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Jenny's Monologue Project

Posted by Jennifer Perez in World History - Block on
Introduction
In history class, we were told about the story of the Keystone Pipeline XL that will come from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico filled with tar sands. Together as a class we watched videos and read some articles about the pipeline that was going to be built later on in the future. Some of the pipeline has been already made. We watched how the people would go to the White House and start a protest. They argued how the pipeline is a disgrace to nature and how its in the way. Our history teacher, decided to do a project based on the issue of the Keystone pipeline. We were to do a 3 monologues, if you were to go solo on the project but if you decided to partner with someone then you'll have to 5 monologues, including one video of one of the monologues you chose to pick. I went solo in this project and I also put as much as descriptive I can be with one of my monologue. I also put in information as possible in my monologue. Hopefully I'm willing to get a good grade.
​Monologue 1

The Grumpy Man

What is this crap?
How dare, they build this pipeline its so stupid.
Watching this commercial makes me sick.
I think I need another beer, to calm myself.
Here I was just sitting on my favorite couch
relaxing from a day off I had from my job sitting
with a beer can in my hand, enjoying the day.
Everything was going great until it the commercial
came on and changed my whole entire mood.
This commercial is getting on my last nerve now.
An oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico to make a change?
Please! we should be worrying about other important things then this carp
What’s wrong with this world!
Spending money on shit we don’t need

BARK! BARK! BARK!
My dog, Sparky, came up running at the TV barking at the
people on TV every time the commercial comes up.
Even my dog disagree with this trash,
Sparky is sitting in front of me, scratching his ears with
curiosity while watching me, talking to myself.
Finally told Sparky, Why am I questioning Sparky?
Because its not right.
This is a project that's going to bring thousands of jobs to America?
and a lot of investment. A $7 billion investment by the company
TransCanada, that's building the pipeline, as well as the benefits to state
and local governments of property taxes.
You dogs may not understand all of this none sense but all you gotta
know is that I work for taxes!
I gotta tell the guys at work! I’m such in a bad mood right now?
A pipeline that can help america?
Our future does not run on oil!

Monologue  2


Bad News 


Gather around my friends.

I have some bad news

Everyone stared at me with curiosity

Questioning me and asking what’s wrong?  

I was hoping they’ll take this seriously,

I don’t want to look like a fool standing there 

about the news on what i’m about to tell them.

We gather around the coffee machine 

like every other employees do

You know how we work with taxes financial aids, right?

Theres an oil pipeline going from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. 

This project takes crude oil coming from 

a region known as the oil sands. I have heard that 

The Obama administration is facing a political problem regarding 

a proposal for a 1,700-mile crude oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. 


What’s wrong with it?

They told me,

You don’t get it just  think about it, 

Your looking at a $7 million project oil pipeline

You may be asking why do I care? 

Well first of all, Its a pipeline and wondering where 

and how will they get the money to build this non sense ? 

From us, were the one whos paying it.

Thats a lot of money!

We are the ones who are going to be suffering.

And we work for taxes and financial 

Money and taxes are hard these days 

I have heard estimates of 20,000 jobs? 

One of my friends from my job told me

Why not debate the number of jobs? 

Don't you think that's important?

Yeah but how does a fucking pipeline build up 20,000 jobs,

Of course its important for jobs to gain but by a damn pipeline?

I say lets go on strike 

They agree.


Monologue  3


Just Want to be Love 


Cold and dusty

On a fall day somewhere in november.

In the middle of nowhere

Winds blowing, silent trees, clear bright blue skies

And no one to be around with

Not a friend, not spirit

As I looked around my surroundings

No one visits me, at all

Just plain nature.


Its just me and mother nature now.

Nature is sensitive and its very hard to understand

Realizing that i’m all alone 

Feeling that no one loves me

I’m hard to be loved

No one wants me around

I’m so lonely, it makes me want to cry 

A Feeling I have that they want to be destroyed

Kicking me out of my own home

To go away because there property, 

Hated and dislike 

Wishing I wasn’t a problem

Its not the best thing to be hated


I see birds now

Flying around the beautiful sky 

Spreading their wings all around, up and down as they go

Feeling free, Living like nothing to care in this world

I want to be just like them, to be free

They never land at my place

Is it because im ugly?

Do I smell?

Am I a bad? 

Sometimes I beg them to come back, they never listen


I try scream but i remember I can’t talk

I’m just a sliver metal long oil pipeline

Going from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. 

What can I do? No one is there for me

But at the end i’m just me what can I do i’ll never change.


Appendix:

*Producing synthetic crude oil from tar sands generates three times the global warming pollution of conventional crude production. 

*Keystone XL would have diverted Canadian oil from refineries in the Midwest to the Gulf Coast where it could be refined and exported.

*$3 billion Keystone XL pipeline connecting us toCanada’s booming oil shale production, 

*We are already the world’s number three oil producer at 7.5 million barrels a day.

*The United States and Canada enjoy the largest trading partnership across the longest peaceful border in the world.

* President Barack Obama said in January he would postpone a decision until 2013 on whether to approve the pipeline

​Bibliography

http://www.aei.org/article/energy-and-the-environment/conventional-energy/fossil-fuels/americas-future-is-oil/?gclid=CJTQ3u7N07MCFQWe4AodWjIAlg

http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html

http://www.nrdc.org/energy/keystone-pipeline/

The Grumpy Man from Jenny Perez on Vimeo.

Keystone XL Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Amy Chen in World History - Block on
Introduction:

This project is about creating a monologue on whether should the Keystone Pipeline should be built or should it not be built. We have to choose three characters or made up character that talks about the keystone pipeline. The keystone pipeline is a pipe that travel from Canada to Texas. We gather quotes from websites and videos to support our monologues. During class, we had a class discussion on what mades a monologue strong. 
For an example:
- Setting
- Object 
- Tone of voice
- Staying in character 
- ETC.
I did my monologues basic on three type of characters that are involve in this Keystone Pipeline. One of my character agree with the Keystone Pipeline. The other one disagree on the Keystone pipeline and the last one is deciding whether he should disagree or agree. When we finalize our project, we have to created a video for one of our monologue. From this project, I learn that this Keystone Pipeline should not be built because it is damaging thousands of people home. Also, it will increased health problems from breathing unhealthy air. Health problem can lead to budge. Budge can lead to thousands of people forming together to takes down the Keystone Pipeline. Another way of saying this is when they build the Keystone Pipeline, more people are going to try to take down the keystone pipeline and when they take it back down it's a waste of 7 billions dollars. 


Monologue 1 (Bill Mckibben)

(Holding a mic)
Obama!
If you can hear me.
I’m outside the white house.
Pointing.
Do you see me?
You hear this sound.
You can tell how much we want this pipeline destroy
It’s not just me
It’s US
Look us in the eye
And tell us that you will not let them build this pipeline.
You can make a change to the earth!
A pipeline that travel from Canada to Texas.
I pretty sure that no one want to breath this toxic air.
Unless,
You want to die.
Listen!
The rise in the ocean will beginning to slow and the planet will begin to heal.
I want snow again.
I don’t want to suffer the rest of my life in a hot environment.
Wait wait wait.
I think I miss the part when they discussed the Arctic is melting.
OH THAT!
If you can hear me in this mic!
STOP THE PIPELINE NOW!
Let the earth heal!
I won’t stop until you stop this.
I believe in you.
I will continue to vote for you.
So help us
We are not going to let Mitt Romney to become president.
We need you.
So help us and we will continue to believe in you.
This pipeline is damaging people’s home.
Hundred.
Thousand.
Look.
Even the chemistry of’ seawater is steadily becoming more acidic, as the ocean absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
Poor earth.
I can hear the animals howling for help.
Help us and we will help you.

Monologue 2 (Transcanada “Corey Goulet”)
Oh,
This seat is comfortable.
Too bad this desk is too big.
I have been staring at Bill Mckibben twitter for hours.
Complaining and Complaining.
Just shut up.
Aright.
Not trying to be mean
But.
We need oil.
We can’t away rely on Mexico.
In the last decade,
Their oil had fallen to 600 thousand barrel
Our pipeline is safe.
We will make sure that it is built correctly.
Okay?
So why don’t you just back up.
And let us build this pipeline.
It’s that simple.
It’s cheap.
And a reliable energy.
Duh!
Saying no to this brilliant idea.
Must mean you are stupid.
Did you see our record Bill Mckibben?.
It was stated that.
Transcanada claim that it’s building the safest pipeline ever
And plus.
Why are you so concern?
If there is a leak.
Our system will stop this immediately before it reach the water.
Or should I say.
Before a drop of oil met the water.
That’s why I said.
(click, click) (computer mouse)
Dam,
Here is another complain.
Gosh.
You know what.
Keep on complaining.
It’s ain’t going to stop us.
Let me just say that.
Let us build this pipeline.
And let everyone be happy

Monologue 3 (Federal Government (employ in state department)) 

(On the phone)
Hello?
I’m Busy right now.
I have a meeting to attend in 2 hours
maybe, next time?

(Clicking the mouse)
(took a deep breathe)
The budget is not getting any better
What am I'm going to do?
This pipeline sure do sound a lot of money.
I mean like.
You already know that we are in debt.
7 billions dollars!
WOhhoo!
This hell lots of money
But….
then..
on the other side….
it does help us too.
Like,
Okay,
SO think about this.
If we do build this.
Then this mean that our oil will becoming cheaper.
I play over 50 dollar a week just going to work and back from work
Save me so budge!
Wait,
but
then
there is
cons
lots of them
Like the pipe will leak and causes damage
and that’s another thousand
or maybe
millions of dollar
to fixes again
Why can't we be rich?
Thanks to bush!
We are in some much debate.
What is today date again?
agh!
OH!
it's october!!
Next month is the election of the new president.
Secretary!
Bring me so water please!
And get these data done!
No buts or its
I don't care.
I don't give a dam and leave me the hell alone.
This pipeline had destroy my life!
What should I do.
BUilt it or….
don't build it…
Build it..
or
don't build it.
I don't even know!!!

(On the phone)
Hello,
who is this?
This is Mitt Romney. Sir,
I would like you to approve this proposal and allow us to build this pipeline from Canada to Texas  

(Hanging up the phone)
Beeeeeeeeeeppp
(Drink the water)
Dam, Mitt Romney give me some SPACE!
Do I want to approve this method?
Or
do I?

Appendix:  
- Causes Health Problems
- Creates more jobs
- Reliable energy
- Create more Co2 for the earth which can damage the environment even
   more 
- It's dirty
- Leaks and damage can happen to the pipeline
- Clean water supply could decreases  

Bibliography:

"Keystone XL Pipeline." Keystone XL. N.p., 22 Mar. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/k/keystone_pipeline/index.html?8qa>.

"Keystone XL Pipeline Project." Keystone XL Pipeline Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html>.

"Occupy & 350.org Crash Boehner's Office over Backroom Attempt to Revive Keystone XL." Tar Sands Action. N.p., 20 Jan. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.tarsandsaction.org/>.

"Friends of the Earth." Friends of the Earth. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands>.

Click here to watch my video for monologue 3. 

Keystone XL Pipeline Monologue Project from Amy Chen on Vimeo.

Keystone Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Temperance Moore in World History - Block on
                                                            Introduction

In our history project we had to write three monologues, each in different perspectives, about the different views on the Keystone XL Pipeline. The Keystone XL is a pipeline system that transports tar sands oil which is a synthetic crude oil. It was developed by TransCanada and they are currently working to build it. They plan for it to run from Canada to Texas.The Keystone XL Pipeline has started a lot of controversy on whether it should or shouldn’t be built. In my monologues, I tried to put myself in different perspectives rather than just one. I was three different people, Joe Mann, Amanda Leslie,Tommy White, and they all had different problems. Joe Mann can’t seem to get a job but then he hears about this opportunity to work on the Keystone XL. Amanda Leslie is strongly against building the Keystone XL and wants to get rid of it. And Tommy White is already working for the Keystone XL but he’s sick of it. What I got from writing these monologues is looking on both sides of the Keystone Pipeline. It helped me understand how in some ways I can see why republicans want this and other ways I can see the harm in having it. So, with that I can understand why there is such a huge controversial argument going on. I hope you enjoy reading them!

  



  Who’s Hiring?



Monologue #1: Joe Mann

(Sitting in his kitchen at the breakfast counter. He’s talking on a small flip phone.)

Uh. Hello? Oh, yes..Hi. My name is Joe Mann...and I was wondering if you were hiring?....How old am I? 36...Where do I come from?.....What do you mean?....Ohhh what job do I come from....um well I haven’t been employed for a year. I’ve been living off of my parents....I am experienced...I just haven’t been working....I’m good at typing, you know um computer work and stuff....Filing? Filing what?....Well I can learn....what? You’re not hiring?...So why did you just ask me all these questions?....Can’t you just interview me?...no...ok...Thank you, bye-bye.
Ugh. I need a drink.

(Walks to a bar a few blocks away from his house. He continued thinking about where to work)

Can I have a Bud please. Thanks.
(Overhears a conversation between three men about the keystone pipeline.)

Keystone pipeline....hey...yeah you....what are they hiring or something? Oh Yeah? How much do they pay you?....Oh but they’re giving a lot of job opportunities to people? Yeah I need a job. You got connections? Yeah I’d like their number....Thanks.
(A young man sits down next to him. He overheard the conversation and he tries to talk Joe out of it.)
I don’t want that job? What do you mean? I need a job, you don’t know my situation. It’s not promising? What do you mean it’s not guaranteed I’ll get a job? Oh it’s not guaranteed I’ll keep it? What do you mean it’s temporary. You know what how about you just mind your business. You don’t know how badly I need a job. You’re talking nonsense. No one was even talking to you. I don’t need your dumb warning. What are you talking about? The guys over there were just saying how republican leaders and other pipeline supporters offered up many jobs from Keystone XL  and that it will create anywhere from 20,000 to 500,000 jobs. That’s plenty of opportunities. I know what your problem is....yeah...I do. You just want as many opportunities for yourself and so you’re making up stupid stories to run people off. Yeah, whatever. Go tell your myths to someone else.
(Thinks to himself)
Shoot. What am I going to now? I hear about this pipe thing that’s offering all these jobs and then someone comes and gives me different information. Despite my behavior...I kind of believe him. I don’t want to because it would make it so much easier if for me to make my decision. Then again...maybe it’s ok if the job is temporary...that’s still money....and I’ll just look for another job while I’m working. That’ll work right? Geesh...I just need a job.



