Dakota Pipeline ignored by press, this site, and HRC

[ciaobaby]

http://standwithstandingrock.net/statement-youth-standing-rock-tribe-future-president/

I am so hoping she gives some sort of indication how she feels about this prior to the vote.
This is a key issue for me and so many others. It is imperative she address it. The only press coverage it seems to get is on Lawrence O'Donnell (MSNBC)

[msanthrope]

1. You seem concerned. nt

[NCTraveler]

2. As you well know, considering the enormity of the topic to you,...

your claim it is not being discussed here is dishonest. We both are well aware of that aspect of your op.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Dakota+Pipeline&sitesearch=democraticunderground.com&gfe_rd=ssl&ei=IVoSWOThH4y9-wW0vrSgDw

Your claim about the press is equally dishonest.

https://www.google.com/?gfe_rd=ssl&ei=vloSWMmUHNe--wWS7K-4DQ#q=dakota+pipeline&tbm=nws

Concern is the main issue here. Great concern.

Trump is biiiiiiiiigly against it. Right?

[ciaobaby]

6. Thanks for the links

I didn't have time to go through each and every DU post but I did not see any discussion of why Hillary won't speak out at this time. It is frustrating. I seriously want to know her opinion.
As far as your comment on Trump - not interested in Trumps opinion.

[DonViejo]

3. Other than posting new articles about the pipeline and discussing that news....

what exactly are your expectations from "this site"?

[ghostsinthemachine]

4. One of the great shames of this country

Nobody cares. At all. Shame to you all, doing nothing while atrocities are being carried out, right here in this country.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

5. While I certainly understand the concern of the Standing Rock Tribe, the pipeline isn't within

their tribal territory. The entire project of the pipeline, most of which appears to have already been built, is not going to be tossed out over the objections of the tribe. Yes, the pipeline is close to their land and will cross a river...but it's still not on their tribal lands. Based on the research I've done it sounds like every effort is being made to build this pipeline in a safe way that will not cause environmental harm. The pipeline is roughly 30 inches wide. This pipeline will have some environmental benefits, too...including reducing massive amounts of transferring and trucking crude oil through several states.

My grandson is a member of a tribe in New England and I am extremely concerned with tribal sovereignty and rights. Again, while I definitely sympathize with the concerns of this tribe and believe they are justified the reason this is not being covered and supported to the extent you wish is because the pipeline does not actually cross any tribal territory. If it did, I would feel differently, or more strongly about it. As it stands right now, I think many people are supporting the protests without realizing that the pipeline is not on tribal lands. Some reporting implies that it is, which riles people up. I checked the reservation maps and compared it to the pipeline map and that's why I understand the concern of the tribal members, but why I also recognize that since it's not on their tribal lands they can't stop the pipeline, especially since most of it has already been built. The most they could do is try to get it relocated but it's doubtful that would work.

[ciaobaby]

10. The issue is the likely damage to their land and water when a leak occurs.

Surely you don't think there is any such thing as a "safe" pipeline. Unless you are just listening to the oil company's.
This is a issue that should be addressed before the election. If she is for the pipeline, she should say so.
Staying silent is concerning.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

16. Keeping Trump out of the Whitehouse is far more important, period

More important than a pipeline:

1. Keeping Trump from controlling our military.
2. Ensuring Trump can't drop a nuke on any country who makes him mad on twitter.
3. Making sure a sexual predator does not become president.
4. Making sure the next president doesn't repeal Obamacare, same sex marriage and Roe vs. Wade.
5. Avoiding making our country look like we are all fools for electing such an idiot as Trump.


Sorry, but there are way more important things than that pipeline right now. The tribe does not have legal standing to stop it and waiting until the last minute to try to stop it is never the best plan of action. How long have they been trying to stop this? Did they speak up when the route was being developed to try to get it moved so it doesn't cross the Missouri River? What about all the other current pollution in that river? Are you speaking up on this issue because you are truly informed about it or are you doing it simply because you think it's the right thing to do to support the tribe?

Again, I have family ties to a tribe, so I understand and respect the importance of tribal issues. I also know that sometimes a tribe can be wrong. That being said... I DO think the tribe has a right to peacefully protest without having dogs put on them. Do I think this issue is more important than all the other things I've mentioned...hell no.

[ciaobaby]

17. None of the above means she shouldn't address the subject.

That's what campaigning is all about. Letting the people know what you believe and what you intend to do.
Her silence speaks volumes.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

19. Again...it's not being reported and her plate is a little full right now

If it's a deal breaker for you then just go vote for Trump, because it's either Trump or Clinton who will be president.

[ciaobaby]

23. This is such a tired response.

I will not vote for Trump. But with all due respect, you just can't continue to use that as the reason Hillary doesn't have to take a position on any subject.
She is running for president. You think her plate is a full now, how will she handle everything when she is in office?

