Fracking: Lobbying Blog Post #1

​      Recently, a lot of commotion has gone on about fracking in the Marcellus Shale and how the government is fracking in the Marcellus Shale to release the trapped gas in the rock formation. You might be wondering, what is Marcellus Shale? Marcellus Shale is a geological formation that was formed by the accumulation of sediment into a sea. It stretches all the way from New York all the way through Kentucky, Virginia, and even Ohio. Scientists recently a few years ago discovered that gas was trapped in the huge geological formation, and were excited to see natural gas in huge amounts come from it.


That is why scientists use a process called hydraulic fracturing or for short "fracking", to retrieve that gas. Fracking is a process that entails drilling down and creating tiny explosions to shatter shale rocks to release the natural gas trapped inside. Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which basically cracks the rock from the top and allows the natural gas flow out. The process can create new pathways to release gas or can be used to extend existing channels, and that is why it is the most efficient process. So right now you might be thinking: "Wow, fracking is so awesomee! It has so many upsides to it, why would you want to lobby it?" Though fracking may open up so many new jobs for America and provide tons of natural gas for America, possibly making it its own natural resource, lower pollution/emissions/greenhouse gases, and advance America a big step, there is controversy with it. Fracking requires tons of water. 3-5 million gallons of water are required per well, and many of the sites have multiple wells, so do the math and thats ALOT of water. This water needs to come from somewhere, and that could have a big impact on water supplies. Fracking also pollutes tons of water because of the many toxic chemicals that are involved in the fluid that is released down to crack the rock. That water gets contaminated and not only is it not safe if it gets into water bodies, but all the water has to go somewhere. Also one of the main concerns is it contaminates ground water and gets into tap water of the area, which if someone were to drink that water, it could get that person very sick. On top of that, The Pennsylvania Gas Legislation Act does not allow residents from regulating/taxing the fracking companies for any damage or anything done to the environment there.

      I chose to lobby fracking because of my experience with fracking in Mr. Best's class. I found it really appealing and interesting to read and talk about, and I instantly had thoughts and opinions on it based on the information and articles I had read. I am lobbying against it, as I did in Mr. Best's class. Fracking may be a huge finding and probably would be great for America, but are the lives of Americans really worth it? Is damaging the environment worth it? Is contamination in our own homes with nothing we can say or do about it really fair? I don't really think so. Fracking may have some positives, but they don't really negate all of the negatives. My goal is to see fracking put to an end really, but really mainly focusing on seeing what is put in the water conataminating it, rules put down so that any damage done to us can be repaid or fixed (having a say), and in general fixing the effect fracking has on us as Americans.

     There are many people supporting my lobbying idea. For example, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are doing many things such as doing a study to find out the relationship between fracking and drinking water resources. There are tons of other groups such as
Food & Water Watch, Frack Action, Democracy for America, Friends of the Earth, Credo Action, Center for Heath Environment and Justice, Catskill Mountainkeeper and Citizen Action New York. They are all standing up for not only the environment, but for the citizens and the safety of the American people. Some people against my lobbying idea are the big oil companies such as Exxon and others that say that fracking is good, can provide alot, and the chemicals used aren't even alot, they are just "required" to perform the process. Exxon seems to be concerned, but they really dont want to lose fracking, especially since they made a 35 million dollar bet on shale gas.

       There hasnt been much response to protestors and such from the government, but I recently heard and was told by Mr. Best that Governer Corbett put down rules and regulations that require fracking companies to state what they are doing, and how the fracking has an effect. There is still time for action, and hopefully that action is taken soon to really make change to the downfall of fracking.


Lobbying Topic : Flash Mobs

Living in Philadelphia, you've probably heard of this thing called Flash Mobs. Flash mobs have been a problem in Philadelphia for at least two years now. People who have been engaged in flash mobs are teenagers and young adults. Many of times, the result has led to violence. 

On March 20th 2010, a
flash mob occurred on South St. South St is a typical place for young adults to go out and have fun on the weekends. However, that saturday night, almost 2,000 people gathered together. There was an incident where shots were fired, and people were jumped. It took a lot of work for the policemen to break everyone apart and enstill safety. This was not the only time that flash mob has occurred in Philadelphia. There have been times where flash mobs have happened in different parts of the city. 


In order to prevent flash mobs from happening, Mayor Nutter himself has spoken with young african american males and curfews have been set for all teenagers that live in the city. Something needs to be done in Philadelphia. It is easy for teenagers to get together via facebook, twitter. Curfews isn't just enough to stop flash mobs. More clubs need to be made for teenagers to join and stay off of the streets. 

Lobbying for more bike paths in Philadelphia

The Philadelphians are starting to be come more considerate about their environment and resources, but more importantly their budgeting when it comes to spending on recourses and the affect it has to their environment.  One of they thing that not only Philadelphians but also a lot of citizens are starting to invest in are bikes. More and more of our bikers are starting to show up on every street of Philadelphia, these vehicles can be found almost every corner in Philly including the very busy street. Bikers also shared their most fond and devote feelings they have for their bikes.Philadelphians are really passionate about biking and even the drivers are really supportive about bikes in City. However, the passion and the love for the vehicles still does not grand them from being a part of the city. Many of our biker lovers are still requesting for more bike lanes. It is important that our city councils will be notify and acknowledge the rights that Philadelphia should have more bike lanes in and out of the City.
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However, Philadelphia City Council introduced two bills that will pass regarding to city bikers and other bikers in Philadelphia. (Click here for more information)
The Regulations for bicycles in Philadelphia are a bit stricter than the laws of the State. 
 Click here for more information!

By this saying, it's proving that bikes are legal and that it can be on duty at all times. However, in able to ride bikes around without violating any rules, you must know the PA. Law and Philly retraction. 

  

The Pennsylvania laws are stating that bikes are consider as a vehicle and will be generalizes with all traffic rules. There are penalties for bikers as well as for drivers on any street of PA./Philadelphia. 

Philadelphia Bike laws

This law will help defense my lobbying cause, since bikers have to follow the same rule as any other vehicle and they are consider as a vehicle. It is not fare that bikers do not have there on lanes on any street and at any part of the city/state. Since they have to follow the same law they should have the same respect and rights. Bikes are considered as a vehicle so they are not illegal and therefore they should also have the own parking/place to stores their vehicle in the city!


Here are more stories regarding to voices from the Citizens and the City Council of Philadelphia.



For Citizens opinions


Click here!

Click here!



For City Council opinions


Click here!

 

Lobbying for funding for Philadelphia after school programs

Natalie Sanchez 

I am lobbying for more after school programs for students in Philadelphia in order to reduce the amount of crime that occurs  during after school hours. 
Recently, funding for Philadelphia after school programs has been cut because of Corbett's new budget plan. This has lead to a lot of violence and disorderly acts among children during after school hours. I am motivated to support funding for Philadelphia after school programs because I want kids to have a safe place to spend their time after school. I too used to feel unsafe coming home after school as a kid. I lived in a pretty dangerous neighborhood and never liked walking home from school alone. I always felt like I would get hurt, or kidnapped even, by some stranger on the road. I wish I would have had after school programs in my elementary school in order to give me a safe haven to stay until my parents came home from work. I am not alone. There are many organizations that support and even fund after school programs in Philadelphia, some of which are The Philadelphia ASAP, The Philadelphia Department of Recreation, the PSAYDN, and the Philadelphia School District. The most recent parties opposed to funding for Philadelphia after school programs have been the State, and more specifically, Governor John Corbett. Right now there is a bill in the city council committee called the  bill # 110521. This bill basically reiterates the fact that Philadelphia has experienced budget cuts because of the State's budget plan, and that we are need of funding for schools. It basically allows for advertising/fundraising of/for city funds, and gives the amount of money raised by these advertisements/fundraisers to the Philadelphia Education fund. The money that goes into this fund can help to establish more after school programs for Philadelphia students. This pending law supports my lobbying topic directly because it covers all of my concerns and works to fund the after school programs that I am lobbying for. 

