Upstream | January 24, 2012 | 50 comments

Bernie Sanders And Climate Activists Blow The Whistle On Congressional Oil Corruption

source: http://thinkprogress.org/green/2012/01/24/410981/bernie-sanders-and-climate-activists-blow-t...

coolplanet
At a rally in front of the U.S. Capitol, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) joined 350.org founder Bill McKibben and hundreds of climate activists to “blow the whistle” on big oil’s corruption of our political process, including the continued efforts to construct the dangerous Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. Sanders announced he plans to introduce legislation to end all federal subsidies for fossil fuel production in this country, saying, “we’ve got to save this planet, reverse global warming, transform our energy system, and move to energy efficiency and sustainable energy.”
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50 comments // Bernie Sanders And Climate Activists Blow The Whistle On Congressional Oil Corruption // Video

  • Crauly_Fingers
    • 0
      Crauly_Fingers  

    • These jackasses had a chance to further their agenda and blew it.They wasted $100's of millions on Solyndra after being warned and looked stupid.These guys should either get smart or leave it alone.

    • 4 months ago
  • coolplanet
    • +2
      coolplanet  
    • Image

    • From Bill McKibben for 350.org

      Hey everyone,

      Yesterday was one of the truly fun days in this whole wild year of organizing. We had hundreds of referees outside the Capitol, and we blew our whistles like crazy, and we threw penalty flags, and we had a hell of a good time.

      My favorite scene, actually, was watching hundreds of people in ref shirts descending the escalators to the subway for the ride to the day’s final stop, the American Petroleum Institute. It was an endless line of black and white, a long human stripe of fair play!

      Not only that, it was productive. Two great things happened: one, Senator Bernie Sanders announced at the demonstration that he’s introducing a bill to remove all the subsidies from the fossil fuel industry. And two, Barack Obama, eight hours later in his State of the Union address, joined us to demand that handouts to the world’s richest companies stop. The speech wasn't perfect -- he called for far too much new drilling -- but this was an important bright spot.

      Ending those handouts is absolutely crucial to our big fight against climate change. A new report from the International Energy Agency shows that ending subsidies for the fossil fuel industry will cut half the carbon emissions we need to stop catastrophic climate change. And it's partly because they take so much monety from the government that Big Oil can afford to spend millions lobbying for projects like Keystone XL.

      It felt darned good to be on the offensive for once, not just trying to beat back disasters like Keystone, but taking the battle to Big Oil.

      I'd like to ask you to join in the fun by leading an action that blows the whistle on your local Member of Congress who is taking money from the oil industry. We need to be a little nuanced: for those of you with representatives who have been taking lots of oil money and then voting for handouts for oil companies, then the task is clear -- they need to hear from some refs. For those of you with representatives who are doing what's right already, get in touch with us - I'm sure there is some other elected official nearby who needs to hear from some refs.

      Even five or ten of you can form a “referee squad.” All you need are shirts and whistles (and maybe some strips of cloth to throw as penalty flags!) -- and you need some knowledge: how much money did your Congressperson or Senator take from the fossil fuel industry. The 350.org organizers are ready to help you with the supplies, and information on your representatives is available here.

      With those things in hand, you’re prepared to go to a district office, to a town hall meeting, or to almost any other occasion and raise uncomfortable questions: Are you going to vote for or against subsidies for big oil? And if you’re going to vote on these company’s interests, why do you take money from them?

      We’ll be doing a lot of this. We need to make these outfits a feared sight for corrupt Congresspeople everywhere. In fact, it’s already happening—early this morning, a dozen college students in ref shirts lined up to make sure they’d get in the room for new hearings on the Keystone pipeline. They dominated the coverage, using their flags to call foul on the proceedings.

      You don’t need to wait for your politicians to get home for recess. You can mount a small demonstration outside their office—and if you do it in the run up to the Super Bowl, you’re almost certain to get some media notice. Remember: if one team was buying off the refs in the big game, it would be a national scandal. In DC, it’s business as usual—until now.

