Oklahoma, Dead Man Walking
As a child my Grandmother led me by the hand and taught me the ways of those who came before us. We are wildcrafters, a heritage, a art and a life long relationship with this earth. We are taught to be her caretaker, ethics are key when it comes to what we do. It is not a hobby ,but a way of life we live through all our years. I am old as the dirt and in the winter of my years. I am a Great Grandmother whose Great Grandchildren now practice the ways of those who came before them. Today finds me in a house with such damage one more shake may very well bring it down. No earthquake insurance and no chance of getting any now. Our Governor who rides in the pockets of big oil and gas in this state told the people three years after we started shaking we should buy earthquake insurance. The rafters are buckled, the foundation cracked, the porch separated from the house. Multiple broken water pipes and loose windows that the air blows through. Reality is we may once again have to put up a tent like those before us.
One may think what a large problem, and you are right. I wish it was the only problem in this Republican state. For a couple of years we were told all these earthquakes were a act of God. When that would not pass anymore, we were told we had a history of earthquakes. When that passed with the rise in quakes, we were told we needed more research. The research is in and what we have known for the past few years is waste water injection is the problem. Of course they tell us more research is needed.
Our Republican governor is so in denial she refused to say “earthquake “ at her state of the state address. She was caught saying she would not say that word. All the oil and gas money has made her deaf. All this while many rural Oklahoman's live in borderline poverty. They have denied insurance claims for damage due to the earthquakes being man made. They have raised premiums and some will not insure for earthquakes. All the while Governor Mary Fallin says, buy earthquake insurance! There are thousands in this state who have no insurance. Gas and oil own most of the Republican legislature here. We use to have a seismologist here until they ran him out. They are looking for one now who will fall in line with gas and oil.
I read how oil companies are laying off people. The state says they have almost stopped drilling. You could of fooled me. A half a mile from my home that is falling down, they have a derrick set up with five more permits to drill on the same parcel of land. It is the gas they are after. You know the clean fuel… It is not just the earthquakes it is the injection of waste water most likely polluting our rural wells. One friend shared with me how can he have his mother’s well tested. It has grey sludge floating in the water and she has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. We are now searching for someone to test it as they do not have the $450 that is charged to do it. Another friend just about had to rebuild her home the week after it was finished another earthquake and more damage.
Mary Fallin is on her second term and if nothing else I hope Oklahoman's have learned about voting Republican. The cost is high, your home, your health and your way of life. I see where Hillary took fracking money. We have one option for President here, Bernie Sanders. He is against fracking. The cries of the people here fall on deaf ears. At least France cares. The Sierra Club cares, along with two legislators. There are class action lawsuits here and I fear before anyone gets anything they will be dead.
In ending, I have had 8 earthquakes with the epi center three miles away in the last two days. More reporters are coming this week so I can show them the damage to my home. I can just hope someone will listen. I have called the Governors office, my legislator, well just about everyone. So who called back like it said they would?? You guessed it, no one cares. May this state turn blue.