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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Senate Standing Rock showdown; Dakota Access Pipeline protest

Discussion in 'Community' started by grd4, Oct 30, 2016.

  1. grd4

    grd4 Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 11, 2013
    This is one of the most extraordinary acts of resistance I've seen in my lifetime. In the past few months, Native Americans from all over the country--and even indigenous people throughout the world--have gathered at the North Dakota Standing Rock reservation to safeguard sacred burial grounds and water/air integrity from the dangers posed by the oil pipeline project. These unarmed, peaceful, self-proclaimed "protectors" have been met with severe oppression and even violence, from both private security forces--who have unleashed dogs on them--and the authorities, who have made hundreds of arrests. Others have joined in solidarity with the Natives, including activists and farmers throughout the Dakotas and Iowa, as well as actors Shailene Woodley (who was herself arrested) and Mark Ruffalo.

    Since the corporate mainstream media hasn't shown much interest in covering this seismic event in the environmental and indigenous-rights movements, I'd recommend tuning in to Amy Goodman's Democracy Now! program. The coverage has been fantastic, and a stirring reminder of what real journalism looks like. www.democracynow.org
     
  2. Darth Guy

    Darth Guy Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Aug 16, 2002
    You can't stand up to the petrostate that North Dakota-- and the U.S.-- has become!
     
    Darth Basin likes this.
  3. grd4

    grd4 Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 11, 2013
    Confrontation is far easier than watching your children taking in methane-contaminated air and drinking water.
     
    Rew likes this.
  4. ShaneP

    ShaneP Ex-Mod Officio star 7 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Mar 26, 2001
    Well the oil company wants to bury the pipeline when studies have shown it would be cheaper to carry it above ground. The below ground line threatens the reservation ground water supply. And the company is also supposedly trespassing on sovereign Indian territory in violation of treaty and disturbing burial grounds digging the line. And it's all done with the approval of the state and feds.

    Shameful.
     
  5. Darth Guy

    Darth Guy Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Aug 16, 2002
    That was sarcasm in response to North Dakota sending heavily armed state police and National Guard troops after the protesters. I fully support them, but they have quite the uphill battle.
     
    Ezio Skywalker likes this.
  6. ShaneP

    ShaneP Ex-Mod Officio star 7 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Mar 26, 2001
    If history is any guide, they will not prevail.
     
    Ezio Skywalker likes this.
  7. Ezio Skywalker

    Ezio Skywalker Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jan 29, 2013
    Some of my friends are of the hippie category of people and some of their group (compound or whatever they call their household community) have traveled up to North Dakota to join the protest...and have subsequently been arrested during their protest. It is definitely interesting to see the amount of overkill North Dakota is using against peaceful protesters.
     
    seventhbeacon likes this.
  8. ShaneP

    ShaneP Ex-Mod Officio star 7 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Mar 26, 2001

    Yeah they've been heavy handed from the start of this. Completely unnecessary but not unprecedented when its the government dealing with the indian nations.
     
  9. VadersLaMent

    VadersLaMent Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Apr 3, 2002
    Oh, that's why that militia got off. They had guns and it wasn't about oil.
     
  10. Darth Guy

    Darth Guy Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Aug 16, 2002
    They were also led by wealthy white men. Don't forget that.
     
    Rew likes this.
  11. SithSense

    SithSense Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Sep 29, 2002
    The way I see it, continuing the use of tanker trucks to transport the oil to refineries is still the best option.
    1. A pipeline running hundreds of miles would require constant maintenance.
    2. Should an accident ever happen, an entire segment of pipeline would have to be completely shut down to fix it causing supply delays down the line.
    3. Accidents involving tanker trucks would spill considerably less oil and would be much easier to clean up than an event on a pipeline.
     
    Jedi Merkurian likes this.
  12. Asplundhe

    Asplundhe Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Aug 29, 2016
     
  13. Ghost

    Ghost Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Oct 13, 2003
    I've noticed a lot of people teleporting to North Dakota today... hopefully this doesn't become the new "color-theme your profile pic!"
     
  14. Ezio Skywalker

    Ezio Skywalker Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jan 29, 2013
    Seriously. "I'm a socially aware activist, let me share a viral post that began as a hoax just to show everyone how active I am! One click...and, done! I've now done my part!"
     
    Ender Sai likes this.
  15. Rew

    Rew Chosen One star 5

    Registered:
    Dec 22, 2008
    I'm doing it more as a solidarity thing, in all honesty.
     
    seventhbeacon likes this.
  16. grd4

    grd4 Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 11, 2013
    Ghost: I dunno, maybe people are genuinely concerned for peaceful protestors who are enduring the same trials as 60s civil-rights activists (complete with ravenous dogs and unresponsive fire departments), but don't have the money to travel to Standing Rock themselves.

    As a caregiver, I have neither the means or opportunity to stand alongside the Natives, but can at least make some phone calls and raise awareness.
     
    Sauntaero and Rew like this.
  17. Ghost

    Ghost Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Oct 13, 2003
    Wasn't part of it a hoax?
     
  18. Ender Sai

    Ender Sai Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Feb 18, 2001
    Look, they stopped Joseph Kony, unwound all the violence in France and reduced the threat of Islamic extremism, and made gay marriage a legally and socially tolerated norm. People do make a difference from their armchairs and Facebook.
     
  19. seventhbeacon

    seventhbeacon Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Dec 3, 2015
    In my opinion, at some point violence should be returned upon violence (though not against people, even those private security people that deserve it... that'll backfire far too quickly). It's time to sabotage the equipment beyond repair.
     
  20. Darth Guy

    Darth Guy Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Aug 16, 2002
    The problem is it's considered terrorism by the Federal government, meaning penalties are very harsh even if no one gets hurt. Activists such as the ELF found that out the hard way.

    Not saying I don't agree that escalation is likely necessary. But I understand why people wouldn't want to do it.
     
  21. Ender Sai

    Ender Sai Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Feb 18, 2001
    Souderwan shared a wonderful cartoon of first Americans putting on whiteface, and then confronting the state's armed forces who were perplexed about how to respond.

    Someone called it racist. [face_plain]
     
  22. Ezio Skywalker

    Ezio Skywalker Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jan 29, 2013
    Solidarity with other people on Facebook who want to feel like they've contributed to a large cause by spending two seconds of their time sharing a post and/or commenting "be safe!" instead of taking maybe ten minutes of their time contacting relevant legislature or organizations?

    Facebook activism--giving people a false sense of accomplishment and social smugness.

    Edit:

    I'm skeptical as to whether or not the people actually at Standing Rock have either noticed or even care about the Facebook check ins.*

    *According to snopes, the actual protest organizers may have had the difficulty of their work increased due to the check ins, but they nonetheless appreciate the show of support (you know, instead of people actually supporting them).
     
    Point Given likes this.
  23. ShaneP

    ShaneP Ex-Mod Officio star 7 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Mar 26, 2001
    Would you prefer they didn't do anything?
     
  24. Ender Sai

    Ender Sai Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Feb 18, 2001
    They're not doing anything, Shane, unless they're actually going out there to protest.

    That's kind of the point.

    I get that for middle class armchair socialist activist radicals, the effort required to make a difference is a lot and sharing a video or a status-y thing on Facebook gives some warm glow benefit, but let's confuse this with meaningful action or, you know, any form of action.
     
  25. Darth Guy

    Darth Guy Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Aug 16, 2002
    I called Obama about it. I had to lift my arm up from the chair!
     
    Ezio Skywalker and Ender Sai like this.