Update #2 from H2O Man [View all]

[WilliamPitt]

"If DUers want to help on this, they should continue calling Libous, Cuomo, and Kennedy; they could also send your article to Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, and Keith O and Young Turks on Current TV."

Contact info for the above officials here, near the end of the article: http://www.truth-out.org/clearing-stands-boxer-one-mans-fight-against-fracking/1326401455

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Monday
January 16, 2012


The press conference/rally outside of the State Office Building in Binghamton went well today. It was bitter cold, and so I was surprised that anyone else showed up. But there were about thirty people.

Last night, I scribbled a rough outline for my speech, based on Thomas Merton's introduction to his 1964 book, "Gandhi on Non-Violence." He compared Western Civilization to a one-eyed giant, that had mastered the sciences, but failed to grasp the significance of matter. Native People's culture, on the other hand, had wisdom without technological advances. The effort to combine the best of these two worlds was essential, before the one-eyed giant destroyed the environment it neither understands nor appreciates.

The S.O.B. is near a couple of hospitals. Everyone has an extended family member who has suffered from a disease such as cancer. The medical profession represents the best in technological advances -- treating and curing illnesses and injuries is indeed an everyday miracle. The medical profession also has wisdom; an example is the message to not smoke, or do other high-risk activities.

The largest area medical provider in our region is Bassett Medical Care. Their board of directors, and their medical staff, have issued statements in opposition to hydrofracking. That process poses serious health risks, among them demonstrable links to asthma, stroke, heart-attack, cancers, and preterm birth.

I ended by noting that all I am asking for is a meeting between NYS Senator Libous, and a few leaders of the grass roots groups opposed to hydrofracking. I said that the goal was communication, rather than trying to change his mind.

Tom Libous is a local politician, and I recognize he takes that position very seriously. I am a local citizen and father, and I take that equally seriously. Something as simple as an election could change our current position, in that sense. But it is nearly impossible to imagine our changing positions on hydrofracking, because that is a matter of our character.

There were many kind people there, who thanked me for what I'm doing. A Vietnam Veteran told me that Merton's writings had helped him in his re-adjustment into society, after experiencing the hell of war. An older woman grabbed my arm as she thanked me, and started to cry. And an itty-bitty 8-year old girl, who had seen me on the news and told her Mom that she wanted to meet me, gave me a CD of children's music. She said she thought it would keep me from being sad when I am hungry. It has.