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Tar Sands Protesters: "Which Side Are You On, Obama? Which Side Are You On?"
Determined oilsands pipeline protesters can't hide disappointment
WASHINGTON — As hundreds of anti-oilsands activists gathered for a final day of civil disobedience Saturday at the White House, the sizable crowd erupted in familiar songs of protest.
More than 1,000 demonstrators have been arrested in the past two weeks in front of the White House as they protest against the Keystone XL Pipeline project. (Luis M. Alvarez/Associated Press) One lilting verse carried across the White House lawn louder than the others: "Which side are you on, Obama? Which side are you on?"
After two weeks of daily sit ins, more than 1,250 arrests and two administration decisions that infuriated U.S. environmental groups, many of the activists departed Washington emboldened by the success of their demonstrations.
But they were also dispirited with a U.S. president who they increasingly believe is betraying campaign promises to put green issues at the top of his agenda.
"I think we have been able to galvanize the environmental movement in a way that it hasn't been in a long time," said Bill McKibben, who organized 14 days of protests against Alberta-based TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline.
"That said, I don't know whether any of that is strong enough to match the power of the oil industry."
Since Aug. 20, the activists had gathered each morning — save one when Hurricane Irene passed by the U.S. capital — outside the White House in the hopes of persuading U.S. President Barack Obama to deny a presidential permit allowing the 2,700 kilometre pipeline to be built.
The protest started out modestly enough, with 65 people arrested on the first day. But rather than lose steam during Washington's humid dog days of summer, the sit ins gained momentum.
On Saturday, more than 200 people were arrested after refusing to leave the White House sidewalk on Pennsylvania Avenue. Hundreds more rallied a few metres away in Lafayette Park.
The crowd was large enough that United States Park Police officers brought a District of Columbia city bus — powered by "clean natural gas" — to transport the arrestees to a precinct for processing.
"First thing, clearly we have managed to take what had been a pretty obscure and regional issue and make it a national one," McKibben said of the debate over Keystone XL, which would carry up to 900,000 barrels of oil per day from Hardisty, Alberta to refineries on the Gulf Coast of Texas.
"We have made it clear that Barack Obama himself is on the hook, that it is going to be his choice (whether to approve the project)."
But amid the festive atmosphere — which on Saturday included a rock band, a kazoo player and one protester who symbolically tarred and feathered himself — there was an undercurrent of disappointment.
Only a week ago, the U.S. State Department released a final environmental impact study on Keystone XL that found the pipeline would have no significant impact on natural resources on its route. The study largely dismissed environmentalists' concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and the threat of oil spills along its route.
Several protesters were overheard Saturday complaining about a more recent Obama decision — his announcement Friday that his administration was abandoning plans to impose new anti-smog rules on U.S. industry.
Obama's move to block his own Environmental Protection Agency's plan to beef up Bush-era ozone standards was seen in the green community as a cave-in to Republicans, who allege the new limits would kill jobs.
But at the police barricades in front of the White House, the president's move was also being interpreted as a sign Obama was more likely than ever to give Keystone XL the green light.
The size of Saturday's anti-oilsands crowd was larger than previous sit ins, in part, because of "anger" over the anti-smog ruling, McKibben said.
The environmental author said he was "stupefied" by Obama's decision, which he said was more typical of something a Republican president would do.
"My first response was, 'How did (Republicans) manage to snatch Obama and put a stunt double in his place?'" McKibben said.
"My guess is, of the people who were arrested, 95 per cent of them voted for the guy in the White House in 2008. And everyone is just desperate to see that guy they elected back in there."
The White House protests have been peaceful and the relationship between activists and police was for the most part cordial.
High-profile environmentalists arrested in the past two weeks included actresses Margot Kidder, Daryl Hannah and Tantoo Cardinal. Former U.S. vice president Al Gore issued a public statement applauding the protesters for "bravely" standing up against Canadian oil.
Linda Rosier, an Ontario activist who was arrested Friday alongside Canadian author Naomi Klein, was back at the White House on Saturday.
"We're not giving up hope. We are appealing to Mr. Obama, and his heart, and what he hopes for his children," said Rosier.
Like almost all of the activists who were arrested over the past two week, Rosier was released after paying a $100 fine and receiving a minor citation.
The Obama administration says it will make a final decision on Keystone XL before the end of the year.
77 Comments so far
Show AllDon't vote in 2012, tell eveyone you know DON'T VOTE at all. the system is fixed, there is no reason to participate. If voter turn out is very low that will send the strongest message voters can send. We can't participate in something that is not legitimate.
