Mark Ruffalo 'added to terrorism watchlist' over Gasland (documentary that criticizes gas drilling)

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

Actor reportedly put on US advisory list after organising screenings of documentary criticising natural gas drilling

Ben Child
Monday November 29

Actor Mark Ruffalo has reportedly been placed on a US terror advisory list after campaigning in support of a documentary highlighting the alleged dangers of natural gas drilling.

Ruffalo attracted the attention of Pennsylvania's Office of Homeland Security when he organised screenings for Gasland, which won the special jury prize at this year's Sundance film festival, and said he was concerned about the impact of drilling on water supplies. The actor has addressed the subject in the latest edition of American GQ.

Gasland, directed by Josh Fox, follows the film-maker as he visits communities in Pennsylvania where natural gas has been drilled. Fox decided to document his trip after a natural gas company wrote to him in 2008 offering to lease his family's land in Milanville, Pennsylvania for $100,000 (£64,000).

The documentary attracted attention for a particular scene in which a local man shows that he is able to set his tapwater on fire (see 2.25 of video, above). Others claim they are suffering from numerous health issues due – they believe – to their water having been contaminated.




Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/nov/29/mark-ruffalo-terrorism-watchlist-gasland

---

Trailer at the link and here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe1AeH0Qz8

[glitch]

1. More of the SHAME. nt

[montanacowboy]

2. Unfreakin Believable

think the facists are not in charge? It's only going to grow by leaps and bounds once the repukians are in power.

[chervilant]

9. Yes,

and I, plus so many more like me, will not go quietly into the night. Mr. Ruffalo embodies what Gandhi adjured lo these many years ago: we must be the change we hope to see in this world. When I finally snapped to that--and to the fact that the corporate megalomaniacs EXPECT us to wallow in our stressed, depressed, jobless, obese lives--I decided to do something unexpected. I have made this decision fully expecting to end up on the DHS hit list or dead. No biggie, our forebears took such risks to establish this democracy. Death is just one price we might have to pay to help insure that our amazing democracy evolves further.

When I have the key components of my advocacy in place, DUers will hear all about it, as will fellow activists on Crooks and Liars, and other internet venues not yet usurped by the corporatists.

To you, montanacowboy, I would say: please find a way to surround yourself with the beauty and peacefulness of your bucolic environment, and contemplate what you CAN do to fight the vile, oppressive radical income inequity promulgated by the handful of hedonists at the top of the Ponzi Pyramid we call capitalism. I promise you, fighting the criminal corporatists is far more envigorating than throwing up our hands in resignation.

More to come, and I respectfully remain,

Ms. Silence B. Damned

[druidity33]

11. time frame?

when are you going to "do something unexpected"?

A heads up would be great, so we could "keep an eye out".

:)

[chervilant]

13. Drawing on

past experience as a director of a small, grassroots non-profit, I am seeking to establish the 'legal' framework for our activism before I begin cultivating a larger membership. I hope to have the basics in place within the month, although I am still busy teaching myself calculus and trig so that I can pass the Math 8-12 Certification exam (since I need to be gainfully employed to be an effective activist). So much to do, so little time. Keep these concepts in mind: satyagraha, and grannies.

As ever, I remain,

Ms. Silence B. Damned

[davidwparker]

45. Go on, girl!

[John Kerry VonErich]

58. Bad comparison. Gandhi was shot.

nt

[chervilant]

71. Death

is just one price we might have to pay to help insure that our amazing democracy evolves further.

[John Kerry VonErich]

75. But what would've been a legacy that his homeland would've followed

it's generally nonexistant today because of his violent fate.

[chervilant]

100. Again,

I have to observe that your naysaying, and any negativism in general, is not helpful, nor is it productive. The activism I am undertaking will address this tendency on a macro level (eg, you are not the only member of our species who indulges in such wastes of time and energy).

[MedicalAdmin]

86. Hmmmmm?

Tyler Durden, is that you?

I hope so.

[chervilant]

101. Nope,

however, one of the fundamental beauties of our species is our tendency toward commonalities (which we seldom acknowledge or honor at present--but I hope to help change that). So maybe this Tyler person and I have a lot in common.

