EPA drops fracking pollution study...So I guess I must be a racist...

[WilliamPitt]

...because I think this is fucking bullshit, yet another brick in the wall of bullshit standing between what I voted for and what I have to endure.

Go ahead, defenders. Defend this.

EPA Now Won’t Finalize Its Study That Showed Fracking May Have Contaminated Groundwater
TPM

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has dropped plans to have outside experts review its theory that hydraulic fracturing may have played a role in groundwater pollution in Wyoming, and the agency no longer plans to write a final report on its research that led to the controversial finding a year and a half ago.

Instead, the EPA announced Thursday that state officials will lead further investigation into pollution in the Pavillion area in central Wyoming, including ways to make sure people there have clean drinking water.

“We think this is the most pragmatic, quickest way to help the residents of Pavillion. We’re going to work hand in hand with the state to make sure this investigation moves forward,” said EPA spokesman Tom Reynolds in Washington, D.C.

Industry officials who have been doubtful about the EPA’s findings since they were announced praised the change as confirmation of their view that the science wasn’t sound.

The rest: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/epa-now-wont-finalize-its-study-that-showed-fracking-may-have-contaminated-groundwater.php?ref=fpb

Well, as long as the fracking industry people are pleased, that's all that matters.

[WovenGems]

1. Huh?

Fracking has been able to hide simply by refusing to state what chemicals they use. Thus how can you say so and so contaminated the well if you don't know what they use. Corruption is the only excuse for this.

[GeorgeGist]

2. Surely you're not suggesting that the Oil and Gas Commission of Cheney's beloved Wyoming ...

would be in bed with the Frackers.

[marble falls]

138. Literaly:

Report: Federal regulators literally in bed with oil execs
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Comment

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mms.jpg

MMS

Scandal-plagued agency

In case you missed David Ivanovich’s blockbuster report in today’s print edition of the Houston Chronicle, here is the top of the story:

A program director allegedly snorts crystal meth off a toaster oven. A marketing supervisor sells sex toys to her employees, while senior executives allegedly rig contract bids for a pal.

Such is the culture the Interior Department’s Inspector General says he found at the Minerals Management Service, the federal agency responsible for handling $8 billion a year in revenue from offshore oil and gas leases.

As lawmakers on Capitol Hill Wednesday were taking up bills that could throw open new areas offshore to oil and gas drilling, Inspector General Earl Devaney released a series of blistering, even lurid, reports on the alleged behavior of the federal employees who deal with those offshore operators.

Agency employees, a number of whom still work for the federal government, received frequent gifts from industry players, had sexual encounters with oil and gas company employees, consulted for energy firms on the side and threw contracts to friends, Devaney found.

http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2008/09/report-federal-regulators-literally-in-bed-with-oil-execs/

[deminks]

3. Hand in hand with the state = hand in hand with the frackers.

Money talks, health walks. And the water burns.

[tex-wyo-dem]

144. Major +1!

Nailed it. State regulators aren't going to be regulating at all, because there's too much mineral royalties involved that directly benefit the state. This is the preview of federal regulators.

[awoke_in_2003]

149. "And the water burns"...

just like the Cuyahoga River in the early 70's

[rhett o rick]

4. Looks like the corporatists among us are getting bolder. Lines are being drawn. nm

[n2doc]

5. I'll take a Frack at it

"You can't blame Obama, because clearly this decision was made by some Bush appointee that BHO has no power over. Quit blaming Him for things he cannot control, you hater/racist!"

This is the thing, Obama is an omnipotent God when the government does things people like, and a nothing when the government does things they don't like. An amazing superpower.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

19. It's such a contradiction, isn't it? Either Obama is this monarch who controls the entire

government and and evil, lying, conniving dictator who is spying on us; or, is a weak, do-nothing wimp who has no power to make change.

I find it fascinating. When everyone is lined up against you from all sides, the best thing to do is to continue to try and work within the parameters that are set for you. I truly believe the president is trying to do just that.

[truebluegreen]

29. Hmm.

I fear you totally reversed what n2doc said, and then "agreed" with it.