And its not as if something "bad" will happen if we don't vote and some wing nut "wins" the outcome is garbage no matter who wins.
Vote boycotts have been used in various repressive regimes in the past, but they have to make a really big dent before the media will recognize them, and not just spout nonsense about how the electorate moved to the right. Voter turnout would probably have to be below 50% of "normal" to get attention ...
Do you work for the Republicans, Off-with-their-heads.
Better than voter suppression, just have people stay away from voting.
Ohio is trying to restrict mail in ballots, the time to register and so forth.
We need to build citizens, not the consumers and the ignorant who are gaining ground.
Are you saying that there can be no meaningful change? Well, it can get a lot worse in a hurry. With the security state armed with nearly a million people and throw in the military, we could be ready for repressing domestic terrorism or whatever the powerful want to hide.
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Actually, the most important thing is to absolutely NOT VOTE for either a Democrat or a Republican.
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It's fine to vote 3rd party, or even for a write in candidate. It's not VOTING that we want defeated. It's the DUOPOLY.
I agree with both what you and DenR say but I think he may have a point on the voting system itself. If our votes don't count except when it's D or R depending on the state, it almost makes some of us feel like we're as good as not voting.
If you show up to vote..it gives them another 'number' to play with in their electronic black box manipulations..The Duopoly is frightening, but so is the sheer manipulation potential along with the collusion of the MSM. Just look at the non-reporting of the Ron Paul results in the straw pole(not that I support Ron Paul...but OBVIOUSLY he's NOT one of 'them')...I don't know what is real anymore....
Agree 100% I may vote for Greens (and Ron Paul deal liberals) but more as a fuck you to a broken system than anything else. Or like George Carlin says I may stay home and masturbate, same difference!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efKguI0NFek
We need to do exactly the opposite. Everyone vote for the only legitimate candidate,
Ron Paul. How do we know he's the only legitimate one, simple the Lame Stream Media tells us he can't win. That obviously means he is the best candidate, why else would the corporate media marginalize him. Remember one simple truth about the
US government and their lackeys in the media. Every single thing they tell you is a lie. The truth is always the polar opposite of what they tell. They tell you something, like airport scanners are safe, run like heck, they aren't. They tell you some food item is safe don't touch it. They tell you a vaccine is safe, run in the opposite direction. They tell Ron Paul can't win or isn't a "front runner" then vote for him. And when they tell you the dollar is sound, buy gold as fast as you can. Everything the US government is and says is a lie..
Ron Paul is just as owned by the Corporate moneymen and Koch-suckers in the background as any other US politician.
How do you think he got elected in the first place?
Ron Paul is a corporate whore, whose every policy is designed to enrich a wealthy and powerful corporation by sacrificing the well being of the people, and our democratic process. All he is a very extreme and conservative Republican who, like the others, has serious mental health problems and probably belongs in a psychiatric ward. the mans ideas, such as abolishing the fed and his insane and nutty gold currency ideas show, intentional or unintentional ignorance of sound economic policy. He is a lunatic. He preys on poorly educated and ignorant middle america voters who don't understand how the economy works or much else.
Some have tried to suggest there is a difference between "Libertarians", Conservatives and Tea party nutbags, I say they are pretty much the same. They are all assets of corporate fascists who want to destroy the democratic government and its role in providing social gaurantees and a mechanism for altruistic and democratic economic policy and democratic worker welfare and environmental protection. The Libertarians nor the rest of them have nothing to do with freedom or liberty because they support a corporate plutocracy and destroying the very government and altruistic pro commoner regulations that protect workers and work to promote social justice and reduce income inequality and stratification, a democratic government that is proactive in protecting the environment and people and represents all is essential to securing our freedom from what FDR called the economic royalty.
How about Obama? Is he a lunatic too for attacking Libya with a sociopathic smile and without consulting Congress? Just another war criminal from what I can see like Bush. Say what you want about Paul, at least he's not a war cheer leader.
Ervadaras, very well said. Ron Paul is another wolf in sheep's clothing, just like Obama
It makes sense to me to register Republican and vote for Ron Paul in the primary, because it could only be good for him to become the Republican candidate. (Does anyone know if in California one need actually register Republican to vote for a Republican in the primary? I'm not sure how the rules work.) I can imagine many "progressives" disagreeing, because (a) they would rather have Obama run against Bachman or Perry, or (b) they would prefer a Romney to become President instead of Paul. I don't find much of value in either of those positions, since I don't want either Obama or Romney to be President.
