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The United States is so wrapped up in different crises — fiscal cliff, gun control, national debt, etc. — that important issues get lost. One important lost issue is displayed by the documentary FrackNation, which was shown on AXS TV 9 p.m. January 22. This is a documentary exposing the propaganda efforts to stop use of hydraulic fracturing, fracking, for oil and natural gas production.
This promising means of oil and gas production has within a decade turned the United States from being a country with diminishing oil and gas reserves to a nation with hundreds of years of reserves. The United States has the prospect of being the largest oil and gas producing country in the world for many decades — possibly centuries.
For those who want to stop use of fossil fuels due to fears of catastrophic global warming, FrackNation is an anathema. The documentary covers fears attributed to fracking which are well-described by the 2010 HBO documentary Gasland and the more recent movie Promise Land. These productions, along with numerous articles, speeches, and mass demonstrations have provided background for a huge effort supported by city, county, state and federal governments; numerous environmental groups; the national media; rent-seeking industries; and billions of dollars to stop fracking due to fear of its safety. All to accomplish the final goal of eliminating fossil fuel use for energy production.
A small example of support for this process is shown by the handling of Gasland by the National Public Broadcasting Service. On March 25, 2010, PBS NOW devoted a one-half hour program featuring portions of Gasland and its director Josh Fox. On June 18, 2010, National Public Radio provided a lengthy interview with Josh Fox — three days before Gasland’s HBO appearance. National Public Radio featured on New Interview on Feb. 24, 2011, an interview with Josh Fox celebrating Gasland’s Oscar nomination for best documentary. All interviews featured call-in questioners sympathetic to Gasland’s aims.
FrackNation devoted little time to the new movie Promised Land featuring Hollywood star Matt Damon due to lack of cooperation of movie personnel. Promised Land had financial support from the United Arab Emirates — a country that has much to gain by the United States abandoning natural gas production.
FrackNation needs to be shown again and given wider publicity about its existence. Out of fairness, the National Public Broadcasting Service should be forced to give the documentary equal amount of air time given to Gasland. Citizens reading this should call their state public broadcasting system offices and demand coverage of FrackNation. In addition, contact representatives in your state legislature to have them back up this demand for air time forFrackNation due to state government support of public broadcasting with state tax dollars.
