"Organizing for Action" tells sheep army to ignore science, obey Obama on deadly pipeline

[limpyhobbler]

Talking points being circulated by Organizing for Action, President Barack Obama's former campaign arm that now operates as a nonprofit organization supporting the president's agenda, are warning volunteers over activists working in opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline, according to a copy of the talking points provided to HuffPost.

The release of the memo comes after HuffPost reported Thursday that OFA is working to dampen passionate grassroots opposition to the pipeline. Keystone would move heavy crude from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

The administration recently pushed back a timeline for making a decision on the pipeline to the end of 2013 or to 2014. Next week, the House will vote on the Northern Route Approval Act, H.R. 3, a bill to allow construction of the northern portion of the pipeline that stipulates no presidential permit is needed to begin working on the northern route.

The OFA talking points encourage volunteers to respect the current process around making decisions about the pipeline, comments that are in line with what OFA spokeswoman Katie Hogan told HuffPost Thursday.
...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/17/ofa-keystone-talking-points_n_3294037.html

"Organizing for Action" exposed as a top-down Koch-Bro-style astro-turf group, taking orders directly from the Obama campaign/government/Oil and Gas industry via the revolving door.

OFA circulated a set of talking points to its members for use in dealing with unruly activists. The document, obtained by BuzzFeed, includes information on the science behind climate change and the president’s environmental positions, and ends with a section titled “Keystone Talking Points.”

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/obama-group-braces-for-progressive-backlash-over-keystone

But OFA officials maintain they’ve been clear about their position from day one, and to ask the group to go against the president on Keystone would be to turn their mission statement on its head. The outcry from the left on the pipeline amounts to an attempt to "drum up conflict," said the OFA official....Our mission is to advance the president’s agenda.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/ofa-tells-keystone-activists-they-wont-play-ball

OFA's talking points on Keystone are below.

Keystone Talking Points
Volunteers from Credo Action or other organizations may attend your planning session and want to demand that we work on the Keystone XL pipeline. Our mission is to change the conversation on climate and build support for action on climate change. We understand that there are groups and individuals who would like to work to influence the President and the State Department on a variety of environmental decisions, but OFA’s plan is to do great organizing on building clean energy locally, turning up the heat on Congress and helping individuals and communities switch to clean energy. They are more than welcome to work with those groups, but we encourage all volunteers to be part of our work and the mission of changing the conversation on climate!

● Organizing for Action’s mission is to support President Obama’s agenda. The Keystone XL pipeline is still under review, and OFA supports and respects the process as it is currently underway.

Translation: We're supporting Obama on this issue no matter what he decides. We are sheep who trust the President to always do the right thing. Exxon donated more than anybody else to His inauguration/or birthday/election eve party because they are nice people who like throwing parties. Global warming is real but tar sands are awesome, unless He changes His mind. In any case it doesn't matter because it was all the Republicans fault.

[msongs]

1. obama actually has an agenda? who knew lol nt

[bunnies]

2. The group clearly states they support Obamas agenda.

Does it surprise you that they're doing what their stated purpose is?

[forestpath]

3. This is chilling. But I think sheep are too independent for them. What

they represent are lemmings.

[geek tragedy]

4. Obama campaign apparatus supports Obama.

Profound insight.

[rhett o rick]

10. And an equally profound post. nm

[greenman3610]

5. well, hang on now

"organizing on building clean energy locally, turning up the heat on Congress and helping individuals and communities switch to clean energy,"
"changing the conversation on climate'
sound like worthwhile goals to me.
I don't see anything there that even indicates what the final decision on Keystone will be. not sure anyone
knows that yet, I don't think it's been made.

In any case, even if Keystone is denied, we still have other pipeline fights that have to be engaged, that are not getting attention because Keystone is sucking up all the oxygen. There is a tar sands pipe going thru the Great Lakes region that will be as large if not larger than Keystone, but we don't hear much about it.
Detroit Free Press just ran an editorial against the pipe, managed to avoid using the word "climate"
http://www.freep.com/article/20130509/OPINION01/305090039/great-lakes-pipeline-dilbit-enbridge

[limpyhobbler]

7. It's time to stop making excuses.

This is what what they stand for:

An all of the above approach to energy independence

President Obama has a real strategy to take control of our energy future and finally reduce our dependence on foreign oil—an all-of-the-above approach to developing all our energy resources.

Saving Americans money at the pump
President Obama is doubling fuel efficiency standards, which will save consumers more than $8,000 at the pump, create jobs in the American automobile industry, and save 12 billion barrels of oil.