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

25. Like it or not, this election is NOT about issues. It's about Good vs Evil, period.

People that understand that DO NOT GIVE A FLYING FART about her positions because we all know they are a hell of a lot better than Trumps.

That's all I need to know...THIS time. Normally I care, but this time is TOO IMPORTANT.

So, if you NEED an answer then why don't you call your local campaign office and ask them because not a damn one of us here knows the answer.

[JRLeft]

40. Her nonanswer is the answer. That should tell you where she stands.

[Mike__M]

35. I'll ask you to consider

these flags, and what they mean.



My tribe had a canoe carry its flag, first by ferry, then on a trailer for thousands of miles across Canada and the U.S., then by flotilla down the Missouri and up the Cannonball, to be welcomed with singing and drumming to the camp, where it could join all those others you can see in the photo.

Consider that (as of a couple months ago) there have been almost ninety tribal governments in the U.S that have passed resolutions in support of the Standing Rock Tribe's resistance to the pipeline.

Consider that (again as of a couple months ago) nearly three hundred U.S. tribes were represented among the people there, plus indigenous representatives from Central and South America, the Caribbean, New Zealand, Australia and Saamiland.

Consider these things, then explain why the Standing Rock people's concern should stop at the current boundary of their reservation, and why it's OK for any politician to ignore this issue. Explain how this issue is unrelated to concern over good and evil.

[ciaobaby]

37. Unfortunately you will not get a response.

Other than what I have been told - just vote for Hillary and don't ask questions.
It is the pathetic state of American politics.
I agree strongly with your last paragraph - thanks.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

38. As I said before...I understand why the tribe is upset

I am not saying that the issue is unimportant. Now let me try this again...

Hillary Clinton is up to her eyebrows campaigning right now. She is probably sleeping maybe 6 hours a night if she's lucky. She is speaking at rallies and trying to get elected. I doubt very seriously that she has much time to follow every last little bit of news going on in the country. And what little bit of time she does have for that...the media hasn't been covering it.

How the bloody hell can you expect her to come out with a policy or position on it without having an opportunity to sit down and speak with both sides of the issue and REALLY understand the issue beyond just the surface? Unlike Trump Clinton is a DOER not a TALKER. If she doesn't have ALL the information on an issue she's not going to open her mouth and say something off the cuff that is not a true representation of her position.

No one here knows her position. Most people here are currently most concerned with making sure Trump is not elected. And what I do know is that if Trump is elected NOTHING will be done about it except some of his 2nd Amendment people might show up to "watch" things. So yeah, my ONLY concern right now is making sure Trump doesn't get elected. Everything else comes second.

If Trump is elected I believe with all my heart that he will start World War III and that it could lead to us having no country left, and thereby no tribal lands or interests to protect. First things first...let's protect ALL of humanity and the world from Trump and THEN we can worry about other issues.

[wishstar]

7. There have been posts recently about Trump's large financial investment in the pipeline

Hillary is pro-environment, pro-Native American interests and does not have financial investments in the pipeline projects.

[ciaobaby]

8. Not looking for Trump's support.

If Hillary would speak out on this specific issue it would mean a great deal and may result in additional support.
By staying silent, she only hurts herself with would be voters.

[wishstar]

9. I agree, a thoughtful statement by her could be helpful

[Mike__M]

13. May be too late for a statement

Some votes would not be swayed now, short of a candidate's actual arrest at the front lines, followed by a strip search and being held without bail. I could name one such voter. Instead I'll claim the forum equivalent of the fifth--does that work here?

[smorkingapple]

11. We yawned at Flint fiasco, you think this is bigger?

[ciaobaby]

14. Do we really need to judge a crisis by the size of the one before it ?

[BobbyDrake]

12. Maybe Shailene Woodley and her publicist would care?

Since she got arrested there to promote her Snowden movie?

[ciaobaby]

15. What does this have to do with anything.

sometimes it is best not to post..........

[BobbyDrake]

45. Take your own advice, maybe.

You asked about the Dakota Pipeline getting more attention, and I mentioned an attention-hungry actress who got herself arrested there as free publicity.

If you don't understand the connection (which is obviously the case here), that's fine, but don't go and embarrass yourself by trying to claim its not related.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

18. CNN is actually reporting on it right now

If you are talking about the escalation towards the protesters then it was just reported. The tribe should have a right to peacefully protest. The press never reports on the issue, likely because of the election. I do think they should pause construction and try to work out a compromise, though.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

20. We (heart) fracking and pipelines!

Love that New Dem smell!

[ciaobaby]

21. I know you do !

[riderinthestorm]

39. I see what you did there, lol! nt

[Basement Beat]

22. This is the frustrating thing about this election...

You ask and want to hear answers about a subject that matters to you personally and (unfortunately) both sides want to shut you down by claiming "Well, whacha gonna do?!? You're not gonna vote for that other person are you??".

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

24. Well, I guess you'll need to call Trump and request that he stop being a sleazy asshole

This is not a regular election. As much as everyone would prefer it be about issues...it's not.