                                            

  I Can Do It On My Own


Monologue #2: Amanda Leslie
(Amanda is laying with her back on the couch and her arm on her forehead)

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. I can hear the clock as I lay here...thinking. Thinking about what life would be like if whoever hadn’t thought up this ridiculous idea to make a pipeline, carrying oil. Oil! Like we haven’t enough already...ok well maybe we don’t have it but other countries do. Can’t we just continue to keep buying it from them? I mean why can’t they just make peace already. I personally think that buying oil from another country is way better than wasting all this time and money to make a pipe and fill it with oil, that could really harm us environmentally. I thought our country could do better than that. So I want to be the change since nothing is getting any better. The more they try to make it better, the worse everything gets. And I know exactly what I’m going to do. I’m going to protest and make a huge scene to let everyone know that I’m serious about keeping our environment safe. I’ll recruit people that are on my side. We’ll start a rally! We’ll camp out next to the pipeline and stand in the bulldozers way. We’ll get their attention. We’ll make a public announcement that will be so loud, the astronauts will hear it in space! We will be global. Oh, I’ve got to call Jessie and tell her of my wonderful plan!
(Dials Jessie’s number on her house phone)

Jessie?....Oh hey... it’s me....Amanda?.....Ohh hahaha you’re such a joker. Listen, I have the most genius plan to stop that ridiculous keystone pipeline act. I wanted to start a rally. We could camp out next to the pipeline, make public announcements and-.....Oh no, no Jessie you don’t understand this is a great plan.....but it’ll stop them dead in their tracks....why don’t you have a good feeling about it? I can assure you we’re doing the right thing here. I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do....well how do you expect anything to happen if you’re just laying on your butt all day watching the food network?....No, Jessie...I didn’t mean it like that it’s just-....Jessie no, I’m sorry...Jessie (Other line clicks)....Jessie?

(Sighs) Great. Jessie is my best friend....I’ll make it up later. Fine, if she won’t do it, then I’ll call Mike.....no. I’ll do this on my own and that’ll show Jessie what she’s missing. She’ll see the huge difference I’ll be making and practically be begging to join me. (Takes out a piece of paper and a pen. She starts to write the speech she plans to announce.) Citizens of Canada, I’m here to inform you about the Keystone Pipeline. As a child I’ve always wanted a peace of mind about our earth, but it was hard. I was only 8 and I was already getting gray hairs (Laughs). It would make me sick. My only dream was that the earth would be a better place. I would always wish that before I blew out the candles each year on my birthday. Look now. I guess wishing didn’t  do any good. Listen I know it’s not Disneyland, dreams don’t always come but that doesn’t mean they can’t come true! If you want to do something, then get your butts up and do something! Who’s with me? We’ll start right now. We’ll petition and boycott, we’ll do whatever it takes. (Amanda finishes her speech, sits back on her couch and thinks to herself) We’ll beat this, and even if it means me going this alone....I’ll beat this. I know I will.



                                   
  Same’ ol Same ol’

Monologue #3: Tommy White

(Tommy is on an open space of land. There are piles dirt, bulldozers and working men everywhere. Tommy is shoveling.)
Everyday is the same. Same digging, shoveling, building, shoveling, digging, building. I can’t stand it but I need this job. So many people are starting a controversy over it. Some people are against and they’re saying how dirty it is and how the jobs aren’t promising. I got this job before the pipeline was being built. The other people who are for it are saying how it’s cheaper and reliable, and we won’t be dependent on other countries for it. All this protesting and boycotting. Every time I turn on the t.v commercials come on every 10 minutes and do you know what they’re about? The stupid Keystone pipeline. The point of going home and relaxing is to get away from work, not coming home to it. I’m just sick of it all. Honestly....I don’t really care about any of it. I don’t know what to believe. I just need this money. How did I get caught in this mess anyway? I keep thinking about how people are saying the jobs are temporary. I mean I know I’ve been here for a long time but what about after it’s over? I try to shrug those thoughts off. We’re all doing it for the money anyway. In the meantime I’m just going to keep wasting my breath doing the same thing everyday, at least I’m getting paid for it...for now at least.


Appendix

1) Arguments against the Keystone XL Pipeline say that it encourages production of dirty crude from oil and it would threaten sensitive lands and it’s water sources.

“Encourages production of a dirty sort of crude from oil sands and it would threaten sensitive lands and also water sources along it’s route.”
"Keystone XL Pipeline." Keystone XL. New York Times, 15 Oct. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/k/keystone_pipeline/index.html?8qa>.


2) President Obama turned down the proposal of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

“To show his support, in March 2012, President Obama stood in a red-dirt field near Cushing, Okla. in front of acres of stacked pipeline pieces and declared that the Gulf Coast portion of the pipeline was a priority for his administration.”
"Keystone XL Pipeline." Keystone XL. New York Times, 15 Oct. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/k/keystone_pipeline/index.html?8qa>.
 
“President Obama rejected the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline on January 18, 2012, dealing a blow to Big Oil.”
"Friends of the Earth." Friends of the Earth. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands>.


3) Republicans and other people who support the pipeline stated that the Keystone XL would create anywhere from 20,00 to 500,000 jobs.

“Republican leaders and other pipeline supporters have offered up a wide range of claims about how many jobs Keystone XL (ultimately a temporary construction project) will create—anywhere from 20,000 to 500,000.”
"The Undead Pipeline Returns." YES! Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/madeline-ostrander/the-undead-pipeline>.


4) A Cornell University argued that the Keystone XL would create about 5,000 to 6,000 jobs over three years and most of them would be temporary.

“A Cornell University study argued that the project would create fewer than 5,000 jobs and could cause job losses in some parts of the country. The State Department predicted it would create about 5,000 to 6,000 jobs over three years, most of them temporary.”
"The Undead Pipeline Returns." YES! Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/madeline-ostrander/the-undead-pipeline>.

5) Tar sands oil requires harming the environment in order to make transportation fuel.

“Tar sands oil is a high carbon fuel strip-mined from beneath Canada’s Boreal forest. Fuel from tar sands represents an increasingly significant portion of the fuel used in cars in the United States. To extract oil from tar sands, companies must destroy fragile forest ecosystems and then use a very energy-intensive upgrading and refining process to turn that oil into transportation fuel.” "Friends of the Earth." Friends of the Earth. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands>.

6) President Obama permitted TransCanada to build the Keystone XL after he rejected it.

”On March 22, 2012, President Obama bowed to Big Oil by issuing a memorandum and executive order to federal agencies to expedite the review of Keystone XL’s southern segment, completely backtracking on his previous basic commitment to a transparent and full review of TransCanada’s pipeline. The president pledged to “cut through the red tape” and “get it done” -- as if following bedrock environmental laws were a nuisance instead of a necessity.”
"Friends of the Earth." Friends of the Earth. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands>.


I Can Do It On My Own from Temperance Moore on Vimeo.

3 Keystone Pipeline Monologues

Posted by Rahed Albarouki in World History - Block on
I.

I was assigned a project in my History class where I had to write three different monologues on views of the Keystone Pipeline from different perspectives. I chose to write three pieces on people who are against it, but they all have their own unique quality to them.

----------------------------------

A world where man is the superior, is a world worth dying. Centuries have passed and humans have done nothing but trash this Earth. Earth has beauty and wonders like no other. If you think about it, it's actually very unique. Many people would try to preserve its grace, but often fail by the ignorance of greed. As of right now a pipeline is being built, that will stretch from Alberta, Canada, to Houston, Texas, and it will transfer oil in and out of this country. The Keystone Pipeline is probably going to be one of the most hurtful inventions on this planet. There is a huge possibility that the pipeline will effect nature, animals, and residents of this country. Environmentalists are trying to stop this project. They fear that it will harm animals, water supply, and most importantly, nature. Not only do they fear it, but they've felt it. Thousands of boycotts have happened around the country to try and put a stop to this. I've seen videos and photos of protestors chaining themselves to trees, to prevent the claw of a bulldozer from digging up a three hundred year old piece of life. I've learned to stand right next to them and be called a "nature freak" because I feel like this world is crumbling around us and if we don't do something now, Mother Nature going to shut her eyes on the outside forces.

II.

#1 Eirene
(is staring at the nurse with a friendly smile on her face) 

No, I don’t need my wig today. I would like a bandana though. My head can get a bit chilly. Yea the green one. Green is my favorite color. No, I don’t want to watch cartoons. (looks at TV) I hear Scott Pelley talking about nature! That’s way more exciting than Spongebob! Like I said Sue, green is my favorite color! What do those headlines say? A Trees SOS. The Ground Is Crying. Wh-What?? (looks at the nurse) Sue, what is this? A pipeline to transfer oil?  (stares off into the distance and is shaking her head side-to-side slowly in frustration) Oil. Hm, figures. (looks back at TV) Environmentalists Arrested For Protesting. (pauses for a second ----- then gets really angry and screams) NARROW-MINDED SONS-A-BITCHES! FUCK YOU! All this country wants is money! MONEY! It’s all about greed! They know NOTHING! NOTHING! All those damn Republicans want is to dirty the Earth with their hands! Mess around with its vulnerability until it finally crumbles. (she turns her head towards the nurse. is angry) No, I won’t be quiet! I don’t give a shit if the other nurses hear me! I give a shit if the world hears me! Excuse me? What do you think because I can hardly walk, I can’t speak? Haha, yea right they’re going to arrest me. I’d rather die before I give in!

(about a 5 second pause, then she’s in heaven.. standing. she speaks slowly and in a calm manner)

Peace. Peace is what needs to happen. But it won’t. It never will. Not for the Earth. Not for me. I’m standing here in front of the gates of heaven, dead. (serious face) Dead. When I said I’d rather die before I give in, I wasn’t lying. I’m dead for a reason. Not because of my disease, but because of my morals. (kind of a confused expression on her face) My morals. When you die with something you stand for, it’s called integrity. When you die because of something you stand for, it’s called (about a 1 second pause) “someone is a bitch.”



#2 Bye-Bye Birdie​

(staring off into the distance with a scared expression on her face) 

Oh shit. A bulldozer. (panicking to wake up her sons) Darling, darling wake up your brother! Now! Come on, we have to go. No questions! Just go! (points) Fly down by the bush! (screams) HURRY! (looks down from the tree to her one son) You down there?? OK, wait for us! (is rushing her other son) Come on Birdie, lets go. What do you mean you can’t fly? (pauses, a bit scared) Oh damn. You’re the one who isn’t full grown. Well, sweetie, it’s time to learn how to fly by falling. Lets go! 1-2-3!! (optimistic) Haha, you’re doing it! (her son starts falling, so she screams) NO NO NOOO!! (her son lands on the ground and can’t move) Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! Come on, we have to go now! You can’t move? Which wing? (stares at the in coming bulldozer) Oh My God! (staring at her son on the ground) No, no! I’m not going without you! Let’s go! (stares at her son by the bush) No, stay over there!! STAY OVER THERE! (staring at her son on the ground) We’re going to make it! Do you hear me Birdie? We are going to make it! (pauses for a few seconds while staring at her son on the ground. she realizes that he’s not going to move) You’re not going to make it are you? Then, neither am I. Yes I am staying. (gets serious and in her son’s face) I’m your mother and you will do as I say and I will do what I want. (the bulldozer is near) I love you. (her scream is progressing to a very loud “NO”) no-no-No-NO-NOOOOOOO!!

​

#3 Hey There Delilah



(the dad is smiling at his daughter with an exhausted expression on his face) 



“Hey there Delilah! How are you?? You enjoying time with your mom?” (she sounds sad and is speaking in a low tone of voice. she is writing in her journal) That’s all he says me when he wakes my tired six year old body up at two in the morning after his job is finished. I never see my daddy. At least not after he got that job as a construction worker for some dumbass pipeline. (she finally stares straight into your eyes) Oops, can’t say that word. Mommy said I’m not allowed to curse. But I hear daddy curse all the time. (she is looking around, kind of depressed looking) He curses at mommy. Before he got the job, he would always sing the song, “Hey There Delilah” to me. His vocals put me to sleep. Now, I don’t sleep. I just lay in my bed all day while mommy’s working. She’s always working late... that’s what she tells me when I ask where she’s been. When she comes to kiss me goodnight, her breath smells like a bottle of something I recognize from a family reunion that I once went too. It smells nasty. (looks down at her journal, kind of whispering) Daddy just got home.. I’ll be back in a minute Journal. You lay on my pillow, just like you always do. We rehearsed remember? Ugh, I don’t have time, daddy’s home. (the dad is smiling at his daughter with an exhausted expression on his face) “Hey there Delilah! How are you?? You enjoying time with your mom?” (she starts off laying down, but then gets up and looks at her down in the eyes) Hey there daddy, where have you been? (the dad is looking around like he wants to cry, trying to avoid it)


​III.
Appendix
- It increases greenhouse gas emissions
- The pipeline is running directly over the biggest source of fresh water in the middle of our continent - The Aguila Aquifer. If leaks occur, contamination is certain.
- By reducing our dependence on foreign oil, we will make our Nation more secure and improve our trade balance, thus creating jobs and supporting domestic industry.
- It puts the country deeper in debt.
- Julia Trigg Crawford feels like it’s immoral to run a pipeline of oil under her land that is considered sacred.
- Climate change: the tar sands will add to the realism of global warming





​Bibliography
- Mufson, Steven. "Keystone Pipeline Clears a Hurdle." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2012. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/texas-judge-rules-in-favor-of-transcanada-in-eminent-domain-case/2012/08/23/87744776-ecda-11e1-a80b-9f898562d010_story.html>.
- Sartore, Photograph By Joel. "Pictures: Animals That Blocked Keystone XL Pipeline Path." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 18 Jan. 2012. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2012/01/pictures/120119-animals-blocked-keystone-xl/>.

​- "Keystone XL Pipeline: How Long Will Customers Wait?" The Huffington Post. The Canadian Press, 19 Jan. 2012. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/01/19/keystone-xl-pipeline-customers-delay_n_1216194.html>.

The Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Aaron Tang in World History - Block on
The project is about Keystone Pipeline company are trying to build pipeline, so people can start using the fossil fuel as a new technology. Keystone Pipeline will start from Canada to the middle coast of United States, straight down to Texas. There are a lot of consequences between the people living the middle coast and the company. However, the senators, presidents are debating whether to build it or not. They said, it will create more jobs and making the economy grow. Over the past few weeks, I researched all these information about the cons and pros. The purpose of this project is to write three monologues from different points of prospective. I also learned all these new information how it affects us today and the future. People are fighting for their lives to end the Keystone pipeline and willing to take a stand.

