Sla es un escuela diferente. Tenemos consejerías, mi consejería se llama los Bey-Martins. Me cae bien con todos mi amigos en mi consejería, porque ellos me dan risa y me entienden. Mi consejera se llama Señorita Martin, ella puede ser un autoritaria pero ella es cariñosa , actúa como mi mama. Todos mis maestros son simpáticos y me gusta sus clases, pero hay un maestro que no me cae bien. Creo que su clase es muy aburrido, aprendemos cosas pero no las cosas que necesitamos en vida. Es que tienes que estar en su clase para entender en qué estoy diciendo. Tenemos un buen principal, Señor Lehmann es tranquilo el no grito a los chicos cuando hagan algo malo. Es generoso cuando necesitas algo el puede dar esto. En Sla tratamos a todos como familia.
En cuanto mis relaciones académicas, mis profesores y yo nos llevamos bien. Me da risa el señor Best. Creo que me cae bien Señorita Manuel porque ella me inspira. Ella me cae bien porque es permisiva. Cuando nosotros tenemos consejería, podemos comer. Me cae bien la señorita Garvey porque cuando una persona está agobiado o nervioso, ella hablar con la persona. Sin embargo la clase de matemáticas es difícil. Me cae bien el señor VK pero da miedo un poquito. Es un profesor un poquito autoritario pero es muy inteligente. El me da risa un poquito también.
En cuanto mis relaciones académicas, mis profesores y yo tengo un buen relación. Me cae bien el Sr. Sanchez porque me encanta historia y, él y yo hablan de la comida y los deportes. Me cae bien el Sr. Baird porque él es muy gracioso y interesante. Me cae bien la Srta. Rami porque ella es muy simpática y permisiva. Me cae bien el Sr.Reddy también porque el es muy organizado y sarcástico. Las clases de matemáticas y ciencias en generales son difíciles para mi. Al contrario las clases de español, historia, y ingles en generales no son difíciles, pero no son fáciles. Me gustan las clases de español, historia, y ingles mucho.
Mis relaciones académicas estan muy buenas. Me cae bien con todos mis profesores y con los estudiantes tambien. Todas las personas llevamos bien. Yo estoy timida en muchas cosas porque soy introvertida y yo pienso que unos profesores son autoritarios pero otros profesores son muy permisivos pero no me cae mal con los profesores porque me gustan mis clases. Colaboración es dificil a veces porque a veces estudiantes no quieren trabajar, pero yo trabajo mucho en los proyectos y todo esta bien.
Yo me llevo bien con todos mis profesores. Specialmente con señor Kay. Yo me llevo bien con el porque es muy gracioso y siempre quiere saber lo que estas pensando. Me cae bien la señorita Manuel porque simpre te ayuda cundo tienes una pregunta. Sin embargo pienso que todos los profesores tienen algo que los hace unicos y autenticos. Yo pienso que las qualidades son las mas importantes.
View of the Birds
“Hello, I’m back”. “Yes, I have food. Open your mouths now”. “Don’t all fight theres plenty”. “Now that you're done eating let me tell you a story. A story of those two-legged mammals. As you know they build huge nests as large as this entire forests. Well today I saw them build something new. It was a giant grey tree. It was cold and smooth not like a tree in any way except for it’s shape. However the most strange thing about it was it was hollow. Also it wasn’t going up as most trees go it was lying horizontally. At first I thought they had cut it down but then I saw them adding pieces to it with their spark-makers. I think it might be a giant tree but Ari told me he saw more of the cold grey hollow trees all the way near water far away. He said they were making a path of the grey trees. However no one know why. Obie say it is to get the black water from the earth. He says he saw them do something similar with the grey trees far away. He had to leave his old home because the black water smelled like the beasts the two-legged mammals ride. He said they cut down trees where the grey pipes are. However some mammals sit in the trees so they don’t cut those down until the mammals leave the trees. Obie says that with the trees coming down we will all have to go to a different forest. However the two legged mammals are cutting down so many trees. Ari told me he had once lived in one of the mammal giant nest. It drove him crazy. They kept him in a small nest that he couldn’t get out as grey twigs went all around the nest. He was given food and a tiny amount of water. He says they refilled it everyday from this small sliver thing that had a stream inside it. He eventual escaped when one of the young ones opened a small door in the side and he flew right out. Still I don’t know what I’m going to do. We can’t move to one of there large nests where there stick us in the grey nests with the grey twinges around us. The only thing we can do is stay here and hope we don’t have to move”.
