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Divernan

(15,480 posts)
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 09:27 AM Apr 2016

If you're pro-barely-regulated fracking, McGinty's your gal!!!

While she was Rendell's appointed secretary of the state's Department of Environmental Protection,
she awarded millions of dollars of state contracts to corporate employers of her husband (a fracking lobbyist). She was investigated and censured by the state ethics commission, which warned her if she did it again, she would spend 10 years in prison. Her boss, Fast Eddie Rendell, then the governor and now a fracking lobbyist himself, appealed that ruling to the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court. The Court upheld the ruling against Katie McGinty.

My latest email from Senate candidate, retired Admiral/former congressman, Joe Sestak:

Nancy,
There is a lot at stake in this election, including clean water and people's health.

Just recently, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Health Review [/b]discovered that living near a Marcellus shale fracking well may increase pregnant women’s risk of giving birth prematurely:
“Environmental epidemiologist Brian Schwartz analyzed birth data from nearly 11,000 babies in 40 counties in Pennsylvania. He and fellow researchers compared that data with data on nearby fracking wells—there are more than 8,000 in the state. Living in the most active drilling regions was associated with a 40 percent increase in the likelihood of a pre-term birth and a 30 percent increase in the chance that the pregnancy was designated high-risk.” - Johns Hopkins Health Review, Spring/Summer 2016 edition

Nancy, I have been a longtime, consistent supporter of a moratorium on Marcellus shale fracking – until we can prove we can get it right. The EPA is forbidden from examining what they are putting into the ground, and we know that lead is used by frackers.

Despite this and other studies, my primary opponent unfortunately continues to support hydraulic fracking as Pennsylvania's “secret sauce,” and her campaign is partially funded by executives in the fracking industry.


In fact, in Congress I introduced legislation to close the Halliburton Loophole that allows fracking companies to keep secret the chemicals used in fracking fluid.

So when my opponent talks about fracking as Pennsylvania’s “secret sauce,” it reinforces why I am running: to be a leader who is accountable to people above anything else.

There is a lot at stake in this election, Nancy. Please pitch in today to ensure that your next Senator is looking out for you, not special interests, and not the fracking industry.

Warmly,
Joe



Your recs would be appreciated. Let's get this on the greatest page for many Pennsylvania voters who do not check in to the Pennsylvania state page. Thank you.

25 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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If you're pro-barely-regulated fracking, McGinty's your gal!!! (Original Post) Divernan Apr 2016 OP
McGinty calls toxic fracking chemicals the "secret sauce" of economic growth Divernan Apr 2016 #1
Secret sauce? Big Mac McGinty ? Autumn Apr 2016 #2
K&R. lasttrip Apr 2016 #15
K & R femmocrat Apr 2016 #3
K&R SamKnause Apr 2016 #4
You may know her by her endorsements. malthaussen Apr 2016 #5
What's freaking weird is that this ersatz ballot endorses Clinton & Fetterman Divernan Apr 2016 #7
I like Fetterman too, hope he runs for another office. Divernan Apr 2016 #9
Penn. has embraced fracking. This needs to STOP! Divernan Apr 2016 #6
Except for Montco and Bucks, where the rich folk live. malthaussen Apr 2016 #8
I live in montco! liberalnarb Apr 2016 #25
Hello from Macungie ELY08 Apr 2016 #10
McGinty's ad re Soc. Security exposed as false. Divernan Apr 2016 #12
Hi! Joe lost by only 2 percent in a year when GOP was sweeping Congressional races. Divernan Apr 2016 #16
Thanks Diverman ELY08 Apr 2016 #17
and with the DNC pulling its funds in favor of St. Casey MisterP Apr 2016 #23
Kick and R BeanMusical Apr 2016 #11
Why Have Solar And Wind scottie55 Apr 2016 #13
K&R from NW PA! dchill Apr 2016 #14
Watch: River Explodes Into Flames From Methane Coming From Nearby Fracking Sites L. Coyote Apr 2016 #18
And so is Clinton RoccoR5955 Apr 2016 #19
Experience! dae Apr 2016 #20
Yeah RoccoR5955 Apr 2016 #21
I grew up in Greene County, that secret sauce destroyed Dunkard Creek! yortsed snacilbuper Apr 2016 #22
McGinty is worthless. liberalnarb Apr 2016 #24

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
1. McGinty calls toxic fracking chemicals the "secret sauce" of economic growth
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 09:29 AM
Apr 2016

Missing Tom Corbett? Well, here's Katie McGinty! & her fracking husband too!