[Whiskeytide]

73. Stunning, wasn't it?

...My wife sometimes does that to me. As a simple, unfrozen caveman lawyer, it frightens and confuses me. But it doesn't make it logical.

[truebluegreen]

82. +1

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

97. Nothing I stated was illogical. I was pointing out the contradiction that persists.

...which in its is illogical.

Either the man is an evil, conniving liar or he's docile, weak and powerless.

We can't have it both ways, no matter how many snarky comments you direct at me.

[marsis]

110. I'd expect your straw man

argument would be something one would hear from Hannity, Rush, Faux News, etc. Black or white, no gray.
You missed the point.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

114. Nope! You are but I can't help you if you don't get it.

[tomp]

152. nope, those are two straw men you created.

and it does not surprise me that you can't or won't further explain or elaborate.

i haven't heard anyone on du refer to obama as a dictator; sell out, misleader, misrepresenter, maybe, but dictator, that's not really a general claim. so that straw man crashes and burns.

i have heard people say obama was powerless to change certain things, and this is undoubtedly true, up to a point. the point is that when you run for any high office, including senator or president, YOU KNOW THAT ALREADY (or if you actually don't know that, you're just a lame ass--but that never happens, although many here on du are not aware of that). So to promise or lead people to think otherwise is disingenuous, at best. straw man #2 down.

a truly slipshod effort on your part.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

157. Nope. If you don't understand the larger point I'm trying to make then that's on you.

[tomp]

158. lame ass response. nt

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

159. If you didn't understand the larger point I made, that's on you. Lame is as lame does. IGNORE!

[xtraxritical]

53. I'll reserve judgment until he resolves the pipeline issue. I'm so so close to jumping ship tho.

[Logical]

25. Wow, you nailed it. It is sad how obvious some of the defenders have become! n-t

[Ichingcarpenter]

31. Will's training is almost complete now

Good, I can feel his anger

Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.






By being against fracking he now hates fracking and thus
Obama............

[WilliamPitt]

38. . . . . . . . . . . . .

[L0oniX]

37. It's the Church of the Zombie Worshippers.

[siligut]

6. Again, there is so much money and power behind fracking

We need another David to fight this Goliath. Until then,instead of swimming up stream, against the wind, without a paddle and tugging on Superman's cape, the EPA is going to do what it can to curtail the health hazards it knows exist, but can't stop at the root.

[WilliamPitt]

7. Wow.

[siligut]

13. I don't like it either

Don't shoot the messenger

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

20. Better yet, call members of the Senate who are blocking Gina McCarthy's confirmation.

[Ed Suspicious]

15. I think David could really use the sling that would be the results of an impartial government

funded study by the EPA for the battle with Goliath frackers.

[siligut]

21. The study was impartial, that is why the results won't be shown

I have no doubt that fracking is poisoning the water. David needs a slingshot against elitism and greed. Proles are like animals to the energy mongers, they don't care about their health and well-being. There are plenty of us and someone will always step up to do the work.

[gtar100]

18. Yea, because it's usually more prudent to just wait for people to get sick and die...

followed by denial, followed by ridicule of critics, followed by ignore-and-hope-it-goes-away.

I seriously think most Americans won't give a shit until a major disaster occurs, which is pathetic. Even then, I still have my doubts. There is just so little respect for the earth and the environment in this country.

[siligut]

26. This way MDs can be barred from telling patients about health problems associated with it

Because there are no studies that prove it. So no one can be sued. See how that works?

[hatrack]

51. Or the doctors can just be declared "terrorists" - the TransCanada strategy in Nebraska . . .

[primavera]

40. So the President of the US is no more than a youth armed with a sling?

And here I thought that the oval office was the most powerful political position on earth. Who knew it was so impotent?

[siligut]

46. And the US is the best country in the world

And the energy moguls are just huge, ugly bipeds. Please try to fathom the actual power structure. The only way we are going to be able to come up with a solution is if we are realistic regarding the problem.

[jtuck004]

92. It's as powerful as one wants to make it. Just depends on who they turn their back on. n/t

[Logical]

8. This might make me racist also! n-t

[WillyT]

9. Jesus... I Guess That Means Keystone Is Going To Be Approved...

& Rec !!!