      I know that in some ways this is harder than traveling to DC to be with a big crowd. But you’re capable of this kind of activism, and it’s what we need so badly right now.

      And here’s the thing: it was indeed a little strange to dress up like a referee and blow whistles all afternoon in Washington DC - and I haven't blown a whistle since I was a kid - but with a big movement behind us, that awkwardness evaporated immediately and we started to have a really good time.

      So go to it!

    • 4 months ago
  • artemis6
  • PressCore
    • +1
      PressCore  
    • artemis6:

      I haven't owned and operated a car in nearly 4 years now, after owning one
      nearly all my adult life. At first I thought how would I ever get along without
      one. But since, I've not only learned how to all but eliminate transportation
      costs of every type from my life, I've also found out that owning & operating
      a gas engine car was what was keeping me down. I can live within my means
      now that I don't have a millstone around my neck nickling & diming me into
      poverty. And I can plan economicly because I don't have any unpredictable
      expenses to contend with. Knowing what's predictable, and keeping to that,
      goes a long long way to maintaining stablilty, and a good credit record. It's
      like a person who smokes cigarettes finaly figuring out how much of their
      precious resources they've wasted all their lives that they could have saved
      by not smoking. I don't regret owning the SAAB 96s I did back in the 1970s.
      They helped me tour Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and 25 other States.
      But when you don't absolutely need to own one, they're a headache you'll
      never miss. Am looking forward to the day when I can own a 48 Volt electric
      cycle to get around with. And my own solar roof pannels, windmill. backup
      generator, and wood stove so that I can have National Grid remove the gas
      & electric meters from my home, and have an extra $100 to spend a month.
      Life's a beach ? Hell yeah !.

    • 4 months ago
  • artemis6
  • chew_chew
  • Leen61
  • ogwriter
    • +1
      ogwriter  

    • What many don't seem to understand is that big money in government i.e. lobbying, is protected by the first amendment ( the right to petition government) so that the roots of governments relationship to big business is in the very foundation of our government. In order to truly impact that condition a constitutional amendment would probably be necessary.Personally, i don't think lobbying fits the description or is consistent with the intent of the law. In my view, the amendment was designed to inhibit abuses by the government.

    • 4 months ago
  • SGM1
    • +4
      SGM1  

    • I'm amazed that one of the biggest energy related stories has not been covered by the media; the fact that our largest export is now fuel oil, which last occured in 1949. Drill, baby, drill ? Keystone? Energy independence? The oil companies don't want energy independence, only bigger profits. Keystone will only provide a conduit for Canadian oil through the US to the Gulf ports, to be soldl to higher bidders than the US market... and the reduction in supply here by offshore sales will keep prices increasing for us. All we have heard from the pundits is "be prepared for $4 a gallon this spring", without telling us the real story.!!

    • 4 months ago
  • coolplanet
  • PressCore
    • +1
      PressCore  
    • SGM1:

      $ 4 a gallon IS high for what Americans are used to. But it's much, much
      higher in other parts of the world. I was in Switzerland in 1979 when the
      price of a littre of gas skyrocketed. It's already around $10 a gallon in
      London, and is expected to be $10 a gallon in the USA by 2020. By now
      you probably have an inkling of why there are no gas engine cars allowed
      on the public roads in Portugal in 2012. And why none will be allowed on
      any public streets and roads of Germany by 2020. They have a lot more
      control over their own countries in Europe than we do in the USA as they
      were intelligent enough to outlaw the damn things in favor of electric cars.
      Here, many'd rather see people extorted into poverty for the price of a Bribe
      than they'd want to do the right thing by outlawing Big Oil. Not hard to see
      who has who on a leash. And it's been that way for 100 years. Nicola Tesla
      got his patents for the first induction motor, and the first solar power cell
      in 1900. Yeah, that's right 1900. About 112 years ago. Big Oil has kept
      the technology suppressed all this time to pick people up by the ankles,
      turn em unside down, and shake all the money out of their pockets.