Monologue 1: Hungry for money.

( Mr. Adam is at Houston Texas in the forest building the pipelines with his constructors. He has a shovel and special tools around his waist, working his way down south to build the pipeline).


(Talking to his friend)

I can’t believe this! Am I living right now? It’s been a long day. Pipeline here we go. Special benefits for the nation to have a better economy. I am thrilled of having this job, Matthew. How to put this in words. I need to money for my future and my family. I have a wife that live with me. We’re living in a small place where we can’t barely pay off....


(Low voice)

Yeah, we’re poor. Matthew, having this job is an opportunity of getting a 2nd chance. Life is tough out there, not a lot of jobs out there. Pipeline offer thousands of jobs for people like us to get money! You know. I’m digging it.  


(Looks over at Matt, disappointing)

What’s wrong? (Making a grin face) Brighten your face a bit! You’re totally wrong with that. You said it will destroy our economy? What the hell, the keystone have so many benefits for everyone. I believe we made an awesome decisions to build out future technology. For one thing, the tar sand will sure give us gas since we are in a low economy. Look the economy rise when gas cost $4 per gallon! (Expression more happy). Ain’t that awesome for everyone! Yay! Look on the bright side, we will get cheaper gas when pipelines are there! My poppa, my mama, my sis and my bro need everything cheap. I mean cheap stuff that we can afford!


(Shoveling while listening to Matt)

Did I just hear about the great plains should be kept? Haha, you’re funny. Ain’t nobody cares about mother nature. I don’t care. Like c’mon, carbon will go up in the air, no matter how we change it or not. The atmosphere will be ka’boom. The end.


(Happy voice)

We need our industry to boost up for god sake! People care about the economics where the stocks can be cheap and proficient. Pipeline will be guarantee that we will watch it 24/7. If there are any damages, evacuation will be there immediately fixing it. Wahh lah. Brand new! I’m giving my best shots on having this industry. You feel me?


(Look at Matthew talking and gets irritated)

Why the serious face Matthew? Oh, you said you don’t like the KeyStone, then are you working for them? You should just leave! (Loud and mad). I don’t know why you are against it.  As long as I my money, I’m fine. You can’t lie about that. Our nation don’t have to depend on other countries because it will make our nation more secure, by providing new job opportunities!


(Pause and listen to his friend).

No, I don’t give a crap about the middle coast. They can survive with the pipeline in the middle of nowhere! Trust me! They have legs and arms to travel and move somewhere else. If they protest, they can go to prison. Simple as that. (Pause and listen to his friend again. Then gets really mad) Don’t ever talk about bad things about Keystone Pipeline! Just give me the damn nails so I can finish my work.  

(Looking at the sky).
God bless us.

Monologue 2: Discover research plans.
(In the science lab collecting data with all these chemicals surrounding him).  

(Yelling)

Come over here Pablo! Bad news. You need to come here very quick. Hurry. I found something interesting with the data. (softer voice and talking excitedly) Okay, the percentage dramatically change for the past years, even decades! No no no.


(Voice became  even more dramatic)

The world’s energy had gone from 27% and the C02 rose to 27.5% for the last decade! When the tar sand is finish, we will be doomed. Organisms will die. Glaciers will melt. Water will rise. Extinction. End of the world. Anyways, what information did you find?


(Looking at him. Impatient to talk to his friend).

You’re right! The H20 supplies will be short. The water sources in the middle coast will be destroy because the process of the tar sands will use the H20. H20 is very important! I can’t let this happen. The tar sands contain clay, bituminous and sands. The process of cleaning H20 will take forever to purify water because particles in the tar is a lot dirtier. 400 million gallons of water per day are going to be wasted! Hundreds of families or more can use it for other useful stuff. It sucks because I will not get clean H20 for my system. This will affect so many people!


(Getting frustrated)

There has to be a stop. Somehow and fast! Like, we can start a broadcast or an announcement for people to help the environment!


(Being disappointing)
Mother nature will be in danger when the plant kingdom will die slowly. Organisms will have less oxygen to breathe, and more C02 will be increasing. The cycle will die off if oxygen will be less because C02 will be trap in the atmosphere!  I don’t like this at all! Since so many humans overpopulate and other living organisms living in the world, we will have trouble getting oxygen. Also, organisms will have to travel and find new homes, while humans are destroying the land just for future technology. We’re doomed!

(A long pause looking at the reports. Then being all excited).
We’re scientists! We have our hopes to fix the problem! We have all these informations to prove our points! We will persuade the government and the president about the cons for our safety. We can’t just sit here and let the pipelines destroy the economy! (Raise the first into the air). All for one and one for all! Now let’s get over to the room for our meeting about this problem. Hurry!
Monologue #3: A voice to be heard!

(In Glasgow Montana at the middle of street in Tocar Avenue with group of people protesting and news reporter are recording).

STOP THE PIPELINE!  STOP THE PIPELINE! We want to end this right now!

(A woman that is even louder).

We want a better future for our families and other people. Fight for your beliefs everyone! There has to be an end to the disaster of tar sand. Trees are falling down every seconds, where tar sand is destroying our land! Our desires is to have a better environment.


(Using the megaphone, clearing the throat by coughing).

Attention everyone! I have a confession to make. You know why we are here today. (People are rowdy). Calm down everyone, we are here as a whole. Not pieces of jigsaw puzzle fighting alone.


(Pain in her voice).

I want to say that I have 2 younger children. I don’t want them to suffer the pain of smelling the disgusting air. Having my kids drinking the nasty water are poisonous! Does anyone want their children to drink that water so they will get sick and die? NO!! Water supplies are already low and we shouldn’t destroy it even more. They said the tar sand oil is a lot cheaper. (Intense) Bull crap! The industry will increase such as water. No one will survive in this severe problem and we can’t lose our future!  


(Points out at the forest ahead of her)

You see this? We need it. Each one of them are put down because of us. What happens if they are all gone? We’re doomed. Yeah, Jobs. They have one weapon—money. They’ve used it to buy the allegiance of many Representatives and Senators and now they’ll use Congress to try and get their dirty work done. That’s not how things work.


I am living here, while I can see the pipelines behind my back yard? I don’t want to wake up in the middle of night when pipelines are pumping every seconds. Hahaha, it’s funny right? I don’t think so. How bad can it get? A Lot. I mean pipelines is the stupid thing that is invented in our history. Like, do we have an agreement with our society? America can do better than this!


(Stronger voice).

I’m willing to take a stand for my people. I don’t care if i get arrested because I didn’t commit a crime. (moment of silence for couple of seconds). Whoever is out there, please help us. We need each of everyone to stand up because it’s our social economy. Together, we will destroy the KeyStone Pipeline, and we will fight till the end!

I may be dumb but, I know my facts. ( Puts the megaphone down and walk away).
Here is the video of my one monologue. Click here.

Appendix
- Co2 from tar sand will produce a lot that travels in the atmosphere causing a disaster.
- Many people are willing to fight against pipeline in the middle coast of United States.
- Occupations are important to many people than saving the forests.
-  The economy are trying to build the pipeline currently and giving a better future.
- Families who live near the pipeline are devastated about the tar sand.
-  Pipeline will cause the water supplies and it will waste over 400 million gallons of water each day.
Bibliography:
"Keystone XL Pipeline." Keystone XL. N.p., 22 Mar. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/k/keystone_pipeline/index.html?8qa>.

"Tar Sands Blockade." » Taking Non-violent Direct Action to Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline. N.p., 12 Oct. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://tarsandsblockade.org/>.

"Occupy & 350.org Crash Boehner's Office over Backroom Attempt to Revive Keystone XL." Tar Sands Action. N.p., 20 Jan. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.tarsandsaction.org/>.

"The Undead Pipeline Returns." YES! Magazine. N.p., 29 Feb. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/madeline-ostrander/the-undead-pipeline>.

"Keystone XL Pipeline Project." Keystone XL Pipeline Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html>.

Room For Debate - PATRIOT ACT

Posted by Nicholas Manton on
​The PATRIOT Act is very useful, but it also has its faults. The Patriot Act was a quick response to the wake up call known as 9/11. Almost everyone agreed upon the Act, because they would be seen as unpatriotic if they did not agree to it. The Patriot Act was put in place to stop possible terrorist threats, and any other act of harm to the american people, which is what it has done.
But, the Patriot Act, also has many faults. Many people are unnecessarily investigated, such as "eating too much falafel," according to Steven Colbert. The Patriot Act is a necessary Act, it has helped prevent at least 30 terroristic threats, and we can not over look that. But, the Patriot Act needs to be babysat, it can not go around do whatever it wants, or else we're just searching because we can. 

Keystone Pipeline Smith

Posted by Raekwon Smith in World History - Block on

The project was about the Keystone Pipeline and how it was going to carry oil from Canada to the Southern parts of the U.S.A. Some people were for it getting built and some were against it. In Class we brainstormed about monologue ideas and the people or objects we would portray. My partner and I chose between the ones we brainstormed our 5 best combined. We chose the following 5; A canadian hockey player, a bulldozer operator, a jobless man living near the construction site, a farmer whose land will be plowed through, and the a water droplet infected by the oils from the tar sands.


My partner and I learned a lot from this project. We learned all about the negative outcomes and positive outcomes of building this pipe. The negative outcomes we learned were tar sands release three times the amount of CO2 as regular oil drillings causing more global climate change. The positive outcome(s) we learned were, safe oil transferring within America, and also this can help America’s debt with third world countries.

​Monologue #1:

Title: Cropped From the Picture

(John Lucas III Lives in texas and the pipeline is going to force him to leave and give up his his land for the pipeline to run through)

(Walking towards mailbox)Let’s go get the mail, hmmmm what’s this, from your friends TransCanada, (talking and walking towards table) let me sit down cause last time I checked they ain’t ma friends. ( mumbles reading letter) WOOOOOOOW aint that something. They tryna destroy our land and pay us for it. TransCanada that big company up north think they running stuff up in here. Those Canadian’s think they slick don’t they. Well I got something for em, A BIG FAT NO. I can’t believe this BS. Our family has lived on this farm for decades and a few thousand dollars isn’t going to change that. My great great great Grandfather brought this land years ago with my great great great grandmother. They built this farm from the ground up into what it is today. People think it’s all about the money and people will do anything for it, well newsflash, people also have morals! Myself and others care about family values and don’t let money change us. There is no chance in hell I’m letting someone take my land let alone a non American. I didn’t really care about this little project they had going on anyway but this did it and now, I’m ANGRY. I was going to stay out of way but, noooo those Idiots just had to run through our land. Why not the Taylor’s from across the way. I never liked them but I guess what goes around comes around. I’m just so mad that this is happening. If my grandfather was here today I believe he would feel the same way and be fighting for our farm to stay just like me. Back in the day, the Taylors who where big names in the town tried to kick us off my land, My grandpappy didn’t give up when they came a marching so I shouldn’t either. If I’m going to keep the family tradition going then I’m going to need to some help. Maybe if I call all my cousins and siblings maybe it we could do it but only if we put forth our best effort. I will put my life on the line if it means this farmland stays here. I want my grandchildren to be able to witness their ancestors work 1st hand.(Stands up and says it loud and proud) So when them rich Canadians come marching down here tryna act like they tough, I’m fittna put up the fight of my life. Although on the other hand that money could supply more than taking the cows and crops to the market every week. (Slaps self in face) Snap out of it man don’t think that way. Grandfather wouldn’t condone this type of thinking. He would march right on up here out of his grave and smack me around like a little kid. Then again, this money could change my life and I could actually leave this farm because the family tradition kinda sucks. I want a normal life where I don’t have to wake up every morning at 5am. I could get a normal sleep and I could work a normal job. I might even find true love and not some blind date my cousin joey set me up with. This girl Stacy I met on eHarmony wouldn’t want a farmer as a husband. No no no I can’t let greed and love consume me. I need to follow in my ancestors footsteps and maintain our land, it’s the only way. That’s final, I’m going to fight for our land. This Company wanted war, (Yells it) Well I’m going to give them war. May the best man win and may God have mercy on your soul. Time to get ready to enter battle because I will emerge victorious, I guaran-damn-tee it.


Monologue #2:
Title: Skating On Thin...Oil?

It’s been what, about two months since the Flyers traded me to the LA Kings? (Walking to the locker room) That’s all it took, two months for people to try and get me to do things I don’t want to do. It all started in my interview with ESPN (Hand on chin as if you’re thinking) when they began to ask my personal opinion on the Keystone Pipeline and whether it should be built or not. They asked because...well...the pipe was going to be built straight through my hometown. At first, it didn’t matter to me, but when I found out it was being built through MY hometown...my view on it changed.

After my interview with ESPN I was stopped by my manager, he stopped me with simply a hand up on my chest. He wasn’t finished on the phone.


Who was that? Tell me what?

He told me I had to promote the pipe, and I’d get money from the TransCanada company.

“First of all, won’t people think of me as a hypocrite? I just told people on national television that I don’t agree with the pipe now they’re going to see me on posters and billboards agreeing with it?! (slam fist on bench) Great, this is just great.”

Today was the live news broadcast, the day I would become a hypocrite.

“Hello everyone. As you know I am Simon Gagne of the Los Angeles Kings hockey team. I’m here today to discuss the Keystone Pipeline that TransCanada is going to built. Now I’m not that prepared to talk today, I didn’t have much time to think about things. But here it goes...” I started to pull out the paper (pull paper out of pocket) my manager handed me. As I pulled it out I looked over to my manager who was smiling and then at the CEO of TransCanada who nodded his head in a mafia, thug, kind of way.

“...So the pipeline. What it can do for us as Americans is provide about 4,000 jobs...and...and...” I was choking up. This all just didn’t feel right. The crowd was silent waiting for my words to pierce their ear drums.

“...Forget this. If I’m going to talk about this STUPID pipe I’m going to give MY opinion. This pipe has to be the worst idea ever created, big deal we’ll get more jobs, half of America is too lazy to even work anyway. You go to a restaurant or store where the lady or guy is rude or disrespectful and obviously they seem they don’t want to even be there working, then get rid of them and give that job to someone that is willing to work and NEEDS the money. These tar sands release 3 times as much CO2 as regular oil drillings, why is that a positive outcome? Oh my mistake it’s NOT! Do you not see the world’s climates changing as we speak? In the long run the world would be completely destroyed! Climate change will be the main problem in this world! Now if you’re with me, then be with me! Be against this pipe, against TransCanada, and join my side in stopping this pipe from being built!”

