Posted on 02/09/2012 1:23:51 AM PST by Impala64ssa
No matter how you feel about gas drilling, you have to feel it was wrong to ban Pennsylvania filmmaker Josh Fox from a congressional hearing on the controversial natural gas extraction method of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."
Fox, who made the Oscar-nominated documentary "Gasland" — which drilling supporters liken to anti-fracking propaganda — was placed in handcuffs and removed from the hearing before it even began. The focus of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee subcommittee session was the Environmental Protection Agency's finding that fracking was probably responsible for the contamination of ground water in Pavillion, Wyo. The reason Fox and another film crew were removed was that they didn't have media credentials to cover the hearing, according to Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Andy Harris, R-Maryland. Fox said he tried to get credentials for the hearing, which was scheduled on short notice, but he never got an answer. The top subcommittee Democrat, Rep. Brad Miller of North Carolina, wanted to allow the filming and called for a committee vote to allow "all God's children" to film. The Republican-dominated subcommittee voted no. Forget, for a moment, the great divide between Republicans and Democrats, and those for and against drilling — a divide that is paralyzing us. Or that Fox is public enemy No. 1 to pro-drillers.
This shouldn't be about whether you're Republican or Democrat, for or against fracking. Banning Fox, or any journalist, from the PUBLIC hearing is wrong no matter which side they're on.
It would be wrong for a Democratic-controlled committee to ban a news crew from filming a hearing about the safety of fracking — or its economic benefits.
It's wrong for a Republican-controlled committee to ban a news crew from a hearing about the dangers of drilling.
If there's one thing folks on both sides of the issue say they agree on, it's this: The more scientific information on fracking, the better. That way, we can decide whether it's safe or harmful. We should also be able to get as much information as possible about the politicians who will have a huge say on whether drilling is allowed.
Harris, the subcommittee chairman, who accused the EPA of a "single-minded pursuit of the hydraulic fracturing smoking gun," noted the hearing was broadcast on the Internet — something most of us had no clue about until Wednesday's incident made the news.
So what?
We should have as many outlets as possible reporting on our representatives working on an issue that's already having a huge impact on our lives — even before it's allowed in New York. That means letting Josh Fox or Fox News film a public hearing. If folks then think Josh Fox twists or manipulates what's said — as he's been accused of doing in "Gasland" — let them turn to another news source that filmed the hearing to prove it.
Our government — the people we elect and pay to serve us — should be shining a light on an issue like gas drilling, not keeping us in the dark.
People from Pavilion say not so fast
They had the entire thing published on the Internet where anyone can access it.
What are you complaining about?
You are not being kept in the dark, this meeting was about as sunlit as it is possible for it to be. You can access it from anywhere there is Internet raw and uncut.
Or is that the problem?
The guy who wanted to "film" it and then do his little chop, cut and paste didn't get a chance to get his "version" out and promoted? He didn't get a chance to make money off his propaganda?
Instead the plain dull version of the meeting was published?
Hmmm
My heart bleeds... Woops! Sorry. Just some hot sauce.
I don’t feel it is wrong to ban him from the hearing.
His filming of tap water catching on fire made for a great visual effect. The thing is, methane in ground water is normal and there are written reports of being able to set local spring water on fire dating back to 1795.
The only thing wrong with arresting him is that it will give him more leftie publicity
Would ya mind giving me a reference for that? I live in Democrat central and very close to PA. They are just mind numb drones, but I have no ammo on this issue. Thanks!
That’s what happens to “agents provocateur”...
Let's not. The last time "unbiased apolitical scientists" determined the risk/benefits of something, they determined that the debate was over before it even got started.
No credentiails you leave. You don’t leave you get arrested.
No credentiails you leave. You don’t leave you get arrested.
What I wonder about is why they didn’t grant his request for credentials. The House Republicans shouldn’t establish the precedent that credentials will be granted only to media representatives who agree with the committee majority.
You should start by reading debunking gasland (PDF):
http://www.energyindepth.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Debunking-Gasland.pdf
This is useful:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=2165&typeid=1
Natural gas is everywhere in the earth, and it frequently shows up in water wells. This is a nice illustration of a natural gas seep with some good pictures:
http://blogs.agu.org/magmacumlaude/2010/11/12/gas-seeps-in-western-ny/
You may find some information here:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/marcellus_shale/20296
1. How many fracking sites are there?
2. How many contaminations proven to be caused by fracking are there?
And the follow up:
Could (and HOW could) those contaminations have been prevented?
How many such contaminations have been documneted as caused by natural sources, with no fracking nearby?
I’ll try to find something for you. I’m referring to local articles about setting water on fire, both tap water and spring water.
I live on the Wayne County side of the Susquehanna/Wayne border. Fox lives in Wayne county where there is currently very little drilling because we are mostly Delaware River drainage and New Yorkers pretty much control the Delaware drainage even in PA. Susquehanna county is where there is quite a bit of drilling and a lot of people say it caused methane to be in their water. But records and local knowledge say the methane was there all along.
http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorials-columns/guest-columnists/tackling-marcellus-shale-factor-1.1222023#axzz1lv4StSSF
"In 1795 settlers in Montrose discussed water that would "bubble and catch fire like black powder." Later it was determined that Salt Spring contained methane gas. What is now Salt Spring State Park in Susquehanna County was once the site of an attempted oil and salt operation."
There's been more written locally that I've read in print, not online.
Thanks.. thatwould be great!
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