Barack Obama
Related: About this forumBobby Kennedy, Jr. says Obama will kill Keystone XL Pipeline:
Last edited Thu Nov 13, 2014, 06:27 PM - Edit history (1)
'No KXL' Rally Interview with Robert Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is President of the Riverkeepers group who work to protect our air, land and water. He came with others to protest the Koch brothers and the oil industry backed plan that Obama has been threatened with consequences for not backing it by the GOP all the time he has been in office and resisted no matter what.
Bobby knew he'd be arrested, explaining how civil disobedience is the way we can express ourselves peacefully as part of a democracy, and was among the first arrested.
Just as Secretary of State John Kerry was arrested in Washington, D. C. years ago. Bobby also explains the grave dangers to all future generations from climate change and pollution.
Between 2:06 and 2:22 Bobby speaks of the President's knowledge and moral compass and that he knows Obama will kill the Keystone XL pipeline.
This video brought tears to my eyes and I am proud of my President and the Kennedy family who loves our country so much that they continue to do what they are doing.
Our President will see us through the hard days ahead for many Americans with the Sequester forced on him by the GOP last year. Let's give him our support.
CaliforniaPeggy
(151,929 posts)I'll believe it when I see it, for sure!
freshwest
(53,661 posts)They tied every budget bill since 2010 to this and he's resisted and fought his way around it. We must stand together and help each other as best we can to get through the trouble coming next month. This is their plan, to inflict the most suffering to pay their masters, the Koch brothers.
There is another video on this, when RFK, Jr. explained the cost to future generations. We can't give in on this.
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)Last edited Thu Nov 13, 2014, 06:43 PM - Edit history (1)
Since 2009, there were complaints, concluding in the Koch brothers creating the Tea Party in 2010 to stop Obama's agenda.Some may not remember, but every budget bill Boehner offered had to be fought over as he put approval for the pipeline at the head of them.
From 2011:
Koch Brothers Positioned To Be Big Winners If Keystone XL Pipeline Is Approved
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/10/idUS292515702420110210
OVERNIGHT ENERGY: GOP seeks political price for Obamas Keystone pipeline delay
By Ben Geman and Andrew Restuccia -11/30/11
State of play: Republicans on both sides of Capitol Hill are taking steps this week to impose a political price on the White House for delaying a final decision on the proposed Keystone XL oil sands pipeline until after the 2012 election.
Senate GOP leadership on Wednesday promoted new legislation that would force a much faster decision on TransCanada Corp.s proposed $7 billion Alberta-to-Texas pipeline.
They argue the bill (which E2 covered here and here) will help create jobs quickly, and alleged the recent administration delay was a political decision to appease green groups.
The pipeline puts the White House in a bind by splitting President Obamas base green groups loathe the project while a number of unions want it to proceed without further delay...
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196347-overnight-energy
Obama Rejects GOP Bid to Tie Payroll Tax Cut to Keystone Pipeline Approval
Dec 7, 2011
President Obama warned congressional Republicans today that he will reject any attempt to tie a payroll tax cut extension to approval of the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline, which supporters say would create thousands of new jobs.
Any effort to tie Keystone to the payroll tax cut, I will reject. So everybody can be on notice, Obama said during a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Last month, the administration postponed a decision on the pipeline to allow for an extended environmental review thats expected to last until after the 2012 campaign.
The payroll tax cut is something that House Republicans and Senate Republicans should want to do regardless of any other issues, Obama added. The questions going to be, are they willing to vote against a proposal that ensures that Americans, at a time when the recovery is still fragile, dont see their taxes go up by a thousand dollars? So it shouldnt be held hostage for any other issues that they may be concerned about.
But Republicans insist Obama is playing politics with a project that has strong bipartisan support, including from labor unions, and which would help boost the lagging economy. Harper has also publicly pressured the administration to approve the deal...
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/obama-rejects-gop-bid-to-tie-payroll-tax-cut-to-keystone-pipeline-approval/
From 2012:
Sizing Up Obama's Keystone Pipeline Denial
By Amy Harder - January 23, 2012
Was President Obama right or wrong to reject the Keystone XL pipeline?
Last week, President Obama denied approval of a permit to build the pipeline, which as proposed would have sent oil from Alberta, Canada's tar sands to Gulf Coast refineries. Obama said the "arbitrary" deadline set by congressional Republicans was not enough time to complete a review of the proposal for an alternate route that would not go through an ecologically sensitive area in Nebraska. TransCanada, the Canadian company seeking to build the pipeline, immediately said it would apply for another permit...
http://energy.nationaljournal.com/2012/01/sizing-up-obamas-keystone-pipe-1.php
XL Pipeline: Oil Chief Threatens Obama
The Guardian - 06 January 12
The head of the US's biggest oil and gas lobbying group said on Wednesday that the Obama administration will face serious political consequences if it rejects a Canada-to-Texas oil sands pipeline that has been opposed by environmental groups.
Jack Gerard, the president of the American Petroleum Institute, said TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline would definitely play a role in this year's national elections.