Increasing natural gas production at home
Under President Obama, the United States has become a world leader in natural gas, and production is at an all-time high. He is promoting the safe, responsible development of our near 100-year supply of natural gas, which could support more than 600,000 new jobs by the end of the decade.

Increasing oil production
Under President Obama, we are producing more oil than we have in 14 years. He is helping expand domestic oil production by offering millions of acres of land for development—including opening up 75% of our oil and gas resources in the Gulf and Arctic—and is improving safety measures to prevent future spills.

Increasing production of wind and solar energy
Since President Obama took office, electricity generated from clean energy sources like wind and solar has doubled and his investments in clean energy and energy efficiency have supported nearly a quarter million jobs.

Paving the way for clean coal
President Obama has made one of the most significant federal investments in clean coal technology in history. The Obama administration has attracted more than $10 billion in private investments, and in 2011, employment in the coal sector hit its highest level since 1996.

http://www.barackobama.com/energy

It's all smoke and mirrors. When it comes time to show real leadership on climate, to speak out for the kind of aggressive policies we really need, this President fails. And the sheep army falls in line behind him.

[AverageJoe90]

15. You do realize who you just replied to, right?

GreenMan has been doing this stuff for a LOOOONNNNGGGG time, Limpy. If there really was something fishy going on, I think he would have spotted it long before any of us, you & I included.

[limpyhobbler]

16. Just that he posts here.

I usually rec his posts, some really good videos.

Is he famous or something?

Been doing what for a long time?

[AverageJoe90]

14. Yeah. I mean, I'll be honest; Obama's agenda isn't as perfect as most of us would like.

But it's a darn good start, though.

Also, how've you been doing lately, GreenMan? Haven't seen you much on here.

[AverageJoe90]

6. I'm going to have to tell the honest truth here: You took this way out of context.

When I first saw this, TBH, something smelled a little fishy. However, though, upon further review, it now just looks like you took things way out of context, Limpy.

"● Organizing for Action’s mission is to support President Obama’s agenda. The Keystone XL pipeline is still under review, and OFA supports and respects the process as it is currently underway.

● Our strategy is to work across the country at the grassroots level with members of congress to ensure supporters of climate action are on the front lines of this conversation, exposing deniers as extreme and dangerous, and ask those in the middle “what’s your plan?”

● OFA will also work with local communities to switch to clean energy and promote the transition to renewable energy in cities and states nationwide.

● If people believe that Keystone XL is the primary fight to be engaged in, there are many groups who have taken a position, and we are happy to make suggestions about who volunteers might work with on that or other issues"

In fact, I think the only thing they forgot to do is let people know that that climate doomsaying is extreme and potentially harmful as well. Otherwise, very good points, all.

[limpyhobbler]

8. let's see...

Organizing for Action’s mission is to support President Obama’s agenda.

That says it all. They don't care if something is right or wrong. This group defends the leader no matter what. And if you disagree, you are expected to keep your mouth shut or go elsewhere.

The Keystone XL pipeline is still under review, and OFA supports and respects the process as it is currently underway.

They support a process where oil companies pay money for access to deciders, and the only way for regular people to be heard is to scream in the streets. And then they refuse to help organize with the groups that are trying to organize for a voice.

Our strategy is to work across the country at the grassroots level with members of congress to ensure supporters of climate action are on the front lines of this conversation, exposing deniers as extreme and dangerous, and ask those in the middle “what’s your plan?”

Don't believe everything you read. They don't do any of these things. That's is not their strategy. They never have and never will do any of those things. Here is their real plan for America.

OFA will also work with local communities to switch to clean energy and promote the transition to renewable energy in cities and states nationwide.

LOL cool story bros.

In fact, I think the only thing they forgot to do is let people know that that climate doomsaying is extreme and potentially harmful as well.

We're not at any risk of people being too worried out about climate change. All the risk is on the other side - we aren't acting fast enough.

[AverageJoe90]

13. ........

That says it all. They don't care if something is right or wrong. This group defends the leader no matter what. And if you disagree, you are expected to keep your mouth shut or go elsewhere.

President Obama's agenda does lean quite a bit towards clean energy. For example, why else did he just postpone KXL again?

They support a process where oil companies pay money for access to deciders,

No, they don't support oil companies paying for access to deciders.

and the only way for regular people to be heard is to scream in the streets. And then they refuse to help organize with the groups that are trying to organize for a voice.