I have a great 'for instance': I used to iron several of my favorite outfits, and I came up with an idea for an attachment to my ironing board that would keep the iron's electrical cord threaded through a round loop attached to the back of the board, so that the cord wouldn't slide up the side of the board and scrunch whatever I was ironing. I started looking for info on patents, and no such item existed. However, within a week or two, someone ELSE had the same idea and had it on the market! A short while later, yet another someone had created a similar item for the same purpose. This is just one example of our species' tendency to have similar expressions of the same concept or creation manifest through various individuals, sometimes simultaneously.

Now that I've revealed my age (older than dirt), let me confess that I no longer iron anything. :)

As ever, respectfully yours,

Ms. Silence B. Damned

[oldhippydude]

40. anybody old enough to remember

Nixon's enemy list... more of the same!!!

[xxqqqzme]

77. I was thinking of that

Is this the 'new' enemy list?

[No Elephants]

82. Do you mean, "Anyone here {regardless of age} know about Nixon's enemies list?"

If so, my answer is yes.

[sabrina 1]

53. And we have people on this democratic site, who still trust them.

This really is an outrage. Didn't we kick out Republicans to put a stop to this?

I just read yesterday that a memo at the TSA suggested that anyone who refused to use the scanners and pat-downs and leave the airport, should be added to the 'watch list'.

I wonder when America will wake up? I cannot believe that people do not get the significance of these TSA tactics, and are willing to give in to them because they are so afraid. Afraid of something that has such a small chance of happening it's hardly worth a thought.

[xchrom]

3. Is there a cost -- tax dollars involved -- to adding

Such a 'scary' person as this to the watch list?

I'm guessing there is.

Shame indeed.

[Capitalocracy]

7. Who cares about the cost?

I mean, yeah, I care about the cost, but that's secondary to the loss of our freedoms to say the least.

[Omar4Dems]

92. I think the point is, "We're spending our tax dollars on *this*...

while X, Y, and Z go unfunded."

[otohara]

4. Comment Line @ DOHLS -

Mark Ruffalo? Really, really?
202-282-8495
How embarrassing

[TheWraith]

5. Terrible, crappy-ass reporting. This story is not accurate.

Ruffalo was put on a list by the Pennsylvania OHS, which has no relation whatsoever to the federal "Terror Watch List."

[DeSwiss]

8. Oh. Well. Then it's okay to be on a terrorist list if it's just a state terrorist list.

OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY
The Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security is a separate functioning entity from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Although the U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides funding and guidelines to the state agencies that are responsible for both anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism measures, the Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security is a Commonwealth office within the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

http://www.homelandsecurity.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/homeland_security/14251

[AllTooEasy]

91. So?

Funding does not mean the Feds made the decision for them. Heck the Fed sends funds to Texas Public schools and Mass. Public Schools and THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE in how kids are educated in both states.

[MilesColtrane]

18. The source for Ruffalo's name being added to a terror watchlist comes from...

himself, in a GQ interview.

Has anyone asked him how he knows he's on a list?

[AllTooEasy]

97. I'm on Oklahoma's list...

The Man denies it, but we all know how the Man/Obama lies!!! Obama runs that state!

You're not going to find that list anywhere, but trust me I'M ON THE LIST. Just like Mark Ruffalo, the source of this info is myself.

[MilesColtrane]

103. You just made the Federal List for mentioning the Oklahoma list.

Oh, they're watching you, buddy.

[KamaAina]

28. That makes more sense.

We already know that PA government, certainly the incoming repuke version, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fracking, Inc.

[mdmc]

52. Perhaps being put on a state terrorism list

is still a cramp in his style?

[sabrina 1]

54. Why is he on any list? What did he do to get on this list?

And why are YOU defending what we were screaming about when Bush was president?

Is this a free country or not? Maybe people do not want to be free. It sure seems like it reading some of the comments on this board over the past few days.

