American Citizens Are Unhappy With Chesapeake Energy

Yesterday I didn't get much accomplished outdoors, it was too dang windy! I did however manage to muck up something quite simple, but my computer hero repaired my error and the blunder ended up leading us to an even better solution. I also blogged about a natural gas line explosion in San Antonio which I then made a prediction for those residents on Carter Avenue over in Fort Worth. You see, somehow someway our GOVERNMENT has declared that natural gas and oil companies are synonymous with public utilities. At first glance, you're thinking...so what? What's the big deal? I know, we never see the "full" picture until much later...isn't that always the case? Now, what this means is that Chesapeake (and I'm dropping the last name--Energy) gets the right of way to put natural gas pipelines--again, don't confuse these suckers with the small one inch lines that pipe natural gas to homes for heating and cooking--anywhere they want! Here's a pretty cool comment that my blogging prompted yesterday:

"Nicely put CT/CT. I checked out the report from the local SA tv station and IT BLEW MY MIND--the flame shot up to 3-4 stories high and charred a vehicle parked at least 40-50 yards away. Those homes on Carter Ave. are just 4-10 yards away. Forget about finding evidence and remains if such were to happen. Plus such a major explosion will probably trigger and spread to other pipelines FROM UTILITIES like the 1-inch gas and water pipelines criss-crossing the whole neighborhood. I see why Steve D. had used the expression "insult and injury"--I would feel insulted and denigraded too when realizing that CHK AND THE CITY were viewing my life and those of my children, families, friends and neighbors as expendable--cheap enough to take the "risk" of cramming these down those poor people's throats simply for money and power. Have they no shame or any sense of decency? Do people owning stock, leasing land, and doing any kind of business with this company (and city) know what heartless and inhumane practices they're engaging in? If child labor to make tennis shoes is morally unacceptable, then CHK's conduct on Carter Ave. is......?"

I agree with the correlation...if it's immoral to put children at risk by having them manufacture tennis shoes then shouldn't it also be correct in thinking that putting a highly pressurized natural gas pipeline under their tennis shoed feet also be immoral? Gives one something to ponder...

CARO Carter Avenue Rescue Operation

This is your chance to become a fan of something really good! Steve Doeung, our lone ranger on Carter Avenue, rides back into court to take on Chesapeake Energy in the latest showdown. Stay up to date with comments and notes by Steve himself. You may even see a letter or two from the infamous Durango. There could possibly be a regal visit by the Queen herself.

Take a moment and check out the page. If you have a Face Book account, become a fan and help us spread the word. On March 4th, we need people...planes, trains and automobiles, even motorcycles, of people to support Steve! Meet at the courthouse, make some noise...let the man know you have his back.

New Super Lujan Is A Super DUD

I'm am so proud of my former Pecos students. Today, I watched them on the local news ditch school. Now why would you think a teacher of sound mind like myself would be proud of students cutting class? To express their opinion and protest an unfair act.

Lately, you've been hearing about Kermit, Texas and it's corrupt ways in the dealings of nurses blowing the whistle on erroneous doctors. Let's just say that the local school has just about the same amount problems. Of course, I don't have official sources, but a member of the Kermit ISD School Board did confirm that former Superintendent Lujan was asked to leave.

Lujan and his band of merry followers, followed him to Pecos where they have ousted the beloved Athletic Director, Hensen. I worked with Hensen and his wife and taught their daughter at Crockett Middle School. The entire family is a valuable asset to the community as well as truly loved.

It's time that good people quit being trampled on. It's time that we the people stand up for our rights and do what's right. It's time for the good ol boy Texas network to hit the curb! So, HEY FORT WORTH!!!! Pay attention! Are you going to let a bunch of high school students out do you? Steve Doeung NEEDS YOUR HELP! Be at the court house March 4th! Call your friends, take the kids out of school, alert the media: The Battle of the Century is on!!! Chesapeake Energy vs Steve Doeung!

I've Been Workin On The Pipe Line

Continuing on my journey to work, I've been coming across some pretty interesting sights, maybe not as Orwellian as Durango's but none the less noteworthy. The only reason I was remotely interested in this new pipeline was because of a road sign that stated pipeline crossing.



What exactly is a pipeline crossing? And if the pipeline is crossing the road, how do I cross the pipeline? Surely, they can't run the pipeline up above the road they'd have to run it under the road.





That's when my ignorance took over. I was thinking they would have to close my road to work so that they could dig up the road and put this pipeline in. I was all a fretting that possibility, because a detour to work would add something like 27 miles, one way!





