……A free press is even more important today then it was under previous Presidential administrations. And, nobody knows that more than the journalists covering the news in what is proving to be an increasingly volatile climate. In a blatant generalization Trump stated last week that “the news media is dishonest,” he doesn’t even distinguish between those media who support him (FOX) and those who vilify him (CNN). It’s apparently any reporter who words tell the story of exactly what is happening today in America who qualifies..
……..The show of solidarity among the journalists covering the Pentagon when they walked out en mass was encouraging. No protests, no speeches, no attempts to incite a crowd, the reporters simply refused to sign the pledge that would have crippled their ability to access information or speak with Pentagon officials. Both FOX and CNN and those 38 news outlets in between said their 2nd amendment rights were being violated and they simply weren’t going to stand still and take it. Only one far right news outlet signed the pledge and remained.
……..There have been news office in the Pentagon since the Eisenhower administration. Because of that access, the Pentagon Papers were able to see the light of day and let the general public know the real story on the Viet Nam War. And, would Katherine Graham have been as brave in the face of Trump’s ire to run the story of the Watergate break- in that would bring President Richard Nixon down? I fear that rather than being the Pulitzer Prize winning journalists, Woodward and Bernstein’s efforts would have been shut down before they even got started.
…….But, I am encouraged because of the solidarity I see among the free press. We all have a story to tell and a right to tell it.
….Right now, one of the most important stories that deserve our attention is Tenaska’s plans to put a CARBON – CAPTURE well on two sites in northern Hancock County. According to Scott Murray, project development, Tenaska, West Virginia has established primacy for the regulatory permitting for a Class 6 permit. He said a legal ad will be placed in a local print newspaper and public hearings will be held. Murray also stressed that completion of the project is still several years down the road.
……. I have heard (though not been invited) that a series of dinners for landowners have been held, One wonders why, if Tenaska wants to get the word out on their activity, that the presence of the news media wouldn’t be an advantage to get the story out. We could ask questions (I swear, I wouldn’t eat a lot. Too hard to ask questions when your mouth is full) and bring the story on this technology to our readers.
……..Murray would confirm that two landowners had signed for test drilling, but would not provide their names. He did confirm that the Six family was not one of the two, a rumor that was making its way around town. I’m looking into whether a Freedom of Information Act request would provide those names to me. I’d simply ask one question of the two who have signed: “Why do you think the process is safe.”
………A Carbon-Capture Meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct, 21 at the Mary Weir Library and will begin at 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Fresh Water Accountability Project, the speakers will diiscuss concerns surrounding carbon-capture and sequestration That will include plans for CCS facilities. I have put the meeting on my calendar. I hope you, dear reader, will as well. The Information session will include plans for CCS facilities in the tri-state.
……..In researching the work of those protesting carbon-capture technology, I came acryoss legislation being considered in the Ohio Legislature which addresses carbon-capture technology. The bill was written by Oil & Gas lobbyists. We need to watch the 2026 Legislative Session to see if similar legislation shows up on “bills introduced.”
…….Finally, a plea for State agencies setting up public hearings and even non-profits trying to reach residents on areas of concern: locate the public hearings in locations where affected residents live. Weirton is not in Northern Hancock County, It’s a good 20-minute drive from Chester or Newell. There are places in Chester or Newell or New Manchester that would hold sufficient residents and use of them would increase the participation.
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