    • 4 months ago
  • kgMA
    • +2
      kgMA  

    • I love Bernie Sanders and would support him completely, but the man isn't running for the White House! So I'll ask the question once again, why not?
      If Obama is as bad as some would have us believe, where are the challengers from the left? Hate to piss on your parade folks but no one is running against Obama from the left! Its either Obama, a tea party republican lying slob, a religious freak, or someone from the ranks of the one percent crowd! Pick one!
      In my eyes, Obama is the best choice we have and will have my full support in November, because there is no alternative!
      My goal and efforts will be directed at giving the man a congress that will work with him. A congress who will send him bills to be signed into law. A congress that will do what is best for the nation, not just the wealthy. A congress filled with honest men and women instead of a congress loaded with greedy, lying thieves and lazy cheats! Personally, my hope is for a progressive and liberal congress that will work for the people, unlike the one we have today where their own personal welfare comes first.....

      Would we be better off with a Republican president?
      Would we be better off with a Republican congress?
      Would we have a better economy?
      Would we have less wars, death, and destruction with Repubclans?
      Would women lose their right to choose?
      Would labor and wages improve?
      Would education in America become a dream for the poor?
      Would employment improve or will jobs go to China?
      Would corruption in Washington remain?
      Would SS benefits disappear?
      Would Wall Street smile when handed the funds?
      Would the sick, elderly, and poor find what they need to survive?
      Would many homeless children find job opportunities in sweatshops?
      Would a food stamp program become a waste of government funds?
      Would unemployment insurance remain or would it be called welfare?
      Would elections results remain in the hands of big money contributors and
      foreign powers?
      Yes, some will say there is no difference but I see a clear difference!

    • 4 months ago
  • kgMA
    • +2
      kgMA  
    • kgMA:

      And for those who believe Bernie Sanders alone could or would have achieved better results, I say bunk! With the same Congress, the same group of greedy trolls, the same fact twisting pack of cheats, even Jesus Christ would look bad!

    • 4 months ago
  • MSII
  • arnie1961
  • Anonmaly
  • JanforGore
    • +8
      JanforGore  

    • No surprises with this SOTU address. Fracking, drilling, more apathy about climate and its effects. 14 billion dollar disasters here last year alone, and not ONE WORD about them. The same soaring election year campaign speech heard time after time after time. I would vote for Bernie Sanders in a heartbeat because he is the real deal, not just some party prop in a suit! I am in tears right now because I don't see my country leading on the most crucial issue OUR CHILDREN AND HIS will have to face. Perhaps I am just too into this.... too caring....and I need to get away from it. I don't know... I can no longer tolerate the political divide on this, the lies, the cronyism, the blatant apathy. Frack and drill your damned way to oblivion for a few votes instead of standing up to truly relay this planetary emergency that scientists have been BEGGING you to address. Call environmentalists extremists and call our love for this planet and our REALISM regarding the truth of the state of this planet a "pet project." But don't any of you DARE to say a damn word about the destruction you support as if you are on the side of right...because you aren't. I know damn well Republicans are my enemies on this, and tonight I saw a few more who clapped for his BS environmental rhetoric. His brand of "renewable energy " is giving DOW millions to make batteries which will do NOTHING to address the tipping point we face. He supports the same CORPORATE POLLUTERS to now control the renewables markets! And big whoop, the military will be helping with solar for a few homes. We need much more than that now. We need to reduce our emissions by six percent every year starting NOW and that isn't going to happen so yes, we are more than likely screwed. Sorry for going on. It is beyond total disgust for me now. When the XL gets reapplied for and approved next year after the election with a different route as well and we burn every single filthy drop of tarsands to appease our addiction, I won't say I told you so.