[liberal_at_heart]

44. oh, you know it will be.

[markpkessinger]

50. Was there really ever any doubt that it would be? n/t

[Marr]

57. You're racist against oil pipelines. /nt

[WillyT]

69. Hey... Some Of My Best Friends Are Pipes...

[City Lights]

77. And others are lines...

[Jamastiene]

146. I prefer spigots.

Spigots that don't send out flammable water. I guess that makes me a full fledged sbigot.

[Octafish]

10. If the people of Wyoming want clean water they can buy it from Absopure like everyone else.

Why some people think they're better than a responsible company is beyond me.

[tex-wyo-dem]

148. +1...money trumps peace...

And, apparently, a healthy environment.

[Buzz Clik]

11. It's clear that this is not going to happen at the federal level.

We need tighter regulations and a ton of oversight. Time for the states to gear up and take control.

[East Coast Pirate]

86. Yep, won't happen at the federal level it appears.

Wonder who controls the EPA?

Good thing red states are there to handle things.

[0rganism]

103. Surely we can count on the responsible state government of Wyoming to pick up the slack

bottom line: there will be no oversight, and the resource exploiters like it that way

[Buzz Clik]

105. Well, you know -- I have the same feeling about this as mountaintop mining in West Virginia

If the people of the state either support it or don't care enough to rally against it, then it's their problem.

It's infuriating that EPA will not take the lead, but the states need to show a modicum of interest.

[Divernan]

160. PA's GOP Governor Corbett has gutted our Dept. of Environmental Protection.

[gtar100]

12. EPA... I seem to have forgotten what that stands for.

Because what it used to stand for doesn't make any sense anymore.

[zeemike]

16. It now stands for Enterprise Protection Agency

and we need them to protect free enterprise from those radical eco terrorist....
Do I really need the sarcasm smiley?
K&R

[Jackpine Radical]

35. Wait--wait--don't tell me…

Environmental Pollution Apologists?

[CreekDog]

87. are you blaming the employees?

[Jackpine Radical]

88. That's a stretch.

I'm blaming the apparent mission of the agency.

[CreekDog]

89. I'm just asking since you quipped "apologists"

[scarletwoman]

128. Those would be the decision makers. You know, the ones who decided to back off. (nt)

[HooptieWagon]

134. Nixon signed the bill creating the EPA.

I'm sorry, but I can't envision Obama signing legislation like that.

[gtar100]

140. Different time in this country. There were repubs that even supported unions

back in those days. Environmental concerns were a higher priority for a lot of folks back then and it was in the mainstream. The slide to the right this country has taken since then has set us back a long ways. One reason Obama wouldn't sign such legislation now is that the bozos in Congress today (aka tea partiers) couldn't even conceive of such a mission as the EPA had. And Boehner is just a dick anyway who cares only about what greedy, self serving rich people want.

It's not all on Obama so I don't think your characterization is fair. If we had the previous Congress with a real Senate (as opposed to the sham it is today), there actually might be greater environmental concerns front and center in legislation. But that's all just speculation. Obama's not really helping the situation by being so 'centric' in his approach, which in DC is really still just more right wing bullshit.

Very different times for sure. If there ever was a society destined to self-destruct, it would be just like this one.

[HooptieWagon]

141. I'll say.

1956 GOP Platform:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8682146

More progressive than the DLC/Third Way Democrats. What the hell happened to us?

[Jamastiene]

147. Environmental Pollution Agency

They coddle businesses that produce a lot of pollution and make sure they have nothing standing in their way.

[baldguy]

14. There's a huge difference between criticizing Obama to try to make the govt better

and criticizing the Obama to remove him from office & eliminate the fed govt.

Some people can't tell the difference, however. I would have hoped you would not be one of them.

[WilliamPitt]

17. Seriously?

You think I just advocated impeachment and the abolition of the federal government?

Fucking really?

Go back to bed.

[baldguy]

101. You should know better than to try play the martyr.

"Am I a racist now?" has become a slogan for some misguided DUers who have been blinded by their hatred for Obama and who - intentionally or not - are belittling the very real racism that still exists in America, and which is used all too often as an ugly political weapon by the extremist RW to attack this President.