[hootinholler]

85. There's only one list

And it's huge. Why can I assert that? Because of the thing called the JTF or (JTTF) which couples all of the state and city HS offices with the Fed DHS. There are few exceptions (Portland Or. comes to mind) and they all share one DB (list).

-Hoot

[Vincardog]

6. There are posters HERE who claim that all the fracking chemicals and processes are healthy document

and AOK with them.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

16. Depressing isn't it?

I had one basically accuse me of either being a liar or not knowing anything about the process.

The facts and links that I supplied meant nothing to them.

Just by coincidence, they just happen to work for a company (from TX of course) that is in the process of destroying PA. Of course they don't have a problem with fracking in PA, it's not their land, water and air that they're destroying. Of course this process is being done in TX and many other states, but I wonder if they would want this **** going on in their backyard or at the school that their children attend?

Gasland is outstanding, but it doesn't even come close to portraying just how bad things are here. Now we have Corbett as Governor Elect. The same Corbett who accepted nearly $1,000,000 in donations from the frackers. We are FRACKED!!


Tank Farm
Gas drilling activities behind the Vo-Tech school in Houston, Pennsylvania

[Vincardog]

17. They are FRACKING Ft. Worth and the PEOPLE have NOTHING to say about it

[Jakes Progress]

26. Yep. In Texas

oil and gas trumps anything. If a thousand starving babies were on one side and some profit for a Texas oil tycoon on the other, the lege and the courts will side with the tycoon every time.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

30. For the most part, it's the same here.

Pittsburgh was able to put a hold on drilling in the city limits, but that was before the elections.

Time will tell how safe this method is. I don't think that it will be a story with a happy ending.

[Vincardog]

38. I sold out and moved while my TX water well was still Sweet and soft. I moved to IA where the water

is HARD and there is an oil sheen on the toilet water in the morning.

Go figure

[truedelphi]

34. Just remember that for every troll, there has to be 98 folks on here

Who aren't.

Though sometimes it doesn't feel like that.

[RoccoR5955]

67. Perhaps you can convince them to drink

some benzine or toluene. Just two of the numerous toxic chemicals that they use, then see how long they live.

[villager]

10. and this was done during the change-filled Obama administration, yes?

n/t

[sabrina 1]

55. Yes, which means that there will be people here defending it.

People who, if Bush was responsible, would be screaming about it. Our country is being destroyed by partisanship. The PTBs create this division while among themselves, there are no parties or even countries in some cases.

You would think with all the information available today, people would not be so easily fooled.

[OrwellwasRight]

73. partisanship is the least of what is destroying this country

try greed, racism, ignorance, oh and did I say greed?

[MedicalAdmin]

87. Partisan politics is irrelevant.

I know I'll be flamed for this but a certain villified politician was right when he said that there is no functional difference between the Repubs and Dems when it comes to the lives of ordinary people.

If there are any rational partisan politics we should be paying attention to it would be the class war that has been shelling the other 99% for decades.

[AllTooEasy]

94. And your point is?

Obama doesn't rule Penn., or the US for that matter. Stop being so freaking ignorant and assume all decisions, even at the state level, are made by him.

Secondly, Penn has it's own list that's separate from the Fed list. The Feds can only stop funding to Penn's independent office, which they will never do, not determine who's on the list.

Lastly, how does this guy know he's on the list? The source of this rumor is Mark Ruffalo!!!

Great Self-Marketing

[Bluenorthwest]

12. For setting up screenings? About an environmental film?

He's a talented actor, I'm sorry he's got his own damn government on his shoulders, for screening a film that has been all over cable and everywhere anyway. Idiots in charge.

