Greetings from the Northwest Territories of Canada. I'm in Yellowknife for a day, meeting with our First Nations allies. Just came from a great breakfast with Chief Bill Erasmus of the Dene, and his aides--they are great leaders in this fight, and ready to fight it to the end.
A few updates:
1--Earlier today 9 Nobel laureates came out against Keystone XL in a letter to Obama. Thanks to the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and a number of other heroes who recognize that global warming is global, and that if the President makes the right decision here it will spare not just Americans but everyone else a new dose of co2.
2--He's no Nobel laureate, but Republican senator Mike Johanns also came out against Keystone, joining GOP gov. Dave Heinemann. Is this because they're turning into greens? Not really--it's because of fantastic organizing work by Bold Nebraska and others, who have made support of a pipeline across the Sand Hills and the Oglalla Aquifer a distinct political liability. And here's something important: the opposition of these Republicans gives the president an out. He can say, any time he wants, let's send this back for a couple of years of review of a new route, just like the GOP wants me to.
3--Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin, whose state is the latest victim of climate change, issued a super strong statement opposing Keystone. In fact, the entire Vermont delegation has been doing a superb job. Washed-away towns are a daily reminder of what we're dealing with when we talk about global warming. Actually, I guess Vermont isn't the latest. That would be Texas. So far nothing from Gov. Perry.
4--So, for those keeping score, here's how it lines up at the moment:
For the pipeline: The US Chamber of Commerce, the Koch Brothers, and the Wall Street Journal
Against the pipeline: the New York Times, Al Gore, the Dalai Lama, the governors of Nebraska and Vermont, Archbishop Tutu, Shirin Ebadi, 1253 people who got arrested in front of the White House, every environmental group, an enormous coalition of student green groups, and a bunch of former Obama '08 staffers who have issued desperate and eloquent appeals for the president to do the right thing. Oh, and I just saw this from the Bangkok Post. Word is getting out.
We're getting very hopeful Obama will do the right thing. Hope against hope, perhaps, given last week's ozone decision. But we're not resting on hope. Here's the latest battle plan: We badly need your help, both in your community, and to circle Oct. 7-8 on your calendar because it looks like we'll be back in DC
Oh--and I saw the northern lights here last night. And this morning I went for the first run in a long time, and came across a jetblack fox with a white-tipped tail. I'm taking them both as good omens. On to California today, and more organizing!