GASLAND vs FrackNation: Josh Fox Refuses to Debate Phelim McAleer

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The Delaware Valley Marcellus Association (DVMA) is sponsoring a screening of the excellent documentary film FrackNation at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute on April 10 (Philadelphia, see this calendar announcement for details). As part of the screening event, DVMA invited Josh Fox, creator/producer/director of the documentary GASLAND to attend the screening and debate FrackNation creator Phelim McAleer. Apparently Fox is a coward and not willing to defend his work–he refuses to respond or even acknowledge the invitation from DVMA.

Yesterday, the DVMA issued the following press release/open letter to Fox:

Today the Delaware Valley Marcellus Association issued the following open letter to Josh Fox, producer of the anti-fracking films GASLAND and GASLAND II:

Dear Mr. Fox:

Since 2010, your documentary film GASLAND has impacted public opinion about the natural gas industry and hydraulic fracturing. The film called into question the natural gas industry’s commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and even the economic benefit of natural gas development.

Now comes FrackNation, a film produced as a response to GASLAND. The movie counters many of the points raised in your film with commentary gleaned from on-the-ground interviews with land owners in Pennsylvania, as well as scientists and politicians who take a different view from yours.

Two weeks ago, we invited you to attend the Philadelphia premiere of FrackNation and then debate its director, Phelim McAleer. An open forum such as this would let both those who agree and those who disagree with you gain further insight into one of the controversial issues of our day: How does one balance environmental concerns with the unprecedented opportunity for Pennsylvanians and Americans in general presented by the abundant natural gas in the Marcellus Shale? It would also allow you to answer the questions that Mr. McAleer has raised about your film.

Our invitation remains open. We would love to host this debate in an open forum in front of an audience of citizens, some of whom support fracking and others who do not. As a documentarian, filmmaker and an environmental activist, we hope you share our view of the benefit that such a public dialogue will provide for the people of Pennsylvania, giving them the facts on both sides so that they can make their own informed decisions.

As stated in our letter to you of March 13, 2013, we want to be transparent. The evening is being sponsored by the Delaware Valley Marcellus Association, a group of businesses located in Southeast Pennsylvania favoring the responsible development of the Marcellus Shale. The purpose of the debate would be to, in an open forum and atmosphere of mutual respect, fully air the controversial issues surrounding Marcellus Shale development. We hope that you will accept our invitation.

The Philadelphia premiere of FrackNation will be held on April 10, 2013 at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute in Bryn Mawr, PA at 7 p.m. Tickets, which are $10 in advance or $15 on the night of the show, are available at //www.marcellusdelval.org/register-for-fracknation. Students will be free at the door with their student ID. If Mr. Fox accepts the Delaware Valley Marcellus Association’s invitation, debate with Mr. McAleer will take place immediately after the screening at approximately 8:10 pm. The event is being held by the Delaware Valley Marcellus Association, a pro-development group of businesses located in Southeast Pennsylvania.*

* Delaware Valley Marcellus Association (Apr 2, 2013) – Delaware Valley Marcellus Association Issues an Open Letter to GASLAND Director Josh Fox

If you haven’t yet watched FrackNation, attend a screening in PA or OH during April, or buy the DVD at: //FrackNation.com. You need to watch it! Read MDN’s review here: MDN Reviews New Documentary FrackNation.

2 Comments

  1. we all know that Mc leer is a bully thief and liar, he is a paid hack and he is just as much a terrorist as what happened in boston, to me, he is total IRA TRASH AND I HOPE ALLYOU BASTARDS GET THE CANCER YOU PUT ON US WHO ARE STUCK WITH LAND WE CANT LIVE ON!!!

  2. I know no such thing. I’ve met and spoken to Phelim–have you? He’s polite, charming, and smart. I’m not quite sure how you make the leap of FrackNation and a sick, twisted bomber in Boston–but I tried to stop figuring out the anti-drilling mind a long time ago. There’s no figuring out irrational people.

    Unlike your evil wishes, I wish you no ill nor harm but only enlightenment and peace for your obviously tortured soul.