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antiquie

(4,299 posts)
1. Massive Spill from Train Derailment in MN Confirmed as Carrying Toxic Tar Sands
Fri Mar 29, 2013, 04:23 PM
Mar 2013

From GD: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022584428
What could possibly go wrong? by HarveyDarkey

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
2. Be prepared. When Democrats end up voting for this crime against the
Fri Mar 29, 2013, 05:02 PM
Mar 2013

environment, you will be told that you hate Obama, or something.

Seriously though, 'what could go wrong'? I know this is a rhetorical question, but are our elected representatives even asking that question, or are they waiting to be told how to vote?

After the Monsanto vote, I don't have much hope that this will be stopped.

limpyhobbler

(8,244 posts)
4. People are sort of promising to escalate the resistance if Obama approves this.
Fri Mar 29, 2013, 06:07 PM
Mar 2013

Army Of 50,000 Ready For Arrest If Obama OKs Keystone

WASHINGTON — Environmentalists are promising mass arrests and acts of civil disobedience if the Obama administration moves forward with a controversial pipeline project through the Midwest — even as Obama's political arm seeks to use the project in its latest fundraiser.

Opponents to the Keystone XL pipeline, which would run from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, said they have more than 50,000 recruits ready to be jailed as part of one of the largest broad-scale direct-action protests in their movement's history.

"With our Keystone XL pledge of resistance, over 50,000 of us have put President Obama on notice that we will risk arrest to make him take meaningful action on climate by rejecting Keystone XL," said Becky Bond, political director at CREDO, a San Francisco–based progressive group that has protested Obama over Keystone before. The group has also stood with the administration on issues like gun control but it says it has a list of more than 50,000 activists ready to be arrested in civil disobedience actions should Obama approve the pipeline.

Although during a recent meeting with the House GOP President Obama raised pipeline supporters' hopes that he remains open to backing the project, on Thursday his newly independent political operation invoked Keystone in a call to action.
...
via http://www.buzzfeed.com/evanmcsan/army-of-50000-ready-for-arrest-if-obama-oks-keystone

It seems like the only way Keystone XL gets blocked, or delayed, is if there is pressure from the people. If there is enough pressure from people the Democrats could get scared and kick the ball down the road for the next Republican president to pick it up and run with it. And then we'll fight the Republicans, which could be an easier fight because liberals don't block for them.

Yeah true after things like the Monsanto vote, and just everything they do in DC, it's hard to be too hopeful. But really I almost don't care any more what they do because I'd love to see 20,000 people walking onto the pipeline easement in Nebraska or where ever, which is what I hope happens, because we already tried asking nicely and it doesn't work. I signed this pledge to resist and I really think it's time to start escalating stuff to mass non-violent disruptions. And people are definitely doing such things. Especially the Tar Sands Blockade people. Their Stop Tar Sands Profiteers Week of Action was a Huge Success with 55 Actions Across the Continent. The main thing is we need more people. Maybe if or when Obama approves this pipeline that will be the wake up call people need to get involved. The establishment doesn't want to rile people up too much. That's why I still have a little hope it could be blocked but barely care anymore.

Here's a video

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
6. Good, and I hope the crowds are huger. The movement against this pipeline has
Sat Mar 30, 2013, 10:30 AM
Mar 2013

been very impressive so far, but not enough to defeat Corporate power over our government since it is still very much alive.

As Rep. John Lewis said, 'it's time to get in trouble'. I think he's right.

grntuscarora

(1,249 posts)
8. A new group, FiftyOverFifty,
Mon Apr 1, 2013, 06:29 PM
Apr 2013

is working to mobilize older activists to fight the Pipeline with civil disobedience and arrest. If any boomers need some encouragement and support to join in the fight, the group is at http://fiftyoverfifty.org/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Fifty0verFifty?fref=ts

It's a small group, but growing, and feisty!

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
11. Thanks for that, it really will have to be a huge effort. And reading today
Wed Apr 3, 2013, 11:59 AM
Apr 2013

about how the DHS was watching OWS before it even got out on the streets, I am sure everyone involved in these protests are being watched also.

Maybe there should be, as part of the campaign to oppose this pipeline, a Pr campaign, citing what we now know about OWS and asking the DHS publicly to release its files on this movement. Let the people know in advance that there will be huge Corporate resistance to their efforts, some of it, as was the case with OWS, in the form of smear campaigns, identifying leaders for that purpose (they were completely foiled by OWS in that effort) and to watch out for the use of the words 'terrorist' and to also watch out on all political forums for those who will 'question' the protesters.

We know now for certain that our government will not be on the side of the people when it comes to corporate interests. We have to be more prepared for the onslaught, such as happened with OWS, backed by our Federal Govt, which we know now for sure, and pre-empt their assaults.

 

antiquie

(4,299 posts)
7. Fracking Chemicals Are Trade Secrets You Don't Need To Know About
Sat Mar 30, 2013, 12:16 PM
Mar 2013

A judge in Wyoming has denied a lawsuit by environmental groups against the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission demanding that the list of chemicals in fracking fluids be made public, ruling such lists are trade secrets that may be withheld under Wyoming’s open records law.
https://www.commondreams.org/further/2013/03/29
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