The person in the tree
“Get down from the tree.” “Look this has gone on for two hours just get down so these people can work.” “Of course I care about the environment but this pipeline won’t hurt it at all.” “If it leaks then there just stop the oil and clean it up. They run surveillance on each part of this pipeline you know. But the point is it won’t leak.” “Yeah, well that was it’s first pipeline this one won’t leak.” “It doesn’t matter how corrosive this oil is it won’t leak. Ok can you get down from there now.” “Do you know how much this will help the US. We can get our oil from a nation we trust and create thousands of jobs. It will also lower the price of oil and for the last time the pipeline WILL NOT LEAK. Ok can you get out of the tree now.” “Look I don’t know what to tell you. These people need to work and you're just being annoying. You see those people over there. Those people are getting pepper sprayed. You know why I’m not spraying you.” “Well yeah you would fall out the tree but it’s mostly because I’m a nice guy. Ok, I drive a hybrid I care about the environment. But not so much that I would sit in a tree just to stop some project that this economy need just because it has a small chance it will hurt the environment and then say no to the nice police officer who is trying to get you down.” “Alright look my brother works on this pipeline and he says it’s good it won’t leak and there not damaging the environment. Ok so you can sit there all you want but you're not helping the environment your just hurting the economy.” “Oh yeah well I’ll just go get someone else to get you out. I’m sick and tired of this you don’t get it. All you hear is “may harm the environment” and you go rushing in trying to stop it. You don’t understand and you probably never well. Have fun staying in there all day.”
A Phone Call
“Hello, I was calling to ask you about work.” “Oh that’s good but I don’t know about this pipeline your working on. I saw this show on the TV about it. It doesn’t look very good.” “Well it uses that tar sand oil which Robert Redford says is bad.” “You know he was in “All the Presidents Men” I watched it last night did you see it.” “Oh well it’s a good movie you should watch it. Well anyway I don’t like this tar sand business I don’t think it’s good. It looks like it’s very bad for the planet. I talked to some of the other people about the show and they didn’t like it either. Nobody in my retirement home liked the pipeline. In fact Mrs.Gonzan went to a rally to stand in a line so they block the path of the pipeline. She really did not like that pipeline they are building.” “Oh yes how is your brother. Is he alright. You know he never calls to say hello and I don’t know his number.” “He had to get someone out of a tree. Why were they in a tree?” “Oh it was to stop the pipeline. You know I just watched a show about that on TV. Robert Redford was in it. He said the pipeline was really bad.” “Oh you know about it did you watch it last night.” “Oh I already told you about it. Well it’s very good you should watch it. Now I don’t think it’s a good idea and I don’t want to tell all of my friends that my son is working on the pipeline.” “Oh you have to go. Ok, well you think about it and say hi to your brother for me and tell him to call me.” “Alright goodbye son.”
In this unit we covered the topic about the Keystone XL/Tar Sands Pipeline. We learned about how the building of this pipeline effected people and their surrounding whether it be good or bad. We learned to view people’s perspective on this topic and created monologues to represent what we got from this unit.
-"The Canadian company TransCanada hopes to begin building the northern section of an oil pipeline that would trek close to 2,000 miles from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf Coast of Texas." (http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline)
-Giant oil corporations invested in Canada's tar sands are counting on the Keystone XL pipeline to make the expansion of oil extraction operations there profitable: The pipeline would double imports of dirty tar sands oil into the United States and transport it to refineries on the Gulf Coast and ports for international export. (http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline)
-"This pipeline is a critical infrastructure project for the energy security of the United States and for strengthening the American economy." (http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html)
No Choice
*walks in and sits at the kitchen table*
*phone rings, answers*
Ha. You’ve gotta be kidding me right? Out of all things, it would be this huh? Taking away the only stable thing i had. To do what? Build a pipeline? & what is that?... safe and advanced huh? good paying jobs? Like what, the one i just lost? Right, so what does that have to do with the overdue bills? Hungry kids, angry husband? Oh, right. Nothing. Oh 20,000 new jobs? Really? So which one of those 20,000 belong to me? Number 18,142? And what say do i have in this? An unemployed what? Look I’ve never looked at a check that said ‘UNEMPLOYED’ my checks usually say “Hey, thanks for 30 hours this weeks. Here’s you money see you Monday” Do you get where I’m going with this?
