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Keystone Pipeline Route (image: TransCanada)
The Keystone XL tar sands pipeline looks like a done deal, but this development could throw a wrench into things if it starts a movement of governors in the pipeline’s path:
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman (R) urged President Obama Wednesday to reject a pending permit application for a controversial pipeline that would carry Canadian oil sands through his state.
In a letter to Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Wednesday, Heineman stressed that he is not opposed to oil pipelines generally. But he blasted TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline because it would cross part of Nebraska’s Ogallala Aquifer, which provides water for the state’s farmers and ranchers.
“Maintaining and protecting Nebraska’s water supply is very important to me and the residents of Nebraska,” Heineman said in the letter. “This resources is the lifeblood of Nebraska’s agriculture industry.”
Nebraska is one of the states most powerfully affected by the Keystone XL pipeline. The proposed route cuts through the Sand Hills region and the Ogallala Aquifer, which carries the potential for serious environmental damage in the event of a spill. Nebraska residents have been high-profile participants in the ongoing tar sands actions in front of the White House. But I’ll bet even they never expected their Republican governor to sign on to their cause.
I can’t remember any other GOP politician coming out against the tar sands pipeline, so this is pretty unusual. I wonder what the governor in the state that’s the final destination thinks about all this. Somebody should ask Rick Perry the next time they see him. I hear he’s touring a bunch of states.
Protests continue at the White House today, where over 500 activists have already been arrested. A final decision on the pipeline is expected at the end of the year. President Obama alone has the authority to stop the pipeline, and while the State Department has given every indication that it will approve the 1,700-mile pipeline from Canada’s tar sands to Texas, ultimately the permit application is the President’s call.
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Woohoo, someone he can ‘compromise’ with!
here’s hoping he starts a trend!
Your last paragraph is critically important, DDay.
And your last sentence the “money” line.
Well, Barack Obama, you may well be in the legacy class, yet you might, now, ponder what your “legacy” actually will be …
This issue, the pipeline, is the critical, last straw for many …
No one but Obama may be held responsible for this decision, ultimately.
That is the truth.
DW
OT, but related to protest arrests, has everyone seen Jane Hamsher’s tweets from Dan Choi’s trial? I would REALLY love to see some legal interpretation of these rulings!
http://twitter.com/#!/janehamsher
“Defense in @ltdanchoi case says arbitrary classification & “vindictive prosecution” may have gone all the way to the office of President
1 hour ago”
“Judge Facciola: @ltdancoi #GetEQUAL case may be more likely “vindictive prosecution” than “selective prosecution” by DOJ. 1 hours ago ”
Judge Facciola: “prima facie case for selective prosecution has been made” in @ltdanchoi case. Govt must now respond. 2 hours ago “
Maybe he is the new VP, something good has to happen, oh that is right, the new VP will be the President after this one, I feel trapped. Checkmate. Pull the fork out of mine eyes, I want to see what it is for real.
I just read a National Geograhpic article on the extent of these pipelines in Canada both already in the works/approved and under review.
Canada wants these things to go from coast to coat up there,. with ports on B.C. coast so the Chinese can load up on the west coast of Canada.
This will go straight thru their temperate rainforest and and the tankers will be allowed to navigate though the coastal inlets, zigging and zagging around narrow, mountain sided passages.
I really wonder if they’ve all gone absolutely nuts. The coastal Indian Tribes are totally against this ruination of their sacred environment, as you may well imagine. But they may not have a voice in the matter as, after all these years, their rights on the land have never been established. Convenient, Hey?
So, It’s not just US. Canada has gone insane as well.
There was also an article on how much research money is going to robotics……things that look human and can learn, applicable to performing household chores for the rich and, of course, battlefields.
Appropriate links:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/08/kermode-bear/barcott-text
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/08/canada-rainforest/barcott-text
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/08/robots/carroll-text
Whoa! Oilbomber really doesn’t want the Lesser People messing up his North American Union deal does he?
this may be our last chance to protest the destruction of our planet before the total police state takes over.
Thank him for taking a stand. I think we forget that positive reinforcement is in fact the most powerful to change long term behaviors.
http://www.governor.nebraska.gov/mail/govmail.html
I wrote him a letter of thanks.
Great post and great news!!! Thanks David!
Oh, sorry, I thought it was the Tar Sands ….but my comment still applies.
Many people express weariness with Choi. As Obummer has repealed DADT.
But, as we all know , with this guy it doesn’t happen until it happens.
I think China has won, it just has not been said in public, yet.