[greiner3]

14. Here are several discussions on Gasland;

First is from PBS and includes an interview with Josh Fox;

http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/613/index.html

The second is a 'debate' between someone from Houston Advanced Research Center. He comes off as an apologist for any problems brought up by the film. Here is some of of his 'credits;

Dr. Richard C. Haut is a Senior Research Scientist at the Houston Advanced Research Center where he is leads a multitude of energy related projects including the Houston Solar Initiative and the Environmentally Friendly Drilling Systems Program. Prior to leaving the energy industry and joining HARC in 2002, Rich was the first Chief Operating Officer for Enventure Global Technology, a joint venture between Halliburton and Shell that he helped to start-up in 1998. Over his tenure at Enventure, he was involved in taking the technology from conception to profitability, receiving the Hart Publication’s Meritorious Award for Engineering Innovation in 1999 and the Natural Gas Innovator of the Year Award from the Department of Energy in 2002. Prior to Enventure, Rich led high-technology efforts while employed at Exxon Corporation. His technical background includes a Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Ph.D. in Engineering. He has authored numerous papers, has been awarded over two dozen patents and has several patents pending.

This son of a bitch is dirtier than the products of fracturing.

On the side of film is Walter Hang is President of Toxics Targeting, and provides data to engineers, municipalities and homeowners on possibly contaminated properties.

http://www.cleanskies.com/videos/gasland-the-debate

[dixiegrrrrl]

15. Few of us are old enough to actually remember the Hollywood Blacklist

but it existed,for YEARS, it cost people jobs, careers and even lives.
It was government repression of outspoken actors and other movie people.

From Wiki:



The Hollywood blacklist—as the broader entertainment industry blacklist is generally known—was the mid-twentieth-century list of screenwriters, actors, directors, musicians, and other U.S. entertainment professionals who were denied employment in the field because of their political beliefs or associations, real or suspected.

Artists were barred from work on the basis of their alleged membership in or sympathy toward the American Communist Party, involvement in liberal or humanitarian political causes that enforcers of the blacklist associated with communism, and/or refusal to assist investigations into Communist Party activities; some were blacklisted merely because their names came up at the wrong place and time.

Even during the period of its strictest enforcement, the late 1940s through the late 1950s,
the blacklist was rarely made explicit and verifiable,
but it caused direct damage to the careers of scores of American artists, often made betrayal of friendship (not to mention principle) the price for a livelihood, and promoted ideological censorship across the entire industry.

Worth the whole read at Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_blacklist

[MilesColtrane]

21. If Ruffalo were blacklisted he wouldn't have just signed a multi-picture deal with Marvel Studios.

[Politicub]

23. Great point!

I wasn't thinking about this list in relation to the Hollywood Blacklist. Both ruined people's lives.

[defendandprotect]

36. Exactly and thank you for making the connection .... McCarthy Era was a war on liberals....

and was highly successful in purging liberals from government --

it was an overall attack on the ideals of democracy --

and a rising of the fascist right wing in America --

Thank you for the reminder!!

[MedicalAdmin]

88. Reagan, that dirty scum, was fundamental in running the black list.

Did you know that he secretly reported to the McCarthy commission on unamerican activities WHILE he was president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Talk about scum of the earth. And there are people in office who admire him. Puke.

[Spiderzumbie]

19. Well, this just proves how entangled our government is with corporate fascists.

[indimuse]

20. omg!

no way!

[provis99]

22. the terrorist list is just a list of blacklisted liberals.

Nothing but right-wing CIA bullshit.

[tpsbmam]

24. Holy shit! This is just downright chilling. I'm so glad we got the change we were promised!

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[keopeli]

25. Love Mark Ruffalo. I'm sure he'll handle his new "status" responsibly.

Ruffalo, 43, told GQ that he found the whole thing "pretty f---king funny."

The OHS in Pennsylvania said Ruffalo "wasn't on any list and that no such list even existed.

Why do they (the gov't) think it's okay to lie to us so blatantly? or at all, for that matter?

[tclambert]

27. I have added Exxon/Mobil, BP, and the TSA to my personal terrorist watch list.

Tell me anyone, ANYONE who terrorizes Americans more than these groups!

[2QT2BSTR8]

70. Ummmm....Fox News

[tclambert]

80. Thanks, I forgot.

I usually include Rupert Murdoch on my list.

[Jakes Progress]

29. Crap like this just makes the list

less credible. Someone needs to call them on aiding the terrorists by making the list a pointless roster of people who pissed off Washington snots.

