Suspending Common Sense as Volume Increases Over Fracking Risks

Sometimes politicians seem confused by their jobs, and, thus, fail to do their jobs. They are elected to represent “the people,” not just some of the people and certainly not business before people.

Such is the case with “fracking.”

This is one of those “do the right thing issues.” Fracking is the process of injecting water and various chemicals deep underground under high pressure to drive gas and other petroleum products out of the ground into pumping stations.

The problem is that this process seems to pollute the ground and water in the ground, hence the drinking water of those in relative proximity to fracking. The industry and many politicians dispute this, but there is growing evidence groundwater pollution is a major issue and will become even more of an issue as the process spreads to more areas. There are other issues, such as huge amounts of water used (up to 5 million gallons per well), radioactive wastewater and fracturing underground formations.

For some reason, Republicans are again on the wrong side of an issue. But since they in general oppose the EPA and many regulatory constrictions, fracking has become another political sticking point between the GOP and those who think slower is better.

This type of stance by Republicans reinforces the public view that they are bought and paid for by special interest groups. (A perception that people have of most all politicians, regardless of party.) In this case, the oil and gas industry, which continues, along with much political assistance, to push for more fracking and fewer regulations.

Now to my way of thinking, this is the kind of thing we should make sure is safe before we expand it. Just makes sense, since pumping chemicals into the ground would seem to be a risking proposition as far as pollution goes. So the “do the right thing” stand should be let’s make sure this is safe first.

Some politicians, money blinding their clear, or sensible sight, disagree, saying energy and more jobs are a priority. I’d argue that making sure you aren’t poisoning people is a primary priority. And while I understand over-regulation can crimp business, this is why the government, on a federal level needs to mandate moratorium on fracking until independent studies show it is safe.

In some cases, politicians have passed legislation banning the disclosure of chemicals and other ingredients companies inject into their wells. And in Pennsylvania, doctors are allowed to see a list of chemicals used, but are forbidden to discuss them with patients. How is this possible? Another example of politicians stepping between a doctor and his or her patient. Outrageous.

Bitch about regulation if you want, but in the long run sensible regulations save us money we might later spend on cleanup. (BP and the Gulf mean anything?) And, frankly, I wouldn’t want any gas company fracking in my back yard . . . I’m guessing narrow-minded politicians wouldn’t either. Maybe they should spend some time with a family whose water smells like chemicals and burns like gas before they decide to allow unfettered fracking over the growing protests of their constituents. 

Fox Studio Taken Over by Muppets as Pundits Call for Rescue by Transformers

BREAKING NEWS: Police in New York have just reported that Fox News studios have been taken over by a group of rabid Muppets, at least 50 first-graders and assorted characters from the movie Lorax.

According to police, the attack on Fox was prompted by recent comments by Fox commentators about the Muppets and Lorax.

On Tuesday, host Lou Dobbs railed against "The Lorax," along with the Japanese children's film, "The Secret World of Arrietty. "Hollywood is once again trying to indoctrinate our children," he warned. He claimed that the movies were "demonizing the 1% and espousing green energy policies."


Dobbs said "The Lorax" was about "a woodland creature that speaks for the trees and fights rampant industrialism." He replayed a clip of the Lorax demanding to know who chopped down a Truffula Tree.
"The President's liberal friends in Hollywood targeting a younger demographic using animated movies to sell their agenda to children," he alleged.


Previously, the Muppets came under fire from a Fox face for brainwashing young children with a liberal agenda.

Police reported that Fox personnel had sent out a call to the Transformers to rescue them. Although some Fox executives suggested such a call was not needed, and noted that the Transformers are illegal aliens. They added that clearly the kids and the characters are an even bigger threat than the Decepticons.

Late today there was no word from the studio other than the Muppets saying they were trying to talk with the Fox pundits, but they were too stupid to understand the difference between reality and puppets. The Muppets and kids are demanding an apology from Fox.

Self-Inflicted Wounds Have Republicans Bleeding in the Political Waters

The water is getting bloodier and bloodier as Republicans continue to bleed more and more from self-inflicted political wounds for which, in the end, they will have only themselves to blame.

Continually rising from the muck are politicians who want nothing more than to stand between women and their doctors, women and their health care and women and their right to determine for themselves what is in their best health interests. And for many, that fight has centered on birth control, and other contraception, and who should pay for it. While some religious leaders, as well as a slew of opportunistic politicians have tried to frame this as an assault on religious freedom, it really isn’t.

It’s an assault on women and families and others who happen to believe that contraception is an important part of any health care program.

As I’ve said before, Catholic bishops have no place in this debate. They condemn, on moral grounds, all forms of contraception. And Rick Santorum, darling of narrow-minded conservatives across the country, has said he thinks all forms of birth control should be outlawed. While I will agree that religious organizations probably shouldn’t be “forced” to offer insurance that includes things they are morally opposed to, I would narrowly focus that on churches and not any organization that somehow feels opposed to any aspect of limiting insurance coverage. Thankfully, the Blunt Amendment, which would have allowed any employer to limit any coverage for any reason was defeated in the Senate. Blunt has promised to try again.

So here we are more than 40 years from Roe v Wade and politicians are suddenly proposing legislation that mandates trans-vaginal ultrasounds and other unnecessary medical procedures for women contemplating abortions. Politicians have therefore said they are more important than doctors and know more about caring for patients than doctors do. That is, of course, absurd. Politicians know little about anything and these legislative jabs at women are merely political. Any proposed legislation that puts political agenda between any patient her (or his) doctors should be viewed as an outrage. Forget religious freedom, let’s talk about medical freedom. Free from politics.

Without a strong GOP leader, the party has let this debate spin out of control. And not only will it hurt the party, but it continues to provide and easy wedge between them and the Democrats as the election approaches. Women’s health care will continue to be a major issue in the campaign.

It’s an issue that became major because Republicans felt they needed to pander to their most base right. But they need women if they’re to win in the fall. And they will lose women across a broad cross section of the political spectrum. Someone better stand up and end this assault soon, or the Grand Old Party will end up bleeding out over an issue that shouldn’t be one.