There is another LNG pipe going from the Intermountains, Wyo, Utar and other drainage, to somewhere in Oregon, on the coast! Now where would the gas go from there?
When will the announcement be made, who the winner is and in what hemisphere, and will I be a communist or is that to be too exclusive, they do not like liberals, especially old liberals. Does Medicare exist in the new order?
I am getting scared, it is scarey, fading fast Hal….what about my grandkids, my kids don’t matter anymore they are all middle aged, but my grandkids grandkids………
Yeah sorry, Dan was arrested at the Tar Sands protest also. But this trial is for the DADT protest. Easy to confuse, but it is why I thought it sort of fit in this thread because Dan went back and was arrested protesting Tar Sands.
Interesting, Kassandra, that you feel that, “Many people express weariness with Choi”, as I am beginning to suspect that we are seeing new political leadership clearly beginning to emerge … Those who act upon principle will become ever more precious in a time when greed and the lust for power are the transparent “interest” of most who seek either high office or “control” of corporate coffers …
DW
He may very well have a case for selective/vindictive prosecution in the Tar Sands arrest as well. DOJ, particularly the FBI, was really big on targeting the leaders of the Black Panthers and anti-war demonstrators back in the day. We’re seeing it again with the anti-war folks and Dan is the very public face of the LGBT movement. Methinks some of these people are wrapped way too tight.
I hate it when we have to rely on Republicans to save us from Democrats.
I think the Gov. just want’s something in return.
What’s the good Gov’s opinion of all the other oil pipelines under his state?
http://www.aopl.org/
People like Dan Choi are exactly the type we need to get to where we want to be. People who are willing to time after time come back and demand their rights.
Quite agree, SD.
DW
I also initially wondered why Dan Choi would “pollute his message” by going back to protest Tar Sands. Then I laughed at myself, because I am certainly interested in more than one subject! As is Jane Hamsher, Dave Dayen, Marcy Wheeler, all of FDL, etc. If anything it is better to be multi-dimensional than a one issue fanatic.
So, “Go Dan Choi!”
Yep. We sure as hell don’t need any more Osteritys or scum of the earth neoliberals/neoconservatives.
Not many single issue folks hangin’ at the Lake.
Aye, that is a true profile in courage, Twain, and of principle and fundamental moral rectitude.
Deserving of respect, appreciation, and support.
Words are very cheap and convenient things indeed, ’tis actions which measure the soul and the person.
DW
The big “they” will repulse him. It is just unbelievable, this President that is!
So far John Garamendi is the biggest mouth out there, I need someone to vote for next GD year. If not I may as well take a flying leap off the GG. Such a glorious expression.
I cannot believe what is going on, as an old man, I never worried about anything but Russia and China and being drafted and I did by a Liberal LBJ, he traded my draft for better things, I was absolutely sacrificed for the better good of the teabaggers, I am sick, I need a GG near by until the end, thank god for the GG Bridge, my big brother savior.
I must be loony, imagine calling a bridge your big brother. Hahaha.
Yep. “You’ve told me what you stand for, now show me.”
Having grown up in Kansas, I look at that pipeline and all I can say is, “Good luck during tornado season.”
Unfortunately Obama has shown us what he stands for and it’s not us, the Constitution, or our country.
Your choice of “handle”, shibboleth, is most interesting and I am certain that you well know the “test” which attends such a choosing. Is it of thine own self or of those who claim understanding which their actions and words daily deny? Or yet something else?
How old an “old man” might you be? For your perspectives seem well- reasoned, seasoned, and quite timeless to me?
DW
good idea, you’re a good soul wavpeac
To support a claim of selective prosecution, a defendant bears the burden of establishing unconstitutional discrimination in the administration of a penal statute. United States v. Gutierrez, 990 F.2d 472, 476 (9th Cir. 1993). In order to establish a prima facie case of selective prosecution, a defendant must show both “(1) that others similarly situated have not been prosecuted, and (2) that the prosecution is based on an impermissible motive, i.e. discriminatory purpose or intent.” Id. at 475 (emphasis added). See also United States v. Bourgeois, 964 F.2d 935, 938 (9th Cir. 1992). The impermissibly discriminatory purpose or motive must imply “that the decision-maker selected or reaffirmed a particular course of action at least in part because or, not merely in spite of, its adverse effects upon an identifiable group. The identifiable group is typically a race, religion, or group of persons exercising a constitutional right.” Gutierrez, 990 F.2d at 476 (citations omitted). Selective prosecution claims are evaluated according to ordinary equal protection standards. Bourgeois, 964 F.2d at 938.