    • 4 months ago
  • coolplanet
  • PressCore
    • +4
      PressCore  
    • JanforGore:

      Jan, do you get Senator Sanders' Email notices entitled BernieBuzz ? If you
      don't you should subscribe. I get his Congressional office' Emails at regular
      intervals 2-4 times a month. They're realy worthwhile. Being as you're into
      political activism for the environment you'd have a chance to subscribe his
      petitions. I've subscribed several pertaininbg to overthrowing Citizens United,
      the attacks on Social Security & Medicare, and others. Tomorrow I can pretty
      much expect to receive another petition subscription solicitation on this issue.
      The Big Oil Monopoly is even worse than the M.I.C.is. Each year they exempt
      them from paying $1 Trillion in taxes they owe, then borrow to fill the shortfall.
      The national debt increases $1 Trillion each year directly because of this
      Bribery corruption. They won't listen to H.R.Rep Kucinick's efforts to get the
      N.E.E.D. Act passed to put the Fed under the control of the Treasury as it
      always should have been. Between the Banksters & Big Oil greasing them,
      there've been 2 foreign wars in the oil fields of the middle east within 10 years
      that have bankrupted the USA. They even want to war against Iran to continue
      the West's junkie dependence on foreign oil which has dominated the USA
      for a century. You have to wonder about the I Q of the average American
      when they accept their country's dependence on foreign oil instead of energy
      independence, and Monopoly instead of freedom of choice. Germany is waaaay
      ahead of the USA on energy independence. Solar & wind electricity generating
      units are common over there. By 2020 no gas engine cars on German roads.

    • 4 months ago
  • JanforGore
  • Obamadinejad
  • nikonwilly
    • +2
      nikonwilly  
    • JanforGore:

      For those of us who care, it's a sad freaking time to be alive!
      I don't think we are going to ever see a change...not in our life time. One little step forward and five back!
      There are too many stupid people along with those who know better but are
      unconcerned about everything except themselves and greed for power and wealth.
      We use to laugh at the bearded old guy carrying the sign that said," The end is near" I don't laugh any longer!

    • 4 months ago
  • coolplanet
  • mybologna
    • +1
      mybologna  
    • JanforGore:

      I stopped stressing about what I can't control. We humans are destroying the Earth. Maybe we'll become extinct very soon. We humans do deserve to become extinct. We are a cancer on this planet. I see it very unlikely that we will do anything about climate change in any meaningful way in a timely manner. Hopefully, if any humans do survive the environmental catastophe to come, they have the knowledge and wisdom to live a purposeful life in harmony with the planet.

    • 4 months ago
  • MSII
  • artemis6
    • 0
      artemis6  
    • JanforGore:

      It is the expectation of decency that make us miserable . Yes , i do believe most Americans are decent , if given the facts . But that is just what they will not be given , if it were up to these corporate tools . Short term greed over long tern need to the point of insanity . Occupy has shown us we are not alone . This spring , i think , they will be in for a shock .

    • 4 months ago
  • artemis6
  • artemis6
  • LivingPong
    • +3
      LivingPong  

    • Maybe Exxon could use their insane amount of profits to compensate (in an open and transparent manner) the many people they have ruined, then stop polluting ecosystems and politics with crude filth. Why do these companies need federal subsidies while they continue to make massive profits?

      Welcome to the world of Free Trade, where we subsidise those who make huge profits and let the poor go hungry.

    • 4 months ago
  • JanforGore
    • +3
      JanforGore  
    • LivingPong:

      And even if they aren't subsidized, they will make record profits by continuing to be allowed to drill and by being allowed to control the renewables markets to keep it down and to also shield their dirty images. And not putting a price on carbon is the death knell. I think that is the plan. Renewables will never truly break out as they need to here if people can simply continue to have it "comfortable" with what they are already used to, especially when they aren't being told the truth about its destructiveness.