Lobbying Against Fracking

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Fracking is a shortened version for Hydraulic Fracturing, which is a process to drill horizontally for natural gas. Above is a diagram which displays the process is short detail. In Pennsylvania fracking is happening a lot more often because it was discovered that natural gas was right under our feet under a huge rock called the Marcellus Shale. If we keep drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale, it ground will become more and more unstable. This is horrible because many people live close to, near, and even maybe on top op portions of the Marcellus Shale. If the foundation of the houses are unstable then it may be dangerous for people to live in these houses. Fracking also has gone wrong by it contaminating the drinking water of many homes. Although the human body is made up of 70% water, water is a very large necessity in order for Humans to survive. How will a human survive without water clean enough for them to drink coming out of their own faucet? Some would say that if that water is contaminated, couldn't people just boil the water and then it would be pure enough for one to drink? But I would respond to that by saying that the drinking water coming out of the faucet is contaminated with Natural Gas which cause the water to be flammable so if one attempts to boil the water they may end up blowing their entire kitchen up in flames. To view an example of this click here. (Links to excerpt of the documentary "Gasland") 

There have been many protest about fracking. Most recently there was one in Center City. There was an anti-fracking rally (for more info on the rally click here) 
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​Many environmentalist and victims of contaminated drinking water gathered at the rally in Center City, pictured above, to cause awareness and try to rally to stop fracking. Many natural gas companies tried to explain why fracking is beneficial but these protesters rallied on. Currently the people who rallied didn't get much justice, but they plan to rally all over Pennsylvania to get everyone to say Frack No!

Como Es El Libro

El libro se llama Malas Compañías por Kate William. Eligí ese libro porque mi mama me dio y me dijo que es un buen libro. El primer capitulo ya lo leí, a mi no me gusta mucho porque es un libro como "clicks" en cole. Es facil para mi pero no me gusta a leer. 




Como es el Libro?

1. Mi libro se llama La Reina del Sur por Arturo Perez Reverte
2. Me elige este libro porque me leí este libro en ingles y me gusta mucho.
3. Me gusta mucho el suspense y estila de escritora pero no me gusta que no comprendo todo del vocabulario. 
4. Si creo que es dificil pero es muy bueno para mejorar mi español. 

Como es el libro?

Iraida Serrano


1) En el tiempo de las Mariposas por Julia Alvarez
La historia es fictional pero tiene eventos factual.

2) Elige este libro porque el año pasado en Español 4 vimos la película pero como falte escuela no pude ver la película completa. Pienso que la mejor  manera de saber de la vida de las hermanas Mariposas es por el libro.

3) Me gusta como Dedé tiempo comenta en todo lo que hace. Es como si alguien le esta leyendo el libro y ella comento en ciertas cosas.

4) Primero fue difícil leer el libro pero aprende que necesito leer lo de voz alta para comprender lo que estoy leyendo.

 


Lobbying Issue: Funding for Philly Youth Poetry Movement

  In Philadelphia there has been increase in shortage of funding for the city's recreational programs in the last few years and many argue that it's because of the growing problem of the young people in Philadelphia. Though there it isn't all youth, a bad handful seems to spoil the bunch. Many argue that if these young people had something constructive to do and people to take the time and help these misguided teens along, they could bring the generation that some call "the worse yet" into the best minds and voices yet to be heard. Founder, Greg Corbin believes that everyone has a story and that eveyr young person is capable of telling his or her story through art or some other expression. Philly Youth Poetry Movement is more than just poetry, more than just poets, and more than just talented young people. We are creators, we are innovators,  we are the future's leaders. That is why I want to make it my lobbying project to help PYPM gain more funding. PYPM was founded in 2006 and what Greg envisioned was exactly his dream come true. At-risk youth ages 13-19 using poetry as a catalyst to express and advocate for themselves, explore their identities, enhancing their literacy and critical thinking skills, and become agents of social change. The main supporters we have are Mayor Michael Nutter, teachers in not only the SLA community, but teachers all across Philadelphia. Unfortunately the main opponents of this are republicans and the Governor Tom Corbet. What I would like to see proposed is that the funding they are trying to use to keep these rec centers open, some should go to help PYPM get a building and help this non-profit grow into something bigger that helps the youth become the confident, model citizens, that will one day change the world.
Greg Headshot
Greg Headshot
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Lobbying Issue: Public Contribution to help Clean Up Philadelphia.

Johniera McClain
American Government
B band
10/10/11

I am lobbying for public contribution to clean blocks that are being resided by the people in Philadelphia. As of July of 2008, there are 1, 447, 395 people that reside in Philadelphia  and clearly as of now there has to be many more people who are resided here in Philadelphia.

The Trash in Philadelphia is ridiculous, according to resources Philadelphia is the second dirtiest city in America and as well the third least attractive city in America. It is unhealthy for people to live this way and I want to help put an end to this and make some kind of change. The main supporters of my lobbying idea would have to be the City of Philadelphia Block Captains. They’re the ones who help the blocks that they live on come together so that they can live in a community in which people know one another and can create an environment that they set up to live in. The main opponents of my lobbying idea would definitely have to be the people who carelessly throw out their garbage upon the streets without thinking twice to even keep it long enough to where as though they reach a place of disposal for their trash. People go around without even thinking to do so. It really has to be the most frustrating thing that I find many people do. There needs to be a simple stop to this.

There has yet to be pending legislation Philadelphia that directly connects to my lobbying topic although there has been a resolution where people are to honor the City of Philadelphia Block Captains for the tremendous and outstanding work that they do for the block. I would like to actually like to see something even more beneficial to the blocks of the city though. I would like to propose a particular day where the block captain gets the block blocked off in order for the people of the block come together in order to clean up. Not just have a party, but indeed have day for cleaning the block in order to help the city restore its beauty. Philadelphia may be according to sources now the third least attractive city but just starting with something as small as picking up trash and help cleaning the block that is resided on for one day can help that. Nothing can be changed unless people are willing to help change that.

Links to Graphs and Statistics: 

http://www.clrsearch.com/Philadelphia_Demographics/PA/Pollution-Levels


http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/06/14/the-ten-dirtiest-cities-in-america-new-orleans-tops-the-list/


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/08/most-attractive-people_n_780402.html#s177269&title=Least_Attractive_People

Net Neutrality - Blog post #1

Before I dive into the topic of net neutrality, I'd like for you to think about how quickly this page loaded. Chances are it loaded pretty quickly. As of right now, pages on the internet load at the speed they do for three large reasons: How data dense the page is (i.e, what kind of content is on it video, images, text, etc), how fast your internet connection is, and how much traffic their is/how the servers are handling it. This is net neutrality. In short, net neutrality ensures that all information accessed over the internet is accessed impartially and no website be given an advantage in how their data is delivered to internet users.


Without net neutrality, ISPs (Internet service providers) could block legal sites (particularly ones that host competing ISP advertisements), and sell a 'fast lane' for the content of websites willing to buy access to that fast lane. Allowing this to happen would cause a lot of problems, perhaps the largest of them being that the internet would be broken up into a class system of websites, premium and non-premium. The premium websites would get more traffic because their service is better, and only people who are truly devoted and willing to forgo long loading screens would stick with non-premium sites. But that's not all, once the premium sites start offering the same service as the non-premiums, then there's really very little reason not to switch over, thus removing a lot of the competition on the web.


