The Matthias Chronicles

Sunday, May 18, 2008, 1:56 PM

Sinkhole: Daisetta's growing plight

I expressed my opinion on the Texas sinkhole about what might have caused it on may 10th, 2008. I heard something yesterday and just finished checking several internet news sites to confirm it. I called this one accurately.

The Railroad commission still says the incident is under investigation. But the history of Daisetta speaks for itself. During the oil boom, Daisetta was a serious contender, now all dried up. Various news sources now say the sinkhole is about 270 feet deep. Marsh water has seeped in it and now an alligator thinks this massive sinkhole is its new home. Reports are also stating that oil sludge is present in the sinkhole.

I suppose Daisetta has just become this nation's largest oil company embarrassment. This is ironic since the oil companies have been pushing to drill in protected ecological areas and having announced a TEN BILLION DOLLAR profit last quarter. I can just imagine the spin Exelon and all the other oil companies are going to put on this to squirm out from under the hard fact that oil is not the only way to go.

Economists have a saying, "Never put all your eggs in one basket". I have a feeling some farmer is hopping mad for not getting royalties, but none-the-less, we have done just that. The bottom of the "Oil Basket" has just fallen out... Can we say $10 a gallon of gas?

More importantly then the cost of gas is the cost of human life. Daisetta has just had its entire economy shot to hell. I wonder if truckers are going to get hazard pay to drive to Daisetta? Houston is only 60 miles away... if I were them, I'd be packing my bags...

Sadly for Daisetta, it has become an example of why oil is no longer the answer. As technologically advanced as we are, we need to move away from oil --- if for no other reason then to avoid paying for in with the blood of anyone living in this type of situation. Daisetta is not the end but only the beginning of the oil/sinkhole crisis.