*long pause*
I just don’t understand why this is happening. Listen i don’t even use oil, okay? Well, i use like vegetable oil but I‘m sure this isn’t what all the commotion is about. Yeah, yeah i have oil in my car. Listen it came with that, that isn’t the point! What do you mean what’s the point? The point is there’s gonna be a letter taped to my door in a week if i can’t pay rent. The point is i have 4 screaming and hungry mouths, one including a 43 year old unemployed, angry at the world, man. I’m the only thing keeping this boat floating and now what’s gonna happen? Exactly, you don’t know. Listen i get this is a big project, 830,000 barrels per day. Huge deal, i get it. All I’m saying is, this affects more than me. I’m sure of it. I think this whole thing should like stop. You know? Get your money back or something. This pipeline thing seems like too much trouble to me. Some sections have already been built? Hmm. wonder how much that costed. 7 billion what?! You’ve got all this money to build that and you take away my little salary? Well damn, what’d you do with it? Buy lunch? Listen, to hell with this. I seem to have no other choice so I’ll figure something out. I always do.
A Mother’s Concern
The weather is quite beautiful today, although I do wish Danny was around. *looks down* Hm, i should probably get him to tighten up these screws in this old rocking chair. My favorite chair *chuckles* I could never get a new one.
*long pause*
I heard Danny got a new job today! I’m so happy for him, he’s been looking for so long. He even says this one pays good.
*phone rings*
Hey Danny! How are you sweetie? Thats good, and hows the new job? Well, what do you do there? .. Building a what? A pipeline? Well, for what? Well sweetie, I’m glad that you have this job, I really am and I’m so proud of you. But I’m not sure this is the right thing for you to be apart of. Yeah well, i know. Thats right. It is creating a lot of jobs and good paying at that. Yes honey, that’s great. But I mean, there are a lot of negative effects that have to do with this pipeline.. You don’t know? Well Dan, people are losing their jobs because of this. It’s not as safe and it could pollute a lot of drinking water. I mean this is an expensive deal, didn’t you say the anticipated cost was $5.3 billion? Exactly, thats a lot of money. What kind of economical growth is that? Well yes honey, i know you have nothing to do with that you just work there i understand. Yes of course I’m still happy for you, you know i just don’t fully agree with the whole pipeline situation but i do know it has some good causes, especially because it brought you a job, so I’m very grateful and happy. Yes, alright. I love you too Danny. Ok, bye bye.
*puts down phone and sighs*
Well i hope the pipeline does some of us some good. I hope some of us have a voice in this. My dear son is now involved, this better be good..
Through My Eyes
*looking over at the people who are protesting near the fence, pulls out his lunch*
Wow, they’re really a lot of people against this. *squints at one of the signs*
What does that say? ‘NO TAR SANDS XL PIPELINE’ Wow!
You know, before this whole thing started I didn’t have a dime. Living on corners. Out of shelters, in and out of family homes until they wouldn’t put up with me anymore. I think this is a great thing. You know? I’m stable now. Great income and the job isn’t that bad. Heard its helping a lot of people, well it sure helped me i’ll say. Why are people against this? You know how many people got jobs from that? I can first hand tell you how many, about 750 to 20,000 thats how many. And guess what else? I’m one of those people. Some folks just don’t understand. I mean, i guess i can understand their point of view. The lost of jobs and people getting put out of their home because of the way we’re building it...i know thats not fair but...
*shakes head*
We’re set to have this thing up and running by 2015! I think thats great, I mean, you know i get why some people don’t like the idea. It is a lot of money being spent and it affects some people in where they live and all of that but you know, its not all negative. I mean if you can have President Obama approve it, it can’t be that bad. Right? Thats the way i look at it. I mean look at it this way, see when we build this thing, American dependency on oil from The Middle East goes down by like 40%. I think thats pretty good for us. The more independency the better, right? I like being independent. Its a great feeling after having to be dependent on so many people for so long. I can relate to that, yeah that wasn’t fun at all. *starts to reminisce about his past* The other day, i heard this lady talking about how bad the pipeline building is and how they should stop it all blah blah blah. And I’m like lady, you know its people like me that wouldn’t be where I am without this thing? She didn’t want to hear it, she’s one of the protesters I bet. They should really see the bright side of things for once. Well, I’ve gotta get back to work now. I just wish they would see it in my eyes and what it’s done for people like me.
