“Last-Ditch Bid in Texas to Try to Stop Oil Pipeline” by Dan Frosch of the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/13/us/protesters-gather-at-keystone-xl-site-in-texas.html?_r=0)
In Texas, where TransCanada is trying to build an oil pipeline, many environmentalists and inhabitants of the area are living in trees where the pipeline is being built so that they cannot cut down the trees. The pipeline runs from Oklahoma to the Gulf coast, carrying crude oil sands across the country.The protestors have built a system of platforms as high as 70 feet up in the trees where the pipeline is going through. Many of the protestors have gone to even bigger measures, such as blocking machinery from getting through and chaining themselves to equipment and materials. Many have been arrested.
Many landowners have sold parts of their land to the company, some not knowing what the pipelines would contain. The author of the article gave an example: “One landowner, Susan Scott, said she had no idea the pipeline would carry oil sands crude, and signed over a right of way to TransCanada only because she feared a lawsuit.” Many of the landowners in the area got money for their land, and didn’t really know what they were dealing with. So far, their efforts have not been overwhelmingly successful.
I agree with what the protestor’s are doing, because I don’t agree with what the company is doing. I don’t think they should be risking their lives, but I do think they should try to stop the company, even if it is just to make a point.
This article reminds me of what we learned about toxic chemicals in the environment, because the oil sands the pipeline is carrying is toxic, and could harm the forest ecosystems, and cutting down all of the trees would greatly reduce the amount of producers in the ecosystem. The protesting may not be effective in stopping TransCanada, but it would prove a point about what they are doing and how their project is affecting everyone. What do you think about the protestors’ efforts to try to stop the pipeline?
Article:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/13/us/protesters-gather-at-keystone-xl-site-in-texas.html?_r=0
I agree with the protesters, but is living in a tree really the answer? With many protests, people chain themselves to construction materials or try to mess with the project in some other way. While the protesters are certainly there for a good cause, they are simply creating a complicated and potentially dangerous situation. I feel that many protests are too drastic and thus make the protesters look crazy. Who's going to really listen to some weirdo living in a tree? Does anyone ever think of just filing a petition anymore? Talking to a wildlife protection organization or news station to spread the word? These people are probably damaging the trees more than they are protecting them. I agree with the cause, but not the actions of the protesters.
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