[Number23]

122. "Miguided" is a very kind way of putting it.

are belittling the very real racism that still exists in America

You Better Believe It. But I have really enjoyed the show the past week or so.

[OrwellwasRight]

137. Excuse me?

You and your allies blanketly call everyone on DU who criticizes Obama "racists" and somehow we are the ones "belittling the very real racism that still exists in America"? Seriously? Listen to yourself and then think about who really is making a mockery of racism. Shurely it is those making spurious charges of racism, not those who want the Bill of Rights enforced, clean water, a trade policy that doesn't drive wages down, Wall Street to be held accountable, etc.

[Logical]

22. Who on DU is asking to eliminate the federal government? Links! n-t

[frylock]

79. disgruntled progressive=teabagger..

get with the program.

[Logical]

81. OK, makes sense now. n-t

[baldguy]

98. Only when they use the same arguments the Tea Baggers do.

[LondonReign2]

99. Are you being intentionally obtuse?

Because the teabaggers would be in favor of eliminating the EPA. Will's argument is that the EPA should do the fucking job described in its very name. The arguments are pretty much polar opposites.

"Same arguments" in your mind apparently means any whiff of criticism of the President.

[frylock]

102. provide examples of progressives and tea baggers using the same arguments..

if you don't mind.

[baldguy]

109. You're kidding, right? Have you been asleep the last couple weeks?

Here's the Tea Bagger "news" site The Blaze comparing Obama with the E German Stasi:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/06/11/it-has-come-to-this-german-govt-official-accuses-u-s-of-stasi-tactics-ahead-of-obama-visit/

And here's one of the countless DU posts doing the same:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022984127

and another:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022999760

and another:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014512420

and another:
http://election.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2960371

And here's Glenn Beckk describing Obama as Big Brother:
http://www.glennbeck.com/2013/06/06/can-you-hear-me-now-big-brother-obtains-phone-records-of-millions-of-americans/

And here's one of the countless DU posts doing the same:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022973841

and another:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023048289

and another:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022956080


Need I go on?

[frylock]

119. gosh, here are the teabagger germans making that same argument..

but what would they know, hunh?

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/11/us-usa-security-germany-idUSBRE95A0T820130611

[Electric Monk]

93. LOL @ "criticizing the Obama" like it's a rank now? Can I be an Obama someday if I try really hard?

The Obama is dead, long live the Obama!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

23. Interesting. You are implying that Obama is to blame for this, but he has nominated a very

progressive woman--Gina McCarthy--to head the EPA.

Why not call members of the Senate and ask them why they are blocking Gina's confirmation?

[ProSense]

24. No, you're not racist, but

the title of the OP is fairly silly.

Still, I wonder why so many people are determined to distort the point?

It's hate. Period.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023052983

[WilliamPitt]

30. "Still, I wonder why so many people are determined to distort the point?"

Distorter, heal thyself.

[L0oniX]

33. +1 ...it's NonSense

[ProSense]

43. Resorting to silliness means you have nothing valid to say. n/t

[L0oniX]

47. Sorry ...I can't compete with your vast storage of links you use to bury everyone.

[ProSense]

56. Typical

"Sorry ...I can't compete with your vast storage of links you use to bury everyone."

...hypocrisy.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=thread&address=10022421225&info=1#recs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022421225

Why not just admit that it's not the "links" that bother you, but the fact that you can't mount a logical argument.

"NonSense" and whining about "links" is silliness.

[L0oniX]

58. LOL aww I must have touch a nerve. More links?

[ProSense]

66. LOL!

Hypocrisy.

[Marr]

59. You don't argue at all. You misdirect.

It took me months to realize it at first, and I don't know how many wasted minutes reading links that weren't at all relevant to the discussion at hand. Sometimes, the links even argued against the point you were advancing. As I said, you don't really engage in debate, you just build a lot of exit doors and try to usher people through them.

[L0oniX]

70. This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This is the NonSense tactic used.

[ProSense]

76. No, I don't, but

"You don't argue at all. You misdirect. It took me months to realize it at first, and I don't know how many wasted minutes reading links that weren't at all relevant to the discussion at hand. Sometimes, the links even argued against the point you were advancing. As I said, you don't really engage in debate, you just build a lot of exit doors and try to usher people through them."

