Outstanding. I’ve been following Commander Chris Hadfield relgiously on Google+ during his tenure on the International Space Station.
Some may think this an inconsequential stunt. Not me. There’s nothing more important to a space program’s survival than capturing the imagination of the public. Remember how invested we were in the Gemini and Apollo missions?
Hadfield’s enthusiasm for his mission, accessibility and beautiful images of Earth from above have single-handedly rekindled my interest in space.
I’ve cut fast food out of my diet completely over the past 10 months. I didn’t need this NPR story to confirm it was the right decision. But it never hurts to get a little positive reinforcement.
I’m opposed to the practice of hydraulic fracking, particularly in residential areas. It’s a foul business that allows gas companies to pillage and poison the land. Locals are left holding the bag and the contents of said bag are often deadly and debilitating.
So I was excited when I saw a report in Vermont’s Burlington Free Press today claiming Vermont had banned the practice outright. Chalk one up for the good guys, right?
Not so fast. Yes, the ban was signed into law by Governor Peter Shumlin on Wednesday. But there’s a catch, and it can be found in the sixth paragraph:
Vermont’s ban will have little to no immediate effect here, as there is no drilling taking place, none proposed and no solid information that Vermont has the underground gas to draw interest in fracturing. After signing the bill Wednesday, Shumlin conceded that this made enacting a ban easier here than it would be in states where land has been leased and drilling operations are in place.
Talk about burying the lead!
This issue is of particular concern for me because I grew up in what could be considered the heartland of fracking intent. Western New York and Central Pennsylvania are home to the Marcellus Shale formation, which is believed to house enough natural gas to supply the entire US for two years and create 250,000 new jobs in the process.
That sounds like a panacea in light of our existing unemployment and fossil fuel concerns. But at what expense?
Let’s explore all alternative energies, but let’s do it responsibly. Fracking is not environmentally responsible.
If you want some insight into the process and consequences of fracking I suggest you view Gasland, the excellent HBO documentary by Josh Fox.
Solid closing paragraph in yesterday’s Rayne Independent of southern Louisiana.
If you have covered local sports you can commiserate with this unnamed writer. It can be a thankless, soul-grinding beat. You can also relate to being short-staffed on the copy editor side.