Not wanting my curiosity to get the better of me I stopped one day to ask questions and to take some pictures. I was told that no, they wouldn't have to close the road to lay the pipe, that they have a special boring tool that will create a tunnel under the road for the pipe.




Then I started thinking about those residents on Carter Ave. If you look at my pictures what do you not see? Yep, no houses, no people, no trees...then that got me to pondering how this pipeline that crosses my way to work doesn't interfere with anybody or anything. Now that's a pipeline I can be happy with!

Photo by Durango.

A Rolling Brigade To The Rescue

I believe that the idea of having lots of men and women on motorcycles riding to the rescue of Steve Doeung and the residents on Carter Ave is gaining support. Now, let's see if I can track down some of those well organized motorcyclists and pick a day for a ride to Ft Worth.


Hey, George, Dan, Shane...you up for a ride?

Stopping Chesapeake From Taking Over Carter Ave

After reading Durango's most poignant post about the movie, Salt Of The Earth, I felt empowered and moved in a way that required taking action. I remember viewing that movie in my Chicano Studies course. The film covers many social issues. I viewed it with equality in mind, not just for the Hispanic American community, but for women, as well.

The feeling of wanting to gather people together and stop Chesapeake from putting a sixteen inch odorless gas line under Carter Ave, remained strong. I thought, "Surely, with all the residents of Ft Worth, Dallas and the surrounding areas that thousands upon thousands could be counted on to rally support for the residents on Carter Ave, Steve Doeung in particular.

Then sadly I read Don Young's comment:

"It depicts the kind of resistance that I've been urging in FW for the past 5 years to no avail. When I announced a protest in 2008 to stop the gas well on Scott Avenue I was the only one who showed up. At another in 2006 I was one of 4 people. The CREDO group drew a pretty large crowd in 2008 but the group later fizzled. It may take a few body bags to wake people up. Problem is, gas drilling is a slow killer."

Then I remembered Durango's post about the Toy Run. I'm not knocking Christmas presents for kiddos, what I found amazing is the amount of people lined up just to see a horde of motorcyclists delivering presents. I know a local motorcycle group. They're always looking for a good reason to ride. I'm thinking about asking them to do a Move The Pipeline Run.

A Pirate Tries To Kidnap Santa Clause

Annie's Christmas play performance occurred last night at the Wink High School Auditorium. With a full house in attendance, the children sang and danced their hearts out. Most of the performers dressed in pirate garb which would have been accurate because the play was about a pirate and his crew searching for the most treasured treasure ever. When the pirate found the treasure chest he couldn't get the darn thing opened! He then tricked Santa into coming to the tropical island, kidnapped Santa and forced him to open the chest. Well, you'll just have to see the play to find out how it ends.

Well, I had that play in my mind when I read some of my favorite blogs today. Seems that most of my favorite blogs all blogged about the same subject today. Well, if they were all blogging about this subject, then it must have been really important, that's the conclusion I came to. After reading all of it, I just had the weirdest vision of Chesapeake kidnapping Santa Clause and ruining Christmas forever!

The Gathering Line Oil & Gas Drilling News

Gathering Line - a special pipeline that transports gas from the field to the main pipeline.

The Gathering Line is a round-up of oil & gas drilling news brought to you by National Alliance for Drilling Reform (NA4DR), a broad alliance of grassroots activists from states across the nation that are affected with drilling development.

WWJD on Carter Avenue? TXsharon wants to know if Chesapeake Energy or anyone in Fort Worth government has stopped to consider the answer to that question. Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

Some upstate NY landowners are wondering whether they can sell their property if it has a gas lease. Check out the Marcellus Effect for a short review and a link to interviews with realtors.

NEWS FROM PENNSYLVANIA: Laceyville, PA, Getting Nearly $100,000 in Gas Revenues: Is This Good News? Peacegirl at Gas Wells Are Not Our Friends combs the newspapers of Bradford and Susquehanna Counties in Pennsylvania and talks with local people from these areas to find out what is really happening. This week the focus is on Laceyville, Wyoming County, PA. Will the people of Laceyville survive the invasion of the gas industry?

How Many Natural Gas Explosions Does It Take?!! One Too Many! Read it at Cheap Tricks and Costly Truths.

For the first time in decades, New Mexico Senators sacrificed migrating big game with their vote to allow drilling during the winter in the Jicarilla Ranger District of the Carson National Forest. Drilling Santa Fe asks if we have forgotten the high price of deregulation and offers something for consideration.