K.J. Rodgers
Crownsville, Maryland  

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As Baltimore City Council voted to ban fracking, professional protestors from Don’t Frack Maryland came out to take a selfie – without any fanfare.

A few days ago, I attended the Baltimore City Council meeting after hearing on the radio there was going to be a vote on fracking. The report also said there was going to be a demonstration by Food & Water Watch activists, so I attended.

I have mentioned their offshoot group, Don’t Frack Maryland, a hand full of times, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to see them in action. Now, just so the reader knows, I avoid going into Baltimore as often as I can. So, for me to shuffle up there to deal with all that traffic was a bit of a sacrifice. The fractivists had gotten my attention, though. They’re good at that…but only to a point.

Baltimore City Hall

I arrived in Northeast Baltimore a bit early and walked around looking for action. I saw three or four people out front of the City Hall. They wore red t-shirts, so I knew who it was. After a few minutes of standing back and watching waiting for them to start chanting or protesting, or frankly to do anything at all, a few more arrived. They pulled out their banner, so I thought they were about to start the show, But, then they turned around, took a picture, rolled up the banner and went inside.

That’s it. I drove all the way into the city to watch these self-described activists on behalf of mankind take a selfie. That was it. Not that it should surprise me. When you peel back the drapes, they are almost always a disappointment. Even though I wasn’t surprised and had only really wanted to see them shout out of their ignorance, I couldn’t even catch them long enough to take a picture myself.

Thomas Meyer in his glory, on Facebook

Having gotten nothing so far, I decided to go ahead and follow them into the City Council meeting. I saw Thomas Meyer, Regional Director of Food and Water Watch, former 350.org’er, and professional protestor. I mentioned him directly once before on these pages; commenting that he sounded like an idiot with his Keep in the Ground nonsense. He’s a graduate of American University, where he started his protesting career ($61,360 per year to attend). I ended up sitting right behind him and his cohort, Rianna Eckel, also with the Food and Water Watch, as I read through the agenda. As I figured, somewhere in between banning rifle replicas and punishing valet parking, was this item:

15-0241R, Request for State Action – Ban Hydraulic Fracturing in Maryland.

It stated clear in the agenda with capital letters,

“FOR the purpose of supporting the passage of a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing in Maryland.” Recommend Favorable

“Recommend Favorable” indeed. As fast as they could read each previous item, the vote was “I”, rubber-stamping away issue after issue with no dissenters on issues. I knew right where the vote would be heading. As fast as they read the docket, they voted to support the ban and moved on. Even Meyer and Eckel looked at each other in shock as it happened so quickly. Not that they cared; it was an easy win in the PC world of Baltimore City Hall where obsequious conformance to the company line is king and independent thought a mortal sin.

They both stood up and went to the chamber lobby and of course I followed, sitting adjacent to them as they crafted the press release and social media post claiming victory. I sat there for a bit waiting for something to happen and it didn’t. In just as unexciting as it could be, the City Council voted with fear and ignorance, mostly without thought and that was that. Until the next day.

Rianna Eckle, professional protester on Facebook

On my commute into work the following day I heard a radio story on my local NPR station. It was Eckel. When the heck? Did she talk to someone? I was disappointed I missed it – mostly because I would have been happy to offer a different opinion. It was certainly needed, given this remark she made as the story went on:

“We can’t geographically bind issues like air pollution and water pollution. Even though fracking would happen somewhat distant from Baltimore, it would still lead to increased asthma cases, increased respiratory problems as well.”

Asthma? I guess it is time to make an update to the Fractivist Handbook for Dummies. She was referencing a ridiculously flawed study by Brian Schwartz, long time fractivist “truther.” He concluded asthma attacks were more likely near fracking sites based a combination of junk science and personal bias revealed by his association with the “peak oil” movement and groups that have helped fund anti-fracking exhibitions.

I did learn something valuable, though, out this ordeal. I had already written here about my County Councilman totally blew me off, when I wrote to him about a proposed fracking ban in Anne Arundel County. Watching the democratic floundering of Baltimore City’s Council Members just reinforced the fact that these small, and otherwise meaningless, victories will still add up and put a squeeze on the Governor. It isn’t democracy at all, in fact. It’s a stupid game where public opinion is manufactured for the benefit of special interests and pandering politicians. It’s made me realize I need to become more involved myself on the local level. It is time to start asking them tough questions on the phone and make this republic work.