Thankfully, the FCC  (Federal Communications Commission) issued the Internet Policy Statement (seen here) laying out basic rules/groundwork to ensure net neutrality. As of right now, it has been proposed that broadband internet be classified under title 2 (common carriers) of the Communications act of 1934 in an effort to make ISPs follow rules similar to those of telephone companies. But even with these rules in place, ISPs are still fighting back. Verizon, the US' largest mobile phone company challenged the FCC's authority by taking legal action against the FCC's decision to ban ISPs from prioritizing and banning certain websites (seen here). 

While net neutrality seems to be here to stay, it's important that we take action to ensure that. To help the cause, you can visit savetheinternet.com and spread the word, as well as sign the petition on their site (linked here for your convenience). 


jesse's lobbying idea

What I am lobbying for is a stricter curfew instead of increasing in fines. Jail time should occur for repeating offenders who break this law. For example A first violation of Philadelphia's curfew law will result in the imposition of a $250 fine and/or community service. Parents are held responsible for the actions of their teens.  The fine for the first offense of breaking curfew is $300 and up to $500 for the second offense.

People who support the curfew would be all adults for example Polices, City Council, Mayor, Parents and many other adults out there.

People who don’t support the curfew is teens who think they can disobey rules when being told.

 



According to love to know.com/ facts about teenager curfewsOf the 72 cities that have daytime curfews, all showed a drop in truancy and daytime burglaries.

The motivation for me choosing the Curfew policy for teens was because this has been a re- occurring issue that is always talked about on the news day and day out. Teens still disobey the rules no matter what is said to them.  The majority of teens have a no care attitude and that they would do anything that they want to do in life


resources:

http://www.legalinfo360.com/2011/08/teens-arrested-breaking-new-philadelphia-curfew-law/

 

 

http://teens.lovetoknow.com/Facts_About_Teenagers_Curfews
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Lobbying Against Curfew

I am lobbying about the new curfew. The only reason why I don't like it it because some teens work. And the curfew is a push because no one wants to be stopped, thinking that they're doing something wrong, or to get a fine just because you're on your way home from work. 

It's not really directed to be because I don't work, but I am in the process of looking for a job, and I'm thinking ahead on these type of issues when I start working. My motivation is always thinking of what if I was stopped, accused of being a flashmobber. It is basically why the curfew was made in the first place. But maybe that isn't the only reason. I need to research what(else) started the new curfew, who, why, and how would the government think it'll last. 

I am speaking for teens that work until their curfew time, and directing this towards the government. Well, the curfew law was set on September 22, 2011. But what I would like to see is the government come up with a way to check those teens that work, because no teen would want to be accused of doing something else. Its kind of like, they made the law but don't know what trouble is caused afterwards. It isn't really trouble, but it's just little conflicts that can start up. And little conflicts, can turn into huge ones.

Rail Funding Lobbying - Blog 1

​For this quarter's American Government assignment, I will be lobbying in support of federal rail funding. Since the 1970s, the National Railroad Passenger Coprospration (commonly known as Amtrak) was founded to operatate the nation's failing railroads under a federal subsidy. Since then, American dependence on railroads has quickly grown. From the rural routes in the Midwest, to the heavily-traveled Northeast Corridor, passengers use Amtrak as a green alternative to other forms of travel. With a growing need and want for high speed infrastructure in the United States, federal funding needs to offset some of the high costs needed to invest in a brighter future for American travel. As one who frequents Amtrak and worked as an intern in their engineering department, I am aware of the high costs required to fulfill the growing need for high speed rail.

Current legislation ensures that Amtrak receives funding, through the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970. However, many leaders in the Republican party suggest that Amtrak funding should decrease, if not stop, due to the current American budget crisis. Many Democrats feel as through the funding should continue, as it provides a green alternative to modern train travel. In the coming time, I would like to see some of the federal budget changed such that money from environmental advancements and highway maintenance programs are spent on the creation and service of a true high speed rail network throughout the United States (which would serve the goals and interests of all three departments).

External Resources

Overview of Amtrak and Possible Privatization: http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/Research/pirp.pdf

C-SPAN Congressional Amtrak Subsidy Re-Evaluation: http://www.c-span.org/Events/Congress-Evaluates-Amtrak-Funding/10737420766/

National Association of Rail Passengers - Possible Cuts to Funding: http://www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/narpblog/more/amtrak_threatened_with_shutdown_budget/

Information about Current Subsidies: http://subsidyscope.org/transportation/direct-expenditures/amtrak/analysis/

Lobbying Against Curfew In Philadelphia

I am lobbying against and to change the curfew for minors in Center City and University City, Philadelphia during the weekends. In August 2011 Michael Nutter (mayor) enacted a curfew for every child under 18. The curfew restricts any one under 18 from being in the Center City, University City regions of Philadelphia after 9pm. If any minor is found in either region after 9pm they will be apprehended until parents pick them up. This curfew was enacted after several incidents involving “Flash Mobs” in Philadelphia.  Mayor Nutter refers to any one participating in the flash mom as “a tiny minority of ignorant, reckless fools.” (http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/08/01/nutters-office-condemns-violent-flash-mob-promises-response/).

         My reasoning form lobbying against the curfew for minors because I am a minor. I like to go out with my friends on the weekends in center city and go to restaurants. Or just get ice cream at scoop devils. But with the new curfew that make it impossible. I work on the weekends as well and I normally don’t get off until 6. SO when I get to center city its about 9. And I just don think its fair for everyone to suffer because of one group of people. And the main supporters lobbying this change in curfew such as Mayor Nutter, and parents of children in Philadelphia don’t understand the need to for kids to go out and enjoy their selves.  They don’t look at the new curfew from a child’s point of view. We feel as though all of our freedom is being taken away.

         Although it is said that the curfew is not permanent I feel as though soon it will because nothing is being done to change the curfew. I do suggest that instead of taking the curfew completely away we raise the time limit for older teens.

 

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Lobbying Blog #1: Fracking

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 In the past few years, people have discovered a wealth of natural gas in the shale, which reaches across Pennsylvania to New York, Ohio and West Virginia. Pennsylvania saw this as an opportunity to make money and let Oil Companies perform Hydraulic Fracturing with loosened restrictions on safety. While this is providing jobs across Pennsylvania, many people are becoming sick and finding that they are unable to drink their tap water.

For my lobbying project, I have chosen to lobby against the Hydraulic Fracturing in the Marcellus Shale. Specifically, I would like to see our government in Pennsylvania begin to tighten the restrictions on the Oil Companies and force them to reveal what harmful chemicals they put in the water used in the process. This would be helpful for, not only the citizens who have these chemicals in their water, but workers at water treatment plants who are finding that they don't have enough technology to fix the water that comes to them. This is what I want Governor Corbett to do. 

