IN A HEAP OF SLIMY TROUBLE

Note to readers: In my blog decription above, there was not enough space to tell you the following: Many of my recent posts are about the natural gas drilling fiasco in neighboring counties. When I learned drilling was proposed for Dallas NAS, I quickly became aware of news stories describing Barnett Shale methods, dangers, and messy situations! So while awaiting news of Mountain Creek Lake, I have studied and concluded that the problems in Dallas and in the Barnett Shale stem from the same weak, pro-business environmental laws of Texas.
If you are mostly interested in Mt Creek Lake and Cottonwood Bay, the Dallas Naval Air Station and NWIRP, don't miss earlier posts. As more info becomes available, I will post on those topics-MCL/NAS/NWIRP-my original Oak Cliff-home community concerns.

IN A HEAP OF SLIMY TROUBLE

I was just saying to my husband who probably wasn't even listening: Either those of us who are worried about drilling are totally delusional OR there is a huge cover-up in our state about drilling dangers. It has to be one way or the other. There's not a lot of middle ground between "safe" and "unsafe"-and if there were, no would want to live there. LIMBO-that's where things stand now until the truth comes out. A very uncomfortable place.
But, being a peacemaker in my soul, I struggle with fairness to all involved-even in the realm of ideas and opinions.
So, I mind travel back in time to when the newspapers were reporting on drilling opportunity-probably back in 2007. Do you remember reading stuff like this?
-Drilling will not be a problem in the city, not even in parks or public land.
-It will not hurt our water! - We'll hardly know the towers are there, then in a few weeks of months, they'll be gone! - The process is totally advanced and safe with NEW METHODS! - No pain, but plenty of gain! Easy money for the city to use in our many development projects, reducing the burden on all taxpayers...On and on.
Was this is a p r spiel designed to get citizens on board with drilling proposals?(Affirmative, wouldn't you say?)
And wasn't the posse/parade being led by our Dallas city leaders?
Friends, the wonderful claims did not prove true. See photos and read testimonials online (Bluedaze Drilling site) from Denton, Wise, and Parker County residents.
Do you remember the Dallas City Council woman who tried to warn us; and, as I recall, was not treated politely? Oh, yes, Dallas was surely warned.
I can't help but recall the fairy tale about the emperor having no clothes, and the townspeople emoting about the beauty of his garments and not wanting to speak the truth about the leader's appalling nakedness. And, I learned about this phenomona in social psychology. People want to be enthusiastic and part of the crowd and the fun, happening event until they can no longer abide being duped, used, and abused.
Those who speak contrary to the in crowd often get ridiculed, that is until enough folks are seeing and saying the same thing. Then the group and its shared truth again become extremely powerful.
It may sound boring and even weak to point out that truth is not a product of social psychology. Further study and science will have to provide final answers about drilling safety. Citizens cannot speak with authority as a group until we have all the facts, though I agree we have compelling info now.
Further evidence is on its way, and we need more than one source of lab tests and data on the days of reckoning. We need scientists who can understand and communicate the big picture-chemical levels from water samples, but also earthquake and groundwater/drinking water risk over the next couple of hundred years. We need geologists, hydrologists, highly trained environmentalists and technicians. (Like the guys who work for EPA and DOD and can't be objective?)
As for politicians? They'd be wise to keep a low profile and keep their emperor shirts on! I'm thinking the politicians who sold us our bill of drilling goods are in a heap of slimy trouble. What were they thinking? And why weren't they researching so that they could have presented citizens with truth and reality instead of a stupid commerial for getting rich the easy, painless way?