Posts Tagged ‘oil’
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about “fracking,” but what the frack is it?
To start, the term refers to an oil drilling process that uses hydraulic fracturing. It consists of breaking through rock by using high pressured fluids.
Fracking requires up to 13 million gallons of water each time it’s used, and that’s putting a strain on places like Texas, where water is already in limited supply.
The water crisis in Texas, the biggest oil- and gas-producing state in the United States, highlights a continuing debate in North America and Europe over fracking’s impact on water supplies.
Fracking’s need for water isn’t the only aspect causing concern.
Environmentalists argue the process is putting water supplies in danger of serious pollution.
Now, reports of contaminated water and alleged disposal of carcinogens in rivers have caught state and federal regulators, and even environmental watchdogs, off guard. Sometimes the fracking mix includes diesel fuel. Between 2005 and 2009, drillers injected 32 million gallons of fluids containing diesel into wells in 19 states, an investigation by Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.) concludes.
As the process becomes more and more popular, there is sure to be a lot of fracking talk to come!
President Obama has big plans for the future of America. Recently he did two important things:
1. proposed a plan to help the country manage its energy future
2. announced his plan to run for President in 2012
The Republicans have very strong views about these two subjects as seen in the cartoon above. Are they right?( cartoon by Kal)
Thanks to Wikicommons.
Battling rising and falling mercury around Mercury. NASA’s Messenger is first probe to orbit the Sun’s innermost planet.
I’m out of here! Libyan Foreign Minister defects to England while pro-Qaddafi diplomats are kicked out of London.
Read my lips; NO NEW OIL! President Obama seeks to cut US oil consumption by one third.
game: \ˈgām\ noun, 1. an amusement or pastime
Computer games are a welcome distraction. There are just some days when you need to take a break from homework and writing U.S. Democrazy posts and play a game of Tetris.
But not all computer games are made for entertainment. In fact, some can be downright sobering. Recently, computer games about homelessness, genocide in Darfur, refugees, and more are rising in popularity. Here are some incredibly informative and emotional games for you to try out.
A lot of us have misconceptions about homeless people. This game created by Urban Ministries of Durham is designed to put you in the shoes of someone who has lost their job, their house and their savings. You have $1000 to survive for a month, but rent, groceries and emergencies might exceed that amount.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a refugee? This game by the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees takes you though what it’s like to be a refugee. From war and conflict in your country, to finding asylum in another land, and starting a new life in a new country, Against All Odds gives you a picture of the various aspects of refugee life.
Oiligarchy puts you in the position of an oil company’s CEO right after World War II. Your job is to make as much money as possible from the oil that you find, while dealing with problems like protests from the citizens of other countries where your oil rigs operate and managing lobbyists in Washington. Of course, you have to enjoy the fruits of your labor before your actions ruin the environment.
Thanks to Wikicommons.
About that mess in the Gulf… US sues British Petroleum over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Friends at last? Senate passes bipartisan tax bill showing glimmers of hope for Washington gridlock.
Freedom to openly serve? The House of Representatives votes to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell but it must now face the Senate.
It’s been difficult to read the news lately ( the world seems crazier than usual lately ), but here at US Democrazy, it’s our job – so we’ve stuck it out to bring you some gems from the kooky world of American media and politics.
From the “It Must Be still Halloween” department:
Death Panels are Back! Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle from Nevada is hurling the same lies about the so-called “death panels” in the health care reform bill that were settled months ago. What gives?
Check out the flier-clipping for yourself here. Pre-election tactic obviously, but should there be some sort of regulation on the spread of blatant misinformation? Or is this really what makes America the great place it is?
The Attack of The Governator
“WHAT WIMPS. NO GUTS,” is exactly what California Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger said of Washington politicians on Wednesday. This bold words speak of the frustration that many have with the lack of response to the BP oil spill. He went on to say:
I said, that’s disgusting. You promised the people you’d represent them. You didn’t promise the people you’d represent the oil companies and the special interests.
Man, oh man. We like the bold move on the Governor’s part. Now, only if politicians would take it seriously and ensure healthier environmental policy for the country and world alike. Read more and catch the video here.
It’s the Environment, Stupid!
