Cheney Smells Bacon

"The Democrats are going to pull out every stop to socialize American medicine. But we will fight it every step of the way," she said. "It could be a long fight."

Oh, yeah...like they socialized transportation, reading and recreation. Give it up Kaye. Do you think she really cares about health care? No, she just wants you to remember that she'll fight for "your issues". This is a move on her part to gain attention and high light her otherwise lack luster performance in the senate. If Cheney supports her, then you know how she stands on the FRAC ACT!

Kaye Bailey Hutchinson will not protect your drinking water. Kaye Bailey Hutchinson will not protect your personal property rights. Kaye Bailey Hutchinson will not protect each person's access to health care.

Sen Hutchinson Is What's Not Best For Texas

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson uses the old and tired "not giving up my seat" routine to do what's best for our great state of Texas. She's concerned if she resigns that somehow the Democrats will pass some legislation that only she can prevent from happening. What I find interesting is that coincidentally on the same day as she decides to do what's best for Texas, she finds out that Perry is leading her in the polls.

I question Senator Hutchinson's ability as a senator much less as the governor of Texas when she can't tell the difference between the FRAC Act and the Health Care Reform Bill.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson Has Gone Daft

You may remember a previous post about an email I sent to Kay Bailey Hutchinson asking her to support the FRAC Act. She sent me back a lack luster response which I couldn't make heads or tails of whether she supported the FRAC Act or not. I sent another email requesting a bit more clarification. Here's the email below:

As your constituent and a supporter of the work of the League of Conservation Voters, I just became aware of your poor environmental voting record in the 2005 National Environmental Scorecard. I am deeply disappointed that you consistently voted against commonsense environmental protections. When it comes to protecting our air, water and natural heritage from corporate polluters and developing a forward-looking energy policy, we need a Member of Congress who will stand up and do the right thing. You conveniently told me that you do not serve on the FRAC Act committee, while omitting vital information:

"On the same day the legislation was introduced, the FRAC Act was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, on which I do not serve. Should S. 1215 come for consideration before the full Senate, please be assured that I will keep your comments in mind."

What comments of mine will you keep in mind? That the toxic water used in fracturing is deadly? I'm curious to know your feelings on the FRAC Act and what way you plan on voting. I believe that as MY STATE representative in the senate, I have a right to know. You owe me full disclosure. I am hoping that your constituency and I can count on you to represent our views and vote to protect the environment more frequently in the key debates expected in the second session of the 109th Congress. Sincerely, Joely Trujillo

Today...I received my response. But again, I was completely confused. She thanked me for my recent email about healthcare reform. ????

Levine Questions Drilling In New York Daily Star

Attention is drawn to gas drilling up North, specifically in New York. There's been heated debate, finger pointing and eye gouging. Important questions were raised by the Daily Star and answers were given by Harry Levine of Advocates For Springfield.


The Daily Star: ``Do you support existing and proposed state and federal regulations for gas drilling, and if not, how should they be changed?''

Levine: ``Our answer is a firm `no.'

Levine continues to state that gas drilling is exempt from, "all or parts of the clean air act, clean water act, comprehensive environmental response act, compensation and liability act, CERCLA (the Superfund), resource conservation and recovery act, safe drinking water act and others." Levine then asks his own question: "What possible reason gives rise to all these exemptions, especially to an industry that has a direct and proximate conflict with our air and water?"

Very good question, Mr. Levine.

Levine recounts that the state of New York has done what the feds have done and that is to exempt gas and oil despite warnings from the DEC. Right now, New York State only employs 14 DEC inspectors which is in adequate considering the current level of vertical gas wells. How will there be enough staff to supervise and monitor these new projects?

Why are local governing bodies turning a blind eye to this? That's like the old commercial of the bull walking through the fancy glass store with all of us just hoping that he doesn't break anything. Do we really expect the oil and gas industry to self regulate? To protect our interests? The bottom line is that they're only going to protect their bottom line.

Tsk...Tsk...Tsk...Hutchison is such a Cop Out!