If Paul did get the candidacy, then one could make the decision later whether to vote for him, vote for someone else, or not vote at all.
I TOTALLY 100% disagree with you. You are wrong, a dropout of progressive voters would be a disaster and would make it appear that the progressive voting block does not exist, and perhaps give even more reasons tor a larger power grab by a corporate elite, weakening democracy even more. If we are concerned about the state of democracy, last thing to do is not vote.
I would say, If you are upset with Obama, vote for a third progressive party, the Greens, Socialists, something like that, this is to show that there is a progressive voting block out there but we no longer support the wolf in sheeps clothing, O-bomb-a who is a conservative who is trying to undermine progressives.
I thank you for being a voice of reason crying out in an apparent wilderness of ignorance.. Those who advocate staying home do not understand the process, do not comprehend that the power is still with the people, if only we would exercise that power. Demographics matter, for those who wish to see the Democrats move leftward a large bloc of former democratic voters voting Green (my personal choice) or for another third party alternative would be a great incentive to that party to move leftward.
For those who believe that both major parties are Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and it matters not which one occupies the White House or has a majority in the Legislature I also believe this but understand that my civic responsibility to take part is not abrogated because both parties have sold their souls to the corporate dollar. That we have a corrupt government means to me that we must redouble our efforts to change this, not that we can excuse ourselves from the process.
Lastly, I have great respect for the intelligence of progressives and leftists, thus I state that those who advocate voting for Ron Paul are neither. Do not be fooled by these libertarian trolls disguising themselves as our allies and gushing about one or two points of Paul's platform and libertarian beliefs that seem to dovetail with progressive ideas and ideals. I urge you to do the work and educate yourselves on this political "whites only" selfish and dangerous movement.
re. Don't vote in 2012, tell eveyone you know DON'T VOTE at all. the system is fixed, there is no reason to participate.
Instead, just don't buy into the one corporatist party system split into two factions by voting GREEN.....[for the Green Party] to lodge you're complaint against this one corporatist party system split into two factions
Rather, I would suggest every pissed off democrat vote the socialistic ticket. It is the only statement that will throw fear in the heart of the rich just as it did after the "great" depression.
If people stay away from the polls in massive numbers, it will be indistinguishable from defeatism and laziness. I agree with everyone here who recommends going into the voting booth and voting for SOMEONE. It could be a socialist, a Green, Bradley Manning, your Mom. There may even be the odd Democrat worth supporting. Vote for at least one person for one office. Feel free to refrain from voting for the rest. If there is a big gap between the numbers turning out to vote, and the total votes for the "two parties", it is a measurable protest.
How upset do you imagine the Dem or Pug elect will be with a low vote count? Not voting harbors no danger for officeholders whatsoever.
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Furthermore, not voting does not even tell the goons what demographic they have to cater to: it gives them no reason to pause in thieving, no reason to slow their plans to put up a front, nothing worthy of their notice.
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Worse, perhaps, it also does not tell one's comrades that someone else has opinions that correspond to theirs. The popular majority slinks to or away from another election imagining that no one else wants what they really want, and that resistance is futile after all.
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Vote for a third party.
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Ideally, some charismatic Green or independent candidate might swing a larger showing. Ideally, this might be the year that secures a place for Greens on national debate and national ballots. But if not, what of it?
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If the showing is dismal, even as dismal as it was in 2008 - which is unlikely! - one still shows some interest to one's colleagues and paves the way for a third party viable enough to put candidates on every state ballot in national elections and strong enough to unseat the elect of the business parties.
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Despite the near-universal cant of both elites and media, clear majorities of Americans want to tax the rich, bolster education, cut military spending, ensure authentic single-payer national health care for all, and bring most or all of the American military home.
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Neither party much represents those people, and there is a specific reason they can so easily avoid doing so: most people who recognize that the system is exploitative do not vote.
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If you're going to tell anyone to not vote, make it the Young Republicans.
" As hundreds of anti-oilsands activists gathered for a final day of civil disobedience Saturday at the White House..."
A bare week of photo ops and photogenic arrests for 'green' celebrities and headline seeking Government scientists, while Obama is on HOLIDAY (and ignoring your useless asses), and you think *that* is going to change the mind of the possibly the single greatest Corporate whore in American history posing as the US President?
