Right behind Norma Fiorentino's house, they have been drilling for natural gas. Some of the gas is coming from under Norma's property, so she gets a little money for it (not all that much so far, though). She also got a present on New Year's Day. Her water well exploded all over her yard. Now she can't drink the water from her tap anymore and she's worried that her kitchen might blow up.

Good times, right? And when the checks stop coming, the gas won't stop. It will still be there in the water table. Totally ruined. Won't that be great when she her or her heirs try to sell her land?

Clean Water Action is meeting with people and talking to them about their experience living nearby or around natural gas drilling rigs.

So what can you do? Watch this video, then I have two quick things for you after the jump.

Last week, Governor Ed Rendell called upon the Justice Department to pursue federal civil rights charges in the 2008 beating death of Luis Ramirez. His call breaks an oppressive political silence since the murder and the subsequent acquittal of the defendants on all serious charges. In his statement, Rendell said:

"The evidence suggests that Mr. Ramirez was targeted, beaten and killed because he was Mexican," wrote Governor Rendell in the letter. "This beating was so brutal and violent that Mr. Ramirez’s skull was crushed in two different places. This senseless and cowardly attack appears to have been a hate crime as racial slurs were hurled against Mr. Ramirez throughout the fatal assault.

"Such lawlessness and violence hurts not only the direct victim of the attack but also our towns and communities that are torn apart by such bigotry and intolerance. That is why I am pleased that the Department of Justice is presently investigating whether to bring civil rights charges against Piekarsky and Donchak for their role in the fatal beating of Mr. Ramirez. I believe that justice and fairness mandate such a prosecution."

The Inquirer’s editorial board also issued a call for justice in this case, saying it has not been served.

First, many thanks to the Governor and others who are doing their part to stand up on this tragedy. Pennsylvania is fast earning a reputation as an anti-immigrant breeding ground. The political antics of Hazleton embarrassment Lou Barletta (the 2008 PA Mayor of the Year) to media clown Joey Vento have helped put PA on the national radar as a place of anti-immigrant ignorance and hate. And as the injustice of Luis Ramirez’ murder continues to rally people nationwide, it’s more important than ever that politicians in PA be held accountable for condemning rather than ignoring what's happening in our state.

So, ahem, Nation to Arlen Specter: Where are you on this issue?

(Note: A quick phone call to his office revealed that he has made no statements thus far on this case.)

Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
~Will Durant

    Gov. Rendell has named a new head to PA's State Board of Education. That person is the president and CEO of Philadelphia's National Constitution Center Joseph Torsella. Mr. Torsella who was in charge of the constitution center from 1997 through it's opening in 2003. He left it's opening year and reemerged in 2004 in an unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic nomination for the 13th Congressional District, which includes parts of Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia. In 2006 he came back to the Constitution Center. "I am excited and honored to have this opportunity to serve the commonwealth," Torsella said in a statement "No issue is more important to our common future, both economic and civic, than education in Pennsylvania."