Extracting An Exact Conclusion On the Barnett Shale?

Below find a list of articles I've been reading. I'll share more as I find them or as friends send them. My instincts - not to mention the facts - tell me that a drilling problem definitely exists in the North Texas area, but because of the powerful gas industry, a precise conclusion will not be easy to draw and publicize. Notice the time that has already passed since these stories broke. News is trickling out, steps in the right direction are being taken here and there-but we aren't hearing the kind of headline-worthy response from the drilling industry that I thought would have to take place. (Like "we're sorry...we'll fix this immediately...")
Too much to hope for.
One good thing about this, though...There is much citizen interest in drilling in our region and the entire US, and e-mails about natural gas drilling are flying - between citizens, scientists, and reporters in various states. Everyone is Googling "fracking" and radioactive water, including myself. Hico and Aledo are new places of interest - and not because of football!
When a pollster calling tonight about the Texas governor's race wanted my pick - Perry or Hutchinson, I asked, "Which candidate will clean up the environment?" As I live and breathe, the environment was not even included in the list of emphases we might wish the new governor to EMPHASIZE! One could pick jobs and economy, however! Of course, we need jobs, but life has other considerations, also; one has to be alive and healthy enough to work, for heaven's sake! I was clearly irritated but went on with the survey questions ("Are you a member of the religious right?" etc.)

This is Texas, our Texas, alright! Long may she produce pure well water and maintain breathable, clean air...I think we'd all prefer "will" to "may" when it comes to those two necessities of life.

The Links: (with thanks to those who passed these on.)
hykos.com/story/2009/6/17/743272/-Drilling-Induced-Earthquakes-and-Some-Crazy-Fracked-UP-Historyttp://www.dail

http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/abuses_of_science/oil-extraction.

htmlhttp://www.prophttp://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Chico-Hot-Water-78444897

.htmlpropublica.org/feature/is-the-marcellus-shale-too-hot-to-handle-1109

http://www.wfaa.com/internal?st=print&id=72135482

&path=/news/healthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing (Wikipedia on hydraulic fracturing mentions radioactive sand)

http://www.shaleshock.org/on-the-education-of-a-‘fracking-neophyte-by-peter-davies/

http://beforeitsnews.com/story/0000000000000511(See link to Abrahm Lustgarten piece,also.)

http://www.earthworksaction.org/PR_DISH_HealthSurveyRelease_TCEQ.cfm

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/stories/DRC_RayzorRanch-Air.33f55a20b.html ) *This is inspiring. Denton residents collect 2k dollars to buy an air monitor and have a lab test the air at a drilling site near their homes! Dec 09