General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUpdate #2 from H2O Man
"If DUers want to help on this, they should continue calling Libous, Cuomo, and Kennedy; they could also send your article to Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, and Keith O and Young Turks on Current TV."
Contact info for the above officials here, near the end of the article: http://www.truth-out.org/clearing-stands-boxer-one-mans-fight-against-fracking/1326401455
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Monday
January 16, 2012
The press conference/rally outside of the State Office Building in Binghamton went well today. It was bitter cold, and so I was surprised that anyone else showed up. But there were about thirty people.
Last night, I scribbled a rough outline for my speech, based on Thomas Merton's introduction to his 1964 book, "Gandhi on Non-Violence." He compared Western Civilization to a one-eyed giant, that had mastered the sciences, but failed to grasp the significance of matter. Native People's culture, on the other hand, had wisdom without technological advances. The effort to combine the best of these two worlds was essential, before the one-eyed giant destroyed the environment it neither understands nor appreciates.
The S.O.B. is near a couple of hospitals. Everyone has an extended family member who has suffered from a disease such as cancer. The medical profession represents the best in technological advances -- treating and curing illnesses and injuries is indeed an everyday miracle. The medical profession also has wisdom; an example is the message to not smoke, or do other high-risk activities.
The largest area medical provider in our region is Bassett Medical Care. Their board of directors, and their medical staff, have issued statements in opposition to hydrofracking. That process poses serious health risks, among them demonstrable links to asthma, stroke, heart-attack, cancers, and preterm birth.
I ended by noting that all I am asking for is a meeting between NYS Senator Libous, and a few leaders of the grass roots groups opposed to hydrofracking. I said that the goal was communication, rather than trying to change his mind.
Tom Libous is a local politician, and I recognize he takes that position very seriously. I am a local citizen and father, and I take that equally seriously. Something as simple as an election could change our current position, in that sense. But it is nearly impossible to imagine our changing positions on hydrofracking, because that is a matter of our character.
There were many kind people there, who thanked me for what I'm doing. A Vietnam Veteran told me that Merton's writings had helped him in his re-adjustment into society, after experiencing the hell of war. An older woman grabbed my arm as she thanked me, and started to cry. And an itty-bitty 8-year old girl, who had seen me on the news and told her Mom that she wanted to meet me, gave me a CD of children's music. She said she thought it would keep me from being sad when I am hungry. It has.
hlthe2b
(102,419 posts)Thanks for the update.
arthritisR_US
(7,300 posts)xchrom
(108,903 posts)barbtries
(28,815 posts)with tears in my eyes.
bigtree
(86,008 posts)Zorra
(27,670 posts)Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)Zorra
(27,670 posts)Wind Dancer
(3,618 posts)deacon
(5,967 posts)Rhiannon12866
(206,296 posts)Solly Mack
(90,792 posts)blue neen
(12,335 posts)H20 Man, thank you so much for your courage and sacrifice.
They'll be drilling and fracking less than a mile from here very soon...and the process will go on and on, until the whole of Pennsylvania is a giant methane bomb.
EFerrari
(163,986 posts)Groundwater is one of our few renewable resources and fracking will methodically destroy that resource. One day fresh ground water will be worth far more than the extracted gas recovered by energy companies for short term gain and we'll regret our complacency.
Great to see somebody take a stand and do it so well h2oman.
<< that's juice BTW
ellisonz
(27,711 posts)I've emailed The Young Turks - they might be the most compassionate.
Mnemosyne
(21,363 posts)chervilant
(8,267 posts)spanone
(135,900 posts)Cleita
(75,480 posts)ellisonz
(27,711 posts)malthaussen
(17,217 posts)Solidarity.
-- Mal
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)trumad
(41,692 posts).
blaze
(6,383 posts)Thanks H2O Man!
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Anyone need any additional information how to get there can find it here, as this is part an event by Riverkeepers. May there be many more of these. Thank you, DUers for keeping us well informed on these crimes against nature.
Riverkeeper Event
2012 Hydro-Fracking Day of Action
When: January 23, 2012: 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Join Riverkeeper, its partners, and residents from across the state to rally and talk with legislators about fracking in Albany.
The day will start with a rally in the New York State Legislature and will be followed with legislative visits. Come join us on this exciting day to bring your voice to the state capitol and express your concerns about fracking.
Advance registration is required for this event. Please register here to visit your legislator.
Well be gathering in the Legislative Office Building for a rally at 11am and meeting with legislators from 1pm 3:30 pm (all meetings will end by 4).
If you wish to take a bus up to Albany you can sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDVvRXJYVkg2NkRlVTlWRFMxWGI0bmc6MA
2012 Sponsoring Organizations:
Riverkeeper, Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, EARTHWORKS, Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition, Environment New York, Advocates for Morris, Environmental Advocates of New York, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Sierra Club-Atlantic Chapter, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, SACRED, Otsego 2000, Shaleshock, Shaleshock CNY, Milford DOERS, Plymouth Friends of Clean Water, Catskill Citizens for Clean Energy, NOFA NY, United for Action, NYH2O.
http://www.riverkeeper.org/news-events/events/rvk-events/2012-hydro-fracking-day-of-action/
EFerrari
(163,986 posts)Riverkeeper
@riverkeeper_ny Ossining, NY
NY's Clean Water Advocate-Defending the Hudson River & protecting the drinking water supply of nine million New York City & Hudson Valley residents.
http://riverkeeper.org
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Setting a precedent overturning this destruction in such a venue as New York would be a great example for the nation. Red or Blue, water is the most important 'resource' on the planet.
Any action that pollutes water, is also a reflection on how those who do regard not only the planet, but their fellow man and future generations.
It should be our top priority in environmental action because it is required by all that lives. What a change regarding water as living would bring.
The time for arguing about other things is getting short, this is the ultimate issue. All other things are negotiable.
Water should never be considered a commodity, sold or privatized. It is essential that we protect water in all its forms. No time to get cynical or pass the buck.
Thanks H2O and all of DU who is bring this issue up because nothing kills like polluted water or the lack of water. No water, no freedom, no nothing.
Space Ship Earth requires water for life. Period.
EFerrari
(163,986 posts)I bet most of us could come up with some part of the OWS movement or a reporter or a show host that we can easily contact. I sent stuff out to three reporters today including the ProPublica reporter who has done 64 stories on fracking, and also to two different Occupy groups. Local is good but as you say, we ALL have an interest, so local isn't the only criteria.
Let's see how we do.
EFerrari
(163,986 posts)I sent it in yesterday, although I don't know who else might have submitted the story. In any case, it's the perfect venue, so
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,737 posts)Evasporque
(2,133 posts)jsmirman
(4,507 posts)please keep this in the forefront of your thoughts