What about the US appreciation and adoration of the common Egyptians who underwent WEEKS of protest and outright combat in the streets in order to force long-time US puppet Hosni Mubarak from power?
Give me a fucking break!!
The US has NO IDEA of what suffering for a cause REALLY means!
Other than a bare handful of like minded people who actually dare to speak on this and other boards, the vast majority of the US population deserve to go hell. For the suffering inflicted on the world so you can stuff your faces and drive your petroleum fuels behemoths, you can ALL go straight to hell.
"the vast majority of the US population deserve to go hell. For the suffering inflicted on the world so you can stuff your faces and drive your petroleum fuels behemoths, you can ALL go straight to hell."
Totally agree, that's why the argument that Ron Paul would cause domestic suffering doesn't move me much, I just don''t fucking care that much if American pigs suffer if we can save third world innocents from American empire. The ONLY thing that would cause me to hesitate to vote for Paul is even more debacles like tar sands mining and more suffering eco-systems. That WILL make me pause as innocent animals don'r serve to suffer, but save your pissing and moaning over abortions or the "rights" of *gay war criminals, it doesn't move me AT ALL.
Gay marriage yes, gay war criminals can go fuck themselves!
If voter turn out is low, they'll simply say that voters LIKE the way things
are --
I can't believe that so many are still confused about what side Obama is on!!
Sadly -- ROFL!!
sweet jesus, *another* one of these? how slow are these people upstairs?
the articles should all be, "what do we do now and how do we achieve it?".
It's obvious what's wrong. It's obvious the system is frigging broken. And it's been this way for several years at a minimum. This shouldn't even be topical anymore.
Dammit, I *never* want to hear some smug Dem/liberal talk about how stupid the tea party people are ever again, because as far as slow and stupid go, the race between the two camps for the title of "Most Gullible" is damn near neck and neck.
" the articles should all be, "what do we do now and how do we achieve it?"."
I strongly agree and like some, I'm trying to ask for such articles. I can't say that this idea sits well with certain people on this site. Like Alternet, Rawstory, Mother Jones, etc..., this site could end up being just another to add to the "must vacation from" list. Keep the spirit and goodwill though. We'll just have to post links to better but relevant articles as always in the meantime.
hey, max, how ya doin'? i was just thinking, you've come a long way since I first read you several years ago over on Alternet.
Drone, I'm doing quite well and try to keep it that way, thank you. And how about yourself? I must confess that my trip to Asia last year started the long term influence. That and both my wife and I taking more interest in learning about Eastern thinking and psychology. I realize that I sound a whole lot different but it's a long story and some of it I don't know how to say. Thanks for the kind reply and best wishes to you.
As I recall, you were working for a defense contractor, and struggling with that reality and where your heart was taking you at the time. I remember identifying with that, because it was similar to my own trip from former cold warrior to radical. Hard road! And hell on one's social life!
I've always had a soft spot for people who take that trip even just a little, because I know how hard it can be from my own experience. And I wish that as a community, my fellow radicals were more understanding and welcoming to those who start that journey, just as a few of them were to me when I started 15 years ago. Unlearning a lifetime of social programming is no easy task....:) Anyhoo, I'll stop being a sentimental old lefty now. Keep on pushing!
It's all good, my friend. Speaking of radical, Tom Larsen and I had a discussion about it and reminded me of people who are real radicals vs drama kings/queens who just borrow language from the radicals to look "radical" while often verbally violating the principles of radicalism. Here's the link:
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/07/12-1
If only we all could be union members and not have to work against each of our own goodwills. The classists and far righties would denounce it as socialism. One of these days, "Labor Day" might get back its original meaning and identity.
Quite right drone, the O-bots and tea-bots deserve each other, it's a shame the rest of the world needs to suffer endless war and corporate predation because of them!
:( x 10000000000000000
Oh Mr. McKibben, i have always said you were one of the true believers in the saviour in chief. You are still believing in the man you voted for. You just can't believe you were fooled. That is just sad.
Abused wife syndrome.
Drosera, i had the same thought when i was posting the other day, about those who can't get past the fact that the man they fell in love with just isn't the same man they are married to. I see that syndrome constantly.
So these people will inevitably keep trying to change the abusive spouse in order to resurrect the person they once believed him/her to be.
Lacks the punch of "Hey, Hey, LBJ..."
ahh! thank you for the belly laugh. So therapeutic.
Symbolic protests in a totalitarian corporate state are about as effective as a sit-in on the Death Star, hoping that Darth Vader won't blow up the planet.