[Hydra]

61. How can you make it less credible than it is already?

There are already more than 1 million people on the watchlist(probably including all of us here who post important stuff).

Btw, Hi Agent Mike! Pass the cheetos?

[G_j]

31. that damn Bush!!!

oh wait...........

[maryf]

33. +1 nt

[fascisthunter]

32. we Knew they'd use these powers on us, instead on terrorists

well here is some more fucking proof... just like all other totalitarian governments, their own citizenry becomes a potential target... guilty before innocent.

[AtheistCrusader]

43. How do we know they actually did it?

Speaking of guilt before innocence.


Disclaimer:
I think it's totally possible, and I agree, the watch lists are massively abused.
I also greatly enjoyed GasLand.

[Curmudgeoness]

65. We don't know that they did it. PA OHS does not seem to have him

listed. Here is a concise list of all the organizations or individuals listed, compiled by the ACLU:

http://www.aclupa.org/downloads/trackedlist11910.pdf

[defendandprotect]

35. GASLAND is something everyone should see.... and note viciousness of right wing ....capitalism....

and their pettiness in doing this!!!

Disgusting -- and the further the right wing elite come out from behind their

disguise as corporations, the more clearly we can see the murderous and vile

nature of these people!!

[valerief]

37. US Terrorists - anyone who criticizes THE SINS OF BIG MONEY. nt

[timefortherevolution]

39. EXACTLY!

You dare to speak out about the status quo, you are immediately brought in for questioning.

It is sooo Orwellian.

[Initech]

72. Yup - money talks, bullshit walks.

[RSillsbee]

41. I would have thought he would have been put on the list

For appearing in 13 going on 30 :bounce:

[louis-t]

42. They're still laughing about how they put Ted Kennedy

on a no fly list. Real fucking funny.

[aquart]

44. Outrageous.

Those of us who signed his petition, they gonna add us?

[Shining Jack]

46. K&R

That's a damn shame. I'll watch Gasland again and spread the word around again too.

[muriel_volestrangler]

47. It's a list of "enemies of the people", not terrorists

and like the Ibsen play, it's being used for those who upset the comfortable and profitable position of the powerful.

[colsohlibgal]

48. Just Another Really Disturbing Thing

How Fascist is this? The last year has really raised my warning meter, some very gestapo like actions, many of them from law enforcent people, going on in 2010.

[mbperrin]

49. What??? Ruffalo thinks DRINKING WATER is more important than

a fossil fuel we can burn!!??

What is he? A commie?














I am, too.

[mdmc]

50. close your eyes can't happen here

alexander obama haig is near..

[sarcasmo]

51. Look for or speak the truth and find out you're on the watch list. USA. USA

[dhpgetsit]

56. Corporations matter more than We the People.

Fascism rises in America.

[L0oniX]

57. More of what happens when we the people do not control our government.

[timefortherevolution]

59. Don't you dare speak out against the corporations..

Corporate fascism is here to stay.

Unless we all turn off reality shows and start paying attention.

[Javaman]

60. What will be next? political prisoners? oh wait.

this is how we slide into fascism.

[harun]

62. The story of what is going on with Nat Gas here in PA needs to get out!

It is all a big secret and Halliburton owns all the people keeping it that way.

[maryf]

66. Keep telling it too...

No life depends on gas, all life depends on water...

[dixiegrrrrl]

69. Write up something and get it out, then,

Submit it to Mother Jones or Alter Net or any of the other good blogs out there.

[smiley]

74. My hometown - where my parents still live....

is experiencing the natural gas boom in Northeast PA. It's brought a spike in the economy because of the worker camps but some of the side effects to the community has been the destruction of the roads from the heavy equipment and a spike in crime because of the outside population coming in. I believe the Gas companies have agreed to help in the repair costs to the county roads.

I'm not really sure what my opinion is on this but I am a bit saddened by the change to my hometown.

