All Fracked Up

Here's a site by a couple of people who are really, really not into fracking.

I haven't had a chance to watch their documentary yet, though I did read a good letter-to-the-editor they penned for the local paper not too long ago.

"We have never been arrested," they said in the last paragraph, "and totally respect police officers, although we'll do what we have to do to nonviolently protect our family's health, livelihood, property values and heritage for all our children."

I like that sentiment.

And they have good reason to be really, really not into fracking.

Fracking is kind of a fucked up thing.

It's bad for you. For the world. For everything.

And it kind of pisses me off that, in spite of that, and in spite of the fact that so many people in NY are opposed to it, are vocal about it, are furious about it, the fracking companies keep winning little battles. We live here. We don't want it here. And somehow that doesn't matter.

Makes you want to kind of break something, you know?

Anyway, here's a very short video about the couple who made "All Fracked Up."






And so, yeah, today, I wasn't at work. Long story.

While not at work, I ran a quick errand to a local health food store to get some bread (and some yogurt pretzels for the boy). On the way, I was listening to NPR. The topic for the hour was the out of control fires in Texas. At some point, the point was made that one of many factors leading to the current out of control situation is fracking. Because fracking uses vast amounts of water to break the shale and get to natural gases, there is even less water available to fend off the current drought.

The commentator, a guy I like, then said something that I found just a little disturbing.

"It's tough," he said (and of course, this is a paraphrase), "because you have two competing needs. On the one hand, you have a drought and you need water. But on the other hand, you need energy. And it's hard to say which is more important, which should get priority."

?

?

Really?

Because, here's the thing? No, it's not. No, it's not hard at all.

Energy is important. No kidding. No doubt.

But, the deal is, without water, we die. Everything dies without water. Absolutely no exceptions.

Energy: really important. Can't have AC or movies or lights or mass transit or soap operas without it.

Water: the foundation for all life.

Not hard to prioritize. Seriously. Not hard at all.