Mark
(On the phone with his boss)
Marta- (waiting to be introduced she is impatient as she has been waiting all month for this speech. now that the day has come she just wants to get it over with.)
Josh-
(Josh is walking home from school and he’s hearing construction noise. With no idea what’s going on, he stays calm. He then stumbles into a friend of his and they start joking around. After a while, he decides to finally head home and they go separate ways)
Johnny-
(Johnny walks into class late and as punishment his teacher Ms. Anna gives him a different project by mistake)
Johnny: Why do I always get harder projects. Its not fair. She hates me I know she hates me. Why should I have her class anyway. Now I have to waste my whole week on finding out stuff for this stupid pipeline. (Johnny slowly walks into the house so he won’t wake his mom) If my mom finds out I have a project thats worth my whole grade she’ll make me spend all day and night working on it. Hey mom my day was fine I’ll just leave you be, oh and I don’t have any homework so I’m bout to go chill wit Mike. Ugh come on why she always gotta draw. I always do my projects its just I like to get all the thoughts together then do the rest of the work on sunday nights. The project is on the keystone pipeline. She says ( in a sarcastic voice) it may really open your eye’s on life. Man fuck this shit Imma just look at the plans. Okay okay its a pipeline for oil and it looks likes it goes straight down through america. Wait that can’t be legal. Hey mom is it legal to build things on another country and not have their permission. Oh it is as long as they have permission before building okay thanks mom. Okay so they have permission but I don’t see how it affects us as americans. Hey mom we live in Montana right. Cool this pipeline is going to be built not to far from our house then. Mom calm down it’s not that serious. Wait let me show you the plans for it. It’s really cool and this government site says that it will create jobs and other cool things for people who live near it. That means that you could work for them. This says that it will create 20,000 jobs and give back millions of dollars in tax money. Most of the jobs go to the canadians but like 900 of them go to american citizens. It also says about $585 million dollars in tax money. That means we’re gonna be rich… oh the government gets the money. But wait this says the money we be given to people who live near the pipeline and gas will be cheaper. It also says that the country might go in debt by 7 million. Thats okay, we can just use some of the money we make from it to pay them back then boom we’re out of debt. Oh how much are we in debt. BILLIONS!! but millions are the biggest number. (At school the next day working on his project) Oh my god this will be super awesome. Think about it, I can be standing there washing my hands when a robber comes in all I have to do is splash him with water then throw a match at him. Oh my fault I forgot to tell you but this thing I read said that if the keystone pipeline breaks or leaks out any toxic chemicals, once built in our lake, then our water supply would be flammable. Hey miss. Janet didn’t you say your sister Jane was working on this pipeline? Can you tell her that she’s awesome I love everything about it. I hope they go through with it.