...it I can believe it took you "months" to come up with that red herring.

One can debate and provide information to back up one's claim.

I mean, if I say that something is a fact without supporting information, people tend to respond with, "Link?"

Still, why on earth were you focused on me for "months"?

[Marr]

85. It took months to notice because I *wasn't* focussed on you. /nt

Last edited Fri Jun 21, 2013, 06:23 PM - Edit history (1)

[sibelian]

118. LOL!!!!

[galileoreloaded]

111. Do you have a degree in marketing or psych ? Nt

[truebrit71]

96. That is laugh-out-loud funny!

[NCTraveler]

63. So True.

"Resorting to silliness means you have nothing valid to say."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023052983

[ProSense]

65. Well,

"So True. 'Resorting to silliness means you have nothing valid to say.'"

...you're free to equate "NonSense" with a well-thought out argument.

Silliness.

[NCTraveler]

74. You have a very high opinion of yourself.

"...you're free to equate "NonSense" with a well-thought out argument."

For calling that a well though out argument.

[Union Scribe]

143. Do you support this EPA decision? nt

[Marrah_G]

27. This is all so fucking frustrating

[CanSocDem]

28. After they declared...

...the air quality at 'ground zero-NYC' "safe", it occurred to me that the EPA would never hesitate to proclaim the patently ridiculous....

It's in their mandate.

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. I think I can predict the talking points

Instead will welcome you to the racist club...we are legion.

Personally I am waiting for the dedazo to indicate the chosen successor...party independent, that's for the rubes.

[L0oniX]

34. I predict that NYC water supply will be poisoned by fracking...

and I don't need Miss Cleo to tell me that.

[Dustlawyer]

36. Yea, punt it to the state of Wyoming to determine, as if the oil and gas industry doesn't own

Wyoming! Might as well have the state of Texas do the study! This is what happens when you allow legal bribery with campaign contributions. Start fighting for publicly funded elections, it is the only way to save this once great country!

[Jackpine Radical]

39. Jeez, Will--

How can you possibly hold Obama responsible for the actions of the EPA?

He's powerless, I tellya.

Racist jerk. Our drones are checking out your garage at this very moment.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

41. You STILL don't get it. This crap will continue as long as the USofA is all about Capitalism...

Since "Citizens United" it doesn't MATTER if the citizens are united.

[Cerridwen]

42. No they didn't. The study proved inconclusive.

Because the study proved inconclusive, they determined not to send it out for peer review. Kinda makes sense in the world of sequestration to not spend the money to peer review an inconclusive study. Especially since the state of Wyoming will take the data provided by the EPA and further the study of fracking in Wyoming "with the support of the EPA." The EPA will now focus on the national scale as Wyoming focuses on the local scale. That report is due out the end of 2014.

The press release from the evil government EPA is available at this link: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/8b770facf5edf6f185257359003fb69e/dc7dcdb471dcfe1785257b90007377bf!OpenDocument Interestingly enough, the title of the press release is Wyoming to Lead Further Investigation of Water Quality Concerns Outside of Pavillion with Support of EPA Weird, huh. Further investigation.

It's not nearly as simplistic as the articles reporting the evil EPA; all of which look like photocopies of each other; but it is more comprehensive of the players and the reasons behind the changing roles each evil government entity will take based on something called science.

[yardwork]

107. A study must be peer-reviewed before it is determined to be inconclusive

It's the peers who determine whether or not a study is conclusive.

[Egalitarian Thug]

132. And from which orifice did you pull that?

Let me guess, you have a PhD from MIT in environmental sciences and 20 years experience working for the EPA. Right?

[yardwork]

154. Not far off, actually.

[Skip Intro]

45. So many racist haters on DU these days!!!111! n/t

[L0oniX]

52. ...and a lot of worshipper zombies. I wish they would keep the worship on Sundays only.

[Skip Intro]

60. It's not so much the blind worship, which is scary enough alone, but

the demand that others join in or shut up, or face vile personal attacks that's the kicker.

