Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Native Americans strongly opposed to Keystone XL, threaten violence
The proposed Keystone pipeline will run directly through sacred buriel grounds and the large aquifer that supplies the Rosebud Souix tribes in South Dakota. "The tribe last week declared that a vote to authorize the controversial pipeline, which would carry tar sand oil from Canada to a port in Louisiana, amounts to an “act of war” against the tribe. Members of the tribe have for seven months been camped in the proposed path of the pipeline, and say they’ll stay there “forever” if need be to stop the pipeline." The leader of the Rosebud Souix, President Cyril Scott says "our people have been massacred throughout the generations".
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If the pipeline actually does present a serious threat to the Native American tribes, then I think that Congress should refrain from having the pipeline go through the Native American lands. Native Americans have already suffered greatly at the hands of the government, and I do not think that the pipeline is worth insulting and further antagonizing the Native Americans. I am not sure whether the Native Americans are actually serious about fighting the legislation with violence, but if they are willing to die to prevent the pipeline from being built, I think that Congress should consider whether Native American culture and lives are more important or whether the pipeline is. That being said, if Congress still thinks that the pipeline is important and that the Native Americans are exaggerating the effects of the pipeline, the two groups should try to work out a compromise if possible.
ReplyDeletePublishing this story to try to stir up sympathy for the Sioux tribes is a rather futile effort to serve a political agenda, even by MSNBC's low journalistic standards. They're essentially condoning the violent rhetoric and preposterous arguments about "massacre throughout the generations" by legitimizing Scott's claims. Due to the jobs, international trade benefits, and domestic energy source it will provide, the Keystone XL pipeline has wide bipartisan support in both houses of Congress, and climate scientists overwhelmingly say that it will cause minimal harm to the environment. Clearly, there are no adverse affects that the pipeline is expected to cause. If there were, MSNBC would be able to come up with something better than implying genocide in its effort to propagandize people into opposing the project. This "article" equates supporting the pipeline to being insensitive to the plight of Native Americans, which is an absurd accusation. Obviously, it is no one's intention, or ulterior motive, as the "article" suggests, to depose or harm people by constructing the pipeline. That should go without saying. If need be, Congress and the tribal leaders can attempt to work out a compromise that will satisfy both sides. However, the pipeline has too many advantages not to be built as planned. It is almost laughable that MSNBC would pull this stunt, though I would expect nothing more from such a joke of a news organization.
ReplyDeleteI understand why many law makers think that the Keystone XL Plan will be beneficial to our country in terms of getting us oil as well as lowering oil prices. Also, creating jobs. But, the plan is creating controversy in our own country. The Indians are threatening to literally have a war with us if we interfere with their land, once again, to create the pipeline. Also, as mentioned in the article, if the pipe were to break it would severely damage our clean water system. The pipeline also has the potential to create many other environmental issues for our country. In terms of job creation, this will only be beneficial while under construction, after, most jobs will be lost because the pipeline is low maintenance. In my opinion, I think the Keystone XL Plan wouldn't be beneficial in our country. The cons outweigh the pros and I am glad the bill didn't pass through Senate.
ReplyDeleteI think this issue and the Sioux tribe's words should be taken seriously by legislators. This is clearly a very serious issue for the Sioux and I hope their opinion is respected. The US has taken so much from the Native Americans in the past and it is sad to think it is ready take more. I think culture and the lives of people is very important especially when not much of it is left. This is an issue that I hope can find some type of compromise. It would be a step back if our government couldn't compromise.
ReplyDeleteI think it is sad to see the disrespect for native american traditions and rights in America. They have already been stripped of their land rights and the thought to ignore their requests is even ore absurd, I think that it would be easy to find compromise rather than polarization of ideas.
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad to see Native Americans constantly trying to fight against a government that has disrespected them for hundreds of years. They already have so little, so why do we think we should be able to take away even more of their land? The Native Americans don't want their ancient burial grounds to be disturbed, and they also have legitimate concerns for the safety of all Americans if there were to be a pipeline leak. Of course I don't think they should use physical violence against the pipeline, but it seems their other options are limited and ineffective. I hope Congress will take their plight into consideration.
ReplyDeleteOf course violence is not a proper response, but I completely agree with Rachel. After years of being ignored and disrespected, I can understand how Native Americans are turning to violence to get the attention of the government. I wish it wasn't this way. If we pay attention to their legitimate concerns, we would not only avoid violence, but we would also be showing respect to a culture that has already been oppressed and dehumanized by white Americans for decades.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the majority of the comments above. Legislators should take this as a serious issue. I think it is perfectly legitimate for the Sioux tribe to want to protect their land, not only for environmental reasons, but also to leave their ancient burial grounds undisturbed. If the pipeline were to run through graveyards, many other citizens would have the same complaints as the Sioux tribe. Although I do not believe violence is the answer, I do believe that legislators and the Sioux tribe can come to a reasonable compromise that both parties agree with.
ReplyDeleteI can understand the view of these Native American tribes. Our government has been constantly taking things from them, and I am sure it is very tiring and disheartening to keep going through this process. However, I do not believe violence is the answer. Hopefully our government officials will be considerate of the opinions of the Sioux tribe and respect their right the small amount of land that they own.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the pipeline would create some jobs and give a small reprieve on the strain that the oil reserves in the world have been feeling, it just doesn't seem to be worth it. It isn't just because of the Native American grounds that are there, but that is part of it. I disagree with Matt in that they're using "outdated" information to defend the Native Americans. Native Americans in this country have been disrespected for centuries, and if the land that Keystone would go through is theirs, they have their own rights as citizens to not allow the government to override that. Not only that, but the time it would take to build, controversy it would create, and tensions it would stack would not be worth the amount of oil in that particular reserve. It's hardly enough oil to lower any gas prices, let alone use in international trade. It really just isn't worth it.
ReplyDeleteThere's not much to say here besides that it's sad to see that we continue to marginalized the native Americans and continue to make their lives difficult. Hopefully legislation in the future will benefit them but the pipeline doesn't seem like it will at all.
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