"We Dissent!"

[H2O Man]

34. I have an

"internal document" from a recent gas/energy industry meeting, which was attended by some nationally-known politicians from both the republican and Democratic parties. Among the speakers was unconvicted killer George W. Bush. In the transcripts, one of the speakers rants about the "danger" that pro-environment, anti-hydrofrackers pose to the nation. Seriously. He calls us "insurgents."

In the grass roots/community organizers' handbook that I am currently writing, I have a short chapter on how the OSS/CIA was formed by hiring the oil industry's private intelligence workers. These corporations still have their private groups; more, their influence in "politics" is extreme, to say the least.

Even in my little corner of the world, as a result of my tiny, rather insignificant contributions to the cause, I have had a curious amount of "attention" focused upon me. A couple of major energy executives asked me last summer "how much would it take" to get me ontheir payroll as an environmental consultant? I asked them to stop, and not embarrass any of us. I get "hate mail," etc. And a few threats: one fellow found my phone number, and was starting to threaten me, when I asked him if -- due to "caller ID" -- he really wanted to talk that way to me? (He hung up!)

I've had plenty of positive responses, too. Though I am a hermit by nature, when I do go to a local grocery store, it is more common than not for someone toapproach me, introduce themselves, and thank me for the work I do.

More, using today as an example, I've had a half-dozen phone calls from people in political office (one running for Congress), asking for my help on their campaigns, as well as from a couple county democratic chairpersons. I'm a registered democrat, and have strong relationships with area social work/teachers/& carpenters' unions .... plus I am more closely connected to the Democratic Left (non-democratic party members & groups) than any other operative in this part of upstate NY.

Kind of strange, really, considering that a few years ago, I had decided to "retire" from activism.