Like blind faith, mindless obedience and belligerent name calling are Democratic values.

[L0oniX]

64. Unlike a lot of the worshippers I went to an Obama rally before he was elected for 1st term...

and I heard him say what he was going to do. I voted for him twice. The reasons I voted for him have not come true and much has gone the other way. Call me a hater racist for it but the worshippers either didn't ever hear him say what he was going to do or they personally like him so much that it doesn't matter that he didn't do much of what he said he would do. My expectations obviously are not the same as the worshippers.

[siligut]

48. What is with all the intolerance lately

Racists have rights too and they are the first to scream it at the top of their lungs while carrying guns.

[KittyWampus]

49. Are you posting Obama smears from Breitbart? Your OP is intellectually dishonest & beneath you.

But I'm sure it will get tons of recs.

If you were paying attention, you'd find that there are some posters on DU who:

Post Rightwing smears of Obama
Never acknowledge the good he's accomplished.

THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE BEING REFERENCED.

[WilliamPitt]

54. Everything I post that someone disagrees with is beneath me.

The only thing beneath me right now is my chair, the floor and the ground.

The article is not Breitbart. It is AP by way of TPM, TPM being possibly the biggest pro-Obama blog in the galaxy.

Whaaargarble.

[LondonReign2]

104. How, exactly, is posting the actions of the EPA smearing Obama?

Talk about Obama Derangement Syndrome

[Berlum]

55. Stupendous suckage

Corporations, Inc. and EPA tag team Vs. Mother Earth

[Poll_Blind]

61. +1

PB

[randome]

62. The article had me worried, too, at first.

I even went to the EPA site to look for a public comment section.

But given that Obama is scheduled to announce major climate change initiatives next month, I'm more inclined to believe cerridwen's interpretation in post #42.

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font]
[hr]

[redqueen]

68. So does that mean that you and cerridwen are "defenders"?

I'm not all caught up on my English to DUjuniorhighbullshit speak.

[randome]

72. In matters of political debate, I consider myself to be agnostic.

Life is easier, I find, when you don't care if you're right or wrong.

I agree, all this 'racist' versus 'defenders' stuff is going overboard.

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font]
[hr]

[treestar]

155. Yes, they are now fracking defenders!

for figuring out it's not as black and white as OP made it.

[WilliamPitt]

75. "major climate change initiatives next month"

Like green-lighting the Keystone pipeline?

[randome]

78. I really, really hope that green light doesn't shine.

There is too much risk. It doesn't matter how well protected that pipeline might be. It's risky and we don't need it.

I don't see that it will happen at this point. I hope I am not disappointed.

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font]
[hr]

[WilliamPitt]

80. Brace yourself.

I will be stunned if it does not happen.

Rachel Maddow reported two days ago on remarks Obama made during a private fundraiser in California. The nut of his comments was that protecting the environment does not poll well according to their research.

My bet: Keystone XL will be green-lighted, and those other "initiatives" will be deployed to try and take out the sting.

[randome]

83. No bets, just hoping he sees a different light.

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font]
[hr]

[timdog44]

67. I think the whole point

to the OP is that fracking is bad. It is dangerous and unhealthy. Pressurized water along with sand and "chemicals" are injected into a well bore to fracture the stone below at the weak point so that oil, gas and water can be extracted. Simple. The things is, what are the chemicals that are injected and where is the return going to go. First of all we don't know what chemicals are used and if they get mixed into the aquafers that are present. Secondly we don't know if the return is coming back up the bore whole as the fracturing can go to the aquifer which is already are weak point in the stone below.

Now, the fact that we don't know what the chemicals are, to some people make this all anecdotal evidence and thus not worth the shit the cows leave above on the land. This is the gold standard that so many seem to need to have to prove that something is bad. I suggest that intuitively we know that this is bad. Any chemicals in water are bad. Including the chlorine used to "clean" the water and the fluoride that is put in to protect teeth. So any other chemical they use are going to be even worse. I suggest we do not need double blind reproducible studies to tell us that this is wrong. When you turn on your spigot and you can light it with a match, that is probably not a good thing. So all you scientists can start jumping shit all over this but you are wrong. Sometimes instinct is a better judge of a situation than all your science technology all wrapped up into one.