In January 2014, McGinty called fracking the “secret sauce” of economic growth (“McGinty: Gas is part of ‘secret sauce’ to drive economic growth” -NPR).

– The McGinty DEP permitted 586 Marcellus Shale wells across PA, according to the DEP Permit Report. (PA DEP Permit Report) (interactive map, click “Map of Latitude”)Screen shot 2015-07-24 at 3.30.40 PM

– McGinty was reprimanded by the state Ethics Commission for giving the pro-fracking Pennsylvania Environmental Council $2.8 million in state grants while her husband, Karl Hausker, was employed as a consultant there. In 2009, the Supreme Court upheld an Ethics Commission ruling saying Cabinet secretaries in the future should have no role in grants that benefit spouses. (“Philly native Katie McGinty might be the political surprise of 2014“ -Philadelphia Inquirer)

– The PR firm McGinty hired to do communications for her gubernatorial campaign is SKDKnickerbocker, who also represents TransCanada, owner of the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. From 2007-2013, her husband Karl Hausker was a vice president at ICM International, which was hired by the State Department to perform the environmental review of KXL and determined it would have no significant impact on the environment. (“Fracking’s Myriad Ties to Flawed State Dept Keystone XL Environmental Review” -DeSmogBlog)


- McGinty’s husband, Karl Hausker’s former firm, ICM International, wrote a report for the American Petroleum Institute praising shale gas exports. (“Ties That Bind: Ernest Moniz, Keystone XL Contractor, American Petroleum Institute and Fracked Gas Exports” – DeSmogBlog)
http://energyjusticesummer.org/candidate-katie-mcginty-the-environmentalist-for-fracking-fact-sheet/

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
7. What's freaking weird is that this ersatz ballot endorses Clinton & Fetterman
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:14 AM
Apr 2016

But Senate pro-fracking candidate McGinty has endorsed Clinton, and Fetterman has endorsed Sanders. That is what strongly suggest some psy-ops at work in the design of this.

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
9. I like Fetterman too, hope he runs for another office.
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:23 AM
Apr 2016

This is his first statewide effort, and it's gotten him and the policies he supports out to much wider recognition. You know how that works - unless you have out of state multi-millions pouring in from special interests, like Mcginty does, you have to keep running to build up statewide recognition and support enough to beat the entrenched Old Dem state party machinery, and the newer pro-corporate 3rd Way money brokers at the national level.

That's what Sestak has done.

I'll support Fetterman in future elections.

So with all due respect for your preference for Fetterman, I'm literally begging you here, please vote for Sestak.

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
6. Penn. has embraced fracking. This needs to STOP!
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:12 AM
Apr 2016
http://hub.jhu.edu/2015/10/12/fracking-pregnancy-risks
http://journals.lww.com/epidem/Citation/2016/03000/Unconventional_Natural_Gas_Development_and_Birth.2.aspx

Johns Hopkins study links fracking to premature births, high-risk pregnancies
Researchers looks at nearly 11,000 births in north, central Pennsylvania

The rise in popularity of fracking came as high gas prices (and low supply) caused energy companies to shift to drilling for natural gas wells. While New York has banned fracking altogether and Maryland has issued a moratorium on it, Pennsylvania has embraced the industry. And though current fracking production is down as gas prices have plummeted, Schwartz predicts the economy will again shift and fracking will return to favor.

Research on the health outcomes of fracking is in its infancy, but Schwartz emphasizes its relevance for policymakers. "The first few studies have all shown health impacts," he says. "Policymakers need to consider findings like these in thinking about how they allow this industry to go forward."

For the study, Schwartz and his team analyzed data from Geisinger Health System, which covers areas of north and central Pennsylvania. Researchers looked at records of 10,946 births between 2009 and 2013 and compared that data with information on the wells drilled for fracking. From that they were able to develop an index showing how active each of the wells was, and how closely those wells were located to the women.

