# 43 Halliburton Loophole

Since the 1940's, when first invented by the Halliburton Company, the gas and oil industries in the States have been using 'hydraulic fracturing,' or 'fracing,' in wells to break up underground gas and oil formations. The use of chemicals at super high pressure in the wells is particularly effective in releasing fossil fuels. Unfortunately the chemicals used in this process are extremely toxic and have been known to escape into the groundwater, spill onto the land and pollute the air. Great reserves of natural gas have been found near or under groundwater and in spite of the danger of spills the drilling has been going on relentlessly now in 34 of our States. Recently it has come to light this drilling practice is responsible for poisoning our drinking water. In order to protect the oil and gas industry from having to disclose the chemicals that they use in this fracing process, the 'Halliburton Loophole' was created by Dick Cheney, in secrecy, during the formation of the Bush Energy Power Act. This loophole exempts the industry from breaking the law, freeing them of any consequences and allowing them the right to inject unchecked toxic chemicals into or near our drinking water supplies.

This piece is about this loophole. There is a Cheney mask, ground water, gas bubbles and a little bit of a chemical spill.

#42 Hubris

Recently the five major oil company CEO's meet before Congress to be questioned about their recovery strategies, should an accident occur in deep water drilling. All of them (BP included) without exception presented virtually identical written bogus reports that not only fabricated the success of unproven technology to cap blown wells in deep water, but also played down the effects of spills on the environment for animals in the region. They all featured the Walrus as one of the Gulf of Mexico mammals that could be impacted. What is curious is that the Walrus doesn't live anywhere near the warm waters of the Gulf, but instead as any school child can tell you, resides in the frigid waters of the Arctic.

Almost worse then the recklessness of the oil companies is the blatant favoritism offered so willingly by our government's watch dog agency, the Mineral Management Services. The inspectors and regulators have happily fed their greedy appetites with extravagant gifts from the oil giants, in exchange for signing off on safety and proven technologies. And don't forget US, the thirsty consumers, who get outraged if the price of gasoline goes up, and our life styles are altered. We would all prefer to embrace complacency then sacrifice and make our voices heard.

I have featured a Walrus covered in a bit of oil in the warm waters of the Gulf.

# 41 Sushi

The Western subspecies of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna migrates from the northern part of the east coast near Newfoundland, its feeding grounds, south to the Gulf of Mexico to spawn, during the months of March and April. This 600 lb behemoth is highly prized for its delicious meat, and has been a staple in the sushi business for years. Now once again our insatiable appetite has plunged this magnificent fish to the edge of extinction. The commercial industry is on the verge of collapse with the stock being depleted 90% since the '70s. Couple that with the Deepwater Horizon oil well disaster which is very close to where the fish go to spawn in the Gulf, and the future of this species looks bleak, if it is to exist at all.

The wires in this piece show the migration route of the tuna as they go up and down the east coast of North America. The mother tuna is made up of sushi photos and the larval are reddish brown for the oil slick in the Gulf. There is a cluster of eggs that are also made up of brown (oil) wires.

# 40 Energy Bill Push

Last week President Obama began a semi-passionate plea to get the clean energy bill passed. The House version of the energy bill, which has been languishing in the senate for months now, has to date, had little support from the Republicans, and been met with skepticism from some Democrats. Hoping to capitalize on the horrors of BP's Deepwater Horizon disaster he is once again promoting the need for clean renewable energy and an end to our fossil fuel dependence. One of the more positive measures in his suggested bill would be the roll back of huge tax breaks to the oil giants like BP, Mobile and Exxon, which would free up billions of dollars that could be used for renewable energy incentives and general tax payer relief.

Bill McKibben was on NPR this weekend and what he pointed out continues to be true. What is happening in the gulf is not the only place where danger lurks. Out atmosphere is becoming saturated with CO2 and other excessive Greenhouse gases, that are working continuously to alter our climate and increase the temperature of the planet. The consequences of the resulting planetary in balance will be even more catastrophic then what is happening in the gulf. We can't dismiss this truth and give in to the junk science skeptics that speak with loud voices. We must act now to curb our consumptive habits in order to slow the in balance that is happening on a global scale. Change will only happen if the masses mobilize in protest. We can't wait, we must act now.

This piece is about the Energy bill, showing turbine blades dripping with oil, and a party blower to illustrate the roll back of tax breaks from Uncle Sam to the oil giants.

#39 Earth Nest

For a few days last week our newest grandchild visited us. I was struck once again by the extraordinary innocence, vulnerability and wonderment that is ever present in the faces of babies of all species. When they are threatened, there is nothing that will get you out of a left brained mode faster than their safety. We are instantly removed from our arrogant, superior, intellectual, perch and thrown into a fierce protective place, that reminds us of our animal roots and that world for which we are a part. A perfect example of the power of the maternal protective instinct was present yesterday morning at first light. A large turkey was roosting on the lawn right next to the walkway. My husband passed her with only a few feet to spare and she didn't move but instead puffed up her feathers and tried to look as fierce as she could without moving. When he was safely by she relaxed and settled back into her splayed wing stretch. Within a few minutes after he was gone, two tiny heads peeked out from under her huge wing. Two day old chicks wiggled free into the wonderment of the new day soon to be followed by seven others. Within moments they were all out scratching and exploring and their mother with her soft protective clucking had begun her day.

Once again with this never ending massive oil spill we are soiling our nest and the children will pay. This piece is about Winnie in an earth nest.