Stop Fueling Empire

The boom in Alberta's oil industry is intimately connected to the imperial project in Iraq. The Alberta tar sands are known as the United States' "security blanket". While the United States invaded Iraq at least in part to secure oil, the blowback from the disastrous decision has forced the U.S. to find "the 'security' it was looking for right next door" (Klein, 2007).

So, while the U.S. seeks to support its energy needs and fund its ongoing imperial project, the Alberta landscape is being torn up; the community exposed to pollutants and possible fallout from the use of nuclear power,...the people who are the casualties of the US empire (Mexicans, Filipinos, etc.) are torn from families and used as cheap disposable labour under the TFWP; Albertans face displacement as CEOs and executives move in and colonize cities, turning rental units into condos...and all Albertans experience the strain of the boom as the government opens the door to capital without thought for infrastructure, health care and community needs...

So, it is time to extend our talks beyond the environment and ask why the tar sands are being developed?

I believe we must rally to STOP THE TAR SANDS. We must also stand up with a resounding NO to First World imperialism that draws on the casualties of its previous projects to perform the labour of the latest-and-greatest, while viciously pursuing more growth, more development and more profit based on the subordination of the majority of the world's people and the pillage of the planet.

Links:

Stop the Tar Sands - Calgary on Facebook, run by Mike Hudema of Greenpeace
'Baghdad Burns, Calgary Booms' by Naomi Klein in The Nation
Special issue on Alberta Tar Sands from The Dominion

Comments

[Scott]

Great post...it has been shocking to me how ignorant the left in central and eastern Canada has been about the tar sands development until very recently, particularly of its implications beyond the most obvious environmental ones. And I completely include myself in that. So thanks for posting this, and please share with us any future insights and reflections you have on the topic!

[Polly Jones]

I think the left in Alberta is not entirely aware of the implications. I've noticed that much of the political discussion centres around the environment and I think we need to extend the analysis, as mentioned.

There are some amazing activists though here like Grant Neufeld and Mike Hudema who are working hard around these issues.

I think all Albertan activists welcome cross-regional alliances; we're sometimes a lonely bunch here.

Here is the link to the main tar sands group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2375244025

[Toban Black]

I've just come across this Council of Canadians web site on the Security and Prosperity Partnership:
http://www.canadians.org/integratethis/

They have some informative documents on energy issues:
http://www.canadians.org/energy/publications/index.html

(I'm not a member, by the way. They just happen to be the ones raising the issues.)

[bweiland]

It's good to have people like Mike Hudema creating awareness of the environment and various other causes my only question is what part of the Alberta population is he trying to spread he message to? Let's face it, Alberta is a hick province where people only start to care about something when it affects them personnally (not in my backyard). Martha and Henry Albertan could care less about the environment or any other cause unless something happens (tornado, power line, toxic slug) to them personnally. So, instead of trying to be in people's faces and trying to create awareness shouldn't Mike and Greeenpeace's strategy instead be a little more subtle. It's kind like a commercial or tv show. If the commercial or tv show comes off being loud and abbrasive (which Martha and Henry Albertan feel about Mike and Greenpeace) they will tune out and make some ignorant comment like he's crazy, dumb ass, what a goof etc. However, if the commercial or tv show is more subtle then people will be more inclined to tune in to