Did you ever hear the expression, “Never say, ‘Never'”? It’s a great expression, and the gas companies should heed that warning if they want to succeed. “But why would you want them to succeed?,” you ask. Well, I don’t. I’m just pointing out that a dog knows more than they do about public relations.
When a dog, a person, or a corporation stakes out an *absolute* stance on a particular issue, then they are bound to eat crow later. (Personally, I love crow.)
Why are they bound to eat those words? Because of another handy saying: “There’s an exception to every rule.” So, for example, if I said to you that my master never takes me to the beach, then that would be a stoopid thing for me to say. Why? Because he’s eventually bound to take me to a beach and prove me wrong, even if not on purpose.
(By the way, I have been to a beach, and the picture at the top of this blog site was taken at Gold Bluffs Beach in Northern California last summer. It’s a beautiful spot where the redwoods grow and the elk come down to the beach and walk about in the mist.)
The natural gas industry has a list of “absolutes” that they put out to the public. Here are just a few:
They say that there has “never” been a case of water contamination from the process of hydraulic fracturing. Not true. Read this blog for evidence to the contrary.
They also say that they “always” follow environmental regulations. Not true. Simply look at the fact that there are almost as many violations as there are gas wells in the state of PA.
Another absolute they use is that natural gas will liberate us from foreign oil dependence. “Drill a well, bring a soldier home” is one of their lovely sayings. Really? Anyone in the armed services should be disgusted with that one! Especially considering that the natural gas produced in the U.S. is going to be shipped overseas.
So, that’s the natural gas industry’s mistake. I hope you’re not making a mistake, too, by believing what they say without thinking critically about it first. Do you believe everything you hear? I hope not! Show respect for yourself and your country by challenging the “absolute” claims of the natural gas industry! Don’t be duped!
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