Reply #4: the implications of a delay on the plan's future in America [View All]

[bigtree]

. . . are widely considered by the industry and environmentalists to amount to a shelving in the end. My attitude is that, if he doesn't fully intend for that to happen, we should use the delay to make certain of it.

At any rate, Redford's correct on two points. The delay is an affront to the folks in the Canadian government he gave his original nod to and to whoever in the industry he convinced he'd allow the project to move forward. Take that for what it's worth. I think it's about standard for politics --maybe a step ahead because of the political forces lined up against the President pressuring him to avoid the delay. Remember, the talk went from a delay until next year, to a new environmental impact report due in 2013.

Second, I think Redford is very correct in praising the President. That's how you generate political support, praising the politicians when they do the right thing, while encouraging them to move further. Redford's no kiss-ass on environmental issues. He's pretty sharp to give President Obama credit for this decision, no matter the shortcomings or or wrongness of the original policy that's been shifted in our direction.