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What is oil fracking and what are its benefits?

What the Frack?

Oil fracking, the abbreviated term for hydraulic fracturing, is essentially the use of high
pressured liquids to break into and apart shale and other forms of rock for the extraction of
natural gas. The liquids are typically water with many other chemicals mixed in, and though
theoretically perfectly safe, there have been examples of bad practice and improper technique
leading to leakages and henceforth danger. (Popular Mechanics)
Fracking has a fair deal of both pros and cons. The strongest argument for natural gas is
that it is "Affordable, Abundant, and American". U.S. representative John Larson, D-Conn. It's
also significantly cleaner than fossil fuels. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be feasible to use as a
large scale conversion from oil and gas quite yet. The likely solution in my eyes is for it to make
easy the conversion between our present day fossil fuels, gas and oil to the renewable energy
sources of the future, such as solar and hydro.
Examine it from an economic standpoint. In the United States' history, we've done many
things, especially economically, that would seem impossible if conceived of beforehand. There is
no doubt it could be done again. The problem, oddly enough, is that the problem isn't severe
enough yet. As long as we can continue to use fossil fuels, leaving the environmental impacts for
the 'future self' to deal with-similar to writing journals- we will. Not until Saudi Arabia and the
rest of the Middle East start a trade embargo against providing us with oil will we truly be able to
unite as a country, focus our ingenuity, industry, and intellect into bringing ourselves to the future
of energy. It's possible. All it needs is a catalyst to start it.
Perhaps oil fracking could be that catalyst. Providing us with a reliable fuel alternative
for an indefinite period of time while we begin the transfer of gasoline-powered cars to
renewable fuel-powered cars... But it's unlikely. Until the need is great enough, until there is no
other alternative, we'll keep chugging along like we have for the last century or so, leaving fossil
fuel problems for the 'future me' to deal with.
There quite simply just isn't enough political unity to accomplish this; there isn't enough
political unity to accomplish very much of anything these days. The president won by a margin
of less than one percent earlier this month. Whether you supported him or not, that's appalling!
Nearly half the country is opposed to whatever actions our executive branch takes. George
Washington warned against the dangers of political parties when he refused a third term in office.
Woe to our forefathers for not listening, as it could prove to be the catalyst leading to more-thansignificant difficulties in the future.
Though one could argue our political incompetence could be the very catalyst we need to
give us that final push and let us compete on an global scale towards renewable energy. The
inability to get anything done could do enough harm to our economy that we're pushed into
alternative fuels, whether we like it or not. Hey, Ya! Good foresight, America. And I thought y'all
didn't know what you're doing.
From an environmental standpoint, one could argue that hydraulic fracturing provides
enough dangers to not make it worth the transfer. To that, a better informed person would state
that the only times it's caused harm has been through improper procedures or practice, and that
the technique itself is by no means risky. (BBC news) Moreover, if you refuse to try anything
simply because it has risks, you'll have hardly anything to show for it. There's virtually no reward
without risk, and the few that are have little to no reward.

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It seems only necessary that we unite at some point or another. But don't count on it; in
my few years of being sentient, there has been less and less tolerance of the other side's political
views, regardless of which side you lean towards. Liberal mom side and conservative dad side
will show the lack of tolerance. There also seems to be less and less moderates for each side
emerging, no doubt going hand in hand with the lack of tolerance.
This is, eventually, what will kill us. No clear action for or against natural gas is simply a
symptom the disease that is such great disunity. For as Lincoln said, united we stand: divided we
fall.

Sources:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/coal-oil-gas/top-10-myths-about-natural-gasdrilling-6386593#slide-7
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14432401