La Dolce Vita of the Barnett Shale.

Mike Price reviews La Dolce Vita in the Fort Worth Business Press

Don Young draws the parallels to the Barnett Shale frenzy.

Maybe it is just coincidence or…maybe, just maybe, Mike is, (perhaps unconsciously) drawing a parallel with Fellini’s cautionary tale and these surreally, decadent days of the Barnett Shale.

Fort Worth is the new Rome. West 7th is about to stand in for Via Veneto. Ethical bankruptcy is all the rage. Now I get it! Everywhere you look in the infernal city people and organizations, even the opera, are selling their integrity for a pocketful of dirty Lira. The big shots are buying cigars by the Hummer load and dining nightly at the big steak houses downtown. Lies and deceit are as ubiquitous as the benzene fumes blowing in from the rigs down the block. The local government is as corrupt as anything the Communists could dream up and our Mafia Dons, with names like, XTO and Chesapeake, kiss the rings of the local clergy and elected officials, with a wink and a bonus check. La Dolce Vita, indeed, Signor Fellini. Where is that resourceful Paparazzo and his little stinger when we need him. Where is his camera lens to show us as we really are? And Mr. Rubini? Unfortunately, the Star-Telegram cut that department in their recent shake-up. I guess Chesapeake decided he had to go. Well done, Mr. Price. Classy, as always.