The crowd was silent...but...within seconds, there was a roaring thunder of clapping from everyone.




Monologue #3
Title: The Opportunity

“Yes, I’m here to apply for a job.
...Okay...fill this part out? (reach for paper) Okay...bring it back when I’m done? Okay thank you.”

I sat there filling out the job application. Name: Cosmo. Height: 5’11. Eye Color: Brown. Birthday: June 22nd 1983. Address: 610 Walnut Street, Topeka Kansas. Health Problems: None. Allergies: None. Worked with welding before? No.

This form felt like it had a million questions on it, that, or I just haven’t filled out a job application in years.

“Here you go. (Hands paper to person.) Thank you. When will we hear from you if we got the job or not? About a week? Okay. Thank you. Oh Ma'am, will I need to go through training? For welding only? Okay. I’m sorry I’m asking so many questions, but will there be many jobs open? Over 4,000? Awesome. How long is the Pipe? Okay. Thanks again. Good bye now.”

Wow. 1700 miles long...that’s incredibly long. If I get this job, I wonder how much I’d be paid.

(Opens door)

“Hey hun. How was your day? Mine was good. I have good news. Care to hear? Alright so, I went down to the community center today and guess what I saw? That’s right! A poster for job applications! You ask what about? I will tell you baby! It’s an application for a welding job. There’s supposedly a pipeline being built from Canada to Texas, 1700 miles long offering 4,000 plus jobs! Babe! This can be our chance to get away from our finance troubles, this is our opportunity to get free from the constant letters coming in about us not paying our bills. The pipeline will carry oil from these things called tar sands in Canada. I know baby! I love you so much!”
I felt this was the chance god gave us. The feeling that he put us through the poverty to give us this opportunity.

About a week later I received a phone call.

“Hello. Yes I remember applying. Wait...I did? I got the job?! Thank you so much! When do I start!? OKAY! I will see you monday at 6! Thank you for this, my future will be brighter now, for my wife and I.”

“Babe! I got the job!...Yeah! They just called! I start on Monday, 6 AM.”



Monologue #4
Title: Oil Addiction...My Life From the Pipe.

Hi guys my name is Lakely and I’m an oil addict. Two years ago Oil was introduced to me by a pipeline by the name of Keystone who spilled hundreds of gallons of oil that I soaked up and became highly addicted to. For 2 years i was doing 10 gallons of oil a day. It really messed my life up, all the people I ever loved started to leave me because I was contaminated and they couldn’t live with me anymore.e  I promised myself that i wouldn’t get addicted to oil because many of my famous family members like my cousin red deer, and my other cousin Red butte became oil addicts. Yeah I know my family likes to name their children Red blank. Anyway, the oil just made me feel so warm and feel good. I didn’t care it was hurting me I just knew all my troubles were being washed away. My life was stressful up until I found oil, I was carrying different boats across me everyday and having fish and ducks and what not swim and you is no fun at all. The day the oil spilled in me I was having an argument with a Duck named Bill about how the chicken came before the egg. Keystone was flowing over me and then it just busted open and just spewed all of me. I was like “woah dude, what is this. And Bill was like “I don’t know but this is gnarly dude” I’m sorry about the sound affects but it makes it sound more interesting. So now I’m sitting with my friend Bill snorting oil and my friend Bill say’s to me “Hey, do you know what this stuff is” to my response “ I don’t know Gasoline” and Bill says “ this is the stuff they call oil.” That’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks that the high was setting in. I was now hallucinating because I was now seeing Dolphins and Sharks making babies. After that day I did anything I could to get my hands on oil whether it was stealing my friend Bill’s oil or sending other lakes to get my oil. So guys as you can see this experience is one you can learn from and Keystone oil really was a bad idea. Thank you for listening to my story.



Monologue #5

Title: Work Hard, Bulldoze Hard


It’s another day at work on this pipe. There is 1500 more miles to lay down. I’m stationed here in Texas. I’ve been operating bulldozers since I can remember. My dad was a construction worker and he would sneak me to work and let me play with the equipment trying to hide me from his boss. “Hey boss (turns off bulldozer) this is a lot of work. I’m not making enough to support my family and I may need to work overtime. Why not, what you mean it’s not enough hours to go around. (pause for 5 seconds) Thanks you’re really nice. (turns machine back on) Well thanks, I think I should get back to what you’re paying me for.


I went back to work for the rest of the night. I finally got done at midnight. I was starving. A few of my coworkers and I went out to the diner about 10 minutes away.


“Today was hardcore. I know... I asked the boss for some overtime. Yeah he gave me some, me and Amanda are having troubles with money...she said...she’d leave me...if I couldn’t support us. I know, she’s... I don’t even know.” I’m glad I got this overtime though because without it I would be doomed. Well dinner was great man, Imma bounce and let y’all handle the check. I’m out.


When I got home I talked to my wife about my overtime. Hey babe guess what, no babe don’t be silly. I got overtime so I can make more money for us. Yeah I won’t be home as much now but it will only be for a few days. I love you to.



Background
- 1700 miles long
- The United States spends 475 billion on oil a year
- It will Cost $7 billion and carry an estimated 800,000 barrels of oil a day.
- construction will begin in the “first quarter” of 2013


Argument for:
- 1300 Construction Jobs
- cheap, reliable energy
- TransCanada has received lots of support behind the project especially from those who are American and Canadians that work at oil refineries who signed 17 to 18 year contracts to ship over hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil per day.
- the Gulf Coast portion could cost $2.3 billion and create about 4,000 construction & support jobs
- provide energy security within the U.S.


Argument against:
- Tar Sand Oil not clean
- Climate change throughout years
- Have to destroy the planet just to get tar sand
- Brazil mines have 2.3 million barrels a day
- Tar sands are a high-carbon fuel mined from beneath Canada’s Boreal forest.
- in order to collect oil from the tar sands companies must destroy forest systems
- Tar sands mining effects: Canada’s forest systems, huge clean water systems, and disrupt people’s lives that live in the area.
- tar sand extraction emits 3 times more than the average oil extraction in America
- Extracting the fossil fuels from the tar sands from the sand, silt, and clay requires massive amounts of water, 3 barrels of water make one barrel of oil collected.
- pipe goes right across water supplies (pipe could leak)





RESOURCES:
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/k/keystone_pipeline/index.html?8qa

TransCanada

White House Memo

NYTimes: Keystone XL

The Undead Pipeline Returns

Friends of the Earth: Tar Sands

Canadian Broadcast Corporation: Keystone Pipeline

Fox News: Keystone Pipeline

Public Broadcast System: Keystone Pipeline

National Public Radio: Keystone Pipeline

YES Magazine: Keystone Pipeline

Tar Sands Action

Tar Sands Blockade

Global Warming’s Terrifying New Math

monologue from Raekwon Smith on Vimeo.

LAKELY from Raekwon Smith on Vimeo.

Keystone Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by RubyJane Anderson in World History - Block on

In my World History class we’ve been learning a lot about the Keystone XL Pipeline, a proposed oil pipeline that would transport tar sands oil from Canada to Texas (for for information about the Keystone XL Pipeline see appendix below). The assignment was to write three (and preform one) monologues as three different characters talking about the pipeline. The hardest part of this project was finding a balance between showing and telling. 


Starlight (performance artist)

(enters carrying bongos and has flowers in hair) (hairy armpits) (the actress cannot shave for this to work) (if you have ever seen Rent, “Over the Moon” would be good reference)

Hello citizens of the world. I am Starlight, lover of the earth. 

There is a storm coming 

(ominous music) (bongo beat)

A storm...of blood!!!!!!!! 

(bongo beat) 

This blood will cover the land, cover its native people, cover our hearts 

(bongo beat) (cool dance move)

But, these rich rain clouds think they have us fooled. They tell us that yes, perhaps the soil will be stained with tan grainy blood, perhaps our mothers fingers will be reduced to nubs, perhaps the clear milk from her supple breast will be drained, but it is worth it.

Why?

So we can power our stainless steel appliances. So our cars can run faster, better, longer. Who cares if tar sands oil produces 3x more C02...thats what natural resources are here for right? For us to use as fast as we possibly can...they’re renewable, right?Oh 

(bongo beat)

Whats that? They’re nonrenewable? So why do we continue to deplete them?

So we can continue to wear away the hole in our mothers skin. 

Learn the facts, do not become sheeple, baa-ing at corporations as they shear you bare.

(bongo beat)


This next monologue is the one I chose to preform and film. You can view the video here.


Charles McMoneybags

(He is sitting behind an executive desk in a high backed leather chair with great lumbar support. He speaks on a solid gold telephone)

Ma’am, I can assure you that every tree we cut down will be replaced with three more...how long will it t-listen ma’am, I am a very busy man. I only want to help the American Economy...no I will not release my tax returns! How dare you!

(slams phone)

Fuckin hippies!

begins to furiously write. 

phone rings

Hello? What does he want? No. Send him away. I don’t care--I’m a very busy man.

hangs up

phone rings again

Hello? Oh for christs sake Kristen can you please send him away? Tell him I’m at an Obama fashion show, I don’t care. Kristen, I don’t pay you $25,000 dollars a year to let these liberal morons wrestle their way into my office! I am the CEO of the richest oil company in the US! I don’t have time for this shit!

(slams phone really hard, like he wants to kill someone)

writes furiously

phone rings

JESUS CHRIST KRISTEN YOU ARE FIRED! GET OUT! I KNEW I SHOULDN’T HAVE HIRED A WOMAN-oh my god I am so sorry Mrs. Rosenberg. No, I’m not at home right now, maybe Dora can let you in. I think she knows where the spare key is. You have a good day now. 

phone rings

Hello? 

gets exited-its none other than BARACK OBAMA!!!!!!!! 

(motions outside his office for Kristen to come in)

whispers

Kristen, clear my schedule.

Hello Mr. Obama, it is an honor to speak with you. Yes. I understand you are concerned about the environment, but you need to make a choice. If you want the support you had from the right in 2008, you’re going to have to sign off on this or else you are looking at a one term pregnancy. Listen, Barack, can I call you that? This is going to be like liquid gold. If you want to revitalize the US Economy, this is it! You’ve got the property taxes from the land we uses, you’ve go the boost of the local economies. Plus, pipelines are the safest way to transport oil! We’ve got guys out there 24/7 checking for leaks. Alright...I understand your concern...now I didn’t want to bring this up but you leave me no choice...I have some photos from your college years that I don’t think you would want the public to see, Mr. Barack O-Bong-a... You must not be a very good poker player because I am not bluffing. I’ll have my assistant fax them over right now. I would watch my tone if I were you...you have a good day now. 

(Hangs up, and smiles)


Character: Jenkins

Jenkins is a grumpy old man. He lives in a cabin in the woods and has been displaced by construction. He has lots of warts. 


the scene opens with Jenkins waking up from the sounds of bulldozers 


What is that....is it those damn commies? I knew this day would come.


Jenkins reaches into a box under his bed and pulls out a army uniform from the Vietnam war. He puts it on (it is way to big). He puts on the helmet which covers his eyes, so he must constantly adjust it. He pulls a shotgun out from the closet. He walks outside, shotgun pointed at the sky.


Alright you commie pigs...today is the day you die!


Aims gun at sky and shoots wildly


Sayanora! 


stops shooting


Who are you? Whats going on? What? Oh thats what all the commies say mr “Construction Worker” A pipeline? I dont even know what that is! Get out of my yard! What do you mean “eminent domain?” Sounds like a bunch of baloney to me. 


Hey!!! I said get out!! I know that our president, Mr. Richard Nixon, would not support this! I’ll call him right now!! If I could only find my rotary phone...Oh screw it. Get out of my yard!!! 


Didn’t you hear me?? Get out of my yard!!! What do you mean? How is this good for me? Where am I going to live? 


pause


How dare you!!! I have more time than that! I’ll have you know that my father lived to be 83! 


Get...out....of....my...yard!!!


shoots wildly. bullet ricashays off of bulldozer and shoots jenkins in leg. he dies. 



Appendix

-The proposed pipeline would run from Canada to Texas, making it one of the longest oil transportation pipelines in the world.

-The oil transported would be tar sands oil. This oil is very dirty and must go through extensive processing to be useable.

-Tar sands oil produces 3x more CO2 than crude oil. 

-The project (funded by private corporations) would cost roughly 7 billion USD.

-The pipeline would transport 800,000 barrels of oil per day.

-The pipeline would run over the largest freshwater reserve in the US. If there were to be an oil spill it could potentially contaminate our drinking water. 


Bibliography


TransCanada. "Keystone XL Pipeline Project." Keystone XL Pipeline Project. TransCanada, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html>.

Mckibben, Bill. "Global Warming's Terrifying New Math." Rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone, 19 June 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/global-warmings-terrifying-new-math-20120719>.


Beutler, Brian. "The Keystone Fight Is Uniting Tea Partiers With Environmentalists."TPM. N.p., 27 Feb. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/keystone-opposition-creates-strange-bedfellows-in-rural-america.php>.

Enemy of State Response

Posted by Olivia Smith on
​Olivia Smith

Keep in mind you told me to be honest.

I think the film portrays the nation as a buch of whack jobs. It makes us look like a bunch of sleezy dirtbags. We all have some kind of secret and in the government that is very dangerous. I think in the film this makes us all look really gross. 

Theres always a certain darkness in the film. In just the very beginningn they kill that man like its nothing. There were no questions asked just done. These are the men that are running our country. How is that supposed to make this nation look? This can not reflect on us in any good way or put us in any good light. So I think that this makes us look terrible. If this were real, I understand that this would be a huge deal but I think that if we are just being portrayed like this in movies, how do people think of us in the real world?

Pipeline Monologue Project_Iron

Posted by Symone Mc Collum in World History - Block on
We were assigned to make monologues in the perspective of different people to gain a point of view of this thing called the Keystone Pipeline XL. This pipeline is designed to pump tar sands throughout Canada to Texas. Some people think this a very good idea while others think the opposite. I created three monologues to express somewhat of what I thought as well as things I didn’t believe in to give my readers, like you, a chance to be persuaded or to make a final opinion. I hope I was able to help you understand a little better, enjoy!

Monologue #1: Jenna: “NO!”

(Jenna is at a caucus, speaking on behalf of the people in her town. She feels very passionate about the topic, knows her facts, and is very secure when she speaks. It’s as if she’d been studying it her whole life. The purpose of this monologue is for her to sound like she’s stating facts because that’s her approach. She believes people will believe in facts more than they believe in opinions, so that;s what she’ll give them.)