Expectant mothers who live near fracking wells in Pennsylvania face greater risks of premature births and high-risk pregnancies, according to a study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The findings, published online recently in the journal Epidemiology, shed light on some of the possible adverse health outcomes associated with fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, a well-stimulation technique that has boomed over the past decade. In Pennsylvania, the fracking industry now operates more than 8,000 active natural gas wells—up from 100 in 2006.

"The growth in the fracking industry has gotten way out ahead of our ability to assess what the environmental and, just as importantly, public health impacts are
," says study leader Brian S. Schwartz, a professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the Bloomberg School. "Our research adds evidence to the very few studies that have been done showing adverse health outcomes associated with the fracking industry."

Johns Hopkins researchers found that expectant mothers living in the most active area of fracking drilling and production activity were 40 percent more likely to give birth prematurely (before 37 weeks of gestation). Eleven percent of babies in this study were born pre-term. In addition, the women were 30 percent more likely to have a pregnancy labeled "high-risk," which can refer to factors such as high blood pressure or excessive weight gain.

malthaussen

(17,065 posts)
8. Except for Montco and Bucks, where the rich folk live.
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:17 AM
Apr 2016

Specifically exempted by law from being ruined by frackers. Funny how that works, but since I live in Montco, I won't complain too much.

-- Mal

ELY08

(76 posts)
10. Hello from Macungie
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 10:25 AM
Apr 2016

I agree
I didn't know much about McGinty either. Although this fracking shit is not good I think she has a better chance to beat toomey
I do like Joe but can Joe beat that shit head toomey. He lost to him last time. I would like to know if Joe changed his stance on SS
As everyone knows pennsatucky is a fickle place. The RW hates the government but don't touch their government assistance.

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
12. McGinty's ad re Soc. Security exposed as false.
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 11:03 AM
Apr 2016

That vote her first attack ad attributed to him? It was taken TWO YEARS AFTER he left the Congress! During his two terms as Congressman, he voted to support social security 41 times.

McGinty's attacks against Sestak have been debunked by multiple news outlets and independent fact checkers across Pennsylvania, and have been called “plainly misleading” by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and “not accurate” by WTAE.

WTAE Fact Checkers Expose Katie McGinty's False Attacks on Joe Sestak's Record



Never voted to cut benefits or raise retirement age; voted 41 times to protect or expand social security benefits.

Here is Sestak's response re social security.

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
16. Hi! Joe lost by only 2 percent in a year when GOP was sweeping Congressional races.
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 11:39 AM
Apr 2016

Last edited Sun Apr 24, 2016, 03:26 PM - Edit history (1)

He has campaigned across the state for the past 6 years, building up support. That's why he was 16 points ahead of McGinty until outside corporate/Big Energy interests and the Dem. Senate Campaign Committee threw over $4 million dollars into the primary - money which traditionally was reserved for whomever won the Dem primary, for use in the general election against the Republican.

She has NEVER held elective office, came in dead last when she ran for governor, and has no practical experience or knowledge re national security, foreign affairs, or any other policy subjects, except for her environmental work promoting fracking. She would be the quintessential yes-man(woman) to the establishment, 3rd way Democratic wing of the party.

Good grief, she was not even capable of being briefed sufficiently to show up at the candidates' debate on foreign policy. Here's what Sestak had to say about her failure to show up:


North Korea, Russia, Iran, Syria, China, ISIS, terrorism, Libya, Pakistan… what’s the plan to secure the peace but avoid another Iraq? Being absent is not leadership or serving the people – who now won’t know what she might know, or not.

31 years in the Navy; over 80 countries; war in Afghanistan, from the skies and on the ground; combat in Iraq; and service as President Clinton’s Director of Defense Policy taught me militaries can stop a problem, but they cannot fix a problem. Too few understand this – and as a result, the tragic misadventure in Iraq has cost our American Dream $3 trillion in direct and enduring costs.

Please watch what I had to say on the debate stage in the video below & send to the Senate someone who knows from experience the proper engagement of America in the world – because our security, our jobs, our economy, and our future prosperity depend upon it in an increasingly dangerous world.


