New in Natural Gas Hype: A Fracking Coloring Book

[demmiblue]

Source: Mother Jones


With government agencies, documentaries, and even celebrities taking aim, fracking has been getting a bad rap these days. So it's no wonder that gas companies are working hard to change the tone of the debate surrounding the controversial method of reaping natural gas.

The latest in their PR efforts? A children's coloring book. Published by oil and gas producer Talisman Energy and distributed for free, the 24-page text follows the adventures of a "Friendly Fracosaurus" named Talisman Terry. Throughout the book, he leads his readers through a natural gas extraction saga—explaining the benefits of the substance, and how it's found, drilled, and delivered.



Missing from the narrative, though, is the term "fracking," or any of its synonyms. The coloring book alludes to the process, without ever actually naming it. (Talisman Terry says that natural gas is "set free from underground rocks.") Ah, semantics.

The book also doesn't talk about any of the complications that can come from natural gas drilling—be those leaking rigs, or water source contamination. By listing the benefits of natural gas drilling while glossing over its potential drawbacks, the book sends a message to kids that when it comes to natural gas extraction, it's a win-win:


http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2011/06/fracking-coloring-book-talisman-energy

[lob1]

1. Color me pissed.

[madinmaryland]

2. LOL!

[RKP5637]

3. They run so many ads here as to how great they are all other advertising

might as well be dropped. IMO when anyone goes to these lengths one knows what they are trying to peddle is really really bad.

[lunasun]

4. will probably make it into the public grade schools as a giveaway they can tax off as donation!!!