A Good Fracking Commentary

     One of my colleagues posted a commentary on their blog titled, "This is Fracking Ridiculous." The basis for the article is the use of induced hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in Texas, and the role of the Texas legislature to streamline the permit acquisition process.
　The author effectively and clearly conveys their message to the reader. This message being the author's disapproval of the fracking process and the standards under which fracking is governed.
The author quickly gets to the point and lines up the material quite well. They touch upon all the important pieces of the fracking story which helps guide the reader and the author's purpose. That purpose is to make the reader aware of the effects legislation is having on the behind the scenes process of fracking. My favorite part of the commentary is where the author writes, "If you don’t know what fracking is, it’s the latest and greatest way to poison your drinking water!" To me, this statement signifies a powerful and unwavering opinion on the topic of fracking. I would rather read a strong opinionated piece, than a soft, halfhearted attempt to convince the reader of something the writer is not passionate or convinced about themselves.
　The author states, "I can’t see how pumping out tons of chemicals into the ground can be good to the environment." In this section the author's thought and statement are clearly stated. To have a more influential and persuasive effect on the reader, why not remove the word "tons" and replace it with a number. Tell the reader just how much chemical and what types are being used. As a reader in search of information I would like to know through your article how much damage is being caused by fracking. How much damage is being done to the environment while potentially being overlooked by the legislature, for the almighty dollar? I understand this is a short essay and it's impossible to explain the entire process within the confines of 250-500 words, but providing a solid statistic can further open the reader's eyes to the extent of damage being caused by fracking.
     Overall, "This is Fracking Ridiculous" is a well written and effective commentary. I really enjoyed the read, and learned something along the way. Not only did I enjoy my colleagues article, but I also agree with their opinion on the subject in almost all aspects.