And when retired admiral Sestak talks about having spent time in over 80 countries, he's not talking about fly into the airport, meet with the local mayor in the lobby for an hour and fly out again - the way Hillary Clinton checked countries off her bucket list so she could claim to have visited more countries than any other secretary of state. I went to the talk he gave at Pitt's law school on national security and foreign policy. There were law students there from Asian and Middle Eastern and African countries. They asked tough questions and he responded directly to them, with no dancing around, no cutting anyone off. He was up to the minute on every topic - even referring to international developments the day before.

Basically he said, we have to have a strong military. The use of military force is always on the table. But, he emphatically emphasized, it's at the BACK of the table. Diplomacy is what is called for. He also faulted taking military action without considering the potential fall out/results, (such as pursuing regime change/ ISIS / etc.). He talked about what a travesty the prison at Guantanamo has been. That over 1/2 of the prisoners there have been investigated and determined to NOT have been involved in terrorism. But as Joe pointed out, back at the time they were first detained, the U.S. was offering a bounty of $2,000 to anyone who turned in someone else as a terrorist. He talked about the importance of treating military prisoners according to international treaty law - NO TORTURE - because we want our soldiers/military forces to be treated humanely when they are captured.

He works with homeless vets (did you know 20 percent of our homeless in the US are vets?) and for the past 10 years he has spent veterans day at Graterford state prison where there is a chapter of Vietnam Vets - yes - all these decades after Vietnam - these veterans are in prison. As convicted felons, none of those prisoners are ever going to be able to vote for him - he's there so they know they are not forgotten. I first met Joe at the Veterans Place in Pittsburgh, and that meeting got me involved with helping homeless women vets.

Did you know he was forced into retirement from the Navy because he stood up and spoke out against Bush's boondoggle military spending on unnecessary numbers of ships? Did that piss of the MIC and those senior military planning to avail themselves of the revolving door between the military and MIC!

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/02/joe_sestak_senate_walk.html

Walking with Sestak: 'Joe marches to his own drum' in Senate race

PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE. IT WILL ADDRESS ANY QUESTION YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT WHY JOE SESTAK IS THE VERY BEST CANDIDATE THE DEMS CAN PUT UP AGAINST TOOMEY.
 

scottie55

(1,400 posts)
13. Why Have Solar And Wind
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 11:13 AM
Apr 2016

When you can pay more for natural gas, and poison your family, and your environment at the same time.

Lose, lose.

Gotta love it.

When you add externalities, fracking costs up to 10 times as much as generating energy from the sun, or from wind.

But that word is never uttered on our billionaire owned media......

L. Coyote

(51,129 posts)
18. Watch: River Explodes Into Flames From Methane Coming From Nearby Fracking Sites
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 11:51 AM
Apr 2016
Watch: River Explodes Into Flames From Methane Coming From Nearby Fracking Sites
Max Phillips | April 22, 2016 9:54 am | Comments

So much methane gas is now bubbling up through the Condamine River in Queensland, Australia that it exploded with fire and held a large flame. Gas seeping into the river began shortly after coal seam gas operations started nearby and is growing in volume and the stretch of river affected is expanding in length.


Jeremy Buckingham and John Jenkyn stand in front of the flaming Condamine River.

....................


Don't drink flammable water!



And try not to catch your boat on fire.
 

RoccoR5955

(12,471 posts)
19. And so is Clinton
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 11:52 AM
Apr 2016

After all, she sold it to the rest of the world while she was Secretary of State. What a great successful position that is!

yortsed snacilbuper

(7,939 posts)
22. I grew up in Greene County, that secret sauce destroyed Dunkard Creek!
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 01:25 PM
Apr 2016

If this same water killed thousands of fish,
would you want your cattle in there?

http://www.marcellus-shale.us/Dunkard_Creek.htm
 

liberalnarb

(4,532 posts)
24. McGinty is worthless.
Sun Apr 24, 2016, 07:54 PM
Apr 2016

She's terrible on the issues and couldn't beat toomey in the general. I support John, I like Joe. I'd be happy with either.

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