What would lead an ordinary person like me to the White House fence?
My immediate inspirations were three: Tim DeChristopher, my daughter Erica, and Bill McKibben.
I found Tims actions to be truly inspirational. His civil disobedience in 2008, for which he was sentenced to two years in prison this year, and his words upon being sentenced - "I do not want mercy; I want you to join me" were powerful.
I also remembered Ericas comment "Mom, why didnt you do this earlier?," referring to my environmental activism.
Bill McKibben clinched the deal that I would go when he publicized the action he had organized, and said that "those of us without kids or careers to worry about" should be the ones on the front lines.
Other inspirations were probably in the back of my mind, including my husband Bruce, my granddaughters, and fellow religionists. When I met Bruce, he had participated in anti-war work and demonstrations; I had never done any such thing. We now have two adorable granddaughters (thanks, Erica!) to whom we want to leave a livable world. A couple of decades ago, we became Unitarian Universalists, and met people who truly had the courage of their convictions, and moved (not just stood up) for what they believed in. I learned to be a conservationist (the original conservatives?) from my parents.
What is the Tar Sands issue, and why is it important?
There are sands under boreal forests, especially in Alberta, Canada. Those who want to exploit them call them "oil sands" and those of us who want to protect them call them "tar sands." There's no oil, only gunk called bitumen mixed with sand.
Oil companies would build the Keystone XL Pipeline from the Alberta Tar Sands, south to Texas refineries, and then on to the highest bidder. First Nations communities in Canada and Native American tribes along the pipeline route in the U.S. have already experienced some desecration of their lands, and have demanded the destruction ceases.
Keystone would cross the Ogallala aquifer in Nebraska, a major water source, including for much of American agriculture, and its predicted to have relatively frequent leaks. Another concern about the Tar Sands Pipeline is the long-term climate change consequences: climatologist James Hansen has said that "if the tar sands are thrown into the mix it is essentially game over" to stabilize climate and "disastrous global climate impacts."
For all these reasons, and more, building the pipeline wouldnt help get the US off foreign oil (much less get off oil altogether), it would be an environmental injustice to First Nations/Native Americans and to future generations. In general, it would be a disaster for our society. "Silence is Deadly," as Hansen recently titled a paper.
What Now?
The decision to issue a permit for the Keystone XL is in President Obamas court, and will probably be decided by the end of November. He alone must make the decision, although he will be advised by the State Department.
Fortunately, congress doesnt have anything to say about it.
State will be holding hearings around the country later this month, in Port Arthur, TX; Topeka, KS; Glendive, MT; Lincoln, NE; Austin Texas; Pierre, SD; Atkinson, NE; and Midwest City, OK. I hope to attend at least one of the hearings. Will you join me?
Terry Wiggins, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee
[Ed note: Terry just retired as Treasurer of the UUMFE Board. Among the approximately twenty UU's that were arrested were UUMFE Board member Vince Pawlowski, part President Barbara Ford, and MFE consultant Pam Sparr.]
NOTE: Information about the State Department public meetings for the Keystone XL Pipeline permit and the public comment period can be found at http://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov/clientsite/keystonexl.nsf?Open .
Meetings are scheduled from Sept. 26 through Sept. 30 in the impacted states and the final meeting in Washington, D.C. will be held on Oct. 7. Public Comments can be submitted online through Oct. 6 at http://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov/clientsite/keystonexl.nsf/CommentFset?OpenFrameSet
Also, keep up to date with the Tar Sands Action project and a planned demonstration in Washington on Oct.6th or 7th at http://www.tarsandsaction.org/what-comes-next-for-tar-sands-action-09-06/#more-1336