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Tens of thousands of Americans and citizens around the world have rightfully spoken out about the Keystone XL oil pipeline, a roughly 2,000 mile long development that would carve up six states and enrich the 1% even more.
Few personify the wealthiest 1% more than Charles and David Koch, who’re among the largest financial beneficiaries of dirty tar sands oil. The Keystone XL pipeline would hurt America and make the Koch brothers richer. In other words, it would give the Koch brothers more billions of dollars to buy American democracy and bend it to their whims.
This doesn’t have to be the case. The State Department and White House can veto the pipeline’s permits because it crosses an international border with Canada.
The pressure’s on. The State Department was rightfully exposed for shoddy oversight. Leaders in Congress continue fighting to further investigate the Koch brothers’ involvement, and just recently, President Obama said he would personally approve or deny the Keystone XL pipeline.
It’s the biggest environmental issue from now until next year. Will President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chose American safety or will they hand the Koch brothers billions more in profit that they’ll politically use against them?
The world’s top scientists agree that the tar sands is virtually game-over for the climate. More than that, why would this administration lend a lifeline to its wealthiest adversaries?
As Jamie Henn, one of the partners for today’s rally outside the White House, wrote:
President Obama can deny the permit, right now, and shut down this flow of cash to the Kochs. In doing so, he’ll show that our national interest isn’t always determined by the 1%, in this case a few big oil companies and the Koch Brothers, but by the 99% of us who have to pay the price for their greed.
Let’ s not forget that the pipeline would raise the price of gasoline in the Midwest and jeopardize one of our nation’s most strategic and vital aquifers.
The Keystone XL oil pipeline is emblematic of a lot that we’ve learned about the Koch brothers since our Koch Brothers Exposed campaign began earlier this year. Whenever possible, the brothers try operating in the shadows and attacking the truth so they can get richer in secret.
We must continue holding them accountable. And we must pressure our leaders to make sure they don’t enrich two of the biggest threats to American democracy.
I invite you to take action at our Koch Brothers Exposed page on Facebook.
10 Comments
Obama will approve the permit. He has yet to stand up to corporate interests. Why start now?
I think Democrats as a whole have become sellouts.
NY Governor Cuomo took a Koch check.
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-10-07/gossip/27077419_1_tea-party-koch-industries-koch-and-cuomo
Months later, he was hacking away at the social safety nets.
http://my.firedoglake.com/lechero/2011/03/25/new-yorks-dis-advantage-program-casting-away-15000-previously-homeless-back-into-the-streets/
Obama and the democrats repeatedly deride their base. The rank and file democrats try to manipulate voters by repeatedly threatening them with the republican candidate.
What will it take for the majority of liberally minded people to realize that they’re being abused, manipulated, and deceived?
I predict the President will join his natural constituency, the KochRoaches. The President always chooses “Business leaders” instead of environmentalists. And I further predict the Obama Neutered Democratic Party will also beg the KochRoach Brothers for big campaign bribes.
Great Post.
A Koch check is Obama’s wet dream. He’s salivating for one.
I just can’t believe you would say something like this.
I’m helping:)
Obama will approve the permit. He has yet to stand up to corporate interests. Why start now?
He is the corp shill so he’ll never stand up and if he does this remember this is election cycle. He’ll say what ever he needs to win
Yep, someone/corp. will be paying 0 new office/suite for the family. Think Clitons.
If the Enviornmental Movement wants to have any meaning in the future it must gather all of it’s parts and stop this outrage by any means necessary.
If it moves on to the next fight when the pipeline is approved we are doomed, this is the most critical enviornmental fight to be waged in this century.
The only way i can see to stop this is for people to Occupy every square foot of the planned route.
I agree. This is the final fight. If tar sands goes through the environment is officially dead. Resistance must include all responses. No exceptions.
Rcc’d and concur with others that Obama will support pipeline legislation when it’s needed.
And that tar sands and THIS pipeline and others will speed up the damage to the planet, and to us.
Screwing up the Oglalla Aquifer is gonna be one of the biggest disasters to this nation, people and environs n critters.
We’re talking wasteland . . . .
Corporate money to BO is like giving catnip to your neighborhood feline. He can’t get enough of it no matter where it’s coming from.