As much as most people enjoy getting the last laugh, I must admit I’m more than a little afraid that will be me at some point in the (possibly near) future. And if things go as badly as I’m predicting they will following Governor Cuomo’s recent lift of the state’s ban on hydraulic fracturing, let’s just say that – while I certainly won’t be laughing – I will be one of the first to say I told you so.

I suppose you could say (it’s really no secret) I’m what the pro-drillers around here like to call an enviro-whacko, NIMBY and all around fan of the environment, the planet and its natural resources (the renewable ones, at least). And yes, I do find the name calling to be completely unnecessary, but I guess some people never really paid too much attention in kindergarten. Regardless, the fact of the matter is quite simple. History tells us that – at some point down the road – our lust for quick money and cheap, accessible energy is going to get us in deep trouble.

As the saying goes, it’s happened before, it’ll happen again. What can I say? We – as a nation – have an unfortunate tendency not to learn from our mistakes.