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/9308-xl-pipeline-oil-chief-threatens-obama
From 2013:
10 Lies Republicans Tell, over and over and over!
4. REPUBLICANS LIE about drilling and the Keystone XL Pipeline:
Much to the chagrin of the drill baby drill crowd, the President has kept the oil industry out of ANWAR, and recently disallowed the XL-Pipeline. To let Republicans tell it, the oil supply and employment in the industry have been stymied by this President. It is a lie.
From The Los Angeles Times:
Oil imports down, domestic production highest since 2003
....the United States reduced net imports of crude oil last year by 10%, or 1 million barrels a day. The U.S. now imports 45% of its petroleum, down from 57% in 2008, and is on track to meet Obamas long-term goal, the administration maintains.
Imports have fallen, in part, because the United States has increased domestic oil and gas production in recent years.... Current production, about 5.6 million barrels a day, is the highest since 2003.
The U.S. has been the worlds largest producer of natural gas since 2009, the report says. Use of renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar, is still relatively small but has doubled since 2008.
The report credits administration policies for the improvements. It cites initiatives such as the higher fuel efficiency of passenger cars, the jump in renewable energy output, and improved weatherization of 1 million homes.
http://current.com/community/94053804_10-lies-republicans-tell-over-and-over-and-over.htm
A little more dirt from the above:
Boehner has significant investments in the Keystone XL Pipeline Project so he has actively promoted an agenda that will benefit him financially. If the Republicans were really interested in job creation, they would have passed the infrastructure bill. Construction workers could repair roads and bridges from now until eternity, but then again, I guess Boehners not invested in I-95.
And even the rightwingers know that Obama has been against the pipeline since the last three years, according to this undated blog here. Here's a lament penned by a Keystone supporter, extra emboldening and underlining is mine:
President Obama Denies Keystone Pipeline Permit
By LD Jackson
Lets all be honest with ourselves. Did anyone really believe President Barack Obama would approve the permit for the Keystone Pipeline and allow it to go forward? Even though the preliminaries are finished, the environmental studies have been done, alternate routes through Nebraska have been proposed, etc., President Obama still thinks more time is needed. He originally wanted to put the decision off until 2013. You know, after the 2012 election is out-of-the-way. The Republicans in Congress nixed that plan and tied the permit to the payroll tax cut or holiday issue. From November 30, 2011, the President had 60 days to approve or disapprove the permit. He made his decision yesterday and as is usually the case, he blamed the Republicans for forcing his hand. His excuse? We need more time, at least another 18 months, to do yet another review. As far as I am concerned, that statement ranks right up at the top of the biggest lies the man has told since he took office.
Does anyone want to venture a guess how long the reviews for the pipeline have already been going on? Try three years. Thats right, this project has already been in the works for three years. More than that, if you count the time and effort Canada has expended on its end. Three years, yet our current President thinks that isnt enough time. He wants another review, mainly about the environmental impact (isnt that always his excuse), which will take about 18 months. Even though the environment studies have been finished and any concerns addressed, he needs more time.
The President is walking a fine line with this. On the one hand, he has the labor unions, who favor the project. Thats why they call them labor unions. They want the jobs, and I happen to agree. Turn the coin over and you have an issue that is near and dear to Obamas heart, the environment and clean energy. If he approves the pipeline, he will be facing the wrath of multiple environmental groups, including some that have threatened to stop the flow of donations they are providing to his reelection campaign. As much as he says he wants to create jobs, the environment will always win this fight in the Presidents heart. He will always side with the environment, even if their argument is bogus. Once again, this should surprise no one...
http://www.ldjackson.net/president-obama-denies-keystone-pipeline-permit/
Check out the Koch brothers comments here:
"I want my fair share--and that's ALL OF IT": The Kochs & the XL Pipeline
By Greg Palast
According to the transcript of the secretly recorded tape, Charles Koch was chuckling like a six-year old. Koch was having a hell of a laugh over pilfering a few hundred dollars' worth of oil from a couple of dirt-poor Indians on the Osage Reservation.
Why did Koch, worth about $3 billion at the time (now $20 billion) need to boost a few bucks from some Indian in a trailer home? Koch answered:
"I want my fair share -- and that's all of it."
Now "all of it" includes a pipeline, the Keystone XL, which would run the world's filthiest oil, crude made from tar sands, down from Canada to his family's refinery on the Gulf Coast of Texas...
http://www.opednews.com/articles/I-want-my-fair-share-and-by-Greg-Palast-130214-669.html
I even found a Yahoo story where the GOP is now trying to claim they stopped the pipeline. Bridge sales on the riiiiight...
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)can you imagine the horror under a GOP prez?
AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)This stuff really needs to be heard, IMHO.
Cha
(305,022 posts)Very Encouraging and Inspiring as are your words.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)sheshe2
(87,221 posts)He has my support. I am so hoping it is so.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)sheshe2
(87,221 posts)It ain't over til the fat lady sings!
freshwest
(53,661 posts)sheshe2
(87,221 posts)I do so hate the Rat B**tard Koch Bros, however that said, look at how much money they poured into the 2012 elections. For such smart entrepreneur's, they sure as hell did not get a very good return on their investment.
