincere Thanks and Much Success to FracTracker.

For Site - Click Here

THERE WILL BE GAS

INVESTIGATIVE VIDEO

DC BUREAU.ORG

"It's a modern day gold rush with all sides seeking the advantage."

"The energy lobby effectively controls the process at all levels of government."

"Despite possible, significant environmental costs, it seems economic interests are determined to make sure that:

There Will Be Gas

Click here to view

NEVER GIVE UP. NEVER. NEVER.

"Amid world's challenges,

never give up.

Never. Never."

Today's Inquirer included an essay by Mr. Bogle that was adapted from a commencement adress given at Trinity College on May 23. As I was reading I thought of how often the odds seem so hopeless that it is tempting to just give up and bail. I have long admired Mr. Bogle for his lifelong commitment to those "old school" qualities of courage, honesty, integrity, humility and service to others that are so hard to find these days. He reminded me of my late father who had always demonstrated those same qualities.

It's a good essay from a good and wise man and carries a message worth remembering when things look grim.

I hope you'll read it - click here

"To have striven, to have made the effort,

to have been true to certain ideals -

this alone is worth the struggle." William Penn

btw - there's a story that he got the title to his latest book from a conversation between Kurt Vonnegut and Joseph Heller who were attending a party hosted by a billionaire. After Vonnegut told Heller that their host earns more in a day than Heller ever earned from Catch-22, Heller said that he has something that the billionaire will never have: enough.