Jane- (alice has just gotten home and is now laying out the blueprint for the keystone pipeline. When suddenly she finds out that the plans for the pipeline are scheduled to go straight through her family's land)
Jane: OH MY GOD THIS CAN'T BE RIGHT! I’ve gotta change this before we get permission to dig on American soil. This has to be wrong. Let me call the president. Hello, these plans say the pipeline goes through Montana, please tell me that this is either the wrong copy of the blueprint or that I’m looking at the wrong line. Okay are you sure? I’m asking because my family still lives there. Where will they go? I know I know it’s something we have to do but…… ugh okay let me call my family. (hangs up and calls her sister) Hey sis how’s it going, its been a long time since we talked but I called to ask you a quick question, do you and mommy still live at daddy’s old farm? Oh you do, well if you don’t mind me asking, when are ya’ll moving out? Well you remember how I got that job in Canada and I told you we build pipelines? Well long story short I need you to vacate the premises and find a new place to stay because I got a pipeline that needs to be built right where the farm is. Calm down sis you won’t be homeless you all can come live with me because that pipeline is gonna save us millions especially since I’m the vice president of this project. If you move to canada then you won’t be affected by the gas fumes that will spread in the waterline, the $7million debt the U.S will owe to private sector funding, you won’t have to worry about the 830,000 barrels of tar sand oil, which is dirtier than normal oil by the way, and you won’t have to worry about mom getting laid off because the pipeline is basically gonna take jobs from the U.S and give them to Canadians. Yes I understand that our family has been there for hundreds of years but this pipeline will basically help us bond as a family. Okay Im listening. Yes, 7 million in debt, 830,000 barrels of poisonous oil, jobs employment decrease, water may be flammable and/or cease to exist, and thousands of people getting evicted from their own property. Now that you say it like that It does sound like our family would suffer from it along with other families in that thousand mile radius. I’ll call my boss and see what I can do, okay love you bye. (hangs up and calls her boss) Hey boss I just talked to my sister Janet and she really opened my eyes, we can’t do this to America. No I’m not going to tell you that we need to change the plans we spent years developing but I do know that this project can’t be built if I, the creator of this pipeline quits. Even if you replace me the pipeline can’t be built without the final signature from the original staff so I’m not asking, I’m telling you that we aren’t building that pipeline through america so goodnight and see you at work.
1) The Eviction [A farmer is in his house watching TV. There is a knock on the door.]
What??(irritated) I mean, who’s there?(more pleasantly).
….TransCanada? Who’s that? ….Oh that pipeline thing. ….Yeah, I like it. More money for Nebraska right? And lower gas prices. They’ve been gettin’ damn high recently. We need it. Those damn Arabs and their ODEC(pronounce phonetically)….or what is it? OPEC(pronounce same way). Right. ….Yeah you’re just the promotion, I know, I know. Believe me, I’m all for the pipe. You got my vote. ….I wouldn’t expect anything less, you better use good builders. How far away will it be? ….Next town over, ok, good. Not too close….Is’at your phone? ….Yeah I’ll wait for you. What was that? Y’boss? ….What happened? ….A change? What? ….You’re gonna….WHAT? Oh no….Listen, sir. My family’s been here since the civil war. We’ve farmed this here land for 14 generations. We have gotten everything we need and more from these crops. I’ve put my life’s work into this here farm, and I plan to put the rest of my life in too. This farm is my life! And you gonna put a goddamn 3 foot pipe right through it? Hell no…. I don’t want no “reimbursement.” You’re gonna move that goddamn thing or you’re not gonna build it! [He slams the door in his face.] He’s evicting me! He has no right whatsoever to do this! ….What the hell does he think he’s doing? [There is a knock on the door again.] Fine. [Opens door.] What’s this? ….You want me to sign this? No….I already told you, I don’t want money. I refuse….No, you don’t gotta build it here. What was the plan before? Use that. There’s a way you can make everyone happy….Fine. Sue me. You and your greedy bosses just want more money. I was all for the pipe, but once you told me you were evicting people….that ain’t right, man. Goodbye. [He closes the door.] Greedy businesses….
2) The Speech [Backstage] Am I up now? …. Ok. Let’s go. [Onstage] Ahem. Hello, My name is Robert Matthews. I used to hate the pipeline. I thought it would damage the rivers and forests of our beautiful nation. Tar sands are dirty, and I thought this could be the mistake of the century. We are an example for the world, and if we did it, how many others would? You see, I had been hearing only the one side. I hadn’t done any research about it, and got everything I knew from others, my friends, who were all against it also. We decided to protest at a TransCanada event not unlike this one. We were all ready with our signs and t-shirts, ready to crash the party. We were all, especially me, totally sure that the pipeline was bad and should not happen. The speaker got up there and man, he spoke well. It hit home. They actually gave us a demonstration of the workers who would build the pipe, showed us their record of leaking pipes (there were almost none) and told us how much tax revenue it would produce for Nebraska, where I’m from, almost 1.8 billion dollars. Then they talked about energy independence. The tar sands production would decrease imported oil by 12%! Gas prices made higher by OPEC increases will fall and boost the economy. And most of all, about how respectful TransCanada is of the environment and how they genuinely care about people, not just money, and about the care they put in when they build things. I dropped my sign. I had realized how badly informed I was. I had only heard the one side, and at that exaggerated, and had based my actions on it. Then, when the other side was revealed, it was almost a no-brainer. It became clear to me how I was wrong and what path I should choose. And that, my fellow Americans, is why I support the Keystone XL Pipeline. Thank you!
