Conscious efforts to subvert or otherwise corrupt organizations and individuals who are concerned about social issues is a sadly long tradition. The environmental movement is no exception. Through many front groups, financial wranglings through contributions and outright blackmail, industries have tamed or corrupted many of the organizations who were once among their greatest critics and opponents. The corrupting influence on the politics of the environment has left us with, at times, a movement that has yet to address the needs of fighting climate change immediately-- instead, calling for the slow changing of emissions from various parts of industrial life-- and protecting the biggest contributions to their myriad organizations. When budgets and mainstream appearances with politicians become the order of the day, effective protest is muted and rendered toothless.
My heart bleeds for the oiligarchy wringing their hands in their country estates.
-Petro-Pete
West's ravenous oil appetite may lead to tough sacrifices
GWYN MORGAN
Read Bio | Latest Columns
September 17, 2007
CALGARY -- The Southern family's Spruce Meadows equestrian centre near Calgary is ranked as the world's top show-jumping venue. Each September, its flagship Masters Tournament brings together the sport's best horses and riders.
This article would make some sort of sense if the proposed deal recognized the ownership of the Haisla, and if they were to be paying taxes, rent, and more in the way of revenue sharing that actually represents the Haisla as the eternal owners of this territory. It does not do any of that. It is more in the model of typical land grabs with shady councils of bought and paid for corruption.
Canadian Min Sees Tax Deal On Mackenzie Gas Project By Fall 2008
Dow Jones
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200709051521DOWJONES...
September 05, 2007: 03:21 PM EST
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Regional Canadian investment minister Brendan Bell said Wednesday that he believes the federal government may be able to negotiate a tax agreement with companies partnering on the Mackenzie gas project by next fall.
August 30, 2007
The Desecration of John Muir
The Sierra Club Greenwashes Al Gore
http://counterpunch.org/donnelly08302007.html
By MICHAEL DONNELLY
The Sierra Club accelerated its plunge to environmental irrelevancy, firmly cementing its role as Democratic Party lapdog by awarding its highest award, the John Muir Award, to Carbon Off-set magnate, Al Gore, Jr.
The club announced this year's award with a fawning press release stating;
http://www.straightgoods.ca/ViewFeature7.cfm?REF=410
Oil Sands Committee reports back
It is time for the Stelmach government to pick a side: public or industry.
Dateline: Tuesday, August 07, 2007
by Ricardo Acuna
Last week, the Alberta Government released the much anticipated final report and recommendations of the Oil Sands Multi-Stakeholder Committee — the committee charged with carrying out a broad-based consultation with Albertans and making recommendations on the future of the Alberta tar sands.
Oil: BC's Hydra-headed Headache
A grim exception. To prevent and respond to spills, our policies are a mess.
By Arthur Caldicott // August 2, 2007
http://thetyee.ca/Views/2007/08/02/Hydra/
For an industry that likes to keep its business underground, pipeline companies create a hell of mess when they allow it to surface. And the shipping industry, which prefers to stay on the surface, creates a hell of a mess when it tanks.
Ottawa, Dene Tha' reach deal on Mackenzie gas pipeline
Last Updated: Monday, July 23, 2007 | 2:46 PM CT
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2007/07/23/mackenzie-pipeline.html
The federal government and the Dene Tha' First Nation in northwestern Alberta said Monday that they have signed an agreement resolving concerns related to the proposed Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline.
June 12, 2007
Or Why It Feels Good to be Smeared by Patrick Moore
Confessions of a Anti-Nuke Jerk
http://counterpunch.org/wasserman06122007.html
By HARVEY WASSERMAN
Patrick Moore has called me a "jerk." He may not be Queen Elizabeth, but it feels like being made Knight of the Realm.
Moore is a supporter of nuclear power. He is also an advocate for clear-cutting forests, genetically modified foods and a wide range of other corporate eco-assaults. The companies behind them fund Moore's "consulting" agency, which appears to specialize in greenwashing.
http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=12&cat=23&i...
NDP decries tanker traffic
Environmentalists and the NDP want the federal government to block passage of oil tankers, such as this one, along B.C.’s coast.
By Brennan Clarke
News staff
Jun 29 2007
Environmentalists allege federal Conservatives turning blind eye to moratorium
Increasing oil tanker activity in B.C.’s northern waters has West Coast NDPers calling on Ottawa and Victoria to “formalize” a long-standing moratorium on tanker traffic and offshore exploration.
The American Conservative movement has started to embrace and defend the tar sands. Delightful to see, considering article like the one below are always a reflection of effectiveness, even if they portend to belittle the very effectiveness we are starting to have.
--M
Tar sands: More oil than Saudi Arabia
Posted: June 16, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56206
