NASA Scientist, Religious Leaders Arrested in Tar Sands Protest

[rug]

WASHINGTON, DC, August 29, 2011 (ENS) - NASA climatologist Dr. James Hansen was arrested today in front of the White House where he was demonstrating in opposition to the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline that would bring thick crude oil from Alberta to refineries in Oklahoma and Texas. Dr. Hansen heads the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City and is a climate research scientist at the Earth Institute, Columbia University.

Arrests are continuing at the White House, where about 140 people gathered on the sidewalk as part of a two-week long sit-in to protest TransCanada's proposed 1,700 mile pipeline.

Because the proposed pipeline would cross the United States-Canada border, a Presidential Permit issued by the U.S. State Department is required for the project to proceed. The protestors are demanding that President Barack Obama decline to issue a permit for the pipeline because of the environmental damage it would cause.

"If the pipeline is to be built, you as president have to declare that it is 'in the national interest," wrote Dr. Hansen in an August 3 letter to President Obama along with 19 other scientists. "As scientists, speaking for ourselves and not for any of our institutions, we can say categorically that it's not only not in the national interest, it's also not in the planet's best interest."

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2011/2011-08-29-02.html

[darkstar3]

1. And what has this to do with religion?

[rug]

2. It helps if you click on the link.

Today, 60 religious leaders of many faiths were among the crowd, which also included CREDO Mobile president Michael Kieschnick, Greenpeace Director Phil Radford and 350.org Executive Director May Boeve.

"Climate change hurts the poor first," said Rose Berger, a Roman Catholic and lead Sojourners organizer for Tar Sands Action. "The tar sands development and the permitting the Keystone XL pipeline will worsen climate change and should be stopped."

Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb of Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation said, "We must turn up the heat in a sustained effort against the scourge of climate change, which harms not just our land and water but people here and now, our human future and all earthly Creation."

"The stand against tar sand oil is basically about protecting God's creation and God's people," said United Church of Christ minister Rev. Mari Castellanos. "The process of extraction destroys the boreal forest and wetlands, leaves behind enormous lakes of toxic waste and causes high levels of greenhouse gas pollution. To engage in peaceful protest against it is sacramental."

[darkstar3]

3. Then, given that this forum is about religion and theology,

why didn't you extract THOSE 4 paragraphs in the first place? It's generally considered good form for the forum (;)) to ensure that your posts, including your extractions, are applicable.

It also doesn't hurt to comment on the story. This isn't LBN. If you want to start a discussion, you need to say something first.

[rug]

5. Perhaps I overestimated your ability to click.

So sorry. In the future i'll check with you on posting etiquette.

[sabrina 1]

4. If only all religious people were like them They follow

the teachings of Jesus who cared so much for the poor. But the fundies in this country who care nothing for the poor yet call themselves Christians, are who we hear most from, unfortunately.

Good for them ~

[rug]

6. It's a pretty broad coalition agasinst this.

Let's see what Obama does.

[humblebum]

7. If this pipeline was really for the benefit the US, then why does it need to

extend all the way to the Gulf. What is wrong with building more refineries closer to major points of consumption within the country? That would mean shorter pipelines, less chance of a major spill, and fuel would need not be transported as far.

I think that the pipelines are not being built for Canada and the US at all, but instead to bypass the US and to ship the oil overseas. In other words, this has little to do with energy independence as is being stated. It's a ruse to keep oil prices high and supply at a just-in-time level

[cleanhippie]

8. You see, when it comes to topics that are reality based...

you and I are in complete, 100% agreement.

Well put.