If there’s one thing I love on an opinion page, it’s a jab at President Barack Obama. Fellow Diamondback columnist Laura Frost almost had the right idea – her piece last week criticized the president for failing to fulfill his promises and pursue the right priorities. The column had potential until the part about Obama disgracing our holy Christian nation by legitimizing women’s reproductive rights. Still, I simply chuckled and agreed to disagree.
But when she berated Obama for blocking construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, I’d had enough. Not only is her assessment flawed because it’s based on the lofty claims of TransCanada – the company building the pipeline – it’s an inaccurate account of the project’s status.
Keystone XL is a proposed extension of an existing pipeline that transports crude oil from the tar sands of Alberta, Canada to Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas refineries. Supporters have hyped up its potential to create jobs, lessen our dependence on foreign oil and lower prices at the pump.
They’re wrong. The project is a massive mistake-in-waiting, and the president was correct to delay it, but he did not – as Frost writes – flat out reject it in favor of “precious … animals.” The pipeline introduces an enormous number of economic and health concerns in addition to key environmental issues that are far more serious than damage to natural habitats.
In January, the Obama administration denied TransCanada the permit to build across the U.S. border because the application was incomplete and independent reviews were still pending. For instance, the company failed to suggest an alternative pipeline route that would avoid the Ogallala Aquifer, as even a minor leak could contaminate the primary source of clean water for millions of people.
That decision held little weight – TransCanada is reapplying for the permit, as expected – but it bought Obama time to assess his next move based on the political landscape closer to Election Day. And boy, has he changed his tune.
When gas prices spike, blame tends to fall on the White House, and this time has been no exception. For Obama to have any chance at a second term, he must make a good showing of addressing the issue. Nix a project that will supposedly reduce dependence on foreign oil and lower prices at the pump ? Not a chance.
So last month in Oklahoma, he announced his administration had fast-tracked construction of the southern portion of the pipeline. He bragged of increasing domestic drilling and his newfound support for Keystone. It was depressingly predictable: Big Oil and scheming politicians eroded his resolve just when he needed to stand strong on the platform he successfully peddled to voters four years ago.
In June 2008, in his speech after clinching the Democratic nomination, Obama seemed fiercely passionate about very different goals. His eyes bulged slightly as he bellowed: “I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when … the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal.”
You want Obama to follow through on his promises? To courageously pursue his vision for this country? Stopping Keystone was his chance, and he blew it.
Obama is as talented an orator as ever, but people aren’t as easily fooled by his lip service. Those opposing the pipeline, for instance, have wised up about the consequences and aren’t convinced by the wildly exaggerated, so-called benefits alleged by interest groups. My next column will provide an in-depth look: I’ll explain why the pipeline is not the answer to unemployment and how it will exacerbate, not improve, our energy situation.
But never mind the risks, say the project’s adoring fans. Forget long-term consequences and shun the courageous choice – this is America, people. We’re about instant gratification, politically attractive policies and gas guzzlers.
These are the attitudes Obama promised to change, but if he doesn’t block further progress on Keystone’s extension, he’ll be condoning and perpetuating them. He needs to put on his big boy pants and make the tough choice. Where’s your audacity now, Mr. President?
Alissa Gulin is a senior journalism major and former opinion editor. She can be reached at gulin@umdbk.com.
