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Douglas wrong on Hyperion
In a recent post on his blog, Douglas Bryenldson posted pictures of the recent explosion of the Big Springs Oil Refinery in Big Springs, Texas.
He stated, "The following images could very well be a vision from the future of the forthcoming HYPERION OIL REFINERY in Elk Point, SD. Can you imagine the environmental damage such a disaster would cause to the air, ground and water between Sioux City, Elk Point, Vermillion - even as far north as Beresford and Sioux Falls?"
Of course, Douglas' statement that the Big Springs explosion could be a "vision from the future" is not based in reality. Heck, even the pictures he posted were from the website of a radio show dedicated to conspiracy theories and science fiction!
What Douglas failed to tell his readers is that the Big Springs refinery over 75 years old, having been constructed in 1928. It has been renovated over the years, but does not carry the most current technology. The Hyperion refinery would be the technologically advanced refinery in the nation. Douglas seems to conveniently forget this.
In the future, I hope that the senseless attacks on this potential economic boon for the area be based on reason, rather than petty assumptions.
-Matt Hittle
Posted at 08:44PM Feb 19, 2008 by College Republicans in Hyperion Oil Refinery at Elk Point | Comments[5]
You're beginning to sound like a conspiracy theorist yourself Matt, finding conspiracy theory sites behind all the latest conspiracy theories being promulgated by all us conspiracy theorists. So what if I use unfiltered, alternative news sources from the Internet? It just goes to show that I don't operate from within a limited-view box.
I thank God I was born with an open-mind and the ability to use all the information resources available to me rather than just safely sticking to the ones that my elders tell me are safe and preach the party platform.
Now - I COULD have linked to a national news website for some really safe 'stock' photography of this event, but since they weren't offering any pictures of the disaster that so dramatically showed the black plume of polluting oil waste pouring up into the once clean and clear sky - I opted to link our very intelligent readers (and Matt, they are VERY intelligent readers, so please don't insult them by trying to cast doubt on the veracity of the HOST of website where these pictures are featured - that's just so irrelevant that it's comical...) to a set a pictures that most clearly showed what can indeed happen to ANY oil refinery when things go wrong - old or new - it doesn't matter. The Oil refining process by itself is indeed VERY dangerous (not to mention TOXIC) and full blown disasters like this are just one human error away from happening at any refinery site.
Oil Refineries are big, dirty disasters just waiting to happen. That's my opinion. And after viewing these 'non-conspiratorial' pictures from an eyewitness to this event - which is in reality just the latest in a series of oil refinery disasters in Texas - that's also my INFORMED opinion.
Posted by Douglas Bryenldson on February 20, 2008 at 09:01 PM CST #
Douglas, I found photographs of the event on four different websites. They were very similar to the ones you posted, except were of much better quality and weren't posted by an "anonymous" person.
Second, I don't doubt the intelligence of anyone, I'm merely stating that the website to which you linked was not necessarily reputable.
Third, yes, the oil refineries currently running are big and dirty. But you don't have ANY information about Hyperion. Why would you make these assumptions? That's not an "informed opinion," that's using your pre-formed opinions to concoct another that is not necessarily true.
Posted by Matt Hittle on February 20, 2008 at 09:40 PM CST #
You gentleman crack me up. Matt since when has the college republicans taken to picking on crazy conspiracy theorists instead of the Democrats?
Did you decide you [the republicans] didn't have a fighting chance but couldn't resist a battle anyways?
Posted by Jesse Bethke on February 21, 2008 at 10:19 AM CST #
Jesse, I'm not picking on anyone. Rather, I'm questioning the veracity of Douglas' sources. I'm also questioning Douglas' conclusions regarding Hyperion.
Second, I don't think that Republicans and Democrats should only debate with each other. I think that, as someone who will be affected by Hyperion, Douglas and I have every right to use this space to discuss it.
Third, "a fighting chance" at what? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Perhaps that was a swipe at our stance on Hyperion. Perhaps that was a swipe at the media's premature coronation of a Democrat for president. Either way, you are woefully informed.
Finally, of course we can refuse a battle. Heck, we recently refused the College Democrats another debate. Rather, I choose my battles. Do you have a problem with this? Am I not allowed to question others' opinions and declare my own?
Just because you don't agree, Jesse, doesn't mean that I don't have the right to speak. If you don't appreciate the content of this page, don't read it. If you like to debate, by all means, do so. We welcome the discourse.
Posted by Matt Hittle on February 21, 2008 at 01:43 PM CST #
Well, everyone in opposition to Hyperion seems to be resorting to the same circular argument (LOGIC, great class, check it out. A person comes to the same point, using as a conclusion with no supporting facts. I have to say or implore you guys to presuppose the same pictures ending up on multiple websites (plumes of smoke pics) does not lend "veracity" because they appear multiple times. Wow, maybe (and I am making a very educated guess)the sites displaying these pics are hoping to sensationalize the situation. A little inside info: ssshhhh...the media does it all the time. The basic underlying principle which cannot be refuted is Hyperion will provide Union county with much needed jobs and revenue (Economics, that is a good class as well). Hey, if you want to stand in opposition, give up your vehicle and make a statement! Do you have a better idea or is it? Or Just break it down to: Not in my back yard! Your not saving Union county from anything but prosperity.
Diane
Posted by Diane Fisher on April 18, 2008 at 03:40 PM CDT #