Similarly, to establish a prima facie case of vindictive prosecution, a defendant must make a “showing that charges of increased severity were filed because the accused exercised a statutory, procedural, or constitutional right in circumstances that give rise to an appearance of vindictiveness.” United States v. Gallegos-Curiel, 681 F.2d 1164, 1168 (9th Cir. 1982).
http://www.justice.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title4/civ00138.htm
If Osterity approves the tar sands I wonder how many institutional “liberals” will apologize for the Wizard of O. Bubble Juice comes to mind, and all the staff writers at the Nation.
We’re talking Nebraska here, about as Republican a state you can find outside of Alabama. It’s also a state that is heavily dependent on agribusiness, so they don’t like things that can foul up farmland or aquifers.
First, the Nevada AG’s suit against BOA and then this Nebraska governor.
States rights doesn’t seem so bad today.
In the next to last paragraph you wonder about Rick Perry’s opinion on this project. Of course you’re not serious. Rick Perry and his “godfather”, Harold “Superfund” Simmons, are about as pro Big Oil, deregulation, and pollution as you can get.
What?! A gooper with some semblance of reason? He’s gone.
Thanks for this! I wrote him a thank-you. Here is his phone number for those so inclined -
402-471-2244
Isn’t Heineman a little late to the game at this point? Any prior indication of his opposition? Smells like kabuki, throwing a little meat to the Nebraskan “high-profile participants” in the tar-sands protests that DD mentions.
I’d be opposed to the Tar Sands mining regardless of the pipeline, but I am curious about one thing: Why don’t they build the refiners in Alberta? Why do they prefer to pipe the raw sludge to Texas refineries, then truck (or pipe) the finished product to U.S. markets? There are ample markets in the rust-belt states, why do they have to build a pipeline over the Ogallala Aquifer?
Because the bulk of the refined stuff looks to be exported… (via Digby)
What was the name of the ’08 Clinton campaign manager or worker who now works for Keystone? So, Hillay thinks it is just fine to build a pipeline with heavy crude over 1700 miles of the aquifer that 1/3 of our nation depends on? And, the risk will not insure that the riskily made gasoline will even be used strictly for Amercans? Heard the gas from the Keyst*ne privately owned 1700-mile-pipeline crude is slated for other nations– ie China. 1/3 of the nations water–natural resource–is put at risk for one private corp so they an sell a needed commodity abroad? NO. BUILD AMERICAN OWNED SOLAR OVER THE AQIFER–NOBRAINER.
Any American leader who allows the Keyst*ne pipeline is a bit of a pimp–prostituting our sacred land to the private corp. It is not theirs to give. It is not theirs to sell. It is not theirs to make a profit or obtain donations. Ask about decommisssioning any pipeline? The crude and pipeline are almost dinosaurs now, why such a huge investment and risk right before the changeover from oil? Messy mess. Will it just be left to rust bc no one will want to pay to have all bases and pipeline removed in time?
Heard the dirty oil company in the Gulf of Mexico just allowed, or is in the pocess of allowing Ru$$ia’s GasProm to drill with them in the Gulf–so close to us–as a trade for Arctic access. Don’t believe our politicians brokered the deal. Our stupid leaders allow a private corp to do so? GasProm is mostly owned by the Kremlin–they seem much smarter there. So much for any Bay of Pigs fear for us in the future. Does the private oil corp want to invite N. K*rea in on their Gulf deal too?
Well, it’s “globalism” ya know. Every country with enough cash can do anything they want to the ecosystem and get away with it.
If last summer’s BP disaster proved anyhting, it proved THAT.
I truly believe we are watching the fall of civilization/the Earth over ONE commodity…….OIL
Good for Dan Choi. Hopefully the Army will not take him back. He is way too good for them anyhow.
We could use an army of Dan Chois to take over from our corrupt government…by running for political office, or otherwise. Maybe the best people should just forget political office and work from the outside. But we need all the Dan Chois we can get.
As for the pipeline…I fear it is a done deal. And all the nonviolent protests are useless except to bring awareness of it to the populace. Then sabotage it as much as possible when its being built. But it will probably be a 24/7 construction operation and the workers will be very protective of their jobs. …unless they can be convinced to be saboteurs ?
The real powers behind the Oz Screen are obviously aiming to corner the fossil fuel markets…does this mean they could be suppressing free energy ? Ala Dr. Judy Wood’s theory of 911 ?
How connected is all this ? Crazy-making. Libya today, Algeria tomorrow. ye gads.