3) The Executive [A man in a suit is in his office staring at his computer. The telephone rings. he speaks in a bored voice, as if he’s irritated and trying to hide it.] Hello? You’ve reached the TransCanada Headquarters….Hello Senator Kligman. How may I help you? ….Yes I’m the vice president here….Ask away, please….The Keystone XL pipeline will be 1,700 miles long going from Canada to the Midwest. It will be used to transport oil from tar sands here to refineries in the midwest….Yes, we’ll be very careful about the environment….Yes, there will be very much profit for my wallet, um, I mean, the states the pipeline passes through from taxes and also for, um, the workers who will be building it….Around $1.8 billion for the states from taxes….Yes, we’ll be very careful about the environment I already said that. [More irritated now.] Yes. Is that all? ….All reports of spills and leaks are false, tar sands are not that dirty as they say….No, no danger of poisoning water or killing fish. Is that all? …..[Happier now.] Hey if you vote for the pipeline to pass, we’d be really happy. We might even give you a favor! ….No problem!….Bye!….[To no one in particular] Why are people so intent on robbing me of my paycheck? I mean, maybe I’m a bit greedy….no, that’s nonsense I’ve worked hard for this. I deserve it. If they pass the pipeline I might be able to get that yacht I saw in Boating Today. Why won’t they do it already? ….[There is a knock on the door.] Come in….What’s up, Brian? ….An idea, please do tell….No, we are not going to put some of our profit into caring about the environment….The environment is fine! I mean, maybe a little extra could go to the environment, I already have a lot….no, that’s ridiculous. The activists exaggerate everything. Why are they so intent on robbing me of my paycheck? Can’t a man make an honest living these days? Ok, maybe not so honest….maybe I should stop….No. Money is everything in this world. It’s all about the money….Even so….[Shakes head.] Thanks Brian. That’s all. [Brian leaves.]
Monologue #1
(Husband sitting at the dinner table with his wife.) Sweetie pass the mashed potatoes please, thank you. How was your day? Mine was swell I guess. Can I have the salt? Thanks. (Fidgets with salt shaker.) Me? No, no i’m fine. I’m just.. I dunno, I think i’m just a little frustrated. Nothings wrong with me, but I need to tell you somethin’ thats buggin’ me. I was watching the news today.. you know bout the, uhh, what’s it called.. Keystone pipeline thing? Okay, promise now to throw a fit? Because I know you will. Well the pipeline is gonna run through our farm, I just found out today. Why would I be joking? They are making us tear down our shed for the pipeline can run through.. Why the hell is this my fault?! It’s not like I built the damn thing. It’s running from Canada all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, and it’s gonna pass through here. Well what am I supposed to do? Go to the big man and protest like a teenage rebel? Just cause i’m the man of the house doesn’t mean I gotta do everything thats hard by myself in this fricken house. Why don’t you get off your lazy ass and do it yourself. What? I can’t just stand here and do nothing. I don’t do anything?! You know what hun, i’m not feeling very hungry. Yeah, yeah whatever. Don’t expect me to clean up your shit.
Monologue #2
(Keystone Pipeline talking to itself.) Why do I get the feeling like i’m in everybody’s way? I mean, it’s not like I chose to be built, or run through anyone’s property, or cause any sort of damage in that case. Am I for better or for worse? I feel like unnecessary and problematic. Although, i’m getting oil to the right places, and faster too! They’re plenty of good things that will happen when i’m finished being built. But.. wait.. am I killing the environment? No of course not i’m helping it.. I think. If I we’re to just hear what people think about me I would feel a lot better. Although, I can hear them talking about me while they’re building me, some are negative, some are positive, which is why I do not know what I truly am? A burden? Or a gift? Maybe i’m just another issue, another issue that the States have to deal with. Or.. maybe i’m a another gift! A gift to the American people. Man, I dont even know anymore. My
Monologue #3
Part I:
In this unit, I have learned about the many advantages and disadvantages of the Keystone Pipeline. The Keystone Pipeline is a proposed seven billion dollar pipeline that is supposed to carry oil from Canada’s tar sands all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. This pipeline seems to be a problem all around the world and has been the topic of discussion for years now. I have been able to read and watch many articles and videos about this pipeline to try to form an opinion on it. Most the videos I watched seemed to be very happy about the coming of the pipeline, (which came off as one sided and biased) while in articles, they were all talking about how bad this would affect our world. After reading and hearing all these opinions and information about the pipeline in this unit, I am feeling really excited to see the outcome of this project.
