Get Off The Pipe Already!

I took this picture and the last of this post in August of 2011 while on a road trip with two of my best friends. We drove from Santa Monica, California to Bozeman, Montana and back. It was by far one of the greatest adventures of my life.

Last night, Barack Obama gave his highly anticipated State of the Union address and placed emphasis on continuing the pursuit of developing clean energy and reducing our dependence on petroleum, which I applauded. 

Now, pay attention. The extent of my environmental advocacy encompasses picking up litter from a few beaches, driving a Smart Car, recycling my news papers, cans and bottles and simply appreciating nature. I do not have time to stomp the steps of Congress nor climb a tree in protest of what I feel are bad environmental practices.

That road trip was very special to me though. The landscapes left me in awe and very much inspired. In light of a proposed oil pipeline to be built from Canada through the United States, I felt very disappointed in those elected leaders who have championed this project.

Over the past weekend a man whom I deeply respect asserted that "anyone who says there isn't enough wind is a liar, anyone who says there isn't enough sunlight is a liar and anyone who says there aren't enough waves and currents in the ocean is a liar."  All of these sources of energy are within our grasp in vast abundance, not to mention all of the other sources of fuel such as natural gas that can be harnessed with less environmental consequence.   

This is a picture of an oil pipeline in Alaska. I'm sure that to whom ever is profiting from it, it's a beautiful sight. But do we absolutely need it? Does America lack the ingenuity to sit back and devise effective if not better alternatives?

This continues to explain a lot, year after year. As long as oil companies continue to profit so handsomely, some of those profits will always end up in the pockets of politicians.

As it stands right now, President Obama and the majority of Democrats oppose the development of the newly proposed pipeline and the Republican response to this opposition has accused Democrats of being un-American and pro-poverty. 

No big surprise that Congress is divided, but I am grateful for the opposition to this pipeline. Yes, its development would create jobs, etc. But I believe there are just some things worth preserving; worth being above.

I don't want to see an oil pipe on my next road trip. Call me selfish, call me a hippy, pro-poverty or un-American. I don't care. I believe we can do better for this country and for its people.