A student discusses Wednesday night's hearing, arguing that some in attendance were more interested in 'the politics of distraction' than true public debate.
I support oil and gas development in the Wayne National Forest. But I never thought that I would literally be spit on because I attended a public hearing to share my views.
Rather than a conversation, debate, and civilized discussion, the anti-shale extremists turned Wednesday night’s public hearing on shale development in the Wayne into a circus. One of the environmental radicals even spit in my face. Others threw paper at the BLM and Forest Service officials as they attempted to explain the process.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for debate and public discussion, especially when it comes to important issues like the development of our natural resources. Each person is entitled to his or her own opinion and it’ the job of the BLM officials to collect public comment and hear the positions from both sides.
But based on the “show” Wednesday night, it’s clear the environmental radicals opposed to domestic energy development are more interested in the politics of distraction than engaging in an informed public debate. Each person who spit and threw paper at BLM and Forest Service officials and refused to engage in a civilized discussion should be ashamed.
Thank you to the BLM and Forest Service for holding the public hearings and giving the community the opportunity to submit written and oral public comment. In weighing the public comments and reactions at the hearing, I hope you look past the distraction to hear the voices of local community members in support of shale development in and under the Wayne.
Armando Mendoza is a freshman studying political science and Spanish.