Part II:
- “The Keystone XL project is a proposed extension of the Keystone pipeline, which became operational in June 2010.”
(http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/five-things/the-keystone-xl-pipeline/12200/)
- “The Keystone XL Pipeline Project is a proposed 1,179-mile (1,897 km), 36-inch-diameter crude oil pipeline, beginning in Hardisty, Alta., and extending south to Steele City, Neb. This pipeline is a critical infrastructure project for the energy security of the United States and for strengthening the American economy.”
(http://keystone-xl.com/about/the-project/)
- “If we are truly concerned about carbon, it seems to me building a state-of the-art pipeline which is the most efficient way to get -- to move oil around is the best approach,” (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/environment/jan-june13/keystone_02-18.html)
- “The pipeline will have capacity to transport 830,000 barrels of oil per day to Gulf Coast and Midwest refineries, reducing American dependence on oil from Venezuela and the Middle East by up to 40 per cent.”
(http://keystone-xl.com/about/the-project/)
- “Unfortunately, an area the size of Florida is already set for extraction. Before TransCanada can begin construction, however, the company needs a presidential permit from the Obama administration because the pipeline crosses an international border.”
(http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline)
Part III:
Ralph’s Episodes
(Walks into his office, takes off his coat and sits down at his desk to see all of his co-workers long faces and subtle movement) Ugh. I just can’t take it… the.. the the silence in here is unbearable. Hey…. Hey.. What’s up with you guys? (No one answers and they all look at him with blank faces) HELLLOOO? Can you guys stop acting like complete jerks and talk? We have work to do and you guys are all sitting around doing nothing. WTF?
Th- The Pipeline? What’s wrong with it? Isn’t it great?!
My problem? What do you mean what is my problem? You guys are the fucking crazy ones. (Chuckles) You all don’t agree with it? We- We went over this in a meeting yesterday! You all agreed then!
WOOOOOOO! Big FUCKING whoop! Since when did yall ever care about anyone else not- n having a job after the pipeline? Who the hell cares? You’ll still have you job so just shut your mouths! So what if their families suffer? You still have food… don’t you????? Oh yeah, thats right, you will. And what is this about it’s going to cause the th the production of greenhouse emissions that contribute to climate change. Is this science class, no I don’t think so. That’s quite ridiculous for anyone to be worried about, don’t you think?
Listen here and listen good. The Pipeline is amazing. It’ll improve so much. You all are so worried about facts well here ya go: Canadian oil resources will limit the U- U.S.’s dependence on foreign oil, if there is greater access to oil, that will push down the world's crude prices, and we will generate 1.8 b-b billion dollars in economic activity during construction in Nebraska alone. How’s that for ya? Hu, HUH?
What?! (Snatches off hat & becomes even angrier) Now you’re worried about tar sands?!?!?!?! GOD, just kill me would ya please?! Why do you assholes care about that HUH? If the pipeline wears out that’s where the builders will come in to refuckingbuild it okay idiots? You all are so quick to think you know it all, WHEN YOU DON’T!
An- And you know what? Those tar sands, that’s not even gonna happen. There are so many plus’ to this pipeline and you all are looking for ways to tear it down. (looks around at everyone in the office paying close attention to his answers towards different people in the room) You guys need to seriously get over it. This shit is happening, and it’s happening now. Next meeting is in 20, be prepared to not FUCKING CHANGE YOUR MINDS!
(Grabs his coat and leaves with a disgusted look on his face)
Beatrice’s Distraught
(Hears noises outside, recognizes them & decides to join in today’s protest) (Walks outside and is confused)
What the heck? My lord what is going on?! Why are there people being arrested? (She had never witnessed people getting arrested for protests before)
Wait! Why are these innocent protesters getting arrested?! They are all over the place! Oh my gosh, SUSAN?! AND ANNIE?! God my beautiful neighbors!