The only thing this protest is going to do is 1) make the participants feel as if they did something, and 2) create a bunch of disillusioned environmentalists that may actually take direct action in the future to prevent the construction of the pipeline (i.e. the silver lining)
Great post, stealing and sharing on Facebook, MUCH better than the article!
Posts like this are the ONLY reason I come back to this site.
Hey, if the White House was my house and i saw a bunch of my friendly neighbors at my gate, i would have come out to greet them. We would have chatted and when the police showed up i would have said , "Not bothering me officer, these are my pals. So just pass on by and leave these good folks alone."
THIS DID NOT HAPPEN. Why not?
You asked,>>> (" THIS DID NOT HAPPEN. Why not? ")
Ask Gabby Giffords that question..
sorry , but you missed my point, Just pointing out he did nothing, absolutely nothing as he allowed the activists/concerned citizens to be arrested. Of course there would be security concerns. That goes without saying.
You are kidding right? If you aren't it's because Oily Bomber is a corporate tool who loathes environmental protestors who make his oil buddies look bad.
The envoronmental impact of the pipeline itself is not the main issue. The main issue is that the continuation or increase in the use of fossil fuels contributes to global warming which has already caused frightening climatic changes. We must reduce our carbon footprint.
Alberts sez: "(McKibben) said he was "stupefied" by Obama's decision, which he said was more typical of something a Republican president would do."
***
If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and ...
Obama is on the side of the corporate, military, surveillance police state oligarchy that now controls, owns and operates the US and to whom his total unquestioning allegiance has been from day one. Their primary values are power, profits, control and the ruling oligarchs haven't the slightest real interest in environmental impacts of their anything for some bucks actions nor in the health, welfare, and safety of the people. When will liberals generally and in this instance environmentalists recognize that grade school to grad school textbook descriptions of the US political structure and functioning simply no longer apply, at all?? How to help them escape the consensus trance in which they seem bound? Time to recognize a tyranny for what it is. That hundreds of people did make this symbolic act of protest is what Chris Hedges advocates as the last forms of public protest and calls for accountability that we are left with and which may keep the flickering flame of dissent a bit visible, even as a whole set of converging crises descend on us all from peak oil/energy to ever more severe climate events to a disintegrating infrastructure to global food shortfalls. Even the ruling elites in their secluded enclaves in the Hamptons, Manhattan high rises, Aspen, and Davos will be unable to escape as the long emergency develops its full force.
If I hear anyone say one more time that we're a democracy. I'll puke. What kind of a democracy is it when people are arrested just because they gather peacefully and protest on a sidewalk adjacent to the White House? Do we have monarch in there or what?
If people refrain from voting the MSM (in cahoots with the duopoly junta) will say that the nation wants more right wing policies. If people are smart they will vote for the Greens or write in "None of the Above"
Courtjestrr: I totally agree, so well said. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Asking Obama "which side" he is on falsely implies that there is more than one. Might as well "talk to the hand..."
If these protesters don't know by now, what "side" Obama is "on", they are "shills" for Obama and the Democrats, forever promoting false hope!
Bill McKibben is a FOOL! The crisis of global warming cannot be "fixed" by riding bicycles! Here is what must be done!
NATIONALIZE (SOCIALIZE) THE TOXIC ENERGY INDUSTRIES (OIL, GAS, COAL, NUCLEAR)
To end ecological destruction (global warming) of the planet,
To end the wars for oil profit in the Middle East,
To cut back the Military-Industrial Complex, use the wasted billions for the needs of the people. Shutdown the 700 plus overseas bases to generate billions needed to fund the unmet needs of the people in the U.S.
To transition toxic energy industries to non-toxic sustainable energy.
To reclaim and provide for potable water, clean air, organic land essential to human survival
To use remaining profits to provide funding for millions of jobs.
To re-train, re-employ or retire affected workers with full pay, health care, benefits.
Read the full article here, including a call for a new pro-labor, anti-corporate political party, to DUMP THE DEMOCRATS IN 2012!
http://peaceandfreedom.org/blog/?p=5586#more-5586
An Informal email Reply to the AFL-CIO Trivialization of Labor Day
Jerry Wells:.....Brilliant post. I will check out the suggested website.
Jerry Wells: I just checked out your suggested website. Your essay was terrific, other readers please take note. Your four strategies for the AFL-CIO are excellent, so on the mark.
If you have to ask which side he's on, you just don't get it.