Covering the Boom .....

Last week, I took issue, here, with a report by NBC News, and how a single word could give a dark slant to an otherwise positive, or upbeat report. With that in mind, it doesn't hurt to note reports that capture one's attention ..... for the right reasons.

Which brings me to this report by NBC's Don Teague, on the oil boom in West Texas ..... in particular, its impact on the community of Andrews. There is very little in the report that would surprise us here, in West Texas and southeast New Mexico. But I think audiences outside the Permian Basin - across a nation whose economy is far from booming - would find it interesting and informative.

We see the positive effects of the boom ..... and the annoyances as well (with the ubiquitous "Help Wanted" sign posted at an Andrews business). Viewers are also warned that there is always the prospect of a bust, and the negative effects that would have. And while mention is made of the surge in luxury cars and homes in Midland, far more time is devoted to other ways that money is being put to work ..... one roughneck has paid off his mortgage, while another is putting a sizable chunk of his money into savings for his children's college education.

All in all, a good report.