This is all done to keep us on a hydrocarbon based energy system. Electric and solar could be the saviors of our nation, and if the carbon-aholics want the business, I do not care. It needs to be operated and they have the expertise to do that. So lets underwrite them and get ourselves off the carbon footprints we are now mired in. But if we keep letting the new technologies use carbon as the base to our energy, we are going to keep on increasing the dangers to us and the environment. When you realize, if you ahve not already done so, that water is the next resource war that is coming, we need to protect it as much as we can.

Obviously the EPA is dropping the ball because the state is going to do what the 1%s want. And the state EPA is going to shit can this whole thing, and truck in good water from the great lakes or the mountains lakes near them. So William Pitt, you are a racist. A racist against corporists. I applaud you for that racism. Keep it coming. I feel bad that Illinois just passed a fracking law through a democratic legislature and democratic governor. (Maybe this one will go to jail with all the others from Illinois). I think the fracking passed as a way to pull Illinois out of bankruptcy.

[NCTraveler]

71. While I am sure there is more to this.

After watching the administration deal with the BP oil spill, nothing would surprise me with respect to their environmental decisions. There is a clear pattern here. 1) The administration will take action that is not environmentally friendly 2)They will take heat for it and assist the private sector in their endeavors 3)The administration will announce a major initiative change speech 4)A wonderful and inspiring speech will be delivered void of time lines and facts that would actually pinpoint any kind of true initiative 5)Somewhere, out of sight, a congressional committee will be tasked with doing something. 6)Some people will swoon and fawn all over every word, while others will ask "where's the beef"

The environment will continue to be destroyed as the buck is passed down the road.

[hatrack]

84. This +n

Nailed it.

[H2O Man]

90. Crimes Against Nature

“When the administration can’t actually suppress scientific information, it simply issues a new set of facts. The White House has taken special pains, for example, to shield Vice President Dick Cheney’s old company, Halliburton, from sound science. The company is the leading practitioner of hydraulic fracturing, a new process used to extract oil and gas by injecting benzene into underground formations. EPA scientists studying hydraulic fracturing in 2002 found that it could contaminate groundwater supplies. A week after reporting their findings to congressional staff members, however, the EPA revised the data to indicate that benzene levels would not exceed government standards. In a letter to Congressman Henry Waxman (D-California), EPA officials said that the change was based on ‘industry feedback.’ Waxman requested clarification on the nature of that feedback. He’s still waiting for an answer.”
-- Robert Kennedy, Jr.; Crimes Against Nature; Harper-Collins; 2004; page 85.

Recommended.

[Jakes Progress]

91. Damn straight. And a terrorist sympathizer as well.

Walls to the right of me. Walls to where the left should be.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

94. The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same.

The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same. Marie Beyle (Schopenhauer)

[Rex]

95. Well in fairness, Wall Street hates the EPA and wants

it defanged like it was during the Reagan Era. It is pretty obvious Wall Street will get whatever it wants. This is a pro-corporate/anti-citizen group that hates liberals and views success by how many dollars you are worth.

After the BP treatment, I never expect them to do the right thing for the environment. It would hurt the profit margin and that is all that counts in America.

[sulphurdunn]

100. The heads of federal departments and agencies

don't usually do things calculated to piss-off the President. Most people who work for one of those agencies know it and act accordingly without being told to, all the way down the chain of command.

[msanthrope]

106. Your refusal to answer Cerrwidden's post at #42 indicates a bias. I wouldn't call

it a racial one, though...just a bias against facts.

[OrwellwasRight]

108. I must be a racist too, Will Pitt.

Probably a horrible one because I also have concerns about this:

http://andrewgavinmarshall.com/2013/05/12/large-corporations-seek-u-s-european-free-trade-agreement-to-further-global-dominance/

[MannyGoldstein]

112. "Make no mistake™... only by poisoning the environment can we save the environment."

The way of the Third Way is as mysterious as it is cash producing.

