My latest LTTE

[H2O Man]

Editor:

In an article published in The Daily Star on Jan. 17 regarding hydrofracking, Richard Downey of the Unatego Landowners Association made a couple of comments about me that I have hoped to have an opportunity to respond to.

The first was: "This fellow sounds like he is way out on the bell-shaped curve." This is likely true. I believe that it is possible, if enough citizens participate, that we could re-establish the constitutional democracy in America.

Hence, in January, I was exercising my First Amendment rights. My goal has been to talk to three people: State Sen. Thomas Libous; N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo; and environmental attorney Robert Kennedy Jr., the governor's ex-brother-in-law, who sits on Cuomo's hydrofracking advisory board.

On Jan. 26, at a large rally at the NYS Capitol that featured a couple members of the NYS Assembly and Senate, I delivered a key-note speech. The focus of my presentation was the First Amendment. This led directly to my meeting with Sen. Libous, and then with two of his top aides.

This past week, I have set up a meeting between pro-environment grass roots citizens from Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego counties, with Robert Kennedy Jr., and others advising Cuomo. This important meeting will take place in March. My focus is, by no coincidence, the First Amendment.

Mr. Downey also said that I have "become a sideshow in a sideshow." My fondest dream has been to become an asterisk to a footnote to a sideshow to a sideshow. This may seem like a lofty goal … but with patience, even the smallest of turtles can climb the highest of mountains.
Patrick McElligott

Mount Upton

http://thedailystar.com/letters/x1112179925/Letters-to-the-Editor-March-7-2012

[H2O Man]

1. One response:

"While I disagree with almost everything Patrick says regarding the Hydraulic Fracturing issue, I do have a tremendous amount of respect for the way he expresses his opinions. Unlike the childish rantings and videos put forth by people such as Miss Barr, Patrick attempts to make his points without hysteria and personal attacks, even though his opinions are not backed up by facts."

[Octafish]

2. Here's some frigging fracking facts...

...for ya Responder:

Hydrofracturing and the Impact on Your Clean Water

Words can do amazing things, as evinced by that poor writer who seems to have gotten the "facts" in his mind from astroturf.

PS: Good to read you, H20 Man. That's a fact.

[mmonk]

3. Best approach. Reason and calm.

I'm not so good at it sometimes. But you are enough for your opponents to recognize it. And of course, the facts are on your side.

[blue neen]

4. Here are the Marcellus Shale wells next to our municipal water supply:

http://www.marcellus-shale.us/Beaver-Run-Reservoir.htm

They forced this on our area before anyone even realized what was happening.

Keep fighting, H20 Man.