Tar Sands Pipeline Critics Hit Back at 'Radical' Claims

Jan 10'12 CommonDreams.org

Canadian Minister blames environmental, other "radical" groups for blocking Enbridge pipeline. Details here.

Calling All Radicals - Now is the Time for Good Folks Like us to Show Joe Oliver & His Motley Crew What we are Capable Of! Sign the Letter!

Dear Larry , I don't know what it is about today but I'm feeling slightly,  well … radical. How about you? When I wrote before Christmas about an impending government  attack on Canada's environment movement, I wasn't expecting  a formal Declaration of War just 9 days into the New Year. It  came in the form of an "open letter" from Natural Resources  Minister Joe Oliver that’s receiving heavy media coverage all  across the country. The open letter is in response to public hearings into the  Gateway Pipeline that got underway earlier today in BC. The  Gateway project consists of two parallel pipelines between  an inland terminal at Bruderheim, Alberta, and a marine  terminal near Kitimat, British Columbia, each a length of  1,177 kilometers. The plan to build pipelines over mountains to ship Tar Sands  oil to China will put some of our most pristine forests, lakes  and salmon rivers at risk (not to mention the impact of climate  change when the dirty oil is processed and burned). If the scheme  goes ahead, the moratorium on oil tankers off the BC coast  will be lifted. The moratorium has been in place since the  1970s. Successive Liberal, NDP, Conservative and even  Social Credit governments have kept it in place because  the people in BC support it. So, here is a little of what Minister Oliver (read Federal  Cabinet) had to say in his open letter about people like  you and me: “Unfortunately, there are environmental and other radical groups that would seek to block this opportunity to diversify our trade. Their goal is to stop any major project no matter what the cost to Canadian families in lost jobs and economic growth.” “No forestry. No mining. No oil. No gas. No more hydro-electric dams.”“These groups threaten to hijack our regulatory           system to achieve their radical ideological agenda.” Radical ideological agenda? Highjack the system? Do you agree environmental groups and supporters who make  their work possible are "radical?" Are you pushing an ideological agenda when you express  concern over environmental impacts from mega-projects like  Gateway? Is it "radical" to participate in open public hearings  meant to gather input toward a thoroughly studied, transparent  and politically neutral decision? I say if this is the government's operating definition, then  absolutely—I AM A RADICAL. I know the Exxon Valdez story so I know the facts don't support  lifting the moratorium on oil tankers along the BC coastline. I  know there are real, legitimate concerns about moving Tar Sands  bitumen through 1177 kilometers of pristine wilderness and First  Nations territory. And I know investor impatience is no reason to  try to fast-track Mother Nature. So … let's get a little radical! We e think Joe Oliver, Environment  Minister Peter Kent, Prime Minister Harper and Opposition Party  Critics will all appreciate hearing from you! Send them a letter  explaining why you are a radical. Change it around to make it your own. CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR LETTER

Stop Privatization of Canada's National Parks - Please Sign Petition!

A waterfall along the Icefields Parkway - Jasper Nat'l. Park. PLT photo

 In days, the Harper Government will privatize a section of Jasper National Park and let an American-owned company blast a 300m metal walkway into our World Heritage mountains -- but Jasper's Superintendent has the power to stop them.
Jasper Park's Superintendent Greg Fenton, a local Jasperite, has the ability to stop the privatisation of the park that he grew up in and loves. Fenton is currently bending to the Harper Government's demands, but by sending a strong message of public disapproval to Fenton – he can not only save the park that he loves from corporate ownership but can also ensure that our other treasured National Parks remain publicly-owned and run.
Private international companies should not be profiteering off our national treasures. Click here to ensure our parks stay in public hands -- sign the petition calling on Fenton to save Jasper National Park before it's too late!

PLT: Harper-creep!

Peat Mine Comments Deadline Extended

  The Government of Manitoba is actually considering a proposal to mine peat inside Hecla/Grindstone provincial park. If you are concerned about this, the deadline for expressing that concern to the government has been extended. Read more here. Peat Mine Comments Deadline Extended

What if a Supertanker Tanks?

Vancouver Sun January 8, 2012

Enbridge promises tough safeguards against a spill if its Northern Gateway pipeline is approved. Details here. 

A sheen on the water from the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989. 

Please also read: "A Quiet Shift in the Federal Criteria for Approval of the Gateway Pipeline."

U.S. Judge OKs Alfalfa Strain Made by Monsanto Co.

San Francisco Chronicle 1/7/12
A federal judge has upheld the government's decision to let the nation's alfalfa growers plant the genetically engineered, herbicide-resistant strain manufactured by Monsanto Co., Details here.

PLT. Canada hasn't proceeded with GM alfalfa - yet. But it will, whether farmers or the public want it or not.

Bird Deaths Explained! The United States Department of Agriculture is Killing Them!

January 6, 2012 By Zachary Shahan - Planetsave

The birds were killed by the USDA! Details here.




PLT: What about Canada? Are we doing it here too? Hmmm.

If You Liked Bovine Growth Hormone, You’ll Love "Beta Agonists"

Counterpunch Feb 2010 - MARTHA ROSENBERG 
While researchers and scientists investigate the cause of our diabetes, obesity, asthma and ADHD epidemics, they should ask why the FDA approved a livestock drug banned in 160 nations…details here.


Photo courtesy of Alternet.

Climate Change 'In Front Of Us'

Winnipeg Free Press - Jan 6 '12
A top climate scientists, David Barber of the University of Manitoba warns, if the (warming) trend continues, we may see the increasing pattern of warm days as more curse than blessing. Details here. 

The normally tranquil Big Boggy Crk. in western Manitoba, 

swollen by the record floodwaters of 2011. PLT photo.

Organic Farmers' Suit Against Monsanto Goes to Hearing

Manitoba Co-Operator - Jan 5'12

 A court hearing in New York City at the end of this month will determine if a "pre-emptive" lawsuit by a clutch of U.S. and Canadian organic producers against seed and ag chem firm Monsanto will go ahead. Details here.


An organic market in rural Manitoba.  (PLT photo)

Berens River is out of Gasoline. Emergency Evacuations Being Considered.

CBC Radio is reporting that the northern Manitoba community of Berens River is out of gasoline. The reason?  


Melting ice roads aren't new. This CBC photo shows a truck stuck last year.
Record warm weather is making it impossible to use the winter road to bring in supplies from the south. Emergency evacuations of people who may need medical help, are apparently being considered.  

PLT: This has to be the final irony. Failure of the winter ice roads, an emergency more than likely caused by global warming, in turn caused by the burning of fossil fuels by we humans, is now leaving communities like Berens River without - fossil fuels! And people are supposed to be the smartest species!