Many groups are asking for the same thing I am. My dad receives numerous emails asking him to sign petitions against fracking. Groups such as the Environmental Protection Agency, who are doing their best to study the effects of Fracking on local rivers. See Epa's Work HERE. Another group, Protecting Our Waters, is organizing protests and mass call-ins to the Governor. A link to their website can be found HERE

However, there are other groups that have high stakes in the Oil Companies and are doing everything they can to keep Fracking as it is now. Big Oil Companies like Cabot Oil and Gas say on their website "345, 000 people employed" and "Landowners paid 30 billion in royalties". But, after snooping around on their website, I found that they aren't as friendly and helpful as they seem. In one of their documents they say that they will gladly screen your tap water upon request however, they will not help you understand your results nor do they say much to how they would fix any damage. The other problem with the opposers of my lobby is that they are involved in the government. In one article it says that Governor Corbett gave authority over Fracking to Walker who was once a CEO of an energy company and owns several trucking businesses (Fracking requires A LOT of trucks). To see this article click HERE

Recently, Governor Corbett did respond to the pleas of lobbyers like myself, he ammended the Gas Act, which would require companies to provide detailed plans on the impacts of every well they make for fracking. This Act can be found HERE.

While I think this is a big step, I still believe we need to act more harshly to radically change the way these companies are running.
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Lobbying: Healthier School Lunches

Obesity is a problem everywhere in the US, and it's everybody's problem.  According to a study, said the Society of Actuaries in a press release, the economic cost of obesity to the US is about $270 billion a year.  This is an appallingly high price we pay as a country for something as preventable as obesity.

Few groups are at higher risk for obesity than Philadelphia children of low socioeconomic status, of which an estimated 51% are obese.  Much of the obesity problem among Philadelphia's low-SES kids comes from the fact that they live in food deserts, or areas in which healthy, affordable food is hard to come by.  The USDA's handy Food Desert Locator shows various food deserts along the Schuylkill, and a large one in northeast-most Philadelphia.

The first step to lowering this number seems obvious to me: provide Philly's low-SES children with healthier food by having public schools serve more nutritious, less fattening lunches.  I'm certainly not alone in my thinking.  Michelle Obama's highly publicized "Let's Move!" campaign seeks to lower child obesity rates by providing access to healthy food for all families and helping children become more physically active.  In December of 2010, President Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act into law, authorizing funding to increase low-SES kids' access to healthy food.  The Kids' Safe and Healthful Foods Project seeks to implement science-based guidelines for food and drinks sold in schools, as well as more rigorous food safety guidelines, and ensure that schools have the resources to train cafeteria workers and provide necessary equipment.

The most outspoken opponent of these anti-obesity efforts is probably My Food. My Choice!, which argues that the government is overstepping its boundaries by trying to control what people eat.  The group was founded by conservative columnist Orit Sklar, who gained notoriety after suing Georgia Tech for the right to verbally harass gay students.  Mayor Nutter also proposed a two-cents-an-ounce soda tax as a way to reduce soda consumption among Philadelphia children, as well as bring in an estimated $77 million.  However, after much lobbying by the American Beverage Association, the measure was rejected by the city council.

I think that My Food. My Choice! has a valid concern, but they feel more threatened than they should.  It seems to me that they've misinterpreted trying to help people get access to healthier food as trying to cut off access to unhealthier food.  The current obesity epidemic is a serious threat to our country, and arguing about what counts as the government infringing on our right to exercise dangerous habits will only prevent us from giving help to those who need it most.

Pipeline Monologue Project- Jeffrey Schwartz

The purpose of this project was to fully express the pros and cons of the tar sands oil project, in a way that show you know what you’re talking about and in a descriptive story format. Also it is important to show the US or global priorities and the relationship between humans and the environment.

 

MONOLOUGE 1

( I am writing on a small piece of paper speaking what I am writing.) (Left arm is holding paper does not move throughout monologue.) Jack! Watch out!” The last words I heard before the ground crumbled from under me. It gave way with no resistance at all. I plunged weightless into a dark hole. My hands scraped against the wall of the cave as I fell. I could feel myself tumbling down and incline fast. The light above me became smaller and smaller. I could here the yells of my friends become fainter. Rocks continued to drive themselves into the back of my head.(switch to other side of business card) I tried to extend my arm to slow down my fall, up to my shoulder was quickly caught in a deep rock formation. I heard a loud crack as my arm bent against my elbow.(Cringe slightly) It became limp.( Arm is still at side not moving) The excruciating pain pumped me with adrenaline, and I pulled on my arm. I could barely remove it from the hole. How would I get out?

(take out new business card)

Journal entry #2

I tried to make a makeshift splint out of an old Forbes magazine I had in my back pocket. I had to tie my belt to it, hard. My bones moved around as the cast slipped and belt broke. A red-hot spike wedged itself into my arm with every clench of my hand.  And every time I did that my grip tightened. So far I have been able to drink from a slow refilling puddle. It has been pretty bad. (Look to right as if staring at mud puddle) I have no idea if this pipeline will be worth it. 900,000 barrels of oil a day sounds pretty nice, but if there’s a leak all hell would break loose. Maybe that would happen I don’t know. But just before I fell into this hole I worked with the steel to build the pipe. It’s weak stuff, brittle and bendy. They say it would be like the BP oil spill but on land, if it did leak. Also I hear it’s going over this real important fresh water source for like two million people. Even so, I guess I need this to be built. I need money and a job hasn’t been the easiest thing to get recently. I watched the news and they said that around 4000 jobs would be created just to build the pipeline. I need that now. I don’t know if anyone would find these last notes but I just wish they know how I’m going to end.

            Journal entry #3

(Pretending to right on a business card) I’m down to my last business card to right on. And my pen dots each letter with its remaining ink.(Shake pen as if you need more ink.) I was lying there using a boulder on my lower back to boost my posture; maybe it would make me more comfortable. They told us that this would help America. Raising the economy, and all that. Only a simple pipe, traveling from Canada to Texas to make this dream come true. “yea right,” I thought, “Only!” Only doesn’t fix my arm or help me out of this cave. Only won’t make the lives of countless Americans livable and fulfilling, just because they got more oil. I never thought like this. But now I think I see how important it really is.

 

 

 

MONOLOUGE 2

( Reading his thoughts aloud)

“What do you think I’m doing? Where’s my suit, is it ironed? Wait in the car!” I looked in the mirror. My suit, not ironed, was wrinkled and blue. (Gingerly touching the suit trying to manually straighten the bends.) My suave slick hair became streamlined with every comb stroke. (slowly combing hair) My black and striped suit matched it.

I needed this win. How couldn’t I get it? I’m sure everyone is “ok” with a few more billion dollars floating around. (Chuckle)  One would put me ahead. I know how much I need this, how much America needed this. Common all it takes is a narrow pipeline from Canada to Texas, quick and easy. No harm done. I laughed (chuckle some) at my sure to work plan, while knotting my tie. (Knot tie) I picked up my jacket slung it over my shoulder and made my way out the door. (My smile drooped) with the sight of my wife. An early fight scarred this evening. I tried to forget about it.

(I poured a sip of celebratory wine, loosened my tie and kicked off my shoes.) I took control from my legs and they placed me on the bed. Blood gushed to my feet, hurting them more. (Squeeze and hold feet, as if in pain) I had won. They accepted the pipeline; with a 64% approval I was all-powerful.

Being the general manager of soon to be the biggest and most important company in the world made me think. Was it all worth it? Did America need more oil, supplies, and money? 900,000 barrels a day would be great! What am I thinking of course we needed it? All it is, is just a practical incision here or over a unused lake there. Now were talking! I was on my way. On my way to becoming the most powerful man in the world!

 

 

 

MONLOUGE 3

(Bent over somewhat crazy looking, very angry) (Man is talking to himself)

“Practical I’ll show them practical.” (Rubbing hand together as if plotting) “I’ll just go there now and tie myself to a tree. That’ll show ‘em. Of course it is dangerous, but what choice did I have?” (Has a sadder look now, not hunched over anymore) “If the only thing in my way was that dreadful Politian with his greased hair and posture, then I was gonna do it. (Angered face returns) I was going to stop the Tar sands pipeline by myself. I don’t need any help I never have.” (starts to smile) “Honey, where are those chains I bought last week?”

(Wife answers back, that she has no idea.) (Man becomes furious wheezing and yelling.) (Speaking to himself again.) “After all I’ve done for her, after all we’ve been through, she can’t keep an eye on my chains! It’s ok ill go alone, she doesn’t deserve me!”

(In Canada where the pipeline will begin.)

(Construction worker is trying to get crazy man down from the tree. Crazy man is responding to construction worker.) “ Don’t you think I know it will create jobs? Yes, thousands! But protecting the environment is vastly more important. They built a pipeline just like this and said it would only leak one time in the next seven, already it has leaked over 12 times! I know that your just a construction worker but you have to understand how important this really is. I don’t care if your doing your job I’m not leaving this spot!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eiB56Hrjio



 

Lobbying: Safe Chemicals Act (blog post 1)

When I first started to brainstorm topics to lobby, I wanted to focus on environmental protection. Ever since my trip to the Dominican Republic, I have been interested in this issue. I started to look at statistics about Philadelphia's environmental protection policies, as compared to those of other cities. To my surprise, I found that Philadelphia is actually doing a good job, and is also steadily improving. Mayor Nutter even has a website dedicated to his Greenworks Philadelphia plan. At first, I thought I would move up to state level, and focus on Pennsylvania's plentiful environmental policy issues. I considered talking about fracking, but many other students in my class were already focused on that issue.

In the end, my topic found me: I was reading Scientific American, and spotted a brief article about the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 (PDF here), a bill that would act to control the dangerous chemicals that so often show up in everyday items. The act, introduced by Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, would give the Environmental Protection Agency more freedom – and responsibility – to test and regulate chemicals. Currently, under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, the EPA has little power over industry's use of chemicals.

As I researched the Safe Chemicals Act, I found a group, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, which strongly supports the bill. The describe themselves as "a nationwide effort to pass smart federal policies that protect us from toxic chemicals". They are pushing hard for reform on the Toxic Substance Control Act, and think that the proposed Safe Chemicals Act would be a major improvement. They want to "hold industry responsible for the safety of their chemicals and products".

The American Chemistry Council is perhaps less enthusiastic, but not against the bill. According to a statement by President and CEO Cal Dooley, the ACC is "strongly aligned on the need to modernize the 35-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act." However, they believe that Lautenberg's proposal "contained provisions that would not have produced the benefits intended by its authors" and "could put American innovation and jobs at risk."

I believe that the Safe Chemicals Act would be a step forward. According to the article in Scientific American, "even extremely low levels of some environmental contaminants may have significant damaging effects on our bodies." This is a serious risk, and I believe that the health and safety of all citizens should be a high priority for the government.

Pipeline Monologue Project

Intro Paragraph: My goals in writing these monologues. Is to show how many views there are. Whether you are for or against the pipeline. I wanted to show all the different emotions of this situation, sadness, anxiety, rage, regret, confidence and many more. I want to show the government how much they are hurting their citizens.

 

Monologue #1: Are You Serious

Setting: outside of her house, showing the factories. In her hand is  

      I’ll tell you how hard it’s been to live here. My community has had illnesses like throat cancer, if they build the pipelines, what’s going to happen? When did they start building factories? They’ve been making different factories across the street from my house ever since I was in kindergarten. This isn’t worth losing more people. I would come home and smell this horrible smell that was deadly. Money is going to be wasted. They need to make wiser choices.  We have all these different factories that’s causing odors. I think about the pipeline situation from time to time and people will have jobs if we have pipelines. But while the pipelines are being made it’s damaging, and causing problems.

      What’s your final answer about this situation, should this happen or not? Do you see this newspaper in my hand? Almost every time I read the news it doesn’t say specifically if Obama is going to let this happen, and once he makes up his mind. Once 6 months pass, with change or no change, then I’ll make up my mind, but for right now I’m not too sure. This situation is bittersweet, it’s going to help people out financially because people will be provided jobs but then again they’re going to be wasting billions of dollars.

 

Monologue #2: Will This Be The Right Choice?

       

Setting: At school taking a test.

 

     Here I am twirling my lucky pencil in my hand, and holding a test in front of my face not rushing to do my test to be the first person to be finished but I’m…wondering… Re-playing the whole phone call I had with my dad yesterday

He said though I’m an a little young to really rap my head around the situation

He has to decide weather he should deny the permit for the oil Pipelines or not.

Pipelines – Transports goods through a pipe.

He also told me that people would be given jobs, if the pipeline happens.

Will my dad make the right choice?

     I know I’m only ten years old, and have no say in weather we should resume with pipelines or not… But I think that my father should pass it. People will be provided jobs, right? That would be great, because people have been getting laid for the past 3 years.  

     I did some research after talking to my dad…and it said that a pipeline is a network that delivers the nations crude oil such as gasoline, jet fuel and home heating oil, is that good or bad?

Will that be hurting the environment or improving the environment.

 

Will he make the right choice?

 

 

 

Monologue #3: It’s all about the workers and to heck with the Environment, I need a job!

 

 Setting: At the site of one of the pipelines. Getting interviewed

       Honestly I think that they need to pass this, I need a job, this will be providing for hundreds of unemployed people at the moment.  Even If it’s going to be polluting the earth. Right about now we need, no I NEED a job. For the past years thousands of people have been unemployed – I’ve been unemployed. And right here these pipelines are jobs that will be able to give to the thousands of people who are unemployed.  Are you trying say that the only thing that you care about right now is yourself? No, not exactly, I’m just saying that we’ve started with the pipeline and the construction and all of a sudden we had to stop, no money is flowing through! Obama wants a solution for these unemployed citizens and its right in front of our faces! So close that I can - we can all taste it. We will be one step closer to have a better economy, not environmentally. I’m all for the environment, but I’m ready to sacrifice this environment so I can have a job.

 If you already had a job, and was asked about the Pipeline situation, what would you say?

     To be honest I would be on the side to try to save the environment, because

if this happens, its hurting Mother Nature. These Pipelines aren’t healthy for this environment. But I need to provide for family-my children…

 

Monologue #4: You're So Greedy

*The goddess of the earth says this with a lot of passion and a little bit of rage.

I give and give and give! All I get in return is this crappy piece of nothingness. (these 2 sentences are said with a bunch of rage) Yes, I am a goddess but there is only so much that I can do. In the beginning it was ok. People respected my earth because they really acknowledged that it was all they had to survive.(Happiness/calm in these 2) All of a sudden my guests got extremely greedy and started destroying my work. Cutting down my beautiful forests, polluting my oceans, taking more than what is needed and killing my master pieces of animals.(anger and rage) I did a pretty good job making this little sphere of joy, but maybe I didn’t do such a good job of protecting it. That is going to change soon.

Then the government thinks there all tall and mighty and decides to ruin the last of my work with a pipeline that goes from Canada to Texas. In this pipeline there will be nasty black, gooey and just unclean oil. It is all about the money to you people. What are you going to do if you have nothing else left? Oh, that’s right you are going to die. The “Bad Guys” say “It will be good for the economy and we will be able to live better lives.” DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING! I made this earth to the best of my ability and you the greedy ones are destroying it.

Now you’re scared because I am finally taking a stand and getting angry. All of these natural disasters, all of the people dying are your doing. I am just showing you what you have been doing this entire time. I have tried to be understanding and loving, but there only so much that I can take. I demand respect! My earth needs to be respected!

Not only have you betrayed me by making this decision, you have betrayed all of the earth. For billions of years the Earth that has hosted you on this planet. You do have a chance to make it better. The first step is to not make this pipeline that will destroy what you have left of your world. I now leave it in your hands to make this huge decision. Hope you make the right one.

 

Monologue # 5

*A man in a jail sell regrets his decision for standing up for what is right. He is anxious and debating weather or not he made the right choice protesting.

         Why did this happen to me? Why did I make such a bad decision. I have 2 kids and a wife at home I need to take care of. Right now they think i am on a business trip in Los Angeles. What is my wife going to say when she find out where I actually am. I am the man of the house I need to bring home the bacon for my family. I want to say I was being selfish but I am really just trying to protect my home. I grew up in South Dakota 2blocks from where they are going to rip up the earth and place that monstrous pipeline. All of my childhood memories will be destroyed. Where will my parents go? They are to old to handle this type of change.

This jail cell is so cold and damp. I am going to ruin my good work clothes. I didn’t know I was going to be arrested. I just wanted to do the right thing and defend our mother earth. Bad decisions, after bad decisions. Money in my family is really tight because of the economy. Now my family has to pay bail for me to get out. I don’t even want to tell them, I am scared that they will not trust me any more. I wasn’t thinking straight, I didn’t think about the consequences of protesting. Will i loose my job? How will this affect my reputation? I really hope that I am setting a good example for my kids. I don’t want them to end up like this. In a 6 by 6, cold, dirty and damp space regretting a decision that was made.

When I think about it i think I am being selfish, but also standing up in what I believe in and protecting my family. When my grand kids are born I want them to have a world to live in that isn’t a piece of crap. My generation and generations before have ruined our future generations home. I feel bad that they have to clean up our mess. Maybe I did do the right thing and my family will understand that I was fighting for them.


 

Pipeline Monologue Project by Ryan Shaw

​This monologue Project has taught me a lot. Not just about the environment, but also about acting, and monologues. They are hard to write, but only because Mr. Block pushes you to strive. In my monologues, I wanted to show what could happen, and that's why all of them are in the future. The first one is the President of the United States in the year 2059. The next one is a young man with respiratory problems, where he can't leave his home because the air is so polluted. The final man, is a historian, that is giving a lecture at a college about Obama's decision. My goal was to directly show how the future could be affected by his plan, but to show that it's because of our hunger for petroleum that's doing it, and that the pipeline is just a way to get it to us.

"An Address to a Dying Nation."

The president of the United States sits down to address the nation, in 2059, live, on national Television, in a dark, smoggy picture of New York, New York in the background.


Nation, I’m here tonight to talk about the increasing risk of natural disasters in our nation. In this year of 2059, I think it’s possible for everyone to sit down and have a serious discussion with the rest of your family about what they can do to help the environment. The carbon level is over 400, and if we don’t get it down soon... then there won’t be a nation to save. The water levels have swallowed the entire state of Florida. The evacuations helped, but there were those who stayed. Millions dead, San Fransisco is in the worst flood in the history of the US with every rainstorm with Atlanta following suit. While the coasts are flooding, the plains are having the worst drought in years. In a few locations, there has been recorded less water than most deserts. Hawaii is wiped off of our maps, leaving millions dead. The Earth that we so love, has turned against us. Our days of taking oil in any from her is over. The United States of America could’ve avoided this had it not been for the permission of major oil companies from the previous presidents to drill, and to import oil. Our world is suffering because of us, our ancestors, and our leaders’ mistakes. Please, America, do whatever you can to help the environment and stop these disasters. From the United States President, signing off. God Bless America. 

Camera Clicks and reporters asking questions as President John Jacob Jinglehimer-Schmidt exits the room.



"The Result"


In a hospital bed, a young boy is breathing from oxygen, and he has to take frequent breaths while speaking. (in the future)

All of my life, I’ve been here, in this hospital.
Takes a deep breath.
Ever since I was born, I’ve had a resipiratory disease. I can’t breathe the air outside.
Takes a deep breath.
The air outside is so bad now. Maybe-
Takes a deep breath.
Maybe I could’ve been able to breathe, years ago, when the air wasn’t so bad.
Takes a deep breath.
But now, now the air is horrible. I’ve only been outside once.
Takes a deep breath.
I had to take a tank of oxygen, and I could only visit the hospital garden before I had to go back inside.
Coughs multiple times before he calms down and relaxes.
It was beautiful. The Garden. I’ve seen pictures of the rest  of the world though.
Takes a deep breath.
It’s so smoggy. The world might’ve been a better place had we made better decisions.
Takes a deep breath.
It’s just so unfair!
looks over at the oxygen tank.
I have to breathe with this stupid tank all of my life while the other kids get to run around and have fun!
Breathing becomes more rapid.
Why am I paying for someone else’s mistake?!
Takes a deep breath.
I could’ve lived a normal life, but no! I had to be stuck in this hospital all of my life, paying for people before me’s mistakes!
Breathing becomes extremely rapid, before fainting from lack of oxygen.

World History Keystone XL monologue project

    The purpose of these monologues was to illustrate different viewpoints on the construction and use of the Keystone XL Pipeline. While on the surface there seem to be only two sides of the argument, it’s actually a much more complex issue. The First Monologue is meant to depict the point of view of an opposing company, who would want the profit for themselves. but for the sake of public relations probably wouldn’t want to say so out right. The Second Monologue is from my own point of view, your average teenager’s ideas about the pipeline and what it means for my generation’s future. The third is from the point of view of an investor in BP, and is meant to depict a purely economic viewpoint, or what this might mean for certain individuals.

Monologue 1:

As the C.E.O of Green Gas Enterprises.

Dear Mr. Obama,

 

I think that the tar sands of Canada are undoubtedly one of the most reliable energy sources known to man, however we at Green Gas Inc. strongly protest that Exxon Mobile and TransCanada are given any access to it. Doing this would be both economical and environmental suicide. Exxon mobile would have us believe that this oil will save our country’s economy, but the reality is it would give them a near monopoly on the country’s oil market. If one corporation is given that much power it’s very possible that they could take a lot of the government’s power.

Aside from that, TransCanada, their partner company has already pushed to violate standard safety laws. We feel if we had access to this oil we would handle the oil with better environmental practices as well as distribute the benefits among oil companies. We also would be able to transport the oil using cheaper and safer methods by running a pipeline down to Montana, the second largest oil production state, shortening the pipeline by about half a country. This not only reduces the cost but also lessens the chance of leakage along the pipeline. Furthermore the jobs that Exxon and trans Canada would provide wouldn’t last more than a year or two except for a few hundred high requirement jobs only available to a certain set of highly qualified individuals. We however can hire a regular staff of day-to-day maintenance workers. Please act now and give Green Gas Inc. the rights to the Keystone XL Pipeline.

 

Thank you for your time,

 

 

Howie Thrive

C.E.O., Green Gas Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monologue 2:

 

Writing as: Myself

9/23/11

Dear diary,

            This week in world history we’re learning about the Keystone XL Pipeline, which is a giant pipeline that will run all the way from Canada to Texas, transporting billions of gallons of oil per day. The oil in the tar sands of Canada, and getting it out involves pouring thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, making it borderline toxic. TransCanada, the company responsible for building the pipeline, seems to be openly corrupt. There are allegations that the engineers who built the pipeline tried to violate the safety regulations for the minimum thickness and maximum pump pressure. There’s also the risk of spills, since the pipelines run through several peoples’ homes and through several natural parks and reserves. The forests it goes through are very remote so if a leak occurred somewhere along the pipeline it could be days before anyone found out.  I strongly doubt they will take the appropriate safety measures to prevent this. On top of that Exxon Mobile is literally the wealthiest oil company in the world, so if they are given this opportunity it would generate a huge imbalance in the world’s economy. We may be forced into a dystopia, where giant corporations like Exxon Mobile have the final say on everything. Personally I would love to be out there with the protesters right now, but that kind of thing takes time that I don’t have. 

 

 

 

Monologue 3:

 

Written as: an Exxon shareholder:

 

[Wakes up in bed to phone ringing, reluctantly answers phone]

            H’lo?

[Pause]

            Exxon what now?

 [Pause]

A pipeline?

[Pause]

             How much oil are we talking?

[Pause]

[Sits up in bed and starts smiling]

 Well yea I want you to buy more shares, do you know how much profit they can make off that? It’ll boost at least a hundred dollars or so per share. Who else knows about this? Have you told the rest of the Firm?

[Pause]

Well people against it aren’t exactly gonna invest now are they?

[Pause]

             Just wait until this gets to the presses, Wall Street’s gonna go crazy. Hell if this all works out we could retire early!

[pause]

What?

[Pause]

Drawbacks? What are they? How could there be drawbacks to something like…

 [Pause]

             Leaks? They can’t just patch it if that happens?

[Pause]

That’s just ridiculous, 50,000 gallons per hour?

[Pause]

[Stands up slowly and begins to pace.]

Ok here’s what we’ll do. We’ll wait till the pipeline is running, then about a month in pull EVERYTHING out of the market before something bad happens. And I mean hell if something bad does happen its not like Exxon is gonna go outta business, if we sell our shares, and then something happens we can re buy them at a lower price. In fact its probably better for our sake if something does happen.

[Pause]

All right, you inform the rest of the firm and I’ll look into this more. I’ll call you back at 2 o’clock.

 

 

Written by Cameron Klales

Pipeline Monologue Project

The purpose of these monologues were to illustrate different point of views of the pros and cons about the Keystone XL Pipeline. Mr. Block had assigned 3 monologues and my point of view was from a Protestor, Police Officer, and a Farmer. These people will tell you what they think about the Keystone XL pipeline project. 

​Voice of a Protestor

From a long day at work, I sat down in my comfy couch and turned on the television to see what was on to watch. Flipping through channel to channel, the news had reported an impact and issues about the pipeline.  My name is Stephanie Zhu. I live in Canada and I am thoroughly against this pipeline situation. There are many reasons why I’m against Keystone XL pipeline.  Canada has been one of the biggest and most supplier of oil, exporting two millions barrels per day. United States has been using Canadian Tar Sands oil and the more oil that is being exported, the harder it is to find. The oil in Canada is made from Bitumen which is really expensive, and yet we have been receiving dirty and cheap stuff, which isn’t the best thing we could have here.This is where the protests had begun. I drove all the way from Canada to the White House to support the rest of the protestors about this pipeline tragedy. There were hundreds and thousands of people rising above one another outside the White House protesting about the KeyStone XL pipeline project. I was there too, and got arrested.

 “Nothing isn’t going to change my mind, officer.” 

I hesitated. I chose to be locked up. know it was illegal to protests outside the White House, but I was just trying to help others support this oil situation.
The officer pulled my hands together behind my back, handcuffed me, and threw me in the car.


Pipeline Point of View from Officer Berkle William 

Hi, I’m Berkle William and I’m an officer who have yet involved in this protesting tragedy. 

(Gripping his hands together as he speaks)


 I’ve been out here all day arresting more than two hundreds people who has been standing outside of this White house protesting about the KeyStone XL Pipeline. I don’t get why these people are here trying to wait for Obama and other people in the White House to accept their words? Why here though? They’re making my job even harder. It’s even more difficult when I tried to convinced all the protestors to go back to their place. There were two options for them, two options for all the protestors to choose. Either vacate from this property or lock up. They all hesitated and decided to go for the jail house. I then realized this isn’t a game for them, they were all serious about this project. This is horrible. I have to come out here and handcuffs hundreds of people on something I am totally not against disagreeing about.There’s nothing that I can do about it. The president can’t just sit still and ignore this, he needs to do something about it. What’s even worse? Having to hear the protestors scream and yell all over the place. It’s like a nightmare. Hopefully, this tragedy will be situated. I’m tired from all this complaining. Please, do something about this.

 (Hand motions gesturing; speaking in an aggressive tone) 

Point of view from a Farmer Mary Jane 


Hi, my name is Mary Jane and I’m a farmer of my own farmland in Zionsville, Canada.

There has been major issues occurring in the farmland for the past few months, and it relates to the Keystone XL pipeline. I didn’t know it was happening, but many companies had canceled their order from exporting my products. I was very concerned to why this is happening. From then on, I’ve been observing the farmland day by day, and there were just many crops and produce that weren’t in good condition. I find it really strange until I read the news paper and found out about the Keystone XL Pipeline project. I want this pipeline situation to stop. It can’t be happening. The chemical of cheap and dirty stuff from the pipeline is affecting the produce and the business . Not only that, but it affect the family. We have been working hard; sweating from our head to toes each day. I’m very disappointed  and it really upsets me when this had happened to our family farmland. If the business is down, I can’t afford to fix this. I wanted to know more about this Pipeline, so I then searched up on the internet to see some updates on this tragedy and how might this problem be solved

[Sits in her office desk in an aggressive mood and read through each pages of the Pipeline stories. ] [sighed in relief as she scrolled from pages to pages]

There must be a way out, but I have to get this problem situated or else the business will go out of luck.

Pipeline Monologues Projects

This project started off with us watching a video called 'The Story of Stuff.' The video was about the journey of how we get our materials that we use for a normal day. Then, we learned about a company called TransCanada, and about their new project. They are planning to make a series of pipelines from Alberta, Canada all the way to Texas. The pipelines would carry crude oil from Canada to different refineries in the midwest and to refineries in Texas. The project is called Keystone XL Pipeline. 

We read about different point of views of what people think about the pipeline, and then we were suppose to write three different monologues from a person/thing/animal affected by the pipelines. I picked to be a Native American, a protester (against the pipelines), and a bobcat (living in the area). I wanted to take point of views that don't really get to express their opinions. The Native Americans can protest but, nobody will actually listen to them. The protester is locked up for protesting and nobody actually will sit down to talk to them. Finally, I picked a bobcat because the people who started to project didn't care about the wildlife, they just acted like they did to please the public. I want people to know from all the research how these mammals would feel and what they have to worry about because of this pipeline project. These monologues are how I think they would feel. I hope for everyone who reads to understand and look at their point of view because they matter too. 


Monologues


Rally For The Cause

Makya Sparrow, the best hunter of the whole tribe, stepped up to the stage. She had something important to say and she wasn’t holding it back. Everybody has been thinking about it, she is going to say it. Makya grabs the microphone.

I’ve never seen anything more disrespectful than this. Why can’t they just leave us alone? They already forced us onto this reservation. The reservation isn’t even a place of high quality, we are forced to use horribly built houses, use food stamps, and there are barely any jobs. Now, they want to build pipelines through our sacred land! This is the land where we buried our ancestors, laid them to peace! Building these pipelines mean they are going to have to bury them up our people.

With every word, Mayka tightens her grip on the microphone.

Every time, they find something new here. They just want to take and take. We can’t just stand here and not do anything! We have to stand up for ourselves! We have to go to Washington D.C and show them they we can protest and stand up for our rights. We have to show them that no matter what they take from us, we will always have our pride.

We have to show them they can’t take our land again! They can’t contaminate our water with their crude oil. We don’t pollute the atmosphere; they don’t give us enough supplies to even try!

Why do we have to suffer for their mistakes? We shouldn’t have to! TransCanada say that we will be able to work in these factories and refineries that they will have. They say they will keep us updated about what it going on with the pipeline. But, we know from experience they won’t. I learned that there were 12 spills in 1 year for one of the TransCanada pipelines! We can’t let that happen to us.

Come my people. Let’s move from the rocks and hills of the reservation. We need to make our way to Washington D.C and stand up for our land.

WHO IS WITH ME? 

Makya thrusts the microphone in the air. 

Stand Tall

Alice Hall just got arrested for protesting in front of the White House. She gets into the jail and a police officer takes an interest in her. He starts to question her.

My name is Alice Hall. I am from Montana, 3 miles away from Yellowstone National Park.

I’ve lived there for my whole life.

Alice starts to get an attitude.

No, I am getting arrested for a legitimate reason. 

I don’t care if this on my ‘permanent record’. I am not five years old. I am standing up for what I believe in. I believe that the Keystone XL Pipeline is totally and utterly wrong.

What’s my problem? What is your problem? I was taught that if I didn’t agree with something, that I should state it in a non-violent way. And I am standing up for my opinion just like the 120 others in this jail with me.

I’ve lived in Montana for my whole life. My house was home to 4 generations of my family before me. I’ve live 3 miles from Yellowstone National Park; I got married in that park. My family and I have seen the park evolve into what it is today. I was there when they put the Yellowstone Pipeline in, I was there when the pipeline had a leak, I was there when everybody had to evacuate. I saw the horrid faces on the people that lived around the park, when they saw the oil slug start to run down their own streets. The whole place was filled with grief all we did was cry. The animals were soaked in the oil and most of them died we couldn’t even help. We weren’t specialized in the removal of oil, what do we do? We watched on the TV 750 to 1,000 barrels – 42,000 gallons of oil was leaked into the river for a half hour before the shut it down.

And now they want to build another pipeline? What makes this pipeline anymore safer?

How can they guarantee that the pipeline won’t leak? The same place where the pipeline leaked is the same place where they want to build the new pipeline. They cross each other over 4 states. I will not let my children grow up into a world where the water and national parks are polluted. I am standing up for what I believe in, you can call me an environmentalist. I don’t care.

I Hate Humans

Betty just had her 3 cubs 70 days before; they have finally opened their eyes. So, they are finally able to eat their own food, but first Betty has to get food for them to eat. Betty walks a few feet from her cave when she hears noise and sees things. She goes to check them out.

What are those noises? Are those people over there? What are they doing with those different machines? I have to go in and get a closer view.

Betty goes up into a tree to watch the people from above.

Okay, I am in a good spot. I should listen in now. Pipelines? Crude Oil? More jobs? Dirty water? What? So, they are building pipelines right under the aquifer and the pipelines are suppose to be moving crude oil from Canada all the way to Texas. Apparently, the pipelines leak too, they leak more than predicted most of the time.

Betty digs her nails into the tree.

Pipeline carrying the dirtiest oil is supposed to go through my neighborhood. I can’t allow that. My babies, my newborn babies. What happens to them? What happens to them when they have to go a hunt for food and land in a puddle of oil? I can’t stand humans. They just take and take until they have nothing else to take. Some of my friend animal species are already endangered. They were living so peacefully without the humans, they lived so peacefully when the humans didn’t even care about this area of the forest. My babies have to live to see tomorrow, but I don’t want them to see tomorrow if they can’t drink tomorrow’s water. I have to protect my children. I have to keep my children healthy. I can’t let them see this nonsense. They can never come this way. I will make a mark on this tree, so they know to stop right here. So, they know not to go any far.

Betty scratches a hexagon into the tree.

My food supply, what will I do about that? I have to watch out for animals with diseases. Some animals may not be smart enough to not drink the dirty water. I have to think about my family. I have to go up higher in the mountains to find my food, just to make sure my kids are safe. Being on the ground, may be too dangerous for my cubs. Maybe I can just move them. I need to figure this out before they all die. Before I die.

Humans, I hate them.

 

 


ETHAN REESE MONOLOUGE

SIGNING OFF FROM TEXAS U

( Student at Texas university majoring in economics uncertain about the tar sands making a third blog video about the tar sands )

Hi, this is my third video blog this month regarding the tar sands XL pipeline, I have been unemployed for almost two years now. (pause) My whole life my family has struggled with money, (rub eye) and I always wanted to go to my dream college Texas U. With no money and no where to get it I had to work twice as hard as other kids in school did, but now I’m sitting here in my dorm at Texas U doing this blog. When the professor gave my class this project he suggested I should look into the tar sands XL pipeline and tell him my thoughts on it. From what I understand the pipeline will be carrying 56,960,000 dollars worth of oil a day and the profit will be made on day 123 which is relatively fast compared to the 7 billion dollars that are being put into the project. My father a highly renown high-school engineering teacher and grandfather one of the heads of the project got the company to give me a job offer. I have been unemployed for two years and on a resume this job would look amazing the job would keep me employed for at least four years. But I grew up in a house with some of the greatest minds in the world and they taught me everything has a price and i think this pipeline is going to have a steeper price than 7 billion dollars. I think that the release of these tar sands will cause a domino effect ultimately coming back to bite us in the butt, once the climate becomes unable to ignore than the real price of the pipeline will become obvious. I studied economics to become a CFO of a company like Trans Canada, if their was ever a opportunity to make that dream come true it is this. The thing I guess I’m most afraid of is being used as a scape goat in case this project just doesn’t turn the overall profit. I feel like i  should say no to the job this oil is dirtier than  normal oil it’s twice  as harmful I know what the repercussions of releasing it is, but this job is well paying low hours and a way  to get my foot in the door with larger companies. I’m against this  100 percent but i cant let my family down i cant let my professor down...(sigh and turn from camera ) i cant  let myself down. I cant pass this up ( Pause as you  hear sound of a watch ) Until next time  this is Robert Walsh signing off from  Texas U ( Give two finger salute sign off ).



 THE FACE OF OIL

Oil...  the blood of America, the blood of money. To answer your  question directly you must understand oil’s place in global economics... oil is the greatest money maker the modern world may ever encounter. It is traded,sold,bought by the tons it is a trillion dollar industry that i being a former CEO of BP know the ins and outs of. Let me take you into the mind of the CEO of trans Canada, right now he is sitting on the largest source of oil known to current  date, with Canadas low reliance on oil they will turn the largest profit  this industry has ever seen by selling it to  countries with a high dependence on oil like the U.S, this is their plan. Moving through this pipeline everyday will be 800,000 barrels of oil a day to put that into a number that you will understand 56,960,000 dollars worth of oil a day flowing from Canada to Texas.This will only take 123 days to turn a profit on the 7 billion dollar investment, which is relatively fast given the  size of this project. Though i will play devils advocate the pipeline like any has the chance of a costly leak and a big spill or leak can cost big money, the  total loss of money during the BP oil spill was  12.5  billion dollars  in cleanup, repair, and the spilled  oil. So although the profit is coming  quick it could all be lost by  a major spill or leak, this isn’t a rare thing either on average a  pipeline leaks  12 times  a year. I see this as the push that might get us out of debt but might put us in debt  even further. I’ m all for the pipeline America was formed on a  gamble and that’s how we have to save it, i say take the risk its your  only  realistic option right now. So Obama i’m going to say this once and hope you listen approve the pipeline...