The Ed Schulz XL thing is Strange

[cthulu2016]

I have np problem with Ed supporting the XL pipeline. It seems, to me, to be one of those issues that actually has two sides and, though one can take a side and feel strongly about it, taking the other side is not incomprehensible.

Cutting food stamps in an economy with many in need and that is in need of stimulus is incomprehensible.

But something like Citizens United is a genuinely difficult issue because it does involve the First Amendment. A hypothetical principled and generally decent person could decide it either way. (That is not the same as saying that most people who do hold a certain view are principled and decent... not at all.)

Raising minimum wage a lot is a no-brainer. Indexing minimum wage to inflation is debatable... one could want higher wages while being skeptical of a specific policy for specific reasons.

Some trade deals are debatable. Trade policy can have two impassioned and rational sides.

And I can imagine a rational or decent person favoring the XL pipeline. That doesn't mean it is the best view, but that it doesn't categorically define a supporter as a degenerate ill-intended moron.

So it is fine with me that Ed supports the XL.

But it is STRANGE that he proselytizes for it, knowing most of his audience doesn't like it. That marks it as one of those issues of such staggering importance that, dammit, one must speak out and let the chips fall where they may!!!

Not that he favors the XL, but that he wants YOU to support the XL... that it is important top him that you support the XL.

And that seems odd.

[elfin]

1. It think he is making personal big bucks from it

from N Dakota and owns property there.

He is not my favorite at all on MSNBC, even tho I often watch him and often agree on other issues.

[TheMathieu]

2. If so, he should disclose that. nt

[bigdarryl]

3. He's catching pure hell on this issue and rightly so

[elfin]

5. I agree

He was extolling the virtues of the land grabs in N Dakota way back when on the now defunct Sir America channel on XM.

I remember because XM and Al Franken etal were my only source of lib media in a very rural and W loving environment. I thought the topic was strange, but now it makes more sense.

[Adrahil]

7. Ed often annoys me, but I think he' right on this issue...

... though it's not something I'd spend political capital on either way.

[jwirr]

4. His friend from Montana is going to run for president.

[bvar22]

8. Nailed It.

Schweitzer was on his show this week,
and they were HARD SELLING Keystone XL.
(I had to turn it off.)

Big Eddie also considers himself a BIG Union Man.
Apparently, some UNIONS also support it,
though the pipeline won't produce but a handful of permanent jobs,
and I doubt that UNION Labor will be used anywhere along its length.

They may also be working to lessen the shock and damage to the Party
when Obama eventually signs off on this pipeline.

[PDittie]

9. Not just 'some' unions

Trumka and the AFL-CIO

[bvar22]

12. Trumka long ago forgot where he came from ,

....and has joined the "elite" management with "access" to power,
and the money and perks that go along with Management of the Unions.

The XL Pipeline is NOT about jobs for Union LABOR,
or even jobs for Americans.
Building the XL Pipeline will provide surprisingly few, very short term, non-union, low wage, temp jobs.

Management and Operation of the pipeline requires very few actual workers.
Most of it is computerized, and operated from a remote HQ.

If Trumka was really working FOR Organized LABOR,
he would have his people marching in the streets demanding that President Obama
keep his promises to LABOR like
*Making EFCA the "Law of the Land,
*Renegotiating NAFTA

He certainly would be on every Talking Head show condemning the coming TPP and TTIP.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. I will add this.

The construction trades usually support what everybody else opposes.

[meadowlark5]

6. He was talking about all the flak he's been getting on his radio show this morning

Said he saw a side of progressives he's never seen before and he didn't like it. Guess he should come to DU and read once in awhile

Anyway, a woman who is legally representing a group of land owners in Nebraska was on his show and gave him an earful of what TransCanada has been doing in their state. She was really informed and talked about the strong arming and interfering with state/local decisions and city councils. Big Eddy is going to Nebraska to meet with her and some of the land owners.

I was amazed (though I don't know why - it's big oil) with some of the tactics TransCanada is using and what the conservative lawmakers are forcing upon their constituents.

[Ilsa]

11. Ed will keep an open mind.

This isn't over yet, at least not the discussion, and his willingness to go to Nebraska shows that.

He's been talking about it more because of all of the really nasty things liberals have been tweeting, posting, and saying about him. Frankly, I think he was shocked at the mindset that some Liberals would expect him to fall in line just because.

As for me, I think we're fucked with or without the XL.

On edit: The Transcanada land/ legal issues in Nebraska is enough to make me rethink everything.

[Jesus Malverde]

13. Guess he should come to DU and read once in awhile

[JaneyVee]

10. Ed stands with Labor and Labor wants it. BUT...

I get what you're saying. He's pushing it so much that it does make one wonder.

[Drew Richards]

14. Pssst... Follow the money...