There might be pressure on the President, however, he plays his cards close to his chest. We have been told time and time again that PBO would cave. I will wait and see.
I am also concerned that the Unions are backing this. I am pro union, however, not at the sake of our environment.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Have a good night, Sheshe. Many people will be hurt by the Sequester. I'm sure Obama is fully aware of what our implacable foes are doing.
sheshe2
(87,221 posts)There are not enough filthy words in my vocabulary to describle those bastards! Trust me I know plenty and that still is not enough!
From your link!
Why did Koch, worth about $3 billion at the time (now $20 billion) need to boost a few bucks from some Indian in a trailer home? Koch answered:
"I want my fair share -- and that's all of it."
Now "all of it" includes a pipeline, the Keystone XL, which would run the world's filthiest oil, crude made from tar sands, down from Canada to his family's refinery on the Gulf Coast of Texas.
Snip:
The Coalition for our Childrens Future...such a nice touch!
I really feel I need a shower right now.
sheshe2
(87,221 posts)Rep. Markey is running for Sen. Kerry's seat, as you know.
Gerard and Markey have been sparring in recent weeks over APIs claim that the oil industry can create more than 1 million jobs in the coming years if policymakers opened wide new areas to drilling, among other policies.
Markey, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, has blasted Gerards claim (which can be found in API-commissioned studies), arguing that the powerful industry group has cooked its numbers.
But Gerard hit back Wednesday, accusing Markey of misunderstanding important facts about the oil-and-gas industry in a letter to the lawmaker.
In an unexpected twist, Gerard then invited Markey to sit at the head table at APIs upcoming State of American Energy lunch in Washington.
Excerpt from your Link.
Thank you for this thread, freshwest. It is vitally important.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196347-overnight-energy#ixzz2LPSYt6Vr
Follow us: @thehill on Twitter | TheHill on Facebook
freshwest
(53,661 posts)nevergiveup
(4,815 posts)I think he is going to. Go ahead, Mr. President, do it. We got your back
freshwest
(53,661 posts)MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)No one will change his mind.
AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)The truth is, stranger turnarounds have indeed happened(who expected George Wallace to reject his former hardcore segregationism for example?), but from what's been posted here, I'm now more firmly convinced that he isn't likely to.
MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)You may wish to read up on the world of politics some time, M.P., then you'll understand what's really going on.
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)He's letting everyone get their ducks in a row first, so it'll look like he had no choice but to let the "job creating" continue.
AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)It's not a good idea to make assumptions like this, especially in the "Barack Obama" group. Your concerns, I feel, are best directed elsewhere.
HoneychildMooseMoss
(251 posts)I also wish his father could have been president.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)sasha031
(6,700 posts)Hearing Bobby say this gives me faith that the President will kill the pipeline.
This just made my night, thank you freshwest
freshwest
(53,661 posts)He knows what he is talking about... and I want our President to stay strong as he has all along on this, pushing it back however he could. I've no doubt that the GOP and their media will try to paint the misery from the Sequester as a failure on Obama's part because they have done all they can to stymie all he's done. Despite the mandate that Obama recieved last fall, they are going on the same plan as before. Rough days.
secondwind
(16,903 posts)MadamYes
(23 posts)Freshwest made an excellent point.
I'm all for our President. But with pipelines currently being built in several states, and eminent domain being used (abused) to forge their way in other states, I can't help but wonder if this is already a done deal ?
Is it that Obama knows this, but is stalling, so that his name isn't associated with it when it comes time to sign the final deal ?
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)Ted Kennedy was the most liberal of the three brothers.
President Obama is more liberal than JFK or Bobby was.(Yes, he is.)
Ted Kennedy passed the mantle of the Kennedy name to President Obama.
Ted Kennedy, what would Teddy, Caroline, JFK Jr. have done in 2013. That is the question.
All the rest is hyperbole.
Because Teddy was THERE for 45 years, and Teddy, before Obama, played the game of politics the best it was played since LBJ was majority leader.
So, what would Ted Kennedy in 2013 do. That is the question.
The other question is-what price of gasoline is acceptable to those in the USA?
Because both are tied together.
Hyperbole aside.
And I am not so sure Bobby Jr. is a good spokesmen for the Kennedy family when it comes to President Obama. There are many, many Kennedy's. Bobby Jr. always seems to be the one
furthest away from the mainstream, and Bobby Kennedy himself was not the ultraliberal the kiddies these days think he was.
The odd thing is, when people put President Obama down, and say he is to the right,
the odd thing is, President Obama is to the left of Bobby and Jack, but equal to Teddy.
So it comes back to
What would Teddy in 2013 do (if only he were here. The one thing President Obama missed in his first term, was not having Teddy strongarm the others in the Senate as Teddy was one to do masterfully.
That is the single saddest thing. Imagine if Teddy were there the entire time.(and still was.)
Damn cellphones.
And imagine if JFK Jr. were here.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)K and R
ProSense
(116,464 posts)politicasista
(14,128 posts)*fingers crossed*
freshwest
(53,661 posts)politicasista
(14,128 posts)Lurking and popping in every now and then, but glad to see you and everyone too. Positive and hopeful thread!