[joeybee12]

113. Clearly, you never truly loved him!

[KoKo]

125. Will has "Gotta Get a Grip." (but, actually he already has)...so GOOD ON HIM!

This stuff going on hit's us all pretty hard. Glad to see WP have gumption to seize the moment...he's been there for a long while.

[michigandem58]

115. Wow really hit a nerve

with the racism thing. Can't believe the number of threads.

[Number23]

123. LOL It's astonishing that people think they are actually REFUTING the charge with all of this

martyrdom. I mean this has actually become almost laugh out loud funny.

[msanthrope]

124. They are going to tell you all about their Black friends, soon.

I find the refusal to answer Cerrwidden's post at #42 very telling, myself.

[Number23]

129. Oh girl, I have already been lmao about the black boyfriends from 1973

and the black best friends in third grade and the half-Native American great-grandmothers. I mean the phrase "a hit dog will holler" has never, EVER, EVER been so amply demonstrated than in the last five-six days.

A few of us have been noting this in the black forum for a few days now - http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1187&pid=3208

[msanthrope]

130. Someone's got a Native American great-grandmother? I'm betting she's a Cherokee princess.

You know, I am of the opinion that one's conduct ought to be the thing one can point to when claiming non-racist status.

[Number23]

131. And this is why I love you

You know, I am of the opinion that one's conduct ought to be the thing one can point to when claiming non-racist status.

Precisely, msanthrope. Precisely.

[msanthrope]

133. Aw..thank you!! And hysterical thread.....can I ask who had a black

boyfriend in 1973?

[Number23]

135. That's not a direct quote. It's entirely possible that I'm getting the

"My first boyfriend was black" and "I had a black boyfriend in xx year" and "my best friend in 2nd grade was black" posts completely mixed up because of the sheer unintended hilarity of them all.

I mean, this place is absolutely RICH in unintended hilarity lately. Even more than usual which is truly no mean feat.

[msanthrope]

136. You know, I wondered where all the Sweet Baby Jesus Bradley Manning posts had gone,

since he's on trial and facing a lifetime of confinement--but the coming of Eric Snowden and now, Michael Hastings has pretty much kept him out of GD.

These threads....dear sweet Christ.

[forestpath]

116. knr

[pnwmom]

117. "I guess I must be a racist" was an unnecessary and divisive part

of what otherwise would have been an important post.

[cantbeserious]

127. Opinions Will Differ On That Thought

eom

[blkmusclmachine]

120. POISON

[pa28]

121. That's what it looks like when industry captures a regulatory agency.

If somebody calls you or me a racist or a hater for pointing that out they just embarrass themselves.

Here is what it looked like during the Bush adminstration. This is Sen. Kerry questioning an FDA official and between 5:00 and 7:50 you'll see the most pathetic display in history from a "regulator". Clearly industry still runs the show and we're reminded once again today that nothing has changed.

[orpupilofnature57]

126. Fascism .

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fascism?s=ts&ld=1133

[SalmonChantedEvening]

139. Go back to Mexico City, Lev!

[Canuckistanian]

142. Sounds like the "pragmatic" woodchucks have taken over the EPA

[ReRe]

145. Well, they have been wanting to get rid of the EPA...

K&R

... I think they've pretty much succeeded. You know, Will, young people who frequent DU probably think us old folgies (older DUers) are just old curmudgeons, always bitching and moaning about something. Our government has not been doing it's job now for decades, and this is reality for younger people. But us older folks remember when agencies like the EPA did their job. We remember when Congress would do it's oversight duty, and it was actually very interesting and informing to watch hearings on C-Span on a regular basis. I yearn for a more democratic society, a government that really does the people's business. Now all they do is make up scandals for a reason to have a hearings.

[awoke_in_2003]

150. When I look at everything...

going on on this country, all I can say is we are so fucked. I feel sorry for my grandchildren.

[Scootaloo]

151. I guess you must be, if you say you are

And it IS the first thing that pops into your head I guess.

Oh well. Bad change. Someone needs a smack upside the head.

[senseandsensibility]

153. Kick, didn't see this yesterday

and maybe some others didn't either, although now I wish I hadn't.

[jsr]

156. Meh. Let them drink Perrier.