The oil industry is well known in its ability to alter or completely suspend the truth when dealing with the public. It should stand to reason that practice is adopted quite easily by the Republican party when touting new projects the oil industry has deemed important. These half-truths and lies become sound bites that are transmitted into everyone's homes, businesses, and cars trying to convince the masses that such a new endeavor (whether it be tax breaks, pipelines, more drilling) is needed and in the public's best interest.
It's no surprise then that there are fallacies being spread around by Republicans and oil pundits concerning the Keystone XL Transcontinental pipeline. Thankfully though, there are those that are willing to expose these lies for what they are. Treehugger.com has posted a blog that debunks the myths that surround the proposed pipeline that President Obama must now decide upon within the next 60 days. The two top myths fall into two of the oldest categories used by the GOP to convince us of the necessity: getting off overseas oil supply and jobs. The treehugger post does a good job pointing out the flaws in both of those arguments. My hope is that we can translate this debunking into effective communication to convince both the public and the president that this pipeline is truly not in our best interest.
We cannot continue to stand by idly as the oil barons, Republicans, Democrats, and any others lie to us about oil ventures. We must stand up to these folks and communicate to the public the truth. There will always be those who will gravitate toward a project and may see reason in doing so, but when the masses see the awfulness of the truth and are educated they usually stand up against those that don't hold anyone's interest but their own. Not only does the pipeline not free us from overseas oil suppliers, it will not provide as many jobs that are being touted, and most of all, it is not good for the environment. We need to move away from fossil fuel and invest in clean, alternative technologies for our energy production. We must send that clear message to our leadership until we have a leadership that represents our best interests, both short and long-term.
It's no surprise then that there are fallacies being spread around by Republicans and oil pundits concerning the Keystone XL Transcontinental pipeline. Thankfully though, there are those that are willing to expose these lies for what they are. Treehugger.com has posted a blog that debunks the myths that surround the proposed pipeline that President Obama must now decide upon within the next 60 days. The two top myths fall into two of the oldest categories used by the GOP to convince us of the necessity: getting off overseas oil supply and jobs. The treehugger post does a good job pointing out the flaws in both of those arguments. My hope is that we can translate this debunking into effective communication to convince both the public and the president that this pipeline is truly not in our best interest.
We cannot continue to stand by idly as the oil barons, Republicans, Democrats, and any others lie to us about oil ventures. We must stand up to these folks and communicate to the public the truth. There will always be those who will gravitate toward a project and may see reason in doing so, but when the masses see the awfulness of the truth and are educated they usually stand up against those that don't hold anyone's interest but their own. Not only does the pipeline not free us from overseas oil suppliers, it will not provide as many jobs that are being touted, and most of all, it is not good for the environment. We need to move away from fossil fuel and invest in clean, alternative technologies for our energy production. We must send that clear message to our leadership until we have a leadership that represents our best interests, both short and long-term.
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