For those of you who don’t know, my name is Jenna Coney and I’m representing all the people in Paris, Texas who can’t find the voice to speak up. (Pause) We the people have to look out for we the people. They’re suppose to have our backs, hell they’re suppose to PROTECT us. What is building a 1,700 mile pipeline going to do? This pipeline is essentially “game over” for us. There’s nothing sustainable about it! (Voice gets louder) They’re using the dirtiest kind of oil with no consideration for the environment we live in.

They’re going to tear away our landscapes in order to make a path for this massive pipe and to get to the oil underground. 1,700 miles of our land, lost people! If we don’t step in and do what we can now, they’re going to keep forcing it on us. They’re going to build the pipeline and start pumping tar sands as quickly as possible and there will be nothing we can do about it. (Walk around desk and look into the audience) That’s not what I want to see happen. We have a chance to fight this. We have the chance to finally stand up and say “NO” and for the people out there who have no voice, or lost their voice in the process of shouting along with me, let us say “NO!” a hundred more times. We won’t have it. We can’t face this pipeline alone and we can’t face it passively. We have to look out for each other and give our planet a voice too.  (Throws paper, walks around desk & exits)



Monologue #2: Franklin: “My way or no way”
(This guy is a CEO of an oil company. He often talks to himself before he meets with the rest of his colleagues to make sure he sounds okay and to make sure he’s secure with his facts. So he’s in his office, sitting at his desk. Talking to himself)

Obama promised to put this economy back on track, but I haven’t seen any progress yet. This pipeline is ready to be built. It’s ready to generate abundant cheap energy from Canada throughout the U.S., so what’s the problem? We need to think about our futures. This pipeline will supply over 20,000 people with jobs. This pipeline causes no threat to our environment, at all. In fact it’ll help our environment and our people. I’m only saying this because I know. I’ve been working for this company since I was 22 and look at me now! I’m 55 running the joint! Our people will be much happier with their lives when their energy is safe and efficient. Who wouldn’t want to see economic growth? Who wouldn’t agree to having our energy secure? We have to think!

Hello? Yes this is he. (shocked) I’m what? (gets louder) My family is what? What did I do to- (pause) I’m sorry about your crops but I have my job too... hello? (hangs up telephone)

I understand how environmentalist see this as a threat. Believe me, I do but I’m the kind of guy who thinks about the people first. (pause/ gains a sarcastic voice) The people being me. I have my benz, my mansion, and all three of my kids in the best catholic school in the country. Why would I ever try to change that? Because some world freaks feel some kind of way about what we HAVE and SHOULD be doing? No! My company will play it’s part and ignore all of the little people because... I like things the way they are. And what I like we’ll just do. It’s so simple.



Monolouge #3: James: “Veggies”

(James is a heavy set hardworking man. He is also at a caucus, just to say what’s on his mind. He isn’t on a particular side at all. But he actually sounds very passionate about what he’s saying)

Let me start by saying that I am not an activist. I’m a farmer up in Nebraska trying to make a living. I’m trying to feed my children but I can’t do that if our resources are at harm. We have to protect our stuff! (Pulls out a map) This pipeline is coming at a diagonal, (his index finger follows the route of the pipeline and makes an immediate stop) and that diagonal cuts right through my land. (Starts to shake his fist mid way in the air) Average people such as myself work hard to keep up with our land and responsibilities. They can’t just force their will on the american people, it’s not fair. When there is a leak in our system, where will I work? How will I provide?

(Pause) Again I am not here to protest and I’m not here to say building it is the right thing to do but I am here because and only because this pipeline is directly effecting me for the worst. I don’t want it to come at that diagonal. I don’t want my life to be ruined by it. I’ve been farming since I was 15. In the hot sun picking crops, pushing mowing lawns by hand before they made these new machines. Where’s my credit at? Where’s my hardwork? Being taken away from me and my family. Today I’ll join you all by saying “no” to the pipeline’s route. But maybe it’s energy can beneifit my home. Be safer, and cheaper for people like me down in Nebraska. (Walks away)


Appendix: I found these six facts the most important out of all the articles I read


  • The pipeline will emit three time more carbon in the air (Friends of Earth)
  • Create thousands of jobs (National public radio: keystone pipeline)
  • Interrupts native peoples’ lifestyle (Friends of Earth)
  • Better to partner up with a neighbor closer to the U.S. than be dependent on another country (PBS newshour)
  • Uses the dirtiest kind of fossil fuel (National public radio: keystone pipeline)
  • 17-18 year contracts that say that they’ll ship over hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil DAILY to meet the needs of the people (TransCanada)  


Bibliography: 
TransCanada:
"Keystone XL Pipeline Project." Keystone XL Pipeline Project. N.p., 20120. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html>.

FOE:
"Friends of the Earth." Friends of the Earth. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands>.


<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/51462525?title=1&amp;byline=1&amp;portrait=1" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/51462525">Mono #1 "NO!"</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user13838425">Symone McCollum</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

Keystone Pipeline Monologue Project -- Raekwon Smith & Brian Birkmire

Posted by Brian Birkmire in World History - Block on
​Monologue #1:

Title: Cropped From the Picture

(John Lucas III Lives in texas and the pipeline is going to force him to leave and give up his his land for the pipeline to run through)

(Walking towards mailbox)Let’s go get the mail, hmmmm what’s this, from your friends TransCanada, (talking and walking towards table) let me sit down cause last time I checked they ain’t ma friends. ( mumbles reading letter) WOOOOOOOW aint that something. They tryna destroy our land and pay us for it. TransCanada that big company up north think they running stuff up in here. Those Canadian’s think they slick don’t they. Well I got something for em, A BIG FAT NO. I can’t believe this BS. Our family has lived on this farm for decades and a few thousand dollars isn’t going to change that. My great great great Grandfather brought this land years ago with my great great great grandmother. They built this farm from the ground up into what it is today. People think it’s all about the money and people will do anything for it, well newsflash, people also have morals! Myself and others care about family values and don’t let money change us. There is no chance in hell I’m letting someone take my land let alone a non American. I didn’t really care about this little project they had going on anyway but this did it and now, I’m ANGRY. I was going to stay out of way but, noooo those Idiots just had to run through our land. Why not the Taylor’s from across the way. I never liked them but I guess what goes around comes around. I’m just so mad that this is happening. If my grandfather was here today I believe he would feel the same way and be fighting for our farm to stay just like me. Back in the day, the Taylors who where big names in the town tried to kick us off my land, My grandpappy didn’t give up when they came a marching so I shouldn’t either. If I’m going to keep the family tradition going then I’m going to need to some help. Maybe if I call all my cousins and siblings maybe it we could do it but only if we put forth our best effort. I will put my life on the line if it means this farmland stays here. I want my grandchildren to be able to witness their ancestors work 1st hand.(Stands up and says it loud and proud) So when them rich Canadians come marching down here tryna act like they tough, I’m fittna put up the fight of my life. Although on the other hand that money could supply more than taking the cows and crops to the market every week. (Slaps self in face) Snap out of it man don’t think that way. Grandfather wouldn’t condone this type of thinking. He would march right on up here out of his grave and smack me around like a little kid. Then again, this money could change my life and I could actually leave this farm because the family tradition kinda sucks. I want a normal life where I don’t have to wake up every morning at 5am. I could get a normal sleep and I could work a normal job. I might even find true love and not some blind date my cousin joey set me up with. This girl Stacy I met on eHarmony wouldn’t want a farmer as a husband. No no no I can’t let greed and love consume me. I need to follow in my ancestors footsteps and maintain our land, it’s the only way. That’s final, I’m going to fight for our land. This Company wanted war, (Yells it) Well I’m going to give them war. May the best man win and may God have mercy on your soul. Time to get ready to enter battle because I will emerge victorious, I guaran-damn-tee it.


+Passion
+Don’t make it so obvious
+Dialouge
+Emotion
+Personality
+Had a life
+Second Thoughts
+Transition
+Stories to tell about grandparents















Monologue #2:
Title: Skating On Thin...Oil?

It’s been what, about two months since the Flyers traded me to the LA Kings? (Walking to the locker room) That’s all it took, two months for people to try and get me to do things I don’t want to do. It all started in my interview with ESPN (Hand on chin as if you’re thinking) when they began to ask my personal opinion on the Keystone Pipeline and whether it should be built or not. They asked because...well...the pipe was going to be built straight through my hometown. At first, it didn’t matter to me, but when I found out it was being built through MY hometown...my view on it changed.

After my interview with ESPN I was stopped by my manager, he stopped me with simply a hand up on my chest. He wasn’t finished on the phone.


Who was that? Tell me what?

He told me I had to promote the pipe, and I’d get money from the TransCanada company.

“First of all, won’t people think of me as a hypocrite? I just told people on national television that I don’t agree with the pipe now they’re going to see me on posters and billboards agreeing with it?! (slam fist on bench) Great, this is just great.”

Today was the live news broadcast, the day I would become a hypocrite.

“Hello everyone. As you know I am Simon Gagne of the Los Angeles Kings hockey team. I’m here today to discuss the Keystone Pipeline that TransCanada is going to built. Now I’m not that prepared to talk today, I didn’t have much time to think about things. But here it goes...” I started to pull out the paper (pull paper out of pocket) my manager handed me. As I pulled it out I looked over to my manager who was smiling and then at the CEO of TransCanada who nodded his head in a mafia, thug, kind of way.

“...So the pipeline. What it can do for us as Americans is provide about 4,000 jobs...and...and...” I was choking up. This all just didn’t feel right. The crowd was silent waiting for my words to pierce their ear drums.

“...Forget this. If I’m going to talk about this STUPID pipe I’m going to give MY opinion. This pipe has to be the worst idea ever created, big deal we’ll get more jobs, half of America is too lazy to even work anyway. You go to a restaurant or store where the lady or guy is rude or disrespectful and obviously they seem they don’t want to even be there working, then get rid of them and give that job to someone that is willing to work and NEEDS the money. These tar sands release 3 times as much CO2 as regular oil drillings, why is that a positive outcome? Oh my mistake it’s NOT! Do you not see the world’s climates changing as we speak? In the long run the world would be completely destroyed! Climate change will be the main problem in this world! Now if you’re with me, then be with me! Be against this pipe, against TransCanada, and join my side in stopping this pipe from being built!”

The crowd was silent...but...within seconds, there was a roaring thunder of clapping from everyone.



+ Message across
+ Emotion
+ Rebellion/personality
+
? Develop more on why Hockey player
?




Monologue #3
Title: The Opportunity

“Yes, I’m here to apply for a job.
...Okay...fill this part out? (reach for paper) Okay...bring it back when I’m done? Okay thank you.”

I sat there filling out the job application. Name: Cosmo. Height: 5’11. Eye Color: Brown. Birthday: June 22nd 1983. Address: 610 Walnut Street, Topeka Kansas. Health Problems: None. Allergies: None. Worked with welding before? No.

This form felt like it had a million questions on it, that, or I just haven’t filled out a job application in years.

“Here you go. (Hands paper to person.) Thank you. When will we hear from you if we got the job or not? About a week? Okay. Thank you. Oh Ma'am, will I need to go through training? For welding only? Okay. I’m sorry I’m asking so many questions, but will there be many jobs open? Over 4,000? Awesome. How long is the Pipe? Okay. Thanks again. Good bye now.”

Wow. 1700 miles long...that’s incredibly long. If I get this job, I wonder how much I’d be paid.

(Opens door)

“Hey hun. How was your day? Mine was good. I have good news. Care to hear? Alright so, I went down to the community center today and guess what I saw? That’s right! A poster for job applications! You ask what about? I will tell you baby! It’s an application for a welding job. There’s supposedly a pipeline being built from Canada to Texas, 1700 miles long offering 4,000 plus jobs! Babe! This can be our chance to get away from our finance troubles, this is our opportunity to get free from the constant letters coming in about us not paying our bills. The pipeline will carry oil from these things called tar sands in Canada. I know baby! I love you so much!”
I felt this was the chance god gave us. The feeling that he put us through the poverty to give us this opportunity.

About a week later I received a phone call.

“Hello. Yes I remember applying. Wait...I did? I got the job?! Thank you so much! When do I start!? OKAY! I will see you monday at 6! Thank you for this, my future will be brighter now, for my wife and I.”

“Babe! I got the job!...Yeah! They just called! I start on Monday, 6 AM.”



Monologue #4
Title: Oil Addiction...My Life From the Pipe.

Hi guys my name is Lakely and I’m an oil addict. Two years ago Oil was introduced to me by a pipeline by the name of Keystone who spilled hundreds of gallons of oil that I soaked up and became highly addicted to. For 2 years i was doing 10 gallons of oil a day. It really messed my life up, all the people I ever loved started to leave me because I was contaminated and they couldn’t live with me anymore.e  I promised myself that i wouldn’t get addicted to oil because many of my famous family members like my cousin red deer, and my other cousin Red butte became oil addicts. Yeah I know my family likes to name their children Red blank. Anyway, the oil just made me feel so warm and feel good. I didn’t care it was hurting me I just knew all my troubles were being washed away. My life was stressful up until I found oil, I was carrying different boats across me everyday and having fish and ducks and what not swim and you is no fun at all. The day the oil spilled in me I was having an argument with a Duck named Bill about how the chicken came before the egg. Keystone was flowing over me and then it just busted open and just spewed all of me. I was like “woah dude, what is this. And Bill was like “I don’t know but this is gnarly dude” I’m sorry about the sound affects but it makes it sound more interesting. So now I’m sitting with my friend Bill snorting oil and my friend Bill say’s to me “Hey, do you know what this stuff is” to my response “ I don’t know Gasoline” and Bill says “ this is the stuff they call oil.” That’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks that the high was setting in. I was now hallucinating because I was now seeing Dolphins and Sharks making babies. After that day I did anything I could to get my hands on oil whether it was stealing my friend Bill’s oil or sending other lakes to get my oil. So guys as you can see this experience is one you can learn from and Keystone oil really was a bad idea. Thank you for listening to my story.


Monologue #5

Title: Work Hard, Bulldoze Hard


It’s another day at work on this pipe. There is 1500 more miles to lay down. I’m stationed here in Texas. I’ve been operating bulldozers since I can remember. My dad was a construction worker and he would sneak me to work and let me play with the equipment trying to hide me from his boss. “Hey boss (turns off bulldozer) this is a lot of work. I’m not making enough to support my family and I may need to work overtime. Why not, what you mean it’s not enough hours to go around. (pause for 5 seconds) Thanks you’re really nice. (turns machine back on) Well thanks, I think I should get back to what you’re paying me for.


