It’s not simply the economy

I’ve written a couple of posts about the Keystone pipeline and Canadian oil sands exploration. In these I have decidedly come down against moving forward with either. When President Obama announced that he was not going to support the pipeline, those who support it went ballistic. The television ads erupted with statements about the administration’s lack of support for American jobs and economic growth. Presumptive GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney is on record stating that he would immediately agree to the pipeline. The issue quickly became an issue of economy versus ecology. These battles don’t always turn out well for the ecology. However, I came across an article over at the Native American Times that provides a little more information. Talli Nauman, Native Sun News Health & Environment Editor, wrote an article entitled, “Tribal leaders cheer Obama rejection of XL Pipeline.” In it she cited First Nation leader in both the U.S. and Canada who overwhelmingly support President Obama’s decision. It seems that there is more to this than simply economic considerations. A link to Nauman’s article is here. I do hope that more people check into the alternative positions on this issue. We cannot afford to continue to make bad judgment calls when our, and the planet’s, future are at stake.