(Sees police officer and runs up to him to ask questions)
Wait….. what?! This doesn’t make any sense. How is this illegal? This happens all the time. They are just fighting for what’s right! Why are you all arresting them?!
What do you mean they’re disrupting a neighborhood, disturbing the people in it?! I live in this neighborhood and I am NOT disturbed! I completely agree with them! Do you even know what they are protesting about?
(Looks at the police officer's face and shakes her head after he says no)
They are angry about the Pipeline and how it is going to destroy our world! And do you know how much money is being spent for all this buffoonery?! It is a 7 billion dollar proposed pipeline! That is ridiculous! Do you know what we could be using this money for, i mean, we -----
(the policeman cut her off)
(Her face drops & she is taken back after the police officer interrupts her)
Excuse me! You didn’t have to be rude! I was just helping YOU learn about the pipeline! Okay, I don’t care who you are! Police Officer or not, you are WRONG! I actually came out here to protest and fight for what is right, and if you can’t see that this pipeline is is is… is ABSURD, you’re an idiot!
(Looks up at police offer and stares right into his eyes) I have a right to speak my mind and speak the truth! It is pathetic that the employment rate will go DOWN after this, not up! 40% of people in the U.S. work at gas stations and they get paid minimum wage at that! What will all those people do? Don’t you think they have families to take care of?
So you think people that work to help build the pipeline aren’t gonna have jobs? Yes they will! Just because they are working to build the pipeline doesn’t mean that’s the only job they are assigned to to build! They work on different projects! But it’s different for the workers at gas stations. They can’t just move on to another thing! It doesn’t make any sense for to be arresting people. Don’t we have freedom of speech? You are just wasting your time in the ferocious heat trying to arrest people when you know you can’t get them all.
(Laughs at herself in her thoughts) Ha… you know what? Why am I here fighting with you when I can be making a difference. (Starts walking back towards her home & starts talking to herself) I don’t think i’ll stop protesting.. but I guess I should benefit myself. I’ll take it to the government. All I have to do is write a letter… and create a petition! hmmm….
(Walks into house & shuts door)
The Undecidable Bob
(Outside, sitting down at his assigned worksite for the pipeline creation eating his lunch)
Hey (whispers to another worker) When did you start working here? 3 years ago?! WOW. Can you just hear me out really quickly? Uhhhhhh, I just need someone to listen to me. My thoughts about this pipeline have been crazy lately! I need to get this off my chest.
(Smiles at his cobuilder who says he’ll listen)
Okay.. thanks! So ummm, about a year ago I started working to help build this pipeline. At first, boy was I ummm. excited ! I used to take on any task and build anything anyone would ask me to. But uhh now, in all honesty, I hate this job. I have to work out in the sun every single day and I don’t get paid much. But I have to do it for my family.
I mean… I uhh, maybe I would like my job better if it were for a better cause. I mean, I ummm, I understand the point of it, but I don’t necessarily think that this is the best way to approach this situation. On the bad side, people are gonna lose their jobs. But on the good side it is “supposed” to help the economy. It’s like, I understand it, but I don’t think it is completely right or fair to both sides of people. The ones who agree, and the ones who disagree. I have to keep working for the money too. If not, I can’t pay rent, or I won’t have gas money. I have a family to raise and I can’t do that with no money.
You do know that the pipeline is supposed to be carrying oil from Canada’s tar sands and down to U.S. refineries by the Gulf of Mexico, r-r right? (Looks at his cobuilder for reassurance)
I don’t think that all the protesters will be able to open the governments as to see that this pipeline is affecting them and that it is wrong. People don’t have power over the government. I mean maybe some people will change their minds, but they won’t put a stop to it. Especially after all the money proposals and time has gone into it so far. And the poor government, they have to ignore all these people and just go along with it. I bet you some of them don’t even agree as much, like me, but need their job.
(Shakes his head and becomes embarrassed)
You know what, umm, sorry. Uhhh, nevermind. I’ll be fine, Ummm. I don’t know why I’m pouring my feelings out to a stranger, umm. Sorry, s-s-sorry.
(Backs up quickly and removes himself from that very awkward position.)
Part IV:
