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Keystone Pipeline Monologues

Posted by Jasir Massey-Campbell in World History - Block on

​  In World History, we have been learning about the Keystone xL pipeline and how it affects citizens of the US, the world and the environment. The keystone pipeline is a pipeline that the United States wants to run from the tarsands that are located in Canada, to the oil reserves in Texas. Many who are in favor of the pipeline believe it is a resource that supplies cheap energy. The people who are not in favor of the pipeline believe the long term affects that will take place on our ecosystem do more damage than good. I have written 3 monologues about the Keystone Pipeline and created 3 different personalities on how the pipeline affects them. 

Monologue #1  "I know what I know and what I know is true"
(This monologue is about a southern father who gets a call from his son, the conversation begins to become an argument about if the pipeline is a good idea.)

(picks up cell phone)

Ello...

Well howdy son! how’s college?

good, good... better be good, all dat money I’m spending on yous

Where am I?  (sarcastically, surprised)


I’m in the ol’e shack? (laughs) The kitchen, you know what I mean.

you doing a what?

a surrr-vayy?

well son, sorry to dissapoint you but i do not know what a surrr-vayy is.

its a who?

oh i know, one of dem questionnaire thing-a-ma-bobers

yeah I heard about the Keystone xL, the greatest thing to come to america since the last four years.

What?

son please repeat, you know I’m hard of hearing. For a second I thought you said you were against the pipeline. The american dream!

You are?!

Well son, you may be in a fancy college but let me educate you on this here project. The pipeline will create millions of american jobs, you know old Uncle Stewie will be getting a job, high payin too, if this pipeline goes through

ain’t no such thing as pollution

Are you against the american dream son? you know that if we pass this herrrr pipeline then we won’t have to rely on them god-forsaken foreigners. They don’t like americans why keep paying them then. let em die!

No, I am not being bias, I know what I know and what I know is true_

So what do you think?

Pueweyy! Bologna! SHI-!

I didn’t curse... (talks under his breath) little bastard

Son this pipeline will supply us cheap abundant and reliable energy.... This is why Romney know what’s best son.

No I am not just repeating the polo-tichians. I know what that means...

No Romney??? (puzzled face)

OBAMA?! (bangs fist on table) Obamaaaaaaaaa, is against the U.S. of A. He’s a muslim and secretly is building up the muslim brotherhood in the middle east within america! A muslim! A terrorist!  how un american!!! He hates white people... (son hangs up the phone). Hello.. son? SON?! GOD-DAYUM THE LITTLE TURD! CHELLY! THE LITTLE TURD HUNG UP ON ME!

YEAH HE DID! THE LITTLE TURD! CAN YOU HEAT ME UP SOME OF DEM CHIDDLINS?

YEAHHH I’LL BE DOWN IN A SECOND!


Monologue #2. "WWTPD" (what would the president do?)
(the president ask his advisor about the pipeline. When informed he has to make a tough decision to please both pro and anti pipeline citizens.)

(picks up phone)
Hello, chief advisor Carl

Yes, please keep me (uhhhhh) up to date on the (uhhhh)  ramifications that the keystone pipeline presents.

Hmmm, lets start with the (uhh) good things shall we

Please say again. It provides what...?

Oh, excuse me, US jobs, yes I understand.

How many jobs are we talking about

Millions (says surprised). I see. Anything else that I should know? Tell me how cost efficient it is.

The tar sands would provide cheap, abundant, reliable energy you say? huh? (uh) Soooo (uhhh) so far passing the pipeline seems like a no brainer. Wouldn’t you say?

No? well why in the world wouldn’t you?

Okay I’m listening

Look at from an environmental standpoint, you say. Tell me how the process of using this energy efficient material harms the American soil.

It will damage the climate. How so?

Increases greenhouse gas emissions... thats no good. We need to keep the environment safe. That is a top priority.

Well thats all I need sir, thank you for your time.
(hangs up phone)
(Thinks to himself)

Well what should I do?
(puts feet up on desk and hand on chin and takes deep breath)

(Thinks to himself)
If I approve this, the activist will hate me and I won’t win the next term
But if I don’t then the jobless will accuse me of being anti-american and i would still not win the next term
Think Barack. You are the president!
Ha, (puts finger in the air) maybe if I allow building and gathering of the tar sands without fully approving the whole thing, then everyone will be happy.

(picks up phone and dials numbers)
Hello, secretary Katie Johnson.  Allow building of the pipeline in Texas but do not allow the whole thing to be built across the nation. No questions asked.

Yes that is all.


Monologue #3 "I can't believe you Ron"
(two men are in debate on how effective approving the pipeline would be.)

(on office phone)
My wife is good, how about yours?

good good good... so lets get down to business. So what do you think about the pipeline?

Please tell me you are not serious...

GOD RON! HOW CAN YOU BE SO IGNORANT?! (throws hands in air in disgust)

RON STOP ALLOWING YOURSELF TO BE SO BLIND!

WHAT! (throws hands up in the air in disgust) THOSE ARE LIES!

(stands up and begins walking nonchalantly around cubical)

mmmmhmmm yeah, right but.... but... but... LISTEN! you make valid points but what about the earth?
3
(comically mimicks ron)
What do you mean, what do you mean? Listen to the words coming (pause) out (pause) of (pause) my (pause) mouth! THE ENVIRONMENT!  the…. NO DON’T CUT ME OFF YOU LISTEN! what about our future? our kids future? and their kids?

WE DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE LATER JUST THE NOW?

so ignorant! i can barely talk to you!

So what you’re saying is.....

I’m sorry you’re right, I won’t cut you off

Do I understand? (says sarcastically).   I understand that yes jobs now are necessary. I also understand that your one tracked mind is clouding you from seeing the full picture RON.

(says in high voice) You want me to shed some light on the full picture for ya?

Okay first of all pollution in the air is already bad... (rolls eyes, starts making chatting motion with hands)

No duh not  as bad as China’s but....

ARE YOU GOING TO LET ME TALK!

Thank you, now as I was saying.... this project will pollute the air, do we want it to get as bad as china’s, no we don’t so why make steps toward that?

Okay so we agree on something... Also It will not create as many jobs as they are advertising. We would be destroying people’s home and ruining american lives. Is the enrichment of one life worth the destruction of another?

JOBS IS YOUR ONLY ARGUMENT.

SO WHAT ELSE THEN? WHAT ABOUT THE OIL SPILLS?

pipes are effective but not full proof. what else?

THOUGHT SO... GOOD DAY TO YOU SIR. (rudely, abruptly hangs up phone)


Appendix/Bibliography

1) "We will rely on allies instead of foreign countries" (video in class)

2) "Domestic oil prices will increase" (Fox News)
"Six Reasons Keystone XL Was a Bad Deal All along." Fox News. FOX News Network, 18 Jan. 2012. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/01/18/six-reasons-keystone-xl-was-bad-deal-all-along/>.

3) "Oil extraction from the tar sands emits three times more carbon waste than conventional oil extraction" (Friends of the Earth: Tar Sands)

4) "It will not be a major job producer" (Care 2)
"The Global Warming Cause." 5 Reasons Keystone XL Pipeline Is a Bad Idea. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. <http://www.care2.com/causes/5-reasons-keystone-xl-pipeline-is-a-bad-idea.html?page=2>.

5) "Local economies within the route will benefit from increases in tax revenues and business activity" (TransCanada) 
"TransCanada Corporation Home." TransCanada Corporation Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://www.transcanada.com/>.

jasirs project from Kennedy C on Vimeo.

Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Marcus Burrell in World History - Block on

​Opening Paragraph: In history class we were talking about the keystone pipeline that will help transport oil throughout the country. We discussed the benefits and problems that the pipeline can cause. Mr. Block assigned us a project about the pipeline. We had to create a monologue along with a video to showcase our understanding about the pipeline through a different perspective other than you own.



Hurt and Confused:

I can’t believe this. Now I know I’m not in the best shape, but I’m still going on. I have been for the past 2,012 years and more. I feel just fine. People keep saying that I’m going to die. When I was 2,000. Now I’m supposed to die in december at midnight. I can’t die then. My birthday is January 1. That’s way too close to the day where the world celebrates me. I think my insides are mad at me. The little people that live in me wants to put a pipe in me, yea I know what goes on down there. Then the pipe that’s gonna be inside will be 1,700 miles long, only  to pollute my insides, causing my breath to stink. I don’t want that. Not to mention that pipe will hurt, but if I fight back would good will that do. No I shouldn’t do that Mercury. I love myself too much. What Saturn? No that’s a dumb idea. Look you guys I get why they're putting this pipe in me. It’s not specifically for me, it’s more for my humans, you know the little people that I carry around. They need this and I am willing to sacrifice my health for the benefit of my humans. I just don’t understand. All of the resources that I provide for my people I just didn’t think they would need this contraption. Shut up Pluto, you’re just mad that you aren’t considered a planet anymore. You’re nothing. Always having a hostile attitude. Technically I wasn’t the one who said you weren’t a planet, my little people researched you. That’s beside the point. I need help with this pipeline thing that’s going on. How about you Mars, what do you think I should do. It seems like you used to have life on you at some point in time. O. That’s what you think. So there’s nothing I can do huh? I get it. If this is what they want then this is what I should agree to. I understand. I just hope that this is the right choice that myself and my people are making.



Happy sailing:

Children come on, we gotta go.( Begin to pack up twigs.) (Point) I overheard those men with the yellow heads talking. They said they were going to cut down this whole area for this pipe to come through here. ( Whisper to self)Why would they do something like that? Just knock down our homes. Then again I do get why they are adding this pipeline. At least we’ll get more oil and My country will, be in even better than what it already is. We could even sell some of the barrells and get even more money, but  (talks to kids)We’re going to have to move towards new jersey now. There’s other homes around there. you’re wasting time come on. It’s ok I know it’s you guy’s first time flying long distances, but you’re going to have to try. We’ll take breaks along the      way. We’ll stop and look for worms too. I promise. Hurry up. They’re starting up that machine. Come on now, we don’t want to be one of the last one’s leaving. We have to keep up with the rest of the family. You have to be kidding me. Look we’ll stop for bathroom breaks on the way there. They were having some convention about protecting all of our homes and habitat, but as you can see that’s not happening. No I’m serious. Why do you think I’m in such a rush? It was short notice. Apparently this rule has been around since 1917. The United States and the United Kingdom came to this agreement. No I didn’t hear this myself. It just made sense ok. I did believe it at one point, but I don’t anymore. We’re about to lose our house now come one before we get left behind.(Fly away with children)

Tar Sands vs. Shoe:
Awwww not again. I’m so sick of being put in this stuff. Its just nasty, like old oatmeal. Lace!, Lace! can you hear me or are you double knotted. You got messed up too, huh? Yeah, I thought so, that tar sand is real nasty, and its all over. Lace, can you believe that this is the stuff that will be in our clouds and our atmosphere. I know Lace, it’s unbelievable. We can’t stop this, we’re just shoes. Our only soul purpose in life is to be the sole. We protect people’s feet and that’s it. That’s right, we can change the world by stopping the keystone pipeline, here’s my plan. First we’re going to wet ourselves, so when so when they put us on they will be uncomfortable so they can’t pollute our air with co2 and other nasty gases. Yeah, that sounds good to me we should do it lace. We out!!!

Apendix:
An act was passed to protect destroying animals habitats between the U.S. and the United Kingdom
The pipeline is 1,700 miles long
Habitas will be destroyed for the pipeline
The tar sands give off Co2 wich pollut the air



https://vimeo.com/51697567

keystone pipeline monologue

Posted by Traevon Gray in World History - Block on


Opening paragraph:
​In world history class we have been learning about the keystone xl pipeline ,which Is a pipeline  that will run through canada to texas to transfer oil from the canadian tar sands. Are class objective was create a monologue to show the effect that the tar sands would have on the U.S.

A CLOUDY DESCUSION:

Frank, frank its good for us. Well not us more them. They need us we don’t need them. Look at this. I can’t believe that they are placing dirt up here with us. Can you believe this? We try and try so hard to make sure that they get rain. But this is how they been repaying us. I thought if did some freaky stuff to the like hurricanes and storms they would stop doing stupid shit. But no they steal doing it. i tell you if i had a nickel. Are you listening do you even know what they’re about to do? No, what! Do you not watch the news. Well look they are going to place tons of nasty tar sands oil up here with us. Tar sands look like old ass oatmeal. Do you want old oatmeal clouds everywhere? I thought so. What are we going to do? ummmm ummmm ummmm tragic!

JEROME THE PIPE

(standing alone thinking)Hmmm i wondering if what I’m doing is wrong, on one hand it is helping the economy so people can live better. On the other side what is an economy without a world. I’m the biggest of all of us, am i helping or hurting the world and humans. But I’m a pipe the biggest pipe, Jerome the pipe. I’m made for one reason so i can help humans in their everyday life. But am i helping or hurting the humans. (phone rings and Jerome answers) Hi, hey Steve. Hmmm should I be apart of this pipeline? Why not it says it would help. Yeah you right who wants all that nasty tar going through them. Hmmm but i need to put food on the table for all my little tubelings. (repeats what steve says)Is it worth it? Should i lose my identity for a little money? I do have to teach my children to stand up for wants right no matter what! so i will not participate in such a pipeline. I’ll get my old job at the krusty krab. All i need to do is sit there kinda like I’m doing now in my house. Alright steve i gotta go i guess its ramen again for dinner. Bye!(Hangs up the phone and leaves to pick up kids from school)

TAR SANDS V. SHOE

Awwww not again. I’m so sick of being put in this stuff. Its just nasty, like old oatmeal. Lace!, Lace! can you hear me or are you double knotted. You got messed up too, huh? Yeah, I thought so, that tar sand is real nasty, and its all over. Lace, can you believe that this is the stuff that will be in our clouds and our atmosphere. I know Lace, it’s unbelievable. We can’t stop this, we’re just shoes. Our only soul purpose in life is to be the sole. We protect people’s feet and that’s it. That’s right, we can change the world by stopping the keystone pipeline, here’s my plan. First we’re going to wet ourselves, so when so when they put us on they will be uncomfortable so they can’t pollute our air with co2 and other nasty gases. Yeah, that sounds good to me we should do it lace. We out!!!

APPENDIX: 

It is more 1,700 miles long

Will provide you with more than 100 billion gallons of oil

Will create jobs

will destroy jobs

Help stimulate economy

Pollute the air

Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Matthew Schreiber in World History - Block on

​ In World History we have been discussing the Keystone XL pipeline. This pipeline will go from the tar sands of Canada and travel 1,700  all the way to Texas. The tar sands are then extracted for oil. The Pipeline will be used to transport the tar sands to oil refinery in Texas. Many people agree with the effects of the pipeline because of the jobs it will create, but others disagree due to the immense amount of pollution. I find it important to learn about the pipeline because it is a worldwide issue that will effect my future. In my monologues, I wrote monologues to show many point of views, to show that everyone is affected by the Pipeline in some way.

“A Presentation to Remember”

(Preparing to speak.) It’s nice to be welcomed to this school. On behalf of TransCanada, I would like to introduce the values and importance of the Keystone XL pipeline. Our pipeline will produce 800,000 barrels of oil per day helping to solve our energy problem. Canada is an ally therefore the oil transported to us will be in good hands with no worry of enemies gaining control of it. In conclusion, if any of your parents are looking for jobs, ask them to promote the pipeline because the pipeline is going to need a lot of help.
(Walking away after presentation.) (Talking to himself.)  I have to pretend that I don’t see the students giving me disgusted looks as I walked pass. I know what I’m doing is wrong. At first I thought this job was simple. Promote a pipeline for some corporation. The pipeline wouldn't effect me or my kids. Unfortunately when I found out the long term effects of the pipe, I was wrong. This pipe is going to cause some of the worst pollution possible. This pollution will cause my kids to get health problems like asthma or worse kill them. The worse part is I’m promoting this. I’m helping and killing my kids at the same time. How could I do this. This time when the students stare at me I’m going to stare back to show that I too know that I am guilty.
​
(Getting ready to leave) Alright kids come say goodbye to your dad. I know you kids don’t want me to go, but the tar sands can’t protect themselves. (Talking to self.) It’s a shame when I have to protect my kids future, but lose my relationship with them at the same time.

I know that some protesters have almost gotten hit by trees or horribly injured, but I promise you I’ll be back with no scratches on me. (Talking to self.) I have it in my head that I’m just going to say go away TransCanada and they’ll leave, but in my heart I know it will never be that simple.

I know the machines are right where I’m protesting, but they wouldn’t hurt us it would make them look too bad. (Talking to self.) I’m lying right there too. The only people that know that protesters have been injured are the people on our website. I guess the media doesn’t find our sacrifices good enough to report. I know that I’m doing this for my kids, but if I always leave then they won’t know that.

My children start to cry as i am filled with dread. There is nothing that is more sadder than seeing your children cry and know that you're responsible for it. I’m sorry kids, but goodbye. (Thinking.) I leave knowing that when I get home from the protest, if I get home from the protest. My voice will mean the world to my kids when I get home.


“Let’s Debate!”

Oh, oh! (Hand raised repeatedly.) Can I go next? Why thank you, Mrs. McGuire! (Stands up.) Today, I’ll be arguing against the production of the pipeline. It is quite an honor for TransCanada to provide an energy source for convenience and efficiency. But why are you doing this to the environment? Huh? (Yells.) Have we not had enough pollutants from various energy sources already? (Mr.Coleman, walks into the debate class from another classroom in session.) Oh, sorry to disrupt you, Mr. Coleman. I’ll try to keep it down. (Continues in a lower, but strong tone.) It is not a very good idea for this new developing project from TransCanada. Are we that desperate to build pipelines for more jobs opportunities? Because I certainly think so. (Stares away in another direction.) Let’s talk about the environment. Shall we? An environment is a surroundings or conditions in which a person lives, not an environment where people can destroy. Additionally, destruction of nature means more carbon floating around like a humble bumblebee that navigates without maps, and will definitely make a big change in climate, if that isn’t happening already. We do not need any more polluting objects on this earth! (Mr.Coleman walks in again.) I am so sorry, Mr.Coleman. I didn’t mean to disrupt you from teaching your biology class. (Continues in a normal tone.) Think about the fish swimming happily under the ocean, the ducks drinking water from a fresh, blue pond, all the wonderful creatures that God created, do we want them to go to waste? (Points downstage in a disappointed way.) Our future children will never get to experience the sanitary air, if this pipeline is completed. (Points downstage angrily.) Stop this pipeline, stop it now! TransCanada, you make me sick! (Pause for tension, sigh, and look away from the audience.) Thank you for listening everyone. Oh, stop the applause. Thanks everyone. (Sits back down.)

“Don’t Destroy our Land!”

(Walking through the polluted sidewalk.) Why is there so much junk here? (Kicking through the trashes to walk by.) Why can’t I walk on a clean street for once! (Pause.) And this pipeline is in development! The ground is polluted already, and the pipeline will pollute the air. There will be pollutants everywhere! To build the pipeline, oil must be extracted from the Canadian tar sands. In other words, fragile forest ecosystems must be destroyed to extract the oil. Ugh, kill me now! (Turns left to another sidewalk.) (Sings.) Dirt, dirt, dirt, go away; don’t ever come back another day. This pipeline will contaminate the air, and the ground is already polluted with trashes, our planet will definitely be devastated! (Sees a citizen littering.) Ugh! Hey! Pick that up! Why are you littering, huh? Have you no respect to your land? I just wish I can say that to all those who litters. (Looking over an alleyway.) More dirt! People, clean up after yourself! (Mumbles angrily.) TransCanada, get rid of your filthy pipeline and don’t ever step into my land of Texas. With this in mind, we must think about our future. How will our future be like 20 years from now, a contaminated planet? If people and TransCanada don’t make an immediate change, we all will be contaminated. Who the hell came up with this idea of the filthy pipeline? It cost $8 billion dollar! We are losing rather than gaining! Efficiency are the only factor that I think will make sense of the production of the pipeline. (Sees dirt on shoes.) Dirt! Yuck, go away! Ugh, people these days! Oh, Obama, my dear ol’ Obama, if you accept the production to continue, I will just sit back and watch America protest all day long, cause I know you care about the environment, which is why you are the “pres-i-dent.” I will watch you cry in agony as the trees and lands are being in destruction, if it does happen. Do you want that to happen, Obama?  Do you! (Bag of chips blows onto his shoes.) My shoe! Contaminated with dirt and gunk! (Kicks it away and continues walking.) Ugh! Stupid plastic bags, bottles, or whatever the hell you are! Don’t even look like objects anymore, more like crap from the street! Don’t even get me started on the atmosphere, once the pipeline is built. Birds, our precious animals, and us; how will we breathe clean air into our body? I wonder what we will be like in the future. (Sigh.) Finally home from that rough journey! (Yawns and walks into his house.)

 “Boy, it Sure is Fun to Have a Life of a Pipe!”

(Speaks with full enthusiasm.) Boy, it sure is fun being a pipe! (Make a good sign hand gesture.) I get to travel underground from Canada, crossing the border to Texas for $8 billion and using 800,000 barrels a day! I am just a pipe, made up of metal material, nothing special. Why do I have to do this anyways? Gosh! People are just too greedy. They just want me to provide resource from Canada to Texas. It’s going to be a very long journey and I’m not sure if I will handle that. However, job employment will boost right up, but do you think that will be permanent? (Body shrugged.) Because I don’t last long, I hope you all know that! Under those consequences, you will all regret the production of (Points at self with 2 hands.) me!  I’m getting built right near the (Raise both arms and move towards the outside of your body.) largest aquifer in the United States and I can guarantee that I will have a leak infecting your water. (Points at audience.) You all are going to hear the complaints as people are being forced from their homes so I can be built, plus if I leak near a town people are going to have to evacuate. After I transport (Points out.) your oil you will think that you are safe, but the tar sands is going to cause (Show 3 fingers.) three times more carbon dioxide than the average natural resource produces. It doesn’t matter (Body shrugged.)  if I’m transporting water or helping to destroy the world. (Speaks with full enthusiasm.) Boy, it sure is fun being a pipe!

​Appendix: 

1. The pipeline would provide 800,000 barrels of oil per day

2.  The pipeline is built near the largest aquifer in the world

3. The tar sands are the second largest area of carbon on earth

4. The original route for the Pipeline was rejected by congress

5. There is enough oil inn the tar sands for 100 billion barrels

6. The oil is only being sold to the United States

All information is provided by this link:
Davison, Janet. "The Keystone debate: Forget the pipeline, this is about the oilsands." www.cbc.ca. CBC News/Canada, 16 2012. Web. 16 Oct 2012. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/09/23/f-keystone-xl-pipeline-oilsands.html>.

Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Klarissa Hudson in World History - Block on

Introduction

Welcome to my blog post. I have written this to give people insight on the facts of the pipelines being built to bring America oil from Canada. The task was to create 3 monologues with 3 different point of views, characteristics, and feelings. The 3 monologues I have are from a view of a taser, a little girl named Shelby H., and a man named Samuel H. These monologues show emotion, mindsets, and some information about the pipeline put together. This post also includes the live performance of the little girl monologue. I hope you enjoy them and leave any comments if you want.
​“Spark” - By Klarissa S. Hudson

(Is sitting on the floor with head down and eyes closed)

Woah!!

(Gets up quickly and stands straight with only my head looking around)

What's going on?? I was sleeping so nicely....
Who are all these people around me? Why is my owner yelling? Wait...
Who’s that man?...Why is he chained to a tree?

(Takes a deep breath to calm myself so I can think)

I don’t really understand all the things that are going on.
My owner keeps yelling at this man like he’s committing a crime. He doesn’t look dangerous though.
But what I can’t understand is....

(pause)

Why is he chained to this tree?
I think my owner should stop yelling. Maybe my owner should calm down. He looks so calm and talking nicely about why he’s here.

(Tilts head to the side)

What does that sign say? D..Don’t...Kill our...planet...Don’t kill our planet? What does that mean? What does he have to do with killing our planet? There’s another sign...Pe..Pipeline...Equals game over...For Cliiiiimate...Pipeline equals game over for climate. Hm...this one looks easier...short term jobs and higher c..carbon dioxide..e..emissions. These signs are so interesting.

(Smiles)

I’m getting way better at reading this language. I’m a bilingual super taser.

(Laughs but suddenly stops tilting head up)

Oh no he is getting too close to the man. He has that look in his eyes again. Please don’t do this again. Weren’t those the same eyes you had when you hurt ma lady last week? Weren’t those the same eyes you had when you beat little miss? Why do you keep hurting people who didn’t do anything wrong? This is why I call you Spark. You go aflame instantly at those who go against anything you say.

(jerks forward and my eyes widen)

No Spark! Don’t make me hurt him! I can’t tase an innocent man. He’s done nothing wrong!
Stop pulling me down into this pit of despair with you! I’m not a monster like you!! Noo!!

(Starts shaking violently and falls backwards)

*Scene*
“Tuck Me In Goodnight” - By Klarissa S. Hudson

(is sitting on my invisible bed. Looks to my left)

Goodnight mom!
I love you too!

(looks down sighing)

Please mama...please stop crying. Papa said he would come back soon. He said that his work was important and he had to go. He works hard to protect us and bring home money. His boss pays him a bunch of money to go to work.

(grabs my stuffed penguin)

Why was papa taking that big chain with him this time though? Why didn’t he take his work bag with him? Mama never cried over him going to work before he got this new job.

(pause)

She cries a lot now. Almost every night she sits in front of the tv watching the news until late recently. I don’t understand why mama is always sad now. I want her to smile and for papa to come home. I heard them talking once about how there was some oil coming from a place under us. More south I think. I also heard about how it’ll hurt the plants. I like flowers and trees. Plants are so pretty.

(hugs my penguin tightly and closes my eyes for a second and then opens them)

I miss seeing them smiling in the kitchen every morning when I come down for breakfast. Papa reading his daily news and drinking his coffee.

(laughs)

He would always accidently pour salt in his cup instead of sugar. Me and mama would always just watch and laugh when he drank it. He made this face with his eyes squinted like a raisin. His tongue sticking out like a dog who’s too hot. And his nose scrunched up like he just smelled uncle Ross’s lucky underpants that he never washes.

(laughs but then it fades away becoming a sigh and a frown)

I miss those.

(pause)

Papa used to pick me up from school and take me out for ice cream. I always got vanilla and strawberry with whipped cream, gummy bears, and a big cherry on top. I would eat the cherry and give the stem to papa. He would put it in his mouth, shake his head around making the funniest faces, and then stick his tongue out showing me the stem with a knot in the middle. It always made me laugh. We’d go home and he would help me with my history and science homework. Papa knows a lot about those kind of things.

(lays down)

At night he would tuck me in and read me a story. If I didn’t fall asleep after he was done he would give me a big thick book. The dictionary.

(sits up rolling my eyes)

I always fell asleep reading that. But papa doesn’t do anything like that anymore since he got his new job. He’s always busy writing things down on paper and yelling into his cell phone. Ms. Cotton doesn’t like watching him while he works.

(covers penguins ears)

There are always pictures of sea animals covered in oil and land animals being pushed out the forest. Ms. Cotton gets really emotional and scared.

(uncovers them)

Mama told me that if his job losses then the ice cream shop will be taken away. She also said that we’ll have to move because it won’t be safe. Papa said that it’s a bunch of mean monsters that steal the things children love. He says that they throw all the items into large pipes. So we have to take all our things and go up. He calls it north. I just wanna go with my parents. I don’t wanna have him gone all day and night. I hope his job losses the fight against the monsters cause then he might come back home to me and mama. He can stay with us everyday like before and tuck me in goodnight. I just want papa home.

*Scene*

Tuck Me In Goodnight from Catalina S. Hudson on Vimeo.

“Chained” - By Klarissa S. Hudson

(Is standing still like being tied to something)

Hello officer.

(pause)

What am I doing here you ask? I’m protecting this land.

(Gives a smile)

No officer, I’m not breaking any big laws. I have to freedom to protest and I’m not hurting anyone. If anything the people trying to use this machine are breaking laws.

(looks around a bit)

Ask any of the others who are chained to machines. Building the pipelines will only cause destruction. We all have the right to try and protect our land. The earth is not just some ball we can use to create toxic gases and kill everything its way as long as it puts money in some peoples pockets.

(pauses as if listening and laughs loudly)

Really?! So you took what that bald guy said as truth? Those jobs given to make the pipelines won’t last long. As soon as the job is done those people will all be jobless again. Those so-called “jobs” are short-term and you shouldn’t believe it.

(shifts weight to other foot)

You should believe me because I have proof. It’s in my bag.

(searches for it, curses under breath realizing I don’t have it)

I..it is in my bag...I just don’t have my bag with me. That’s all. I swear I have the proof though. I’ll show it to you another time. I forgot it on my desk this morning. You can read it all and eat some of my wifes chocolate cookies.

(gives a smile but it fades into a frown)

I....I guess I can’t make you believe me then. You seem really hard headed ya know. Why don’t you try reading the signs that my friends are all holding up if I’m so unbelievable. I didn’t write them all.

(looks to my left)

That one says that it’s game over for climate. It’s true. A climate scientist from NASA said it himself. This pipeline production will only make more carbon dioxide. Using tar sands as a replacement oil is the 2nd largest pool of carbon on earth.

(looks to my right)

This one says that it takes more money than what we earn. It costs 7 billion dollars up front just to build it. That probably doesn't even include the paychecks for the workers. There’s also an unlimited amount of money to pay when pipes burst and to get the affected areas cleaned up. Did you ever consider?

(frowns)

I’m not blaming or yelling at you officer. Why are you getting so upset at me? I’m just telling you the facts of this topics.

(tenses widening my eyes)

What are you doing?? Get that taser away from me! I didn’t do anything! Don’t do this please! This isn’t funny man! You can’t do this! Put that away!

(tenses with my face serious and eyes fierce)

No! I will not give you the key to unlock this chain. I will never stop defending what’s right! This affects my family! My job! My friends! My wife! My daughter!

(screams as I get electrocuted)

*Scene*
Appendix
1. 7 billion dollars just to start and make the pipelines; not including anything else.
2. The main rebuttal for why the pipeline is good is because it's cheap, abundant, reliable, and provides jobs. 
3. Kills more jobs than it creates.
4.Dirtiest oil on the planet.
5. Isn't our oil as some claim it is.
6.Gives off more carbon emissions and toxic waste.

Bibliography  (MLA Format)
1. PBS News Hour
2. "Stop the Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline." Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nrdc.org/energy/keystone-pipeline/?gclid=CNTP77ap4rICFcqj4AodM0gAqQ>
3. "Keystone XL Pipeline Project." Keystone XL Pipeline Project. TransCanada, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html>.

Keystone Pipeline Monologues

Posted by Naihema Powell in World History - Block on

          In my World History class, we have been learning about big world issues and how they affect certain people and different environments. The Keystone Pipeline is something we are currently talking about. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the keystone pipeline and the controversy surrounding, it is basically a Pipeline that the United States government is trying to run from the Tarsands in Canada to the oil reserves in Texas. There are a lot of people who are pro Pipeline because they believe it is a resourceful way to save money, and a lot of people are con Pipeline because they believe the long term affects will ruin the ecosystem. This lesson was all about getting in the heads several different people with several different points of view and seeing how they think. As you go on, you will read 3 monologues I have written about the Keystone Pipeline, I was able to place myself in different characters minds and write on how the Pipeline would affect them personally. I hope by the end you will be able to do the same. Enjoy :)
Monologue #1. Goodbye Ranch.

(Big Mac is grazing in the fields when T-Bone, his son approaches galloping up as fast as his little calf legs will carry him. Big Mac turns in his direction, immediately on edge sensing something is wrong.)

    What is it son? (the confusion and shock is clearly displayed.)
Slow down, slow down. They’re what? Who told you..? (dramatic pause as Big Mac struggles to process it.) Okay, okay, daddy will take care of it. Now go get your sister from the barn its almost grazing time.
(Big Mac turns his bag on the little boy, and starts pacing around.. he turns around suddenly hearing a noise..)
I said i’ll take care of it, Oh.. sorry I thought you were, T-bone.. (listens to his wife, clearly preoccupied with his own thoughts.) No .. no, everything is fine.. (listens to the wife, puts his hooves up to his face) I’m telling you nothings wrong. Why do you keep trying to press the issue. There is absolutely nothing going on.. well, that I can’t take care of anyway. They call me Big Mac for a reason, I handles all the issues, and i handle them well, don't you worry your pretty little face Cleo, it’s fine.. (Big Mac sighs obviously annoyed because his wife keeps pressing the issue and motions towards Cleo to have a seat.) Honey, I'm telling you, its nothing, but if you must know.. Sit Down, we dont have much time to talk.. the calfs will be back soon to graze. T-bone came in here not too long ago and said he overheard the farmer talking about a trade.. Honey, don't go making a fuss, the neighbors will overhear! (Big Mac puts his head in his hooves, clearly frustrated) Cleo i’m going to need you to get a grip. We can’t let the calfs see us getting worked up, they’ll get scared. The Farmer is thinking of selling us.. (Pause for Cleo to speak.) because he wants to sell the land..(pause for Cleo to speak)  to the government ofcourse.. (pause for Cleo to speak, Big Mac's frstration is clearly displayed. Cleo's interruptions are upsetting him, he sighs before continuing) ..So they can build some dipthe vine or something or other, something like that..(pause for Cleo to finish) Yea, yes! That! A Pipeline.. whatever in Sams Hell that is. How’d you know? (pauses for Cleo to speak, then chuckles clearly not surprised) I should’ve known the hens overheard something. They’re always sticking their feathers in places that it has no business in. How could the farmer be seriously considering this? Do you know what this would do to our family? T-Bone just started barn school, and Pattly just made some new friends with the pigs. There whole life is here! (Big Mac is clearly getting annoyed, his voice raises and words bunch together.. he's speaking faster and faster with each question) Where the hell are we suppose to go? And when did the farmer think he was going to tell us? And in what world is is ever okay for the government to just come and take it?! No.. No, i'm going to do something. We are not going silently, this is not okay. I’ll take care of it dont worry. (Big Mac sighs and moves to the fare left hand side of the stage.. he looks out into the pasture.)
​Monologue #2. Veggies Gone WILD!

(the carrot is planted firmly in the ground, he doesn't do much moving aside from some wiggling and frequent eye movement. Note to the preformer: the EYES play a big part in playing this role.)

                 Yay, they say. Congratulations! Good luck out there. way to go champ. When will they all realize, its not so great, getting picked.. at least I hope not. But the way the adults act when the gods come and pick us out the ground, and the tales they tell, the celebrations they throw, you would think its the best thing in the world. My whole life I’ve been told to soak up all my minerals so I can grow up big and strong and be picked first of my generation. Maybe that's not what I want, maybe I don’t want to be picked first. I just want it to come already, want to stop worrying about whether I’m plump enough, or whether I’m tall enough, or whether I’m orange enough.
(Looks over to the potato and shrugs)
You feel me? oh who am I kidding of course you don’t understand. you’re a frickin’ potato, you’re a root. You get bunched inside of a bag with others like you, the gods will buy a whole bag of you and not care how plump, round or ripe you are. ugh! I just wish things could be different around here.. (listens to the potato and rolls eyes) .. Yea man but that’s just talk, plants in these gardens have nothing better to do than make up stuff nowadays, you know that.. (listens to potatoe) Yea, man.. I mean, that would be pretty cool if we all got picked but I don’t think that’s actually going to happen. It seems pretty unrealistic, like C’mon now, the farmer picking all of us so he can put in a water pipe? Thats dumb, he can put a water pipe anywhere. He can but it next to the beets, nobody likes them anyway, and besides, why would they pick us all so early, I mean look at the onions over there, they look a hot mess, no god would buy them. (begins to chuckle as he listens to the potatoes reason.) An oil pipe? (his laughter begins to manifest) Dude, this doesn’t make any kind of sense we have oil reserves out in Texas, Alaska, and I heard in Cali somewhere, running a pipe from Canada is cray.. (listens to the potato, then interrupts his voice raising, obvious frustration is shown) Dude, woah, no, … (cut off by the potato, begins to sound softer, struggles to maintain his voice).. I’m not saying you’re crazy. I’m simply saying you sound it.. (now frustrated.) no, never did i once call you a liar.. (raising his voice to talk over the potato) I’m not calling you a liar, I’m just saying it sound a little.. no i was just going to say idiotic.. Well you don’t have to get upset.. (gasps, and looks offended) I don’t like your tone of voice.. Hey! Hey. I want to picked just as much as the next carrot in this garden but you don’t see me making up ridiculous stories. All that's going to do it get your hopes up. You’re tricking yourself into believing the farmer is going to come around any minute to dig us up and put this pipe in. And if you ask me, you’re still looking a little green. If the farmer picked you right now.. you’d be thrown away. (sits there and pouts, makes the expression on his face visible. he’s not obviously offended) I am not. I will grow. I’m not a baby carrot. I will grow big and plump, and the finest of the finest gods will buy me. You’ll see.. (whispers to himself) This whole garden will see.


​Monologue #3.  Daddy Knows Best.

(She is sitting outside on the juggle gym with her friends, hanging upside down, her eyes are wide, she is very excited.)

                 Hey guys, were do babies come from? (a look of disappointment crosses over her face, she obviously doesn't accept the answers her friends provide) I don't think aliens from space bring babies Alexandra! (listens to her other friend, her grimace turns into a smile) I don't think the stork is real either Asher. It's okay i'll just ask my daddy. He knows everything he works for the government. (listens to the chatter or her friends, looks up all excited and important, begins to brag.) He handles a whole lot of secret agent stuff, he knows stuff you guys don't know. and he tells me stuff you guys parents don't even know yet. But since you guys are my friends I'll let you know. (her eyes get wide and her face gets serious and her tone is hushed. She wags her fingers and narrows her eyes) but you can't tell anybody. It's top secret, you have to swear. (she listens to her friends) .. no SWEAR! promise, pinky promise. you too Oliva! (after her friends pinky swear her expression relaxes she pulls herself upright on the juggle gym and her face folds into a smile) Okay, you guys. My daddy said the government is going to put in this super pipe that goes from allll the way from Canada where the Tarsands are to alllll the way to Texas were there's this huge sea of oil. All the oil we use for cars and stuff is there, and we're running out of oil so they need to take some from Canada. My daddy said it's going to save the United States so much money, and it's going to make so many jobs for people who don't have them (she turns to Oliva with wide excited eyes) so you're auntie can get another job Oliva! My daddy said that us and Canada are going to be best friends, because they're giving us there oil and we're paying them for it. He said that gas prices might raise 10 or 20 cents more, but if you ask me a dime is a pretty cheap price to pay for a healthy friendship. Oh guys and I didn't even tell you the best part, while they're putting the pipeline in the ground they have to move the farmers and the farm animals, so the sheep and the cows, and the chickens are all coming to visit us here in Florida! (She starts laughing and cheering and getting her friends hyped up. She is excited for the Pipeline.)

​Additional Information For your Enjoyment. aka FUNFACTS :)

*If the Pipeline goes through it will create about 25 hundred to 46 hundred temporary jobs.
*If the Pipleline goes through it will create about 20,000 permanent jobs.
*The Keystone Pipeline will transport about 830,000 barrels of oil.
*Importing oil from Canada is anticipated to eliminate all other Middle East oil importers
*The Keystone Pipeline would transfer 5 million barrels a day.
*Importing oil from Canada would be cheaper than importing it from the Middle East
*Creating this Pipeline would bring 3 to 4 billion dollars into the economy in the long run.

​Bibliography;


1. McBride, Erin. (2012): n. page. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://beta.fool.com/erinannie/2012/03/09/keystone-xl-pipeline-who-benefits-who-doesnt/2773/>.

2. Clayton, Mark. (2012): n. page. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46689167/ns/us_news-christian_science_monitor/t/how-much-would-keystone-pipeline-help-us-consumers/

Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Kenny Nguyen in World History - Block on

 In the past couple of weeks in World History, we have been discussing global issues around the world, from poverty to education. Mostly, we discussed the Keystone XL Pipeline and how there are advantages and disadvantages for the environment. The background of the Keystone XL Pipeline is to transfer oil from Canada all the way to Texas. Some people encourages TransCanada to build the pipeline for the advantages, while others disagree because it is bad for the environment. There were many strong opinions of the pipeline because there were many strong debates in the class. With this intention, I created several monologues expressing how many people feel about the pipeline, and how I feel personally as well. Hope you enjoy the videos from a few of the monologues! 

“Let’s Debate!”


(Sitting down.)
 Oh, oh! (Hand raised repeatedly.) Can I go next? Why thank you, Mrs. McGuire! (Stands up.) Today, I’ll be arguing against the production of the pipeline. It is quite an honor for TransCanada to provide an energy source for convenience and efficiency. But why are you doing this to the environment? Huh? (Yells.) Have we not had enough pollutants from various energy sources already? (Mr.Coleman, walks into the debate class from another classroom in session.) Oh, sorry to disrupt you, Mr. Coleman. I’ll try to keep it down. (Continues in a lower, but strong tone.) It is not a very good idea for this new developing project from TransCanada. Are we that desperate to build pipelines for more jobs opportunities? Because I certainly think so. (Stares away in another direction.) Let’s talk about the environment. Shall we? An environment is a surroundings or conditions in which a person lives, not an environment where people can destroy. Additionally, destruction of nature means more carbon floating around like a humble bumblebee that navigates without maps, and will definitely make a big change in climate, if that isn’t happening already. We do not need any more polluting objects on this earth! (Mr.Coleman walks in again.) I am so sorry, Mr.Coleman. I didn’t mean to disrupt you from teaching your biology class. (Continues in a normal tone.) Think about the fish swimming happily under the ocean, the ducks drinking water from a fresh, blue pond, all the wonderful creatures that God created, do we want them to go to waste? (Points downstage in a disappointed way.) Our future children will never get to experience the sanitary air, if this pipeline is completed. (Points downstage angrily.) Stop this pipeline, stop it now! TransCanada, you make me sick! (Pause, sigh, look away from the audience, and look back.) Thank you for listening everyone. Oh, stop the applause. Thanks everyone. (Sits back down.)

“Don’t Destroy our Land!”                                                                                

(Walking through the polluted sidewalk.)  Why is there so much junk here? (Kicking through the trashes to walk by.) Why can’t I walk on a clean street for once! (Pause.) And this pipeline is in development! The ground is polluted already, and the pipeline will pollute the air. There will be pollutants everywhere! To build the pipeline, oil must be extracted from the Canadian tar sands. In other words, fragile forest ecosystems must be destroyed to extract the oil. Ugh, kill me now! (Turns left to another sidewalk and sings.) Dirt, dirt, dirt, go away; don’t ever come back another day. This pipeline will contaminate the air, and the ground is already polluted with trashes, our planet will definitely be devastated! (Sees a citizen littering.) Ugh! Hey! Pick that up! Why are you littering, huh? Have you no respect to your land? I just wish I can say that to all those who litters. (Looking over an alleyway.) More dirt! People, clean up after yourself! (Mumbles angrily.) TransCanada, get rid of your filthy pipeline and don’t ever step into my land of Texas. With this in mind, we must think about our future. How will our future be like 20 years from now, a contaminated planet? If people and TransCanada don’t make an immediate change, we all will be contaminated. Who the hell came up with this idea of the filthy pipeline? It cost $8 billion dollar! We are losing rather than gaining! Efficiency are the only factor that I think will make sense of the production of the pipeline. (Sees dirt on shoes.) Dirt! Yuck, go away! Ugh, people these days! Oh, Obama, my dear ol’ Obama, if you accept the production to continue, I will just sit back and watch America protest all day long, cause I know you care about the environment, which is why you are the “pres-i-dent.” I will watch you cry in agony as the trees and lands are being in destruction, if it does happen. Do you want that to happen, Obama?  Do you! (Bag of chips blows onto his shoes.) My shoe! Contaminated with dirt and gunk! (Kicks it away and continues walking.) Ugh! Stupid plastic bags, bottles, or whatever the hell you are! Don’t even look like objects anymore, more like crap from the street! Don’t even get me started on the atmosphere, once the pipeline is built. Birds, our precious animals, and us; how will we breathe clean air into our body? I wonder what we will be like in the future. (Sigh.) Finally home from that rough journey! (Yawns and walks into his house.)

“A Presentation to Remember”    

(Preparing to speak.)  It’s nice to be welcomed to this school. On behalf of TransCanada, I would like to introduce the values and importance of the Keystone XL pipeline. Our pipeline will produce 800,000 barrels of oil per day helping to solve our energy problem. Canada is an ally therefore the oil transported to us will be in good hands with no worry of enemies gaining control of it. In conclusion, if any of your parents are looking for jobs, ask them to promote the pipeline because the pipeline is going to need a lot of help.  (Walking away after presentation and talking to himself.)  I have to pretend that I don’t see the students giving me disgusted looks as I walked pass. I know what I’m doing is wrong. At first I thought this job was simple. Promote a pipeline for some corporation. The pipeline wouldn't effect me or my kids. Unfortunately when I found out the long term effects of the pipe, I was wrong. This pipe is going to cause some of the worst pollution possible. This pollution will cause my kids to get health problems like asthma or worse kill them. The worse part is I’m promoting this. I’m helping and killing my kids at the same time. How could I do this. This time when the students stare at me I’m going to stare back to show that I too know that I am guilty.

“The Protest”

(Getting ready to leave the house.) Alright kids come say goodbye to your dad. I know you kids don’t want me to go, but the tar sands can’t protect themselves. (Talking to self.) It’s a shame when I have to protect my kids future, but lose my relationship with them at the same time.

I know that some protesters have almost gotten hit by trees or horribly injured, but I promise you I’ll be back with no scratches on me. (Talking to self.) I have it in my head that I’m just going to say go away TransCanada and they’ll leave, but in my heart I know it will never be that simple.

I know the machines are right where I’m protesting, but they wouldn’t hurt us it would make them look too bad. (Talking to self.) I’m lying right there too. The only people that know that protesters have been injured are the people on our website. I guess the media doesn’t find our sacrifices good enough to report. I know that I’m doing this for my kids, but if I always leave then they won’t know that.

My children start to cry as I am filled with dread. There is nothing that is more sadder than seeing your children cry and know that you're responsible for it. I’m sorry kids, but goodbye. (Thinking.) I leave knowing that when I get home from the protest, if I get home from the protest. My voice will mean the world to my kids when I get home.

“Boy,it Sure is Fun to Have a Life of a Pipe!”   

(Speaks with full enthusiasm.) Boy, it sure is fun being a pipe! (Make a good sign hand gesture.) I get to travel underground from Canada, crossing the border to Texas for $8 billion and using 800,000 barrels a day! I am just a pipe, made up of metal material, nothing special. Why do I have to do this anyways? Gosh! People are just too greedy. They just want me to provide resource from Canada to Texas. It’s going to be a very long journey and I’m not sure if I will handle that. However, job employment will boost right up, but do you think that will be permanent? (Body shrugged.) Because I don’t last long, I hope you all know that! Under those consequences, you will all regret the production of (Points at self with 2 hands.) me!  I’m getting built right near the (Raise both arms and move towards the outside of your body.) largest aquifer in the United States and I can guarantee that I will have a leak infecting your water. (Points at audience.) You all are going to hear the complaints as people are being forced from their homes so I can be built, plus if I leak near a town people are going to have to evacuate. After I transport (Points out.) your oil you will think that you are safe, but the tar sands is going to cause (Show 3 fingers.) three times more carbon dioxide than the average natural resource produces. It doesn’t matter (Body shrugged.)  if I’m transporting water or helping to destroy the world. (Speaks with full enthusiasm.) Boy, it sure is fun being a pipe!

Appendix

1) 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: Tar Sands)

2) Activists fear the route may still cross the Ogallala Aquifer, a major source of drinking and irrigation water for Nebraska and seven other states. -(The Undead Pipeline Returns)

3) Tar sands oil extraction and production emits three times more carbon dioxide than average from production of conventional oil consumed in the United States. -(Friends of the Earth: Tar Sands)

4) No matter how safe a pipeline is built, they still leak. Also, the pipe could cut across sensitive environmental areas in the U.S. that are key to local water supply. -(Canadian Broadcast Corporation: Keystone Pipeline)

5) Climate changes and global warming. -(PBS Newshour)

6) “We believe that [Keystone XL] is going to put the Ogallala aquifer in jeopardy,” says Maude Barlow, chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “The pipeline route will go over it for much of its journey, and it will be carrying the dirtiest oil on the planet — bitumen. [Pipelines] do spill. Even the industry admits there is no guarantee.” -(Canadian Broadcast Corporation: Keystone Pipeline)

Bibliography

  •  "Tar Sands." www.foe.org. Friends of the Earth, 16 2012. Web. 16 Oct 2012. <http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands>.
  • Davison, Janet. "The Keystone debate: Forget the pipeline, this is about the oilsands." www.cbc.ca. CBC News/Canada, 16 2012. Web. 16 Oct 2012. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/09/23/f-keystone-xl-pipeline-oilsands.html>.

  •  Ostrander, Madeline. "The Undead Pipeline Returns ."www.yesmagazine.org. Yes!, 16 2012. Web. 16 Oct 2012. <http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/madeline-ostrander/the-undead-pipeline>.
  •  "About Us." www.transcanada.com. TransCanada, n.d. Web. 16 Oct 2012. <http://www.transcanada.com/about-us.html>.

      • Video: Environment, Economy at Heart of Keystone XL Pipeline Debate | Watch PBS NewsHour Online | PBS Video." PBS.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2012.

Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Amani Bey in World History - Block on

​Introduction
Our first investigation in World History class was a current issue – The Keystone XL Pipeline. If built, this pipeline will stretch from Canada , through America's heartland, all the way to Texas. There are many different views from which people support or oppose the building of this pipeline. My class was given the task of showing these  different views through monologues. 
My three monologues are a fish, a middle school child,and a drill.The fish and the boy are against the Pipeline, but for two entirely different reasons(the fish is worried about the environment, and the boy is worried about the people that will be displaced). The drill is for the economic appeal of the pipeline.They all show different opinions about the pipeline and I tried to bring their characters to life; they have personalities and personal trials.
Drilling the Economy

Hey you! Yeah you,

no hard feelings eh?
I know I just roughed you up and chained you to this pipe here,
but think about it this way,
you are going towards a greater good,
I've been out of work for a while, my hand and I
its been a minute since this old bit has whirled, with all of the layoffs and whatnot
my hand's company moved a lot of their jobs to China,
now some 13 year old kid is doing a grown man's job


at least you have stability,
this is one of the only times its okay to be screwed over ,
hahaha

at least you have stability,
I'm stuck here,
waiting at the mercy of my hand's country's regime
this O'canner guy
what?
Its Obama?
Okay, if you say so
well, at least I have some work done, we've started the southern part of this pipeline, so the humans must know something that I don’t,
I mean, why would they start something they may not be able to finish!
laughs nervously, then goes to a more reserved tone of voice
My hand, he always tells me about his three little girls,
Mary, Margaret and Marlene,
He has children, and they don't just need oil or a battery charge like me and you,
and to think of the nerve of the Texans that are uniting against this project, his fellow Texans,
are trying to keep him and 20,000 other hardworking Americans away from an honest paycheck
and away from the tools of their trade,
I mean would you say no?
goes aggressive
you would love to see me rust, wouldn't you??
sit here and watch my drill dull
and my metal mode,
calms himself, though you can still hear anger in his voice
Okay, its not you, I’m sorry,
but I, me and my hand and I really need this job.

“War Between Worlds”
Walking home, the air is crisp. Luke looks at the surrounding white around him. Speaking to no one. One of his classmates has just left.
Bye Tommy, see you after the New Year!
“Bye Luke!”, they all say
“Bye Luke, have a good holiday break.”
They don't know that there are no holidays in my house and that no one calls me Luke at home,
Bye Luke, Please
Arrluk, Arrluk, come here. Get ready, we are going to the reserve to see your grandparents
I can't wait until they're all moved off their land.
Wait, that was terrible to say,
You know something funny
We were learning about the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline and how some people would lose their homes, some indigenous people
And no one asked me how i felt
how all of this affected me
to them I'm just Luke
to myself I'm just Luke
laughs
Arrluk is the one who wouldn’t care Americans are calling the oil theirs, but he would care that his ancestors may be out of a home,
Arrluk would care if the precious environment of the Tar Sands was uprooted, leaving waste and destruction in it's path
I mean Luke does despise the American politicians, never looking out for their people and now coming to Canada to wreak havoc.
gets hostel, stops walking, stands still, in the cold, shivering
Are there not enough Native Americans in their country left to oppress, now its the Inuits' turn?
confused
But wait, who cares about that? Luke? Arrluk?
Why isn't the Government/company working on alternative energy instead of wasting 7 billion dollars on something we already have?
When using all of the Tar Sands, almost 12 parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere will be added,
Whatever happened to the 305 initiative?
Whatever happened to Arrluk, I mean,
Luke

See video for "War Between Worlds" below

Amani Bey performing her monologue, "War Between Worlds" from Amani Bey on Vimeo.

​Home
Swims ahead, furiously, clearly distraught
No!!!
I don’t believe it,
I mean those plastic soda thingies should've shown me that these people are capable of anything
but not this,
not this,
anything but this,
My precious water,
They’re planning to use it to refine this,
this so called tar sands,
for oil,
Oil is the main cause of problems for us fish,
my cousins Bait and Tackle told me about that oil spill in the Gulf by BP,
they said
in a country voice
Cuzzin’ Bubbles, oil is  a dangerous thang, try to stay away from it, you're lucky you don't live where oil is.
regular distressed voice, agitated,
And I had the nerve to assume myself safe just because I live in one of the Sandhills’ lakes
But they want to run this pipeline through the aquifer,
The aquifer that waters all the crops and feeds all of the bodies of water,
Begins to smack at the water furiously with his fins
You’ll be ruined,
RUINED!
and they want to waste even more water on these toxic waste lakes,
My home will be a toxic waste lake if they have their way,
or maybe I’ll be lucky and die a fast death,they’ll drain the lake to use,
it takes MORE of my precious water, to actually make this stuff,
oil,
I mean, who even heard  of tar sands,and thought oil?
The first words out of the others’ mouths was “Don’t try to fight it, you won’t win”
You know what, I’m gonna’ die trying, because I’m going to die either way!
​Appendix/ Bibliography 
  • The oil will be shipped 1700 miles from Canada to refineries in Texas.
  • Building this will cost 7 billion dollars
  • 800 thousands barrels of oil a day will be produced
    Tar Sands Pipeline Plan Renews Energy vs. Environment Debate. 2011. Film. 1 Oct 2012. <http://video.pbs.org/video/2110582932>
  • Tar sands oil extraction and production emits three times more carbon dioxide than average from production of conventional oil consumed in the United States.
  • Extracting the fossil fuels in tar sands from the sand, silt, and clay requires enormous amounts of water.
    "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>.
  • "fully exploiting the Canadian Tar Sands would lead to an increase in Carbon Dioxide of between 9 & 12 parts per million,"
. "No to Canadian Tar sands - No to the XL Pipeline - Solidarity with arrested protesters." . N.p., 21 2011. Web. 1 Oct 2012. <http://www.theecosocialist.com/1/post/2011/8/no-to-canadian-tar-sands-no-to-the-xl-pipeline-solidarity-with-arrested-protestors.html>.

  • Named after a Northern Plains tribe, the Ogallala provides water to farms in eight states, accounting for a quarter of the nation’s cropland, as well as municipal drinking wells.If the pipeline should spring a leak where it touches the aquifer or even above it, Kleeb and other opponents say, oil could quickly seep into and through the porous, sandy soil.
    Mufson, Steven. "Keystone XL pipeline may threaten aquifer that irrigates much of the central U.S.."Washington Post 06 008 2012, n. pag. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/keystone-xl-pipeline-may-threaten-aquifer-that-irrigates-much-of-the-central-us/2012/08/06/7bf0215c-d4db-11e1-a9e3-c5249ea531ca_story.html>.

Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Anonymous in World History - Block on

video of lamar county from Sadie Sprague-Lott on Vimeo.

Introduction:

During our 10th grade world history course at Science Leadership Academy we began discussing the Keystone Pipeline proposed by Trans Canada. We learned about the advantages and the disadvantages of the pipeline. We did research on our own, watched videos and had to come up with monologues. My partner and I came up with five different monologues portraying five completely different possible effects that the pipeline can have on people.  One of the people in our monologues is the earth, and how the climate will be changing.  Another article is Obama and how his decision approval or disapproval can change the election. A different monologue is portraying a family that is being kicked off their land in order to build the pipeline. The next one is about a person working on a power plant in the middle east. All of these monologues show a large variety of effects because of the keystone pipeline. By doing these monologues and seeing different views of why the Keystone Pipeline should or should not be built. We gained insight on the possible climate changes, money issues, and changes for our society.

Monologues:

Mother Earth


(Earth is located between Venus and Mars, the Moon is Right behind the earth located more to the right of earth, while the sun is located to the left of earth. Earth is making very sick, she’s constantly coughing and sneezing because of the pollution inside of her. She has a handkerchief and a nice warm fuzzy sweater. The sky is black with a lot of shiny stars in the sky.)

*Cough Cough*
I have always tried my hardest to be the best I can be, reaching my full potential. I have  many responsibilities. My mother, the universe is relying on me. Yet I never get any recognition for the work I do. You know I do get dizzy spinning around non stop. The sun’s bright rays constantly trying to get through my sisters layer. I feel a loss of respect I am never thought about. Key decisions worldwide usually never reflect how this will affect me long term. The air has always been my friend but now, it has become my enemy. Air is thicker, the fog is killing me. I don’t know what to do anymore. I’ve been sending everyone signs, the extreme heats in the summer and the winters getting colder each year.  I don’t know if I could take the keystone pipeline. This pipeline says to be good for the economy of the United States but its killing me and everything inside of me.(Cough Cough*)Even the little tiny people inside of me that worry more about the economy than their lives.
I mean I have a sister the atmosphere to look out for, as well as my blood the ocean, imagine if there were an oil spill. My blue cold blood would not be able to handle the thick grey oil that will kill my creations the creatures of the sea and of the land. My life is depending on the prevention of the keystone pipeline. I remember when I was younger, life was  much easier. There was no cars, no planes. Nothing.  i remember when the tiny human people would ride a horse to get from the one side of a country to another. Trains were really helpful too. I had  a few coughs a years but not as much as now. (Ahh Ahh Ahh Chouuuuu!) I am about to explode!   
Instead of the  Keystone Pipeline XL I have a better plan.
My cousin the sun emits multiple rays into the earth. A few years ago, scientist realized that these rays are energy and it can be stored. Well they created solar panels to start storing it for little things like light inside the house or the radio. Let’s think big now. What if these solar panels, can be put on top of a train. The train will travel from point A to point B while its getting the energy from the solar panels. Cough cough )This way the little people inside of me can go from one place to another, and bring goods from one state to another without having to waste coal, or waste energy on cars for gas. It’s not only faster but it saves me and every little thing inside me. Please replace the Keystone Pipeline XL with this idea. Even tho it will take a little bit of work, it will create energy to transport people and goods from one side of the United States to the other. Say no to the Keystone Pipeline XL and say yes to the Solar Powered train system. Together we can save me and everything inside.


Earth Monologue from Sadie Sprague-Lott on Vimeo.

Our Home


Margret, Margret! Come meet me in the kitchen.
(pacing around the kitchen, wife walks in and he sits down)
Some people from the government just came. Talking about some they can take our land. Only gonna offer us some 15,000 dollars, don’t make much sense if you ask me since we got a good 5 acres of land (foot begins tapping).  Honey I know, I know but there aint nothing we can do about it. They said  something about eminent domain, meaning we have no rights for this land. (jumps up)
This is not fair! I worked too hard to get where I am today. I have a barn out back with five horses three cattle and I can’t just pick up and leave. We just got a new pump out back, Jimmy just got braces, and the chickens got a new cewp. There is nowhere for us to go what do they expect us to do. Coming through a small town like Lamar County.
(sigh) I wonder what we’re going to do about my grandmother too been living on the acres next to us coming close to a century now. She put all her life savings trying to keep our family acres together. They come in here don’t even know what we’re going through the struggles that we will face because of this pipeline. What is the keystone pipeline anyway? Don’t we already have oil in the middle east? Taking our land not even going to  explain to us what for, where’s my vote on whether or not I want that pipeline or not. (pause, turns to wife) Alright well don’t go on telling the kids yet.

video of lamar county from Sadie Sprague-Lott on Vimeo.

My Future


(Soda drops from the vending machine)

Todays the day, today is the day. I can’t wait to tell everyone that our work from America is being cut down. After all these years of depending on them for our trade we are done. The Keystone Pipeline, muah (blows kisses). Nothing better than it. Now I can relax not have to worry about whether or not we need to ship out to those Americans. Yeah, you know how much they over use their oil, at least we won’t be the ones helping them. (turns head as his friend begins to talk) I never thought of it like that though. We do ship almost half of our oil to them what about our oil plants? I don’t know but it’s not like there are many other jobs here for  us that pay paying low. This pipeline is bad for the environment. It’s bad for everyone. Creating this pipeline will destroy my life now that i think about it.  What about my job, less oil means less of a need for me. The keystone pipeline won't only destroy the environment even more it will put me and others out of a job. I hate the keystone pipeline.



Election of a Lifetime

I have hope for this nation. Sadly nobody will be able to have a dream if I don’t win the 2012 election. In 2008, i promised that I will make the economy better. I also promised the U.S will help clean this pollution.that we the American citizens, will clean this mess.But I will assure you that our kids and the upcoming generations will have a place to live in and breathe freely without having to worry about possessing a disease that will not only harm them, but potentially kill them. How will I do this with the keystone pipeline though.

(tying his tie, looks down at index card into the mirror)

Let me try this speech again. We need to become independent from other countries. The keystone pipeline will allow us to create jobs helping our economy. (deep breath) I can’t do this anymore. I don’t think I want the keystone pipeline, it is damaging our environment it is putting people out of their houses leaving people homeless. Is it worth creating jobs when people are losing homes? I need to find a way to make it work. Have the people whose homes we are taking be the ones getting the jobs building the keystone pipeline. (rubs hand on head)

Before I was Barrack Obama the president, I was Barrack Obama the boy living in hawaii with my grandmother. Ugh I can’t keep forgetting this. My grandmother who risked everything to make sure that I am where I am today. What if this were her? But is it worth it the fact is this will help the States. it is too close to the election to be rocking the boat what do the people want? ( begins pacing up and down) The fact that my election can be based on something as dependance on foreign oil. There are other solutions we need to work our way up to no dependance on these oils. There are other solutions, such as solar energy. You know I’ve never really agreed with George Bush, but when he said that we were “addicted to oil”, yeah I have to agree with that. But what do I do when my opponent will kill me for doing this changing my opinion this far down the line, so close to the election. But I will not lie to the people I will be the voice of for four years. I will say the truth and hope for the best that’s all I can do. (walks out the door)

A Voice in Society


(Waiting in front of the court building for the trial. Looking through all the pictures and the evidence that has been left by the cops. The documents from the hospital, the pictures of the injuries the cop left all over my body. A phone in my right pocket with a few leftover dollar in my wallet in my left pocket.) All the witnesses are here with me, well the ones that are ready to testify.)
This is injustice!  After looking at all of the images when I can be doing way more. I don’t even understand how or why on Earth I would get this hurt? Don’t we have the right of freedom of speech? my voice had to be heard I had to stop it but the abuse got unbearable. I didn’t quit because thats why i am here. (The plaintiff’s lawyer asked him if he was fighting for the earth’s rights, and/or his rights. The plaintiff replies extremely fast trying to not sound stubborn but reassuring. Well of course sir. I’m here to fight for what’s right! and the Keystone pipeline XL is not right! it emits more three times more toxins than gas can release in one year.
I understand that this is a country where we all want what’s good and cheap. But what they did to me another fellow activist and what they will do to our country is not acceptable. To start of these gases that will be emitted into the atmosphere will hurt the earth more than two times than regular gas. They will first extract tar sands from Canada. The process of extraction will cause a great amount of pollution but then processing it through the pipelines from Canada to Texas will cause a greater disaster. (Ring,Ring,Ring.It’s the lawyer calling. the layer is waiting inside of the courtroom. He is rushing the plaintiff to go inside because the judgement will start in ten minutes.) Okay I will be ready in a few more minutes. Yes I know we will be proceeding into the courtroom any minute but I want to make sure that everything that I have brung in is used without being jeopardized. Okay well back to concentration. so these pipelines will create a gas that evaporated and won’t be used. It will stay in the ozone layer and will create a massive disaster to the world. The gas that will be created from the tar sands would be used to fuel up cars and a few members from the government claim that it will boost up the economy. But what will the economy without an Earth? Nothing of course.
if this injustice continues then we will have no earth and according to the amendments we have the right to sleep. I know for sure that a lot of rights are broken. I am a slave to The Pipeline. I am afraid of falling asleep and waking up in a world which we would have to use masks to breath. This pipeline will be the death of me.(The plaintiff walks inside the building and the scene ends with him shutting the door.)

Appendix:

1. There is the possibility that if the Keystone Pipeline does happen that families will lose their homes. Because of eminent domain they will have no choice but to leave their homes. One article saying,  "[...] TransCanada has threatened to use disputed eminent domain powers to condemn privately held land, over the owners’ objections. And that’s creating unusual allies — Occupiers, Tea Partiers, environmentalists, individualists — united to stop TransCanada from threatening water supplies, ancient artifacts, and people’s basic property rights." (talkingpoints)

2. The Keystone pipeline still has some possible problems. One of these being the possibility of an oil spill because of the uncertainty of any pipeline. There have been many attempts to prevent the pipeline because of this. "But environmental groups and some landowners have been mounting a campaign to stop or delay construction because of the threat a leak might pose to rivers and wetlands." (washingtonpost)

3. Some people believe that the pipeline will have great benefits for our economy. As well as causing less of a dependence on other countries. A white house memo says "But the foreseeable future, we will continue to rely on oil to help fuel our transportation system. As a result, we must safely and responsibly develop our oil resources at home, as part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy to grow our economy and make us more secure." (whitehouse)

4. The keystone pipeline has the opportunity to develop jobs for many people. "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. But a series of media reports and studies say even the lower figures are wildly exaggerated. 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." (yesmagazine)

5.  The issue of the Keystone Pipeline also produces the question of how this is going to affect our environment. "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. Tar sands mining and production harm the boreal forest’s fragile ecosystem, waste enormous amounts of water, and disrupt the lives of indigenous people in the area." (foe)

6.  The Keystone Pipeline also proposes an issue of how native people will be affected by it. " They have trouble practicing their cultural traditions because of the destruction caused by tailing ponds and strip mining operations. The people downstream from the toxic tailing ponds have high rates of rare cancers, renal failure, lupus, and hyperthyroidism. Indigenous groups have organized and protested to stop the expansion of tar sands operations." (foe)

Bibliography:

Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Darya Nemati in World History - Block on

​I.  Introduction:
In our history class we had to write three different monologues, each in a different perspective about the Keystone Pipeline. With the approval of the federal government the pipeline will be built starting from Canada and running all the way through the country down to Texas. This pipeline will carry oil throughout the country, which will lessen our dependence on foreign oil. This pipeline could help our economy in many ways but can also be a very harmful thing if something goes wrong.
My monologues show different reactions to the building of the pipeline. The first monologue is President Obama contemplating the different views on the pipeline. The president has almost made his decision until he has a conversation with his daughter who has a very opposite opinion. He goes through an emotional decision on whether he should approve the pipeline or not. My second monologue is said in the point of view of an average middle class worker who gets offered a job working on the pipeline. He goes back and forth trying to decide whether or not he should take the job and leave his family or stay home and take care of his pregnant wife. My last monologue is from the perspective of a fish who has suffered a lot. This monologue has a bit of a more comical side to it. The fish is very worried about being killed by the the pipeline if there happens to be an oil spill. He is very offended by the fact that humans get to make all the decisions. Overall this monologue has taught me a lot about the pipeline itself and the different effects of it. I have researched the pros and cons on the topic and realized that every person can have a different opinion based on their lifestyle. This pipeline can help the economy by providing more jobs but can also harm us. If something goes wrong then it can harm people’s health and also harm the environment. There has been a lot of debate and controversy on this topic but hopefully they will come up with the right decision soon. I hope you enjoy my monologues.


II. Monologues/Videos

A Family Bond
Monologue #1- President Obama
(sitting at his desk pondering)
America’s future is in my hands... I have to think about what’s good for our people, their health and also the environment. I have to listen to everyone’s opinion but also have America’s best interest at mind. I can’t screw this up. I love my job and the people our nation but it is so difficult... What am I suppose to do? (starts to get frustrated) There are too many papers on my desk, and this office is a mess! I can’t concentrate and I feel a migraine coming on. (gets up and starts pacing)

Our economy is in great danger and the pipeline could be the perfect thing to improve it. Building the pipeline will open up about 20,000 new jobs. There are so many people suffering to feed themselves and their children because the lack of jobs. Now they can get a job, earn money, and live a better life.

(his daughter walks in with her school essay she wants him to read)

So this project is for your history class? You’re learning about the Keystone XL pipeline! What an interesting topic, am I right? You don’t think building the pipeline is a good idea? But what about all the jobs? (pause)
You have such a caring heart for the environment! You have a very great point in this essay, you said: If the pipeline is approved and there is an oil spill it can harm the earth and many people’s health. I love your essay! I am absolutely positive you are going to get an A+.
It has really given me some things to think about, because I have to call and make my final decision on the pipeline in a couple of hours.

(turns his head and says to himself) If I approve this pipeline I will not only lose the environmentalist’s votes for the upcoming election but I am going to disappoint her... I can’t she’s my little girl... what will she think of me if I approve it. She’s going to think I don’t care about the environment and the people’s health, she doesn’t understand anything about the economy yet... and I can’t blame her she’s so young, there is no need for her to worry about these matters. She is already super bright. I want to be a role model for my children, someone they can trust. So they can look at me and say... I want to be just like daddy. I want to be their hero.

(one the phone with president of TransCanada) I have made my decision on the pipeline you are planning to build... I think...

The End



What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger
Monologue #2- Average Middle Class Worker
(On the phone with boss)(country accent)
Whoa, whoa, whoa, stop right there! You want me to do what now! (stops in the middle of the street, abruptly) Okay, so you’re saying I have to drive all the way up to Canada tomorrow morning? That’s about a 20 hour drive. This pipeline idea you’re talking about could be a good thing. I just don’t know if it’s worth leaving my family and home for so long. (pause) I just better be getting some good money for this job because it sounds like it’s going to be a long and strenuous project. (pause) Great! (pause) All right I will see you tomorrow morning 6 A.M sharp with my decision. (Hangs up the phone)
(Opens the front door to house)
Honey I’m home! (pause) I just fed the horses and the sheep out back, oh and I  also milked Sally, so you won’t have to worry about that. I am such a good husband. (smiles proudly) I have some news, take a seat at the table. So my boss called me earlier today and gave me a new job offer but it’s a long one. (pause) I am going to be building a pipeline that starts from Canada to Texas. I will be away for quite a while and it will be very difficult. But I am going to make some good and well deserved money. (pause) So do you think I should do it? I mean I know it’s a big commitment and I am going to miss you so so much. Maybe I shouldn’t go... it’s too far away... I’m not going to do it. (pause) Are you sure? But what if something happens to you and I can’t come back fast enough. You’re right I could do a lot with the money I earn. We can get the baby some nice clothes and I can build her a new crib. Oh and also get her lots of new toys. (pause) You really want me to go? Okay I’ll do it for you, on one condition? You have to call me every night before you go to bed so I can make sure everything is OK. If anything happens I’m back here in the blink of an eye. If not then I will be done and back in 5 months just in time for our precious child to be born.
(Thinks to himself) I have to get mentally and physically prepared for this job I am going to work day and night, rain or shine, with thousands of other people just like me. Dammit.... I knew I should not have skipped going to the gym so many days this month.

Oh well I am up for the challenge! What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.. (not convinced) according to Kelly Clarkson.  I’ll pack my bags and work hard for my wife and the baby that’s on its way. (walks out with smile on his face)


The End





SelFISH
Monologue #3- Fish
I just swim around all day, trying to survive and not get eaten by those big fat fish. Those stupid whales and sharks swim around eating whatever they please, it’s like they own the place.... I am nothing! Everyday it’s something new and I am trying not to die. It’s either the big fish trying to eat us or the fish hooks that come down from the human land that try to kill us. Wow, those humans are so greedy. They have all this food and still they come down here to eat us! Like you don’t think you have enough to eat... that’s why you are all obese. Greedy fat pigs!
I have had the worst experiences down here in the south. That BP oil spill killed nearly half of my family and I was almost a goner too. I thank the lord every night that I didn’t die that horrible day. (starts to tear up)  I could have been dead right now... and they are thinking about building a new pipeline... (shakes his head) I swear these people have no brain whatsoever. They decide to try something new but when it fails they go and make the same mistake again... like I said they are dumb! Someone needs to knock some sense in those stupid humans.
They are going to build this new pipeline after a having a thousand different debates and arguments about it. (emphasize and make it dramatic) Then... they are going to stand up nice and straight and be all proud of themselves until... The darn thing explodes and kills all of us! I am way too beautiful to be ruined by their stupid oil spills. OMG! What will the rest world do without me!  It’ll be nothing without me, absolutely worthless.
I believe this is by far the worst idea those airheads have come up with. All they want is more of that green papery stuff with the numbers on it and the very unflattering picture of that Franklin dude. (makes a disgusted face) I am so sick of it! Just because they live on land they decide they are going to be the rulers of everything and everyone. But no... you just watch because one day I will be the one making the decisions and they are all going to suffer! (evil laugh) Muhahahaha

The End




III. Appendix

  1. Keystone XL pipeline is going to cost about $7 billion and will run nearly 2,000 miles to connect Canada’s oil sands to refineries around Houston and the Gulf of Mexico. (New York Times)
  2. The pipeline will  reduce our reliance on foreign oil and enhance our Nation's energy security. (Presidential Memorandum)
  3. Tar sands mining and production will harm forest’s fragile ecosystem, waste enormous amounts of water, and disrupt the lives of people in the area. (Friends of Earth)
  4. The most critical issue of building the pipeline is the quality of materials, welding and inspection performed during the construction. (The Typee)
  5. The pipeline can create thousands of jobs or destroy the life and livelihood of people in the midwest. (PBS Video)
  6. Tar sands oil is about 16 times more corrosive than any other oils, which means there will be more ruptures and leaks in the pipeline, making it much more dangerous. (PBS Video)


Bibliography

Monologue #3: SelFISH from Darya Nemati on Vimeo.

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2012-13

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