:shrug:

[and-justice-for-all]

63. Ruffalo on terror watch list? Actor tells GQ he got flagged, but homeland security says he's alright

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/11/29/2010-11-29_ruffalo_on_terror_watch_list_actor_tells_gq_he_got_flagged_but_homeland_security.html?r=news/national

[RSillsbee]

64. Seriously

If they put you on the watch list they don't tell you until you try to fly. They also don't tell you why you're on the list.

So, while it's likely that Ruffalo is on the list I doubt it's because of that movie or if it is because of that movie they'll never say so

[beforeyoureyes]

68. Not surprising...the fascist states of America

[Goldstein1984]

76. Dissent will not be tolerated.

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." ~ Mark Twain

Different nation; different leaders; different people; same slippery slope to fascism.

[pam4water]

78. That is such BS

[DesertDiamond]

79. Proof once again that the perpetrators of the "war on terror" are the real terrorists!

[Blandocyte]

81. Sounds like a PR trick to hype the movie

And I'll believe it is just a rumor to hype the movie until I see his name on "the list." Is the list posted? I will remain

Saddha B. Cynical

[No Elephants]

83. REPORTEDLY. Before I get hysterical (or complacent), can haz facts?

[Enthusiast]

84. K&R

With these changes we have undergone as a nation, criticism of corporate behavior is the same as terrorism. See?

[BrklynLiberal]

89. There is no doubt now. The inmates are running the asylum.

[ChadwickHenryWard]

90. Uh oh.

That movie is shown twice a week on my campus. I'll have to warn the girl who organizes it that she may be on the terrorist watch-list.

[burnsei sensei]

93. It was only a matter of time before

the emphasis would shift from terrorism to ideology.

[PeaceNikki]

95. This article says he's NOT on watch list

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40435006/ns/today-entertainment/

[PeaceNikki]

96. Another article denying it

Ruffalo told the magazine that the Pennsylvania's Office of Homeland Security red-flagged him, but the office told Entertainment Weekly that the "Zodiac" star wasn't on any list and that no such list even existed.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/11/29/2010-11-29_ruffalo_on_terror_watch_list_actor_tells_gq_he_got_flagged_but_homeland_security.html#ixzz16n0GEQNL

[AllTooEasy]

98. I hate Mark Ruffalo

He takes an EXTREMELY SERIOUS issue, uses it to promote himself, and then claims he's being punished for it by being put on a list that doesn't exist. Read below:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/11/29/2010-11-29_ruffalo_on_terror_watch_list_actor_tells_gq_he_got_flagged_but_homeland_security.html#ixzz16n0GEQNL

Where's his proof? How does he know? Why him and not the rest of the cast, producers, and directors (of a greatly underrated film I might add)? I'm suppose to believe his word? The gov't's? Anybody's? without proof?

What a self-promoting jerk!!! People can light their water on fire and he's using their plight to get his name in papers and on liberal blogs.

[PeaceNikki]

99. I don't hate him and I found Gasland to be very informative.

But if it's not true, he and we should stop acting as if it is. I posted a new thread with the story denying it. It'll probably sink like a stone while this one remains on the Greatest page with hundreds of replies and outrage.

:shrug:

[Luminous Animal]

104. You mean this list that doesn't exist?

http://www.paindependent.com/todays_news/detail/environmental-activists-not-terrorists-says-governor

"The list, compiled by the Institute for Terrorism Research and Response (ITRR), was distributed as a memo to local law enforcement officials three times a week through the state Department of Homeland Security (DHS). One such memo was obtained last week by ProPublica, an online public interest journalism project, showing the list of potential terror threats included groups gathering to watch an anti-drilling documentary and protest natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania. "

[PeaceNikki]

105. OK, so there's also no way he would know such a thing.

I don't hate him. I like him quite a bit and I found Gasland to be very informative and I think as many people should see it as possible. It smells like a publicity stunt to me - which is fine cuz that's what people do.

HOWEVER, lies and/or half-truths propagated by people who want to stir up or monopolize anti-government hatred in an environment where that's all the rage (TSA, Wikigate) makes me suspicious.

[katty]

102. what a ridiculous country full of paranoids and ninnies

[activa8tr]

106. They OWN us! Despicable!