You may have recently seen your Facebook newsfeed filled
with people who were “checking-in” at Standing Rock. For those of you who aren’t familiar with
what has been happening, people are “checking-in” to show support for the
large-scale protest that has been protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The pipeline will transport 470,000 – 570,000
barrels of crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois, traveling through South
Dakota and Iowa along the way.
Supporters say the pipeline will not only transport large
amounts of oil, but it will do so much more efficiently and safer than
transport by tricks or trains.
Opponents of the pipeline, which include environmental
activists and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, say a spill would contaminate the
Tribe’s main source of drinking water which is located downstream. Their fears are not unfounded, as the original
route for the pipeline was rejected because it passed by Bismarck, the North Dakota
capitol, and government officials feared a spill could contaminate their
drinking water. Additionally, the pipeline
crosses through areas of cultural importance including sacred burial grounds
and spiritual places of the Sioux Tribe, some of which have already been
destroyed by the construction. This week, President Obama went on record saying
he thought the pipeline could be re-routed to avoid Sioux land.
Since August, protesters have halted or slowed the construction
of the pipeline. As of this writing, the
North Dakota capitol is on lock-down, and hundreds of protesters have been
arrested, pepper sprayed, hit with rubber bullets, and attacked by police dogs.
In a few weeks, we will discuss the concept of “eminent
domain,” in which the government can take your property, if they pay you for it
and use for the public good. So my
question to you this week is, “Do you think pipeline is a good idea? Do protesters have a right to interfere with
the pipeline project? Does the Sioux
Tribe have a right to maintain their sacred lands?” You must answer all questions for full
credit. Answers are due no later than Wednesday, November 9th, 2016.
P.S. Don’t forget to get out a
vote!! Let your voice be heard!
I say for the sake of mankind you cant do it. But this is america were talking about oil were talking about money where talking about. So you almost have to expect it to pass sooner or later as much as we all would like it not to and be able to hold on to living history. why risk it? so is it a good idea. NO! but this is america and this is money. Do the protesters have the right to protect their land? they most certainly do they are history and they have a voice the federal Government is trying to interfere with the states history for money.
ReplyDeleteIn my personal opinion I think the pipeline is not a good idea firstly because of its location. Protesters/activists have the right as citizens to speak their mind regardless of if the government officials do not want them to. The Sioux Tribe should have the right to maintain what sacred grounds they have left and should remain untouched. I also find it "amusing" and hypocritical that the original route of the pipeline was rejected in fear of a spill.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the DAPL is one of the most relevant representations of this country's blatant disregard for minorities and the fight for more renewable resources. The Sioux tribe has every right to protest this obstruction of their sacred land. It's successful installation is only a hindrance to the efforts of so many to fight pollution and the excessive use of nonrenewable resources. The Sioux tribe should passionately fight against its construction considering so much of their land has already been taken away from them throughout the history of this country. The DAPL would only be a temporary fix to an ever growing issue of energy shortages in this country. The DAPL should not be supported in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI do think the pipeline is a good idea. I only think it is a good idea if it doesn't interfere with anyone already there especially if the pipeline is pron to having a spill. Before installing the pipeline engineers should fix all the problems. People have the right to protest if it is something that they strongly believe in, especially when it affects their lives directly. The Sioux tribe should keep their land if they have had it this whole time as long as they pay taxes on it and take care of the land.
ReplyDeleteThe Sioux tribe has every right to keep there land and they should not have to give it up. Yes, protesters have every right to interfere with the project if it is affecting them or they strongly disagree with the pipeline and its location. If there is a possibility of a spill I do not believe the pipeline is a good idea. If it is going to contaminate the tribe's only drinking water then where will they go to get more water? It is not fair to them for their drinking water to be taken away from them.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the pipeline is a good idea, however, I don't think the placement of it is necessarily the best if it is interfering with the Sioux Tribe. People do have every right to protest the pipeline because the issue is involved with the not only people, but with land as well, and it would not be okay if the pipeline did leak because it would be hurting crucial land to this tribe and to the burial grounds and other spiritual places.
ReplyDeleteI believe the pipeline could be a good idea but if a spill were to happen then in that case it is not a good idea. They have every right to be mad or concerned because its their land and where they live. Protesting is a right and can be used to voice your opinion about the subject, so yes they have every right if it doesn't get too out of hand. If the pipeline is going to contaminate their water than thats a serious problem and other things need to be done. It is not fair for the people of this area to be scared to drink the water or have no clean water at all.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the pipeline is a good idea because its destroying land and costing people their property. Protesters do have the right to interfere with the pipeline project because its being built in their community and causing problems within their neighborhoods. I think the tribe should have the right to maintain their sacred land because its their land. The government shouldn't be able to just throw money in their face and take their property especially if not wanted.
ReplyDeleteThis is Katie. Even though I am usually very opinionated on political issues, I actually don't really think that oil being transferred is necessary because I don't understand why we would actually need it. I don't say that its not right to do that,I'm just saying that I don't really understand why its even necessary or what it will actually do. I don't think the protestors have a right to interfere with the project unless it was a peaceful interference because while we do have the right to protest, I'm pretty sure we are not allowed to become violent in any way, even if its just to stop the project. Yes, the tribe does have the right to keep their land because its always been their land and they should not be force to give up their land if they don't want to.
ReplyDeleteI find it unnecessary, and environmentally endangering. It is not benefiting the American people, let alone those who have established this land as their home for ages prior to colonization. The risks outweigh the benefits completely. I support those in protest of this movement- including those who donated their time and voice in downtown Indy on Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteDo you think pipeline is a good idea? Do protesters have a right to interfere with the pipeline project? Does the Sioux Tribe have a right to maintain their sacred lands?”
ReplyDeleteI think the pipeline has the potential to do good, however it should be rerouted. I believe that peaceful protests should be allowed. I also believe that the Sioux Tribe have a huge right to protest this pipeline, the line could destroy so much history that will never be regained.
All in the end the state have the final call on what on what to do. The protestors and Sioux Tribe have the right to stand pipeline but they can't really do more than that. The pipeline idea could be a good idea but could be a danger ot the land.
ReplyDelete