Watching Democracy Now’s footage of hired company thugs from the Dakota Access pipeline company, sicking their dogs on peaceful Lakota pipeline protesters was a bit much for us to stomach. Brings back memories of Alabama, 1962.
So we’re packing up the car this morning with warm clothing and food and driving up to Cannonball, N.D. from Chicago, to see how we can help offer support and solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux and thousands of activists who’ve been at the encampment for months.
This is not just about helping others. The $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline, which poses a clear and present danger to the environment and especially to the drinking water of 90 million people, empties out its fracking oil here in Illinois. The N.D. protests have an immediate aim of stopping the company and the Army Corps of Engineers (the folks who helped bring deadly flooding to the Lower 9th Ward after Katrina) from putting the pipeline under the Missouri River on reservation land. After that comes the Mississippi. A leak into either river will produce another oil catastrophe.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
We in Western Michigan have experienced what happens when one of Embridge’s Alberta Crude pipelines rupture and it lands in a wetland and river. After years of clean-up there is still that toxic goo in the Kalamazoo River bed. They have a line that is nearly 100 years old going under the Straits of Mackinac that is endangering the world’s largest fresh water supply! This madness has to stop!
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Disgusting what is happening to these Native protestors, all because they are speaking out against corporate interests. The company also sent bulldozers in to the Reservation and bulldozed a Native sacred site and a Native cemetery. Disgusting.
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Did you see the dogs that were let loose today on the protesters? Shameless.
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Also, today, it was reported that a number of people were bitten were bitten by the attack dogs brought by the “policing” entity.
One cannot repeat the word “disgusting” enough.
I would add barbaric, as well.
It is unbelievable, barbaric, disgusting…& is being totally ignored by the presidential candidates, with the exception of Dr. Jill Stein, who was on-site with the protesters today.
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Sorry I was redundant, retired..did not scroll down before commenting. It looked like the Gov. Wallace days in the South.
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Oh, & I am writing this while my tv is tuned to The Rachel Maddow Show, which is doing a story as to which candidate “looks presidential.”
When will you go back to reporting a story such a you did on the Flint water poisoning; that is to say, will you report on Cannonball?
(No, you are now having a discussion with NYT “writer-at-large” Frank Rich about Trump’s comments that “Hillary doesn’t look presidential.”)
I guess I see the point in what you’re covering…after all, wasn’t Ed Schultz fired from MSNBC for, perhaps, his coverage in Madison, WI, & asking POTUS where his “walking shoes” were?
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Retired, I watched Rachel last night. How did you like the clip of the wrestling match when Trump jumped up and punched someone? A wrestler? A fan? Looking presidential.
On CNN, when asked if his campaign contribution to Florida attorney general was a payoff to get her to drop investigation of Trump University, he said “I give to all the politicians. That’s the way it works. When I give, they kiss my ass.” More presidential. Vulgar, crass, crude.
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UGH! I’ll also never forget the clever split-screen on All in With Chris Hayes, when Trump appeared in a tiny Burlington, VT theatre (where the # of tickets promised overrode the actual seating capacity)–on the left (!) side, Chris & a panel were commenting (@ a tavern/grill across the street–talking to Bernie supporters– on the live speech on the right (!) side. Trump was calling out protesters, telling his people to “Throw them out into the cold (what–is it 10 below here?)–don’t give them their coats…”
That having been said, still sore w/Maddow over her “coverage” of the Nevada Dem Convention where “Bernie supporters threw chairs” (which they most certainly did NOT), preceding actual video w/a Hulk Hogan WWE wrestling match, with the audience ACTUALLY throwing chairs. I am known for having a good sense of humor, but that sort of misleading depiction is best left to sister channel NBC–on Saturday Night Live.
Anyway, waiting for a Maddow story from Cannonball.
I am not holding my breath.
Oh–& Brian Williams NOW has his own MSNBC show! (I guess they credit news viewers with memory loss.) Wonder how much he’$ making?
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Forget Ed Schultz though I miss him,he was the only one to pay more than lip service to Unions. He was fired for his opposition to the corporate power grab that TPP represented and criticizing Obama. Of course he settled with Comcast with a non disclosure agreement.
Now the real voice on MSNBC, was the one who refused to be silenced. Cenk Uygur in his short run was actually winning the ratings war with FOX. He was the one and only MSNBC commentator to point out what a fraud Obama was. Back in 2011. To point out that he never was who we thought he was. The shoes never came on in Wisconsin. A lot of things didn’t happen and a lot of things did. All of them designed to assure the flow of corporate cash to the Democratic party.
I suspect POTUS will be silent on this as he was with the brutal crushing of Occupy. Which indications are, was coordinated by the FBI/justice department.
The assault in NYC included cordoning off downtown Manhattan banning the Press and elected officials. Assaulting protestors and an elected official.
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Councilman-Ydanis-Rodriguez-Occupy-Wall-Street-Arrest-Press-Conference-133948328.html
The sad part it leads to Trumpism. Those angry white voters may be quick to buy the demagoguery. But they know that their interests have been sold out. By both parties which is why Jeb and the boys are all sitting home as well. Which is why this election is even close.
Obama never made it to Wisconsin, but he is going to give a push for the TPP so that the corporate assault on anything public and the middle class continues.. Oh wait Hillary is slipping in the polls maybe he just better forget it.
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Trumpism is incipient fascism.
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And after the defeat in WW1,followed by the economic hardships of post war Germany. The German people accepted a fascist. Forty something percent of Americans are not fascists. A good percentage of them were looking for “hope and change ” in 08 and didn’t get it . It is not even that they are in desperate shape. There is a real sense that they and their children will not have the standard of living they grew up with, regardless of educational attainment.
Yes the Republicans are despicable . But the Democrats have joined the assault. In fact they can be seen as leading this assault from trade to education. The choice is sickening. Even though there is no choice but preventing fascism.
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Mike Klonsky…you are the best…walking the talk. Thank you from a older educator than you.
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I too am moved in solidarity and plan on heading from Madison, WI to Cannonball, ND. Could you let me know if there is any specific directions/route to get to encampment. I have to take action and join. Thank you!
Solidarity,
Erin
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I am limited to help. But, I will reach through a Ghost Dance for help of our relatives. Money should never separate people. We should improve our infrastructure. We should always improve our success. I am not a coward to build a oil pipe line. I do want to manage it safely. Using horses and motor cars has always resulted in folks being hurt. But we use them carefully, some of us. I will live each day with my creator not the ones whom want me defeated.
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