"We are all Americans..."

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I'm not sure how many times Penn State Professor Terry Engelder used that phrase to introduce a point yesterday, but after an industry-produced ( BIG OIL ) video that was played to begin the ~2 hour Marcellus Shale forum ended with a huge American flag waving in the breeze, I was pretty certain we'd be hearing more of the new patriotic theme that I mentioned in a previous post. I was not wrong.

It is when they ( BIG OIL ) eventually cross the line and openly accuse those opposed to "drilling for dollars" as being unpatriotic that this may very quickly degrade into more than open dialogue.

Remember...we are all Americans.

Speaking of speaking freely, I somehow think Appalachian Fracture Systems feels like a conflict of interest...or is it just me?  

Professor Terry Engelder drilling driving a point home.

I recorded the entire event, in HD no less, and will be burning a few DVD's over the next few days. The Monroe County League of Women Voters did an overall good job keeping things under control. One woman wanted to say her peace, but was quickly muzzled in a professional manner. She did make her points known to a local newspaper reporter.

It was a standing-room-only crowd, and from some body language I observed, quite a few folks were not buying what was being sold by BIG OIL's biggest (impartial, of course) flag-bearer.

I'll post a few more thoughts during the week.

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Dicks Coming to Luzerne County

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Seems everyone is getting in on the Marcellus Shale action.

Even the Dicks.

Instead of meeting privately behind closed doors with a few greedy select landowners, I think they should host a public meeting so that any/all folks who own land in Luzerne County can ask questions and have a clear understanding of any/all services the Dicks have to offer.  I think the Luzerne County Courthouse would be a good venue...

Hmmmmm. My dad owns a 40' x 100' lot in Luzerne County. I think it's a little small to be drilled...but I know there is definitely some Marcellus Shale down there. Somewhere. Maybe they can bring in some of those massive thumping trucks to check things out. 

I do wonder why they switched to a Limited Liability Partnership last month.

Stay tuned.

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NEPA's State of Independence

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Not much time to post this morning, but I'd like to thank the folks who are continuously sending informational links and e-mails. I'm going to share two this morning.

The first contains some footage from the recent DRBC meeting, and the second is an interesting post about thin places on the Susquehanna River. Both come from a blog that I am going to start following.

In my opinion, one of the thinnest places on the Susquehanna is at French Azilum. The other is Standing Stone. Carl Carmer thought it was at Carantouan. I'm sure there are others. My point is...there are a lot of special places along the Susquehanna that deserve protecting, and I've been to most of them. More on this subject in the next few weeks.

I'm finally seeing something happening that I've recommended several times over the past year in my comments at SRBC and DEP and DEC meetings...people & groups are starting to organize and band together as one. Meetings are being hosted at private residences. There are educational seminars popping up all over the place. Drilling-related films are being shown...for free!!

My friends, that should scare the absolute h*ck out of the folks from BIG OIL. I know they've encountered resistance before...but this ain't Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, or western PA. 

This is northeastern Pennsylvania, and the State of Independence is much, much more than a marketing slogan in this neck o' the woods. 

Hearing footsteps?? That would be us.

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No Honor Among Thieves

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I've received a couple of e-mails about the latest ploy of BIG OIL to market their purely-for-profit exploitation of our commonwealth's natural resources; the patriotism card.

Now, that would be a huge mistake...but it does not surprise me in the least. I first heard it raised, albeit deftly, at the final NY DEC hearing on their Draft SGEIS. I was a little surprised initially, even though I knew it would eventually surface. It hasn't come up at any of the meetings I've attended since then, but I'm sure we'll all be dealing with it at some point in the very near future.

Anyway, if that's going to be part of their strategy...I simply offer we are more than ready to respond.

BTW - check out this cartoon I tripped across yesterday. 

Disclaimer: Someone else created it.  

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YO...CALGARY! Get back to work!

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In case the screenshot above doesn't register immediately, it's from my web tracking software. Yep...I've been watching you watching me. These stats are from the last 7 days only.

Now, although I've been asked, almost begged, to disclose the 'who' along with the when & where, I'm not going to do that. For you, consider it a one-time professional courtesy.

Although just by looking at yesterday's activity, I think one of us has a tiny little problem...ehh?

And then a little earlier in the day...

And one more for good measure...

Oh...what the hay. Let's finish this.

Now, I know it's not my 3rd-grade writing skills or style, or the provocative pictures I post...so why would anyone in Calgary, Alberta, Canada be so darn interested in what I have to say on my website? I'm just a fairly committed river insomniac advocate from Pennsylvania who knows the geology of the area, understands what WILL happen if widespread hydrofracturing takes place, and will do everything I can to stop it. What's so interesting about that?

Seriously, I'd be far more concerned about some of the other deeper-pocket environmental whackos out there. I've talked to many of them. Once and done. I want no part of their agenda.

Enough about yesterday. Moving forward, I have a few thoughts on how we can resolve our differences. Make them go away for good. Stay tuned. 

And yes, it's okay if you come back. Just keep it to less than 10 hits per day, okay?

By the way, I can personally assure you; I am absolutely nothing to be concerned about.

P.S.  If the folks from Korea are yours...tell them to back off.  Immediately.

Thanks.