    • 4 months ago
  • Ambill94
    • +3
      Ambill94  

    • Everyone here needs to make it their business to elect people who can work with Bernie Sanders where they can...

      The President's speech was pure theater...pure distraction...but I'm sure there people out there who will continue to defend him and point to this speech as proof that he only wants what's good the middle class...my ass...

    • 4 months ago
  • JanforGore
    • +3
      JanforGore  
    • Ambill94:

      Yes, Jennifer Granholm, miss DOW. She is one of the biggest sell out apologists for him I have ever seen. I wonder, how much does she owe him for giving loans (or was it just out right gifts?) to DOW Chemical while she was Governor of Michigan and labelling it "sustainable" to cover up for their toxic legacy? One big circle jerk. And they say Current is independent in their programming and not run by corporations?

    • 4 months ago
  • Ambill94
    • +3
      Ambill94  
    • JanforGore:

      Can't wait to see her show...I think she is as phony as can be, and I am still trying to figure out why Al allowed her to be hired with her baggage. Current's independence is more questionable all the time...would love to know what KO thinks of her...notice there is never a mention of her or TYT on his show...

    • 4 months ago
  • Leen61
    • +2
      Leen61  
    • Ambill94:

      "would love to know what KO thinks of her...notice there is never a mention of her or TYT on his show..."
      I've noticed that, Ambill94. BTW, I found this VERY interesting. On "REALTIME with Bill Maher" Friday night, Bill and someone on his panel ripped on Al Gore. You know what Granholm said...nothing...crickets. She was on the panel! And Al is her new boss!

    • 4 months ago
  • Ambill94
    • +2
      Ambill94  
    • Leen61:

      I caught a few minutes of that show but missed that part...I think Current is heading down a path that I will not want to take...something is starting to smell...stink, like old fish...:)

    • 4 months ago
  • Leen61
  • JanforGore
    • +2
      JanforGore  
    • Leen61:

      I saw that too, Leen. If only Al were my boss. No one would get away with dissing him like that. I think she took this job to pump herself up. Listen to her videos and the softball questions she "picks" to answer. She sounds like she's running for something. Maybe she's gunning for a post in Obama's new administration after the election... what purpose would she serve here after the election is over anyway?

    • 4 months ago
  • Leen61
    • +2
      Leen61  
    • JanforGore:

      I agree with your take on Granholm. She seems totally unable or unwilling to stick her neck out in the middle of a political conversation other than to be a big, unquestioning supporter of Obama. Could Al be working in tandem with her to hopefully get some of his own agenda on Obama's policy radar for post 2012 if he wins? Hard to say.

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • coolplanet
    • +4
      coolplanet  

    • I just watched Obama's State of the Union Address.
      More offshore oil drilling.
      More gas fracking.
      No talk about this climate meltdown.
      I have been his supporter but am no longer.
      We need Bernie Sanders to run as an Independent!

    • 4 months ago
  • tverdell
  • tverdell
  • coolplanet
    • +1
      coolplanet  
    • tverdell:

      One lousy sentence that blamed it all on rethugicans!
      My head almost exploded when he called for more offshore drilling and more fracking.
      The man is an ass kisser.
      I'm at the point where I feel America deserves Rick Santorum as president!

    • 4 months ago
  • JanforGore
  • coolplanet
  • bailey78
  • coolplanet
  • JanforGore
    • +3
      JanforGore  
    • bailey78:

      Yes, notice no mention of the drought or the billions lost in agriculture and livestock, biodiversity. I hope you fare better in the coming months, but this looks like it is going to continue for a bit longer.

    • 4 months ago
  • bailey78
    • +2
      bailey78  
    • JanforGore:

      I figure it will last till next August or so. The wild critters are not fareing so well. I have all kinds of them going after my chickens. Plus i have a small pond in my front yard that i keep full of water just so they won't die of thirst.

    • 4 months ago
  • JanforGore
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