I went back to work for the rest of the night. I finally got done at midnight. I was starving. A few of my coworkers and I went out to the diner about 10 minutes away.


“Today was hardcore. I know... I asked the boss for some overtime. Yeah he gave me some, me and Amanda are having troubles with money...she said...she’d leave me...if I couldn’t support us. I know, she’s... I don’t even know.” I’m glad I got this overtime though because without it I would be doomed. Well dinner was great man, Imma bounce and let y’all handle the check. I’m out.


When I got home I talked to my wife about my overtime. Hey babe guess what, no babe don’t be silly. I got overtime so I can make more money for us. Yeah I won’t be home as much now but it will only be for a few days. I love you to.




The project was about the Keystone Pipeline and how it was going to carry oil from Canada to the Southern parts of the U.S.A. Some people were for it getting built and some were against it. In Class we brainstormed about monologue ideas and the people or objects we would portray. My partner and I chose between the ones we brainstormed our 5 best combined. We chose the following 5; A canadian hockey player, a bulldozer operator, a jobless man living near the construction site, a farmer whose land will be plowed through, and the a water droplet infected by the oils from the tar sands.


My partner and I learned a lot from this project. We learned all about the negative outcomes and positive outcomes of building this pipe. The negative outcomes we learned were tar sands release three times the amount of CO2 as regular oil drillings causing more global climate change. The positive outcome(s) we learned were, safe oil transferring within America, and also this can help America’s debt with third world countries.

Background -
- 1700 miles long
- The United States spends 475 billion on oil a year
- It will Cost $7 billion and carry an estimated 800,000 barrels of oil a day.
____________________________________________
- construction will begin in the “first quarter” of 2013
-

Argument for:
- 1300 Construction Jobs
- cheap, reliable energy
_____________________
- TransCanada has received lots of support behind the project especially from those who are American and Canadians that work at oil refineries who signed 17 to 18 year contracts to ship over hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil per day.
- the Gulf Coast portion could cost $2.3 billion and create about 4,000 construction & support jobs
- provide energy security within the U.S.


Argument against:
- Tar Sand Oil not clean
- Climate change throughout years
- Have to destroy the planet just to get tar sand
- Brazil mines have 2.3 million barrels a day
_________________________________
- Tar sands are a high-carbon fuel mined from beneath Canada’s Boreal forest.
- in order to collect oil from the tar sands companies must destroy forest systems
- Tar sands mining effects: Canada’s forest systems, huge clean water systems, and disrupt people’s lives that live in the area.
- tar sand extraction emits 3 times more than the average oil extraction in America
- Extracting the fossil fuels from the tar sands from the sand, silt, and clay requires massive amounts of water, 3 barrels of water make one barrel of oil collected.
- pipe goes right across water supplies (pipe could leak)
-

Good monologue:
- natural way of speaking
- emotion ---> want/need
- one speaker
- unfolds ---> beginning, middle, end
- setting
- tension
- CONFLICT

12 ideas:
- be a bulldozer
- grain of tar sand
- canadian hockey player
- someone living near the construction zone
- somebody in Oklahoma waiting for the pipeline to help work on it (jobless)

RESOURCES:
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/k/keystone_pipeline/index.html?8qa

The Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Audrey Pham in World History - Block on

The Keystone Pipeline from TransCanada that soon might be confirmed to built. Everyone has different opinions and emotions on this topic ad agreement. We have two parties about this oil pipeline. The people who think it's a great idea to have it here in our country, and the people who think this is a completely horrible idea. Here are my three monologues I've written as a solo. 

In this project, we were assigned to complete final drafts of monologues us as students written and created our selves. The topic has to be about the Keystone pipeline and express different opinions in different monologues in which ever way you feel like writing about it. 

From working on this project, I've learned that my passion isn't political science and I don't think I will ever major that in college in the future. All jokes aside now... I actually learned about knowing what the Keystone Pipeline is. I never heard anything about this oil pipeline until Mr. Block introduced this topic to us as a history project. I never even wrote a monologue before. So this project has taught me how to write a monologue. 


Here are my three polished monologues I present: 


Title: The Cranky Old Lady 



(A reporter knocks on a small house with a brown door, an old lady answers before opening the door)


Who the hell is it?! 


Ma’am, we just want to ask you a few questions on the Keystone Pipeline. It’d be nice if you cooperate with us. I promise this won’t take any more than five minutes. 

Jesus Christ. 

(Opens the door)


Hi Ma’am, I am just a reporter, call me John. Here’s the question, and you’re gonna answer it and I’ll record it. This is just for my newspaper company making a new issue and having articles about what people from our community think about this pipeline.


Make it quick, I’m tired. 


Yes, Ma’am. Okay, how do you feel about this Keystone Pipeline that is going to be built? You can be completely honest. Also, do you mind if I record your response?


Go ahead, youngster. Let me know when the freakin’ camera starts.


Yes, right now. 3, 2, 1, ACTION!

(Coughing) 

I ain’t playing with this damn pipeline. 

(Voice gets really raspy) 

I completely disagree with this pipeline. It has very negative environmental impact. I’m not trying to get my grandchildren killed. I have a 5 year old grandson and he has asthma. I do not want anything making that worse. The air is going to be toxic and dirty for him. In fact, we all gon’ die!

(Starts to speak even louder) 

What if it worsens his asthma? What if the pipeline cracks then it’s like a repeat of the oil spill?  Ain’t nobody got the budget to clean that mess up. We’re already struggling enough. It is also going to affect social justice if the pipeline breaks. Ain’t nobody got time for this. 

(Take her cane and starts banging it on the floor)

We could be using all that money invested on to this stupid keystone pipeline onto the green house project. It’s better use of money. We’re only hurting our earth. We’ve got 8 planets and this is the only one we can live on.


Title: The Letters


So is everyone settled? 

(Everyone gathering around a table and sitting down in a chair)

Yes, (Fiddling with papers)

Yes, 

Let me get my letter out, gimme’ a sec. (Fiddling inside a folder) 


Alright. (says the person in front of the table)


(Pulls out a piece of paper) Okay, I’m ready. 


Let’s start. Who wants to go first and  read their letters that we’re going to send to TransCanada? (says the person standing in front of the table)


(Raises hand) I’ll go! (a young man who looks like he is in his 30’s, wearing a white dress shirt, a black long tie and grey dress pants.


Okay, read loud and clear. (says the person in front of the table)

(Stands up, clears throat) 

“I am a biology teacher that is currently teaching ninth graders. I personally disagree on building the keystone pipeline, I think this idea is just madness. I teach all the ninth graders in my school and I love each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart. I am not just a teacher, I am also their caregiver and someone they can go to if home is disappointing them or letting them down. As a caregiver also for a generation of children in my area, I do not wish to fail my priorities. And failing one of my priorities is letting the keystone pipeline be built. 

My logic is all proved and based on the science behind this pipeline. For example, what’s it made out of and the cons. The pipeline is made out of metallugy and welding. Hydrogen is the first element on the periodic table. Hydrogen can migrate solid steel when the temperature is warm. When the steel cools, the hydrogen can get stuck and it’ll make the pipeline crack. Don’t forget, too much pressure weighed on the steel will make it crack.”


The end (Sits down in chair)

(Everyone claps)


Title: Passing By


(Climbs on top of a statue near by in front of city hall)

LISTEN, EVERYBODY. JUST LISTEN UP. Did yah’ll hear about the crazy Keystone Pipeline idea that they wanna be killin’ our earth. This is where we live. Although I ain’t got no home and money, I’m already starving to death. I don’t want to die from shit filled toxic air! That is trifling. Besides spending 5 million dollars on some nasty oil pipeline, spend it on the homeless citizens! Look at me, I don’t care what none of yah’ll say but honestly, the last time I had a real meal was two weeks ago and I was lucky enough to happen to find half a cheesesteak in the trash can nearby here. Although I never got an education, the amount of money that we’re spending on this pipeline is completely ridiculous. Can I get an AMEN?! 

(Realizes no one is even paying attention so slowly comes off the statue and mopes away)



Appendix: 6 things that stood out to me and key points - 

- This pipeline goes over our second largest water source

- Obama has denied to build this, but he has a few months until the final answer is actually approved and announced.

- The tar sand takes a VERY long and big process to clean in order for us to use the oil.

- Chemical spills are at high risks

- Able to create more job opportunities 

- Mitt Romney said he would approve this pipeline if he were the president. 


Bibliography:


Tar Sand Blockade, "Over 50 Enter Tree Blockade in Defiance of Police Repression to Defend Tree-Sitters." Last modified October 15, 2012. Accessed October 15, 2012. http://tarsandsblockade.org.


Trans Canada , "Keystone XL Project ." Last modified October 15, 2012. Accessed October 15, 2012. http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html.


Walker , Bill. Friends of the Earth , "Tar Sands." Last modified October 9, 2012. Accessed October 15, 2012. http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands.


Nikiforuk , Andrew. The Tyee, " Pipeline Whistleblower: Cracks in The System." Last modified October 1, 2012. Accessed October 15, 2012. http://thetyee.ca/News/2012/10/01/Cracks-In-Pipeline-System/.




Skit acted out video "The Letters": Click to watch! 

Monologue project from Audrey Pham on Vimeo.

Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Anonymous in World History - Block on
​In the project I wrote 5 monologues in the perspective of 5 different people and how building the keystone pipeline would affect them. I learned how much building the pipeline would affect people’s lives for the good and the bad. The 5 monologues were in the perspective of a Polar Bear, a construction worker, Texas resident, the president, and the Earth. The most affected out of my monologues is probably the Polar Bears. The keystone pipeline could potentially kill a lot of polar bears and I feel like it was my best one. I hope you enjoy all of my pieces.

Monologue #1

                                            Am I making the right decision?

Waking up on this bitter morning, only thing on my mind is guilt. I feel guilty because I have to support my family but by doing so I am also messing up the environment. As a walk into the kitchen, (walks in the kitchen) I see my daughters bright smiling face. I think about her future and what she will grow to be. Am I making the right choice for their future? Or am I slowly destroying it. The choices I make now, depends on her future.
As I’m leaving out the door (heads towards the door) for work, my daughter says “I love you daddy.” Hearing those words are the best feeling in the world.
As I arrive at the construction sight, (walking to my station) I see the exhausted faces of the other men and women here to work on the pipeline. The same thing is running through out my mind that I woke up thinking about. I try not to think about it, but it keeps crossing my mind.
I ask myself, Is this what I should be doing? Is there another way I could support my family? These questions disrupt me every time I come to work. And they always will, I guess until I confront them. But until then, I have to get back to supporting my family.


Monologue #2
                                        Does my future depend on the humans?

(Angry, grouchy) They can’t approve this. They can’t. Global warming is already affecting my family and I. My ignorant wife wants this pipeline plan to go through “it’s good for the economy it will help everyone!” “Not for us dumbass! You think they’re going to send any of that money down here to the ice caps?”. Then she gets an attitude for the rest of the night. (calming down) I shrug it off she’ll get over it by the morning. I wish she would sit down with me and absorb the information that the world news is giving to us. I don’t want to the bad guy but look at the news for god’s sake! We’re not a priority to them anymore. Ever since this global warming issue started to rise the whole neighborhood has been affected. I lost my brother Albert to global warming last year. He tragically drowned. We’re all suffering help us Lord! Food is scarce nowadays, we need some food on the shelf. I swam for an hour looking for food for my family. Some homes are falling off. Literally. (hopelessly speaking ) I go outside and look at the northern lights to look for an answer from god to my prayers to no prevail. I’m outraged, scared, and depressed, (Anxiously) I feel like I’m having a panic attack. What do I do? What can I do? Where do I turn? I’m trying to save my family. I go back inside and then a possible solution hit me! I suggest to my wife maybe we can get taken to the zoo and be saved! I heard in the Philadelphia Zoo they take great care of our kind. I heard they give all inhabitants a stable environment with your own living space and with a pool. “Sounds good right?... What do you mean that’s stupid?... At least I’m throwing out ideas, what are you doing to help?... Yeah that’s what I thought just walk away from your problems forever right?”. “She infuriates me!”... Aww what am I saying?... Everyone in the North Pole is trying to make it to the zoo to save their skins and the odds are horribly against me. I go the living room and sit in my favorite chair to keep myself updated on the pipeline. The Americans have already done their part in contributing to global warming which releases deadly greenhouse gases, melt the polar ice caps and raise sea levels, and these are just some of the effects that global warming has on the world. What am I supposed tell my son and daughter when they ask “what’s happening to our everyone’s homes Daddy?” I must lie through my teeth to protect their innocent hearts and tell them “everything’s alright” knowing that it’s only a matter of time before it’s all over. I pray everyday that they don’t approve this pipeline my home is already in danger and this pipeline will only speed up the process. They’re building it to save a couple jobs. How about you save a thousand lives! If they decide to do the right thing and say no to the pipeline we all could be saved. These days I pray, stay humble and live life day by day and spend time with my family because I know that our days together are numbered if they approve the pipeline. If I’m going to die let me die with my loved ones facing death on.

Monolouge #3
                                             Making a change

As I stand upon this stage this morning, (holding microphone)  speaking to you all, one thing is running through my mind. Did they ever think how it could affect me? My neighbors? My family? All the people that call this place their home. My home, Texas. The people at TransCanada really don’t care about the well being of us citizens. They only care about the money. Their greed disgusts me. They think of us like were not humans too. We all share this earth we live on
I’d never thought in a million years that the government would allow something like this to even happen. It’s destroying not only the land but the lives of thousands of people. Their homes, their families, everything. Living around the fumes that are coming from the construction are deadly. The fumes and gases could make someone extremely sick or even kill somebody that inhales the gases and fumes everyday.
Where do they expect us to go? What do they expect we the people of America to do? Just back down from it all? We have to fight for what we believe in. Hopefully the president will see our cries for help and not approve this pipeline to be built.
(Raises fist) It’s up to us to make a change in this world. To stand up and never give up no matter how hard times get. It’s on us to make this change.