Speaking of BP, reports are trickling in of people getting really sick from the dispersants used in the water to try and break up the oil on the surface after the spill. “Brown vomit, brown urine, copious diarrhea, skin rashes, sore throats and even internal hemorrhaging” are among the symptoms. This is really tragic, but can we say we’re surprised?
Obama still has Hope?
Now for some optimism – Obama seems ready to take a powerful stand on gay marriage. We just don’t know when. He made a comment to liberal bloggers last week in which he talked about his evolving opinions. Many are predicting an embrace of gay rights in his 2012 campaign, something that would be huge for the political capacity of the movement. Do you think he’ll actually do it? Or are the politically pressures too high otherwise?
Thanks to Wikimedia
Hiding in plain sight? Osama Bin Laden suspected to be in Pakistan protected by members of Pakistan’s own intelligence service.
C’est trés GRAVE! French oil workers strike leads to severe petrol shortages across France.
Entrapment or Justice? Four men convicted of terrorism despite challenges to investigative method.
Thanks to Wikicommons.
Have you ever tried to re-cork a champagne bottle? (We at US Democrazy did when the Webby award results came in). British Petroleum has been trying to do the same thing at the bottom of the ocean and it seems they have finally succeeded.
No oil has leaked from the Deepwater Horizon spill since last Thursday.
How did BP manage to fix the leak when so many attempts have failed in the past? Rather than tell you, we’ll let the BBC show you (follow the link for more diagrams of the process).
Thanks to the BBC
President Obama (besides breathing a sigh of relief) has greeted this news cautiously stating:
Either we will be able to use it to stop the flow or we will be able to use it to capture almost all of the oil until the relief well is done. But we’re not going to know for certain which approach makes sense until additional data is in. …read more.
Thanks to Wikicommons.
What ever makes them happy? North Korean leader more popular after sunken South Korean ship blamed on North.
A step in the right direction. Oil cap collects 10,000 barrels a day in Gulf.
Terror arrests made in New York airport. Two New Jersey men arrested on accusations of terrorism as they attempt head to Somalia.
Thanks to Wikicommons.
Finally some good news. US Crime rates fell in 2009.
Ice 1, NASA 0. Martian lander defeated by winter weather.
US to BP: this better work. Pressure increased as new attempt to seal the Gulf oil leak is made.
Slick solutions for a BIG problem?
Thanks to Wikicommons.
We at US Democrazy have had to cancel our deep sea fishing plans due to an oily mess. An oil rig that caught fire and sank last week in the Gulf of Mexico is now producing a very nasty oil slick.
In fact, this spill is looking EXTREMELY nasty (check out the NY Times animated map of the oil slick). Bad weather has hampered containment of the slick. Even worse, the broken well could leak faster than its current 5,000 barrels a day.
British Petroleum, the company leasing the use of the oil rig, has promised to cover the costs of the clean up.
However, the costs of this slick could be large and long term.
This is something you DON'T hit your mom with. Courtesy of WikiCommons.
So grounded.
Minnesota Twins leadoff man Denard Span hit a hard foul ball that struck his mom in the chest during Wednesday’s game.
Drillin’ for Criticism… Obama’s Oil Drilling Plan Under Fire
Is there an Olive oil crisis on April 1?!?
Revealed… Chechen Militant Claims Responsibility for Moscow Bombing
Are looking for an excuse to avoid homework, house work, or really any kind of work? (Join the club)
We have found a way to procrastinate with a purpose… look no further than incredibly amazing TEDtalks.
These short 5 minute videos are the product of the elite TED conference where the world’s best innovators gather each year. Now these cool talks are available online for all to see!
The topics vary but here are just a few of USDemocrazy’s favorites:
Barbie, music videos, and comic books aren’t just for the western world. Watch this video (above) to see how the Arab world shapes its own pop culture.
America Idol boasts of similar shows springing up across the globe, but how does this idea translate to non-democratic nations?
Ever wonder how oil gets from the ground to your car? What does that even look like?!? Watch to see how industrialized landscape is shaped by this prominent resource.
Pollution Ecuador Citizens Claim was Left By Chevron Courtesy of The Chevron Pit
Chronically late for spa appointments and hula dancing lessons, we at US Democrazy aren’t usually critical of people running behind.
But when we found out a legal battle involving the citizens of Ecuador and the petroleum giant Chevron-Texaco has spanned across the last two decades, we wondered if the court’s watch was broken!
What could be taking so long? …read more.