This is an epic battle of Good vs Evil. Nothing else is as important this time around. You either vote to save the country or you don't. That IS what it boils down to. Worst and most important election in my 50 years. I don't care for Clinton but I'm voting for her. I'm voting AGAINST every last Republican to punish them for allowing such an evil piece of shit to be nominated. We've all been shown how Hitler rose to power and how on earth the people of Germany could ever support him. It's the exact same dynamic that has given us Trump and if you aren't about that then you damn well need to join up and be AGAINST it.

[ciaobaby]

26. OK - now I get it...

Sit down, shut up, vote for Hillary and don't ask any questions.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

27. If you want to ask questions about Clinton's position on a specific issue not mentioned

Then call up her goddamned campaign office in your area and ASK.

If something were than important to me that is what I would do.

You say that the media is not reporting it. CNN just reported it a short time ago. You can contact news outlets and ask them to cover it. Complaining about them here will not change that.

You are posting in the General Discussion: 2016...the election forum complaining that this site is not discussing the issue. It's probably being discussed in Latest Breaking News, Environment & Energy and a few other sections.

I'm not telling you who to vote for. Vote for whoever the hell you want to. Just don't get all bent out of shape just because the majority of people are more concerned about keeping Trump away from the Whitehouse than they are about single issues. It is what it is.

[ciaobaby]

28. You've been so helpful.

[ciaobaby]

30. called the local office as you so kindly suggested.

they told me she has not taken a position at this time !

[BobbyDrake]

46. Sure you did.

[radical noodle]

29. No... you have a right to your opinion and your questions

but I gave up long ago on having a candidate that agrees with me on every single issue. I sympathize with the Tribe and would love to see something worked out. I looked at Hillary's positions on issues on her website and found no mention of it (likely because it was a non-issue when she worked those up). What is Obama doing about it? He stopped it before, but today I've heard people are being arrested.

I've never heard her asked about this subject. She generally tries to compromise, if one can be made. I guess it remains to be seen where this is by January.

[ciaobaby]

31. I called the local HRC office

They told me she has not taken a position.
I don't have to agree with every issue, but I do want to know what her position is.
I don't think that is asking too much.

[radical noodle]

36. I don't know where you are

but I've found my local office is made up mostly of volunteer supporters. Few know anything other than the issues she's already raised, and some don't know that much. They're mostly there to do basic stuff. I hope you find an answer.

[Demsrule86]

44. Yes, this is Democratic underground.

We support Democrats...especially the Democratic nominee...if this issue is such a deal breaker than why are you here?

[RonniePudding]

32. I bet they are knee deep into this over at Pinebaggerland

[Demsrule86]

33. Right because Trump is so so much better on this issue...and jill S

owns stocks in oil...but unless Hillary says whatever, it is a deal breaker ...really. Welcome to DU.

[ciaobaby]

34. One has no way of knowing if Trump or Jill Stein has a better position

and that is the problem - she should have a position !!!!!!

[Demsrule86]

43. One knows that Trump is for piplelines and that Stein has enriched her hypocritical self

so yes we do know...as for Hillary It will not matter to me whether she discusses it or doesn't. There is nothing that she can do about it at the moment.

[riderinthestorm]

41. Her silence is her answer. nt

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

42. Here is a little bit about Trump's history with Native American issues

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/donald-trumps-long-history-of-clashes-with-native-americans/2016/07/25/80ea91ca-3d77-11e6-80bc-d06711fd2125_story.html

So...if any of those asking about this issue GENUINELY care about anything that matters to Native Americans they sure as hell will NOT support Trump. Stein and Johnson will NEVER win. It's either Trump or Clinton.

Here are a couple of links about Hillary's vision for Native Americans and information from 2008.

https://www.hillaryclinton.com/briefing/factsheets/2016/02/23/growing-together-hillary-clintons-vision-for-building-a-brighter-future-for-native-americans/

"Protect Tribal Assets and Resources and Resolve Long-standing Disputes: Hillary will continue to work with tribes to settle litigation over breach of trust and mismanagement claims over trust assets and natural resources and to resolve other long-standing disputes. She will ensure that the Department of the Interior and Environmental Protection Agency work collaboratively with tribes and Alaska Native communities to sustainably and cooperatively manage fish and wildlife and protect the air, water, and other natural resources in Indian Country. And Hillary will continue to stand for Tribal sovereignty and in support of Tribal resources and sacred sites."

(That SHOULD be a clear enough answer)

http://www.indiancountrynews.com/index.php/news/politcs-business/2897-hillary-clintons-native-american-agenda


The difference between the two is staggering. If her being extremely busy trying to save the free world from an orange jackass and not having had the time to fully look into and understand this situation is REALLY a deal breaker then I don't know what to tell you.

[betsuni]

47. "Hillary, Hillary, Hillary!" -- I hear this in Jan Brady's voice.

[Mc Mike]

48. You know that dRUmpf has money invested in this pipeline, right?