Monologue # 4

                                                 Living on this earth

I can’t believe this are they serious? I’m the only thing these filthy humans have for a home. (starts to grow angry) I’m irreplaceable! What other planet can take you in and take care of you like I can? Yeah I thought so none of them. I’m being taken advantage of every second of the day. These filthy heathens are either littering their cans, paper bags, or they’re releasing CO2 driving their cars and their buses. I mean c’mon show some respect! 4.6 billion years. 4.6 billion years I’ve supported every species that ever existed on this planet and I’ve always been happy to help. Giving them the gift of life, the ability to grow and prosper and this is how you repay me!? I’ve watched the human’s grow and evolve from apes to the prime human race. I’ve let you all live here on me for free and have never asked for anything in return. (in a heartbroken voice) Until now. I’ve been slowly killed off for years now and now the only thing I ask is that you repay me by not building this keystone pipeline. Do you not appreciate me? By building this pipeline the leaks will damage my clean waters, and infect my airs with dirty tar sand oils. I pray the humans learn the mistakes of their ways and start to appreciate what they have before it’s gone. Before we’re all gone. We only have but so much longer to live. All of you already leaked in my fresh waters before. Here’s some numbers for you BP leaked 3,850 square miles worth of oil and 4,768 animals were also killed in the spill. If we continue on the same path that we are headed down, no one will be able to survive and breathe this air we have been polluting for so long. I sometimes ask myself, how are these humans still living on earth? I’ve been trying to keep things on earth better for humans well being for 4,600,000,000 years. And I feel like by polluting the air and building this new pipeline that runs from Canada through Texas will only make things worse for everyone. It won’t be easy for me or them to stay healthy.(Deep breath)  But what can I do? I’ve tried everything possible. You know the difference between right and wrong but when it’s comes down to it, it’s on you humans to step up and change the outcome this world will have.

#5
                                              Am I the right president for america?

As I sit at my desk I think to myself, am I really the right president for this term? Am I prepared to lead this country another four years? There’s so much pressure on me. I have to appeal to the american citizens and show them that I’m the man with the plan. Time for change. It’s time for change. I’ve been extreme progress for four years now, and the republicans still don’t give me the credit I deserve on helping the economy and health care. Can I make a difference for four more years as president?
(takes deep breath) There’s a controversy going around the world about this keystone pipeline plan that wants to be built for oil to travel faster throughout the United States. The pipeline is 1700 miles from Canada to Texas. It has some great positives and some devastating cons. This pipeline will create 20,00 jobs for the unemployed, but it was also destroy the environment. The pipeline will create more ghastly greenhouse gases but safer and more efficient way to transport oil throughout out the United States. But also the economy is already in debt and this pipeline will cost 7 billion dollars to build. But then again it provides a lot of cheap abundant energy for Americans. As the president, I have to make a very tough decision on whether or not to approve this pipeline from being built. Will this be the right choice for families all around america? They depend on me. It will help the economy everywhere but what about those people whose homes run near the pipeline. It’s almost guaranteed to have a leak and ruin the soil. When the soil is ruined there will be no way for those inhabitants to grow their crops. It’s up to me to make the right choice, but what if I end up making the wrong one? (takes another deep breath) I guess only time can tell.

Appendix: The pipeline would carry oil throughout the U.S from Canada to Texas (1700 miles). Also the pipeline would cost 7 billion dollars, but it would carry 800,000 barrels of oil a day and it would create thousands of jobs. It’s way cheaper than getting oil from foreign countries when we can get it from an ally. The oil that’s being transported is extremely dirty, it called tar sands oil. The pipeline has a good chance of leaking and having an oil spill. If that happens it will damage the environment.

Bibliography:
"Polar Bears International." Polar Bears International. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/>.
Jackson, David. "Obama Faces Dem Pressure over Keystone Pipeline." USA Today. Gannett, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/04/obama-faces-dem-pressure-over-keystone-pipeline/1>.

"Global Warming : Feature Articles." Global Warming : Feature Articles. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/GlobalWarming/>.

Monologue #1
https://vimeo.com/51463020

Monologue #2

https://vimeo.com/51488453



Keystone Monologue Project

Posted by Amy Farrell in World History - Block on
​In my World History class, we were asked to create 3 monologues focused on the Keystone Pipeline and how it affected different people / environments. This pipeline will transfer crude oil across the united states from Alaska. What this will do is pollute our air, ruin our land, and soil much, much water. My first monologue is about a curious chimpmunk in a tree above the building of the pipeline. My second is about a police officer who decides that he needs to stand up for what he believes in, and my third one is about a small town farmer who's land is going to be destroyed because of the pipeline. I feel the most important one is the chimpunk, because it shows how this pipeline will affect other animals, causing many of them to loose their homes. I hope you enjoy! 



Monologue 1: Jacob The Baby Chipmunk
(Jacob is a baby chipmunk living in the trees above the construction site. He is unaware of what is happening and why.)

*Perched on chair, hands on cheeks*


When will this construction stop? All day long I hear these loud noises and they’re scaring mommy and daddy. Sister says not to worry, the colorful people with drums will save us. So far, they just sit around and refuse to move. I wonder why they’re doing that. Big scary cops try to pry them away, but they just scream and won't get up. I wonder if they’re glued to the ground...

Mr. Turtle told me they’re building a big giant scary pipe to carry gross oil for the humans to use. Why would they do that? They’re destroying my forest and draining the water hole. Are they thirsty? I would be willing to share with the men dressed in orange, but they’re too busy with the colorful people. All they do is fight and scream, I wonder if they’re hungry and grumpy. Mr. Owl told me that after it’s all done, we won't be able to grow any more food. The land will be something they called ‘infertile’. How do they know all of this? I’m just a little chipmunk in a big big world. Momma said the air will get all gross and we won’t be able to breathe it. Why would they do that?

*Peeks over chair as if looking down from a tree*

Right now I can see one colorful woman running around and screaming. She seems really upset. I should probably go try to calm her down.*Gets up and gasps*  Oh! Now a man in a blue suit is chasing her! I think she stole his berries. All of the colorful people are getting up now and going into a van but they’re being dragged and forced to. Why don’t they wanna go in? It looks nice and cool on this hot day. Ah, again with the loud noises! *Looks around frantically* Oh no, they’re tearing up my tree! Where’s momma?! I need to get out of here but I’m too afraid! Please Please go away! Go away!! Oh, I see a colorful woman escaped! She’s pointing at me and yelling something in human. Whatever she said made the men in orange stop. They look really mad. They threw her back into the van, and now they’re all looking at me. What did I do?! Why are they all leaving? She saved me! I can stay!






Monologue 2: Police officer John
(Standing with arms crossed at construction site, watching protesters as they refuse to move)


Some people ask me why I became a cop. My usual answer is  “to protect our public, of course”. But that’s not true. The real reason I became a cop is because my father made me. He was a cop, and wanted my whole family to follow in his footsteps. If I could go back in time, I would.
*Walks over to protesters, worries expression*
Hey! Hey you!
Get off there !
You’re going to get hurt !
*Walks away shaking head*
Damn kids. I agree with what they’re doing though. Stickin up for themselves and others. That’s good. Wish I could do that.
*Runs over and helps a man down from bulldozer*
Sir! Sir!
Stop that! If you fall, you’re going to get hurt and in trouble!
Gosh. Maybe if I acted more aggressive, they would stop. But I don’t have it in me. I have to think about my family. If I gave in and just agreed with them I’d lose my job. But then again..
*sighs*
This pipeline that they’re building could be even worse for my family than me loosing my job. I could always find a new one. But in this economy...
I’ve gone over the pros and cons numerous times. If this is something I feel passionate about, shouldn’t I stand up for it? Shouldn’t I make a difference too?
*Walks over to Chief*
Hey Chief can we talk?
Yeah, uh, I’m not standing guard anymore.
It means that I’m not stopping these hippies, er, activists. I agree with what they’re doing and I’m unable to stop them. If this means I lose my job, then  so be it.
I understand sir, I understand. This is something I feel strongly about.
Oh, wow, really?
You agree?! I mean, of course you agree sir.
Thank you sir. I’ll see you in the station tomorrow.
*Gets in police car and drives away into the sunset*
I can breathe easy now. I may only be one person, but I can still make a difference. I hope the other officers follow suit, if they’re not scared.



Monologue 3: Farmer Sean
(Ignorant small town farmer whose being affected by pipeline)
(Slouching on couch with beer in hand)

What am I supposed to do about this damn shit? Damn politicians thinkin’ they run this country. Well, they do, but I still don’t like ‘em! Talkin all their big talk, runinin’ our land. I hear em outside right now. They say I can’t be in my own house during construction.
*Screams out window to workers*
Bullshit ! I can be wherever I want! This is my land!
NO! I will not leave my house! I will not!
You think I care about that? Ha, fuck em!
*Goes and sits on couch, turns on tv*
Once they build this contraption, all our fresh air gonna be gone! The lil critters ain’t gonna have no water no more! All this land gonna be cut up and used, we can all say goodbye to fresh crops!
*Hears banging on door, gets up and grunts*
What does yall want now?!
Once again, NO!
*Sits down and ignores the continued banging, thinks to self*
If we all respected this earth we live on here, we wouldn’t have to be doin all this. I live here by myself and I’m perfectly fine! Raise all my own animals, grow all my own crops. Don’t gotta worry bout nothin. Simple livin. That’s what ‘mericas all about. Don’t need none of this big time construction.
*Cops break down door, grab him*
HEY! You can’t do that! Let me go!
*Gets put in cop car, looks at his animals sadly*
I’m gonna miss all of yall.

Here's my video! 

Appendix:

-Pipeline Promised Jobs, but turns out those jobs would only last a few months per person

-Project wastes tons and tons of clean water

-In a few years, this will make our air practically un-breathable 

-Many people are loosing their homelands due to construction

-Farmlands will become infertile

-All the pollutants will cause tumors in animals that live near the pipeline


Bibliography:

"Red State Ranchers Vs. the Pipeline." YES! Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. <http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/nebraskans-speak-out-against-the-pipeline>.


"Occupy & 350.org Crash Boehner's Office over Backroom Attempt to Revive Keystone XL." Tar Sands Action. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2012. <http://www.tarsandsaction.org/>.

"Friends of the Earth." Friends of the Earth. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2012. <http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands>.



The Keystone Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Ashley Spells in World History - Block on
​intro : 
For this project we first watched a video that people  made to inform us what this Keystone pipeline project was. After we watched the videos we had a feeling of what it was all about so we got more information about it by looking it up. My first  monologue was about a young lady named Betty who lives in Oklahoma and is forced to work onto the Keystone Pipeline because she is jobless and needs to pay her bills. The Keystone pipeline puts people in different positons. For instance Betty does not support the Keystone idea because it raise global warming ,but someone like Mitt Romney wants to build it because it can increase jobs. With this topic you really have mixed emotions because you want people to get jobs but we will have to suffer in the end.

facts:
- can create more jobs :) 
-can increase global warming :( 
- when global warming increases animals such as penguins are in danger. :(
-  increase in pollution :(
- the oil can spill :( 
- Romney supports the keystone pipeline
Bibliography:
KEITH, TAMARA. "Just How Many Jobs Would The Keystone Pipeline Create?."http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2011/12/14/143719155/just-how-many-jobs-would-the-keystone-pipeline-create. ©2012 NPR, 14 2011. Web. 18 Oct 2012.

"Keystone XL pipeline."http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline. friends of the earth, n.d. Web. 18 Oct 2012.

Minicucci, Daniela . "Pros and cons of the Keystone XL pipeline project Read it on Global News: Global News | Pros and cons of the Keystone XL pipeline project ." http://www.globalnews.ca/pros and cons of the keystone xl pipeline project/6442489765/story.html. © Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012. Read it on Global News: Global News | Pros and cons of the Keystone XL pipeline project , november 6 2011. Web. 18 Oct 2012.





Choosing

​Betty:   
(slams newspaper down)
I’m so tired of looking at this newspaper everyday. I applied to many job for a long time and
nothing ever comes through!
Oh Hey, what’s this “ New job opportunity working for the Keystone Pipeline , call 405-346-7856 today!”
(phone rings)
Hello? This is she … oh hey James.
(sighs)
Yes i know i’m five months behind on my rent. I swear when I get the money, I will give it to you, you know I lost my job , come on “brother” help a sister out. Okay James i’m going to  have your money. (hangs up the phone)
Oh gosh , I gotta find work asap , I can’t afford to lose this place.
(google’s keystone pipeline)
I can’t believe they are going to build this thing ; its bad for the enviroment , but then again I do need a job but do i wanna take a job that I don’t even support ?, then again James called acting all crazy and if I don’t have his money he will put me out! I don’t know what to do ! This pipeline can ruin peoples homes, oil can spill and it will cause a lot of damage that my state doesn’t need right now. It seems like it pays good money, I need this job badly ,
(sighs) I gotta do what I gotta do.  What’s that number again?

history monologue from ashleyspells on Vimeo.

i hate humans!

Flipper the penguin:
(stands up on a chair)
I hate humans! They get on my damn nerves. They don’t care nothing about us, they just care about themselves. They don’t care if we live or not. They only think of themselves. Humans are disgusting I hate everything about them. All they think about is money and power! Your probably wondering why were having this assembly about humans , well there trying to kill us!because of these fucking humans the glaciers are melting. why ? because of global warming! My time and yours is limited on this here earth!  (gets down from chair , stands up)
How are we suppose to survive in hot weather!?We CAN’T !! (get mad ,your in rage) for god sake we are penguins! We belong in the cold! Antarctica is my home! If the ice caps melt, my life is in danger and so is yours! my dad told me the humans are trying to build this thingy called the Keystone Pipeline.The Keystone Pipeline is a  pipeline system that  transports oil from Canada to Illinois and Oklahoma, this pipeline is going to kill us! why ? because of all that pollution it will cause This pipeline can … stretch that it WILL increase global warming! And do we need that!? No! live your life well! live it up because soon we will all die, all  because of those damn humans! I HATE HUMANS!

i’m not selling!
Candice:
(turns channel on tv)
There’s never nothing on this damn tv. I guess i’ll watch family feud. Twice? It’s 10 times you idiot , people don’t know what to say on tv these days.
(knock on door). Who is ? who ?! Keystone .. what !? no I don’t want to damn health insurance ( opens door) ohhhhh the people from the Keystone pipeline , speak up I thought you said Keystone Mercy , you know that dern health insurance who won’t pay for my freaking meds , but anyway come in , sit down. Let me put my dentures in. ( puts dentures in ) Now you fellas say yall got to talk to me? what for? huh ? wait a min. I forgot to put in my hearing-aids. (puts in hearing aids).  Now talk. You want to do what ! Do you know how long i lived in this house !? (yells) do you!? 70 years I been living here , and now you bastards want to tear it down to build this thing called the Keystone Pipeline. what the hell is that anyway? a pipe that transfer oil ? Don’t you know this could ruin the environment you ass. Your trying to pay me to sell?! I be damned if I sell my house so you can build this thing , I dont care if I can get free beer for a year i’m not selling! This house is everything to me and yall just trying to tear it down to build a pipeline that can increase . . damn whats its called .. uhhh global something … global warming there we go. Yall money hungry people just care about yourselves. Well i’m not selling ! and thats final! Now get the hell out! But nothing , I told you i’m not selling my house now leave ! (slams doors). (talking to self) They really thought i was going to sell my house , so they could build this pipeline , that can pollute my air, and harm others. stupid people. (contuines to watch family feud) it’s car you dummy.

The Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Jules James in World History - Block on

For this project, my assignment was to create a monologue that states whether the person you’re playing is for or against the Keystone XL pipeline. But before we was assigned this I had to research the pipeline and discover what it was and what the pros and cons of it. My monologue was how God didn’t want the pipeline to take place for reason that it will destroy his creation and also harm the water supply and nature altogether. As I looked farther into the details of it I learned that a lot of people went to jail to prevent this pipeline from being built for good reasons but also it will be good for our economy as well.


Constructor:

This damn bulldozer is so loud I can’t hear myself think but I don’t care. At least I have a job now. “What about the environment? What about the environment?” They scream. Who cares? Creating this pipeline is opening 100,000 jobs. So why are you complaining? This will get you off your lazy asses and getting you to work. You won’t be act like this when you have money in your pocket.

Wait. Don’t get me wrong I care about the Earth and all but I need the money too. I know if I help create this pipeline not only will I destroy the Earth but I probably won’t have any friends left either. I know that it’ll also might cause climate change and damage our water supply but think about how much jobs will be available, the money that will be coming in, or maybe how rich the oil company will be.

You remember when Obama said he wanted to create more jobs? Well here’s his chance. What the hell is he waiting for? There’s people sitting home doing absolutely nothing but watching television and collecting welfare and food stamp. I know I use to be one of them people but there’s three types of people who do that. There’s the people who is looking for a job but not having success finding one, there’s the people who have been injured and can’t work, and finally I the people who is capable of working but is either too lazy to find a job or gave up on finding a job and decide to live off the government. Now see I’m the person who was looking for a job but couldn’t find one until now. If people did what I did (not give up so easily) then they would have a job. But no, they like staying home. In conclusion, if the stupid environmentalist sit there asses down and let the people who want a job help build the pipeline then there would be nothing to argue about. To help you think, my question is do you want to live in a world where everyone is naked?

Over 6,000 items, most of them are everyday used items are made from oil. So think about it. If we don’t create this pipeline to receive cheap, close oil then eventually you won’t have paint, trash bags, dishes, clothes, and lots more. I’m a not mad or angry or anything like that. I’m just trying to convince people that building this pipeline will be a good thing to do if we want to improve this economy. There are pros and cons are both important to this world. But be realistic, do you care about money more than the environment or the opposite?


God Dislikes the Pipeline:
(Mad)
Why?! Why would you want to destroy my creation?
It took me years to create a wonderful world like this and now you want to go and destroy it.
And the pools of my tears. What if the the black, liquid gold accidentally spills into my rivers,  my lakes, and my oceans?
Would it still be a good idea then?
The oil company and I is in the ring and I refuse to give up.
Money, money, money.
That’s all they think about.
(Calm down)
But they decide to look past the risk of climate change or the risk of our water supply.
My friends will lose their jobs too when this pipeline give off more greenhouse gases.
There’ll be more sun rays than that wonderful sign of Christmas.
The white soft diamond that keep you inside so you can drink that hot chocolate.
(Chuckle) But you’ll learn.
You’ll learn that this the worst idea America have ever thought off and I refuse to let this plan get put into work.
Not only are you disrespecting me by doing this, but you’re also disrespecting the people who don’t want the pipeline for the same reason I don’t.
So go ahead a try to build your little pipeline, but I promise you... (Pause) it won’t happen.

The Sister Phone Call:
(The phone rings and pick it up)
Hello
What's up girl, how you been? (Happy)
Really? Oh no she didn't. MMMM.
Oh I'm fine you know life is good and all but raising this teen is a pain in the ass.
Yes child. (Laugh)
So how's Texas?
Oh I know what you talking about. You talking about that uhh…. Keystone XL pipeline.
That’s going to make a huge affect on you ain’t it?
I understand but at least it’s going to create more jobs.
I know that it will have a big affect on the environment it’ll also have an affect on the unemployed people too. Is your husband still looking for a job?
(Get angry)
Pause. Nobody trying to be up in your business. I just asked that because this will give him a chance to bring home so bread and stop using food stamps.
Ok. I understand that it could be a good and bad affect on people.
Sure the pipeline might cause oil spills but it’ll also be cheap and closer too.
Maybe you’re right. Maybe the environment is more important than the oil but what about the things we use that have oil in it.
What you mean like what? Toothpaste, clothes, dishes, and others.
So to you these things aren’t important to you?
I’m not putting words in your mouth I just asked a question.
Well, I say if you don’t like it then move so you won’t be affected by it. To be honest I think we need this to happen.
Ok I know what you're saying but I still say we need the money and the jobs.
Alright, I got to go. I’m about to watch the debate and I don’t want to miss a minute of it.
Yea that one. So I’ll talk to you later.
I love you too Sis.
Bye (Hung up the phone)

Six Facts About Keystone XL Pipeline. It could:
  • Tar sand oil is from beneath Canada’s Boreal forest - Tar Sands

Bibliography:

God Dislike Pipeline from Jules James on Vimeo.

The Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Betty Louis in World History - Block on
Introduction
For this project it was first shown to us a couple videos that give us a brief summary of what the keystone pipeline was about. Then after it was instructed that we explore more about it ourselves, done our own research, wrote down some notes and interesting facts that we found out on a table and share/discuss it with the class. Once we all shared and gained a full understanding of what the keystone pipeline was about, its pros and cons, and the background of it our teacher decide it was time that we create our own monologue from three different perspectives of characters that have an involvement with the pipeline. If working alone we were to pick three different characters (it could be anything you wanted.. ex. a teacher Australia, student in Kansas, a beaver up on a tree..exc.) that we would want to write about. My choices was a man named Maxwell a construction worker working on the actual pipeline, an unemployed autistic male named Sammy trying to make a living in this world for him and his kid daughter Alice, and my last character is a teenage girl named Kelly Stone who's mother is an environmentalist working on protesting against the pipeline. While doing this project I learned about a pipeline that is acting happening right now and this pipeline can affect the lives of many people in many different ways and perspectives. I enjoyed exploring those many different ways.

Monologue #1: I could say yes or no.
(The scene is maxwell coming to work signing in, taking to his co-workers, drinking coffee, then getting right down to business) he has flashbacks about the nes he had watched earlier with his wife about the pipeline, did a little research on it himself...)
(sits inside the machine while having his right hand on the lever) 
What am I doing? This isn’t in my decision to make. I could chose to move my hand up or down, continue on with the construction for this pipeline or not, lose my job and suffer or fight for what’s right. Right. What is right in this? I need my job for I have a responsibility to my wife and my kids but doing this will also affect the lives of many people and some don’t even know it.
(talks with anger)
What angers me is the fact that the people doing this don’t even care! Money, Money, and more Money is probably all they think about. Heartless bastards and I’m forced to follow orders or else. Else..
Nicole my gorgeous wife is probably watching the news right now seeing the this bulldozer knowing that I’m in it and to my left seeing the bunch of protesters by the gate chanting, forcing the words, “End The pipeline now or that means game over for the ozone” into our heads until it might actually find its way down our throats convincing us that this is wrong!
Alisha is probably in class learning about this in history; embarrassed to have me as a father... and my son sean as little as he is doesn’t even understand what’s going on.
Oh man, this is overwhelming! One push or pull of my hand can do so much I’m not sure if I can.. If I can
(stops and looks out the window)
Yeah, I’m alright. Yeah I’ll get to it. I think I drank some bad milk.
(covers mouth and pretends to burp)
But alisha, sean, and nicole. My family is all I have and jeopardizing their future is not an option. The thoughts of the risks of destroying their future probably is my bad milk that I “drank”. Well my decision has been made. I’m left with no other choice.
(yells out the window)
Ok. Lets get to it guys.
(pushes the lever)

Monologue #2: Sammy
(The scene is Samuel at work and is soon called in my the boss and is fired. He’s laided off. sitting on the couch sees a picture of his daughter and tears of the changes of losing will bring. His daughter Alice’s works on her homework with the other neighbors kids and he sits on the couch depressed, watching tv.)

(sits down on the couch looking at his daughter’s picture)

Got the eyes of her mother and my smile. Why has it come to this? Why me? I did nothing wrong. I followed orders. It’s not what people say a piece of cake finding a job when your autistic.

(looks aways from frame)

Dr. Browne is the only one who understands me. Yet she promised if I just followed the rules and look like everybody else everything would be fine. I did that. I know I did that.

(look back at frame)

Alice is all I have and all I want is to make her happy. I love my little pumpkin pie too much. I remember finding her on my doorstep with the letter her mother left. Sound asleep looking like an angel sent from God. God. I been so good. Now what am I going to tell her when she comes home from the neighbors. Um.. Hey honey, daddy doesn’t have a job right now. He didn’t do anything bad, he just had to be let go for a while. But don’t worry sweetheart everything is going to be alright ok? No, she’s only 8 and she doesn’t deserve that.

(looks around)

This little apartment is our life. All of our memories all started by that door

(looks at the door and back to the picture)

but this picture … this picture was taken on her 5th birthday and I promised her that I’d be there if she ever needed anything and I can’t fail now.

(sigh)

But what am I going to do?

(covers face and soon flips channel)  

Oh. the news -.- the channel on tv where people sit and tell you where you’re living sucks! Tell me something I don’t know

(listens closely for he hears sirens)

Example A, police sirens.

(shakes his head and looks back to the tv for he hears a word that catches his attention)

.. What?

(turns up the volume)

Keystone creates new job! and may destroy.. Whoow wait a minute, wait a minute! Create new jobs? *takes phone & dials* Doctor! Doctor! Can you please turn your tv to channel 6. Yes. Can you explain to me what are they talking about? Something about more jobs? The keystone pipeline? What’s that? What?! create 20,000 jobs in the U.S?! Well Dr. thats, thats a big number! But what? Can hurt the environment? They’re debating about whether to approve it or not. But those job can help the people. What’s the environment without helping the people in it first?

(looks at the picture and sighs)

We’ll find a way.. I promise ..

(listens back to what Dr.Browne is saying)
(Check the bottom of the page for the video of this monologue.)

Monologue #3: A new connection
(the scene is kelly in her room and flips the channel to new where it is said that the pipeline is being done in the area where she lives and is interrupted by the sound of her mothers downstairs. her mother is speaking to her associates about the pipeline on the phone kelly sits on the stair well and silently listens on.)
(In her room laying down when she hears voices)
What’s going on? Sounds like a crisis that needs to be saved? Wait.. I’ve never heard my mother so loud...
(moves and coches down to the stairwell and listens closely)
Let’s see. Might have to move? What?! No!!
(whispers to herself)
Oh, crap! I’m caught. Uh, hi mom. How’s .. you know.. stuff..
(sighs)
Are you okay?
Yeah, I figured. What’s wrong? The keystone pipeline? A little bit. I know that its a pipeline and that it can help create new jobs but at the same time hurt the environment. Its sounds pretty cool but I know since there’s an environmental issue that’s a big No No from us.  Oh wow, destroy. well thats a big difference from hurt. Well how? Wait, wait mom you’re talking way too fast! So, the mining of tar sands will worsen global warming, more polluted air and water, poisoned ground, a terrible climate, and extraction of our resources? But wait, if you’re aware of these things I’m sure the government is too so why are they still making this pipeline? Money! Of course! Like any of the other decisions made by the government didn’t involve money. Said to make many new jobs in construction? But only to polluted and hurt the people more right? There’s more? They’re mining it here?  Houston, Texas? Is that what you meant by us might having to move if things don’t work out? But that can’t be! Its not fair! ..  Oh Lord.
(walks over to statue and cracks as she begins to talk)
Dad’s dream was for us to live in a place that we can call home and not have to move around like he had to when he was child. He died working for us to have the “American Dream”..
(she pauses as she takes one last look at the birthday present statue that was given to her from her father and speaks with more strength within her voice
And we cannot fail him now!
(sighs and looks back to her mother)
Mom, I know I’m not usually all about the environment and your actions to pursuit its safety but this is much bigger than I thought.. So what can I do to help?
Appendix:
Some cool interesting fact about this pipeline is that it
-can help create 20,000 new jobs in the U.S.
- create a terrible climate
- create more pollution
- the oil that is being transmitted into that pipeline is tar sand oil which is the dirtiest oil of them all
- the U.S. is getting the oil from "a friendly neighbor" (Canada)
- It will be "game over for the ozone" when/if it is completed
-can help the jobless and unemployed but destroy the environment.  

This is my bibliography: 




Sammy from Betty Louis on Vimeo.

538- 4321

Posted by Terrance Oliveri-Wiliams on
4-
      A large majority of the people believes that Obama will win around 300 electoral votes.
      Obama has a 60% chance to win the popular vote
      Ohio has a 41% chance on being the deciding vote in the election, and Obama currently has a 66% chance on winning that state
      The “Solid South” is appearing to become majorly Republican instead of it’s usual Democratic edge.
 
3-
      Governor Romney has tied or even gained the lead on some of the polls on October 1 after trailing by 4 or 5 points, which apparently is the tell tale signs of a loss
      North Dakota, which is a predominantly white and conservative state is being won over by the Democrats, which has only been done 5 times out of 30 previous occurrences.
     I’ve seen many pieces of evidence that show Obama winning in a landslide, and others where Romney is right on his tail. The Electoral Vote Distribution chart for example shows that Obama has the greatest chance to win over 300 electoral college votes, which is more than enough to win, but the latest polls have Obama winning only by 1%
 
2-
 “Although Republicans have made modest gains in a few Senate races, the polls have been poor for them on the whole.” I don’t know if that’s right or wrong because at the top, Obama has only a 1 percent lead.
Lately, the reoccurring theme is that more states are starting to lean towards Romney, but it’s weird that Obama is still averaging more of the popular vote. Maybe Romney is on a comeback, but then how is the electoral and popular vote so far apart?
 
1-
 How much does the popular vote really matter if they are all after the electoral college votes?