And? Keystone is far from the only issue out there, TBH. I applaud those who are protesting, but we cannot just focus on one solitary issue as Democrats.

Don't believe everything you read. They don't do any of these things. That's is not their strategy. They never have and never will do any of those things. Here is their real plan for America.

Nice try, Limpy. Nice try. But even I'm aware enough to know that you can't know the whole story just by looking at one little thing.

We're not at any risk of people being too worried out about climate change. All the risk is on the other side - we aren't acting fast enough.

You seriously don't fucking get this, do you? It is FAR, FAR, more than just being "too worried&quot FFS!). (Yes, I would agree that we're not acting fast enough as well. But the thing is, scaremongering helps feed that very problem.)

Even the Yale Climate Forum recognizes this problem:

http://www.yaleclimatemediaforum.org/2011/10/is-climate-fatigue-setting-in/

And so does Science Magazine:

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/326/5955/926

Here's another link as well:

http://www.science20.com/science_20/climate_change_runs_against_green_fatigue-105131

I could spend hours & hours going thru Google, really. But it's really up to you, as to whether you want to wake up or not.

[limpyhobbler]

17. ...

President Obama's agenda does lean quite a bit towards clean energy.

Then why are we fracking and drilling everywhere? Why did he push through the Southern part of the KXL? Why allow Why exporting coal like there's no tomorrow? That's not a clean energy agenda. That is called precisely "All of the Above".

For example, why else did he just postpone KXL again?

Because there are too many people in the Dem. coalition against it right now. Maybe he is trying to build support, or wait for the opposition to calm down. If he can't approve it, that's really no big deal. He can always just kick it down the field to his teammates in the Republican Party and the next GOP President will approve it.

No, they don't support oil companies paying for access to deciders.

Sure they do. They said so. They support the process as it is. They are pretending the current process for making this decision is good one. They didn't say anything in their statements about the oil industry's influence over these decisions. And they don't feel any need to try to influence the policy. This is a group defined around loyalty to a person, not shared ideas.

Keystone is far from the only issue out there, TBH. I applaud those who are protesting, but we cannot just focus on one solitary issue as Democrats.

I agree.

You seriously don't fucking get this, do you? It is FAR, FAR, more than just being "too worried&quot FFS!). (Yes, I would agree that we're not acting fast enough as well. But the thing is, scaremongering helps feed that very problem.)

Oops, you just lost me. I don't buy that. We need to be honest. If we think action is too slow, we should say so loud and clear.

[Demo_Chris]

9. Obama soooo desperately wants to approve this for his pals. nt

[Wellstone ruled]

11. Let's cut the crap.

This turd is going to get built one way or other. All of the piping is staged or setting on railcars in Montana and North Dakota. There might be some stored in Canada,didn't get there last summer,but seen enough to convince me that this is a go. Damn news media won't check this shit out. Amazing!!

Bottom line,China and Wall Street. We will be paying 5 bucks for gas within 2 years.

[HiPointDem]

12. kr

[limpyhobbler]

18. "Organizing for Action" reveals true colors as astro-turf arm of corporate political establishment

WASHINGTON -- Top officials from President Barack Obama's campaign arm, which was recently rechristened as Organizing for Action, are working to dampen the passionate grassroots opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline, just as the organization launches its campaign against climate change, according to donors and OFA members.

Leaders of the group have on multiple occasions told gatherings of activists and donors that OFA will not pressure the White House on Keystone regardless of its members' interest...

The reticence worries those who hoped that the Obama campaign's legacy would be a strong, independent grassroots movement that could bring outside pressure on Washington, rather than continuing to act as an arm of the president. Instead of a new organization that will push the White House from a progressive flank, on Keystone, OFA is in effect pushing grassroots activists in the opposite direction. Its approach to the pipeline indicates it is shaping up to be little more than another element of the administration that activists must lobby.

OFA was born during the 2008 presidential campaign as Obama for America, then became Organizing for America during his first term, working with the Democratic National Committee to push the Obama agenda and reelect the president. It has since been transformed into Organizing for Action. Liberals had high hopes that the new incarnation of OFA would turn its efficient and powerful campaign organization into something that would boost the progressive movement.
...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/16/ofas-keystone-grassroots_n_3276622.html


Instead of being a force for positive progressive change, it looks like OFA is turning out to be exactly the opposite: an army of sheep whose main role will be to quash dissent and marginalize those who won't go along.

[tritsofme]

19. Outrageous! You mean the vestiges of the Obama campaign supports the Obama administration!?!

How dare they!