A while ago, I sent a pleasant email to Kaye Bailey Hutchinson, pleading with her to consider co-sponsoring the FRAC Act. Here's my email:

I urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 2766/S. 1215 to repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing in the Safe Drinking Water
Act and require public disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids. This exemption, also known as the "Halliburton Loophole," means that hydraulic fracturing, an increasingly common aspect of the oil and gas production process, is not subject to the same standards as other industries when it comes to protecting underground sources of drinking water. It is one of several environmental loopholes granted to the oil and gas production industry. Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection of fluids, often containing toxic chemicals, into oil or gas wells at very high pressure. This technique fractures the underground formation and can cause underground sources of drinking water to become contaminated. Other forms of underground injection are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect drinking water, but in 2005 Congress exempted hydraulic fracturing from the act to benefit Halliburton and other oil and gas companies. I am concerned that some families have already experienced drinking water contamination linked to hydraulic fracturing operations. Communities across the country are suffering from pollution caused by the oil and gas industry. We should hold this industry to the same standards as any other and close the Halliburton Loophole, and all other loopholes, to achieve consistent federal oversight. Natural gas may be an important part of our energy portfolio, but the right balance needs to be established between oil and
gas development and protection of our precious natural
resources, including clean air and clean water. This legislation is simple, straightforward and reasonable, and I hope you will co-sponsor it. Every American deserves clean drinking water. Sincerely, Joely Trujillo P O BOX 337 Wink, TX 79789

And here's how she responded:

Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 1215, the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (FRAC). I welcome your thoughts and comments. On June 9, 2009, Senator Robert Casey Jr. (D-PA) introduced S. 1215. Hydraulic fracturing pumps large volume fluids into a formation. The formation warms and causes a high-pressure combustion to increase oil production. The FRAC Act would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require companies to disclose the chemicals they use in their hydraulic fracturing processes. On the same day the legislation was introduced, the FRAC Act was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, on which I do not serve. Should S. 1215 come for consideration before the full Senate, please be assured that I will keep your comments in mind. I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope that you will not hesitate to contact me on any issue that is important to you. Sincerely, Kay Bailey Hutchison United States Senator

I've read and re-read this email several times, and for the life of me...I can't figure out if she's for it or against it. So, I sent a follow up email asking her to clarify her position:

As your constituent and a supporter of the work of the League of
Conservation Voters, I just became aware of your poor environmental voting record in the 2005 National Environmental Scorecard. I am deeply disappointed that you consistently voted against commonsense environmental protections. When it comes to protecting our air, water and natural heritage from corporate polluters and developing a forward-looking energy policy, we need a Member of Congress who will stand up and do the right thing. You conveniently told me that you do not serve on the FRAC Act committee, while omitting vital information: "On the same day the legislation was introduced, the FRAC Act was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, on which I do not serve. Should S. 1215 come for consideration before the full Senate, please be assured that I will keep your comments in mind." What comments of mine will you keep in mind? That the toxic water used in fracturing is deadly? I'm curious to know your feelings on the FRAC Act and what way you plan on voting. I believe that as MY STATE
representative in the senate, I have a right to know. You owe me full disclosure. I am hoping that your constituency and I can count on you to represent our views and vote to protect the environment more frequently in the key debates expected in the second session of the 109th Congress. Sincerely, Joely Trujillo

I can't wait to get a response. It's like waiting to open Christmas presents!

Wondering When We Won't Worry About the Water

Sweltering summer day, twisting tumultuous trees, wistful unabashed daring toddlers lapping water carelessly from a Mississippi creek. This is a picture of Flint Creek where my Grandma Ann resides. Growing up us children never had to worry or even think twice about drinking the creek water. We were never told by our grandparents, parents, aunts or uncles to not get in the water, drink the water or play with the water. It never occurred to us that anything could ever be harmful in that water, because it never was.

I don't live in Mississippi anymore, I reside way out in West Texas in a little town by the name of Wink. The City of Wink posts notices at the post office and at city hall to boil the water before using. I won't allow my children to drink the tap water or have a swimming pool for fear of what might be in the water. Am I being overly protective? I think not. I recently read an article about the poisoning of Midland water...Midland is only 55 miles west of where I live. I don't know about you, but I'm thinking I need to contact a few of my state representatives and let them know how I feel. During W's presidency, Haliburton got an exemption from having to adhere to the Safe Water Drinking Act. This means that they go unchecked and unnoticed and are basically allowed to dump anything they want into our drinking water.

Just like last time, I found a handy dandy link that with just a few keystrokes, I was able to send an email letter to my state representatives. I also personalized mine a bit, because I like to write. :)