On the Keystone Pipeline Protests, and Eco-Socialist Reading

BACKGROUND

I'm sure my introduction of the Keystone Pipeline issue might be moot to most of you. Despite the relative dearth in major news media coverage during this election cycle, many folks seemed to be attuned to the standoff over this pipeline in the American Midwest. For the sake of my readers that aren't entirely familiar with it and for the sake of the structure of this blog post, here's a quick introduction:

Originally developed by mega oil firm, TransCanda, the Keystone Pipeline System is an oil pipeline system in Canada and the United States that runs from West Canada to refineries in Illinois and Texas in addition to other oil tank farms and distribution centers in the US. Three phases of the project are in operation ans the fourth phase, known as the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline would duplicate the freshman line running crude oil, only with a shorter route and a larger-diameter pipe.

Voiced early on in the process, concerns by local environmentalists about the impacts on the terrain of the Sandhills region turned into all out protests. The US State Department got involved to review the proposal setting in motion a series of halts.

SOLIDARITY

Before I go any further, I want to give my off-the-cuff reaction. Specifically, I want to express my unequivocal support of the men and women whose frustration at the blatant lack of concern for their well-being due to the senseless pursuit of profit at any cost moved them to act. These people are marvels in a democratic union. Their tirelessness amazes me and inspires me.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND IT'S IMPLICATIONS

A federal judge rejected the Native American plaintiff's request for an injunction to terminate the pipeline project. However, in a move echoing his earlier decision from November of 2015, the Obama Administration effectively shut down any and all further construction of the pipeline.

What are the implications of this? Well, it means that the Obama administration is siding with the people over business interests; people who are siding with the integrity of the natural world.

PERSONAL HOPES

It really feels good as an eco-socialist to see the publicly funded representative government doing what's best for the long-term health of the people and for the land they inhabit. Obviously, President Obama could have realy come out swinging on this BUT I understand... politics. What are my hopes going forward on this? I don't want this to be a one-issue phenomenon. I don't want the conversation about big business ambitions as the enemy of a the public and nature as the ward of the public to just evaporate or go into the shadows. I want this momentum to build. I want it to grow.

I want to shift focus to the Caribbean a little bit (surprise, surprise).