Caleb Thornton
Advertising & Distribution Editor
Let me begin this editorial by stating I will be not objective. In fact, it will be quite obvious I am all in support of the actions this article will look at and decipher.
On Tuesday, Sept. 6, my soul sister Jill Stein joined over 100 others to gather and protest the Dakota pipeline.
Stein, a third-party candidate for the 2016 presidential elections, decided to adhere to her Green Party standards and really give the whole concept of shipping out crude oil from the Dakota territory to Illinois a big middle finger. In fact, she spray painted some equipment in her protest efforts.
Stein is now facing charges of either misdemeanor or felony acts because of her actions.
For some reason, some people in power think it’s a fan-freaking-tastic idea to transport tank after tank of crude oil from its original location to Illinois, who can apparently utilize it and appreciate it more than those who already have it.
Basically, the whole debate revolves around continuing industrialization versus damaging the ecosystem. It’s pretty much the same battle we’ve been fighting since “back in the day” when America first started using natural resources, only now the world (or parts of it, at least) is concerned, and rightfully so, with global warming.
Disclaimer: I am not saying I believe in or do not believe in global warming, but I do agree it is something to be concerned about.
Energy Transfer states, “The Dakota Access Pipeline Project is a new approximate 1,172-mile, 30-inch diameter pipeline that will connect the rapidly expanding Bakken and Three Forks production areas in North Dakota to Patoka, Ill.. The pipeline will enable domestically produced light sweet crude oil from North Dakota to reach major refining markets in a more direct, cost-effective, safer and environmentally responsible manner. The pipeline will also reduce the current use of rail and truck transportation to move Bakken crude oil to major U.S. markets to support domestic demand.”
As one might imagine, a pro-Earth, pro-ecosystems, pro-anything natural Green Party presidential candidate would be upset on a grand scale at these shenanigans. Everyone with a brain and heart for the planet should be upset.
It is not the desire to help businesses or the market that makes me side with Stein and her posse, but rather the lack, or apparent lack, of legitimate-not-political care for the habitats or natural flow of the Dakota area.
It is not wise to take something so essential and difficult to produce as crude oil by large quantities away from its natural home and use it for something that could probably do just fine or adequate without that.
It’s not cool to put business and market integrity before the planet you live, eat and breathe on. I’m just asking if this was their only choice/last opportunity/only way to go, or if they just saw the opportunity to molest our planet and use it for our selfish gain.
Stein should be punished for doing something that would get a regular Joe Blow in trouble, but really, I can’t hate her for doing it. I’m kind of in love with her for doing it.
Hopefully this kind of event completed by someone in the public eye will force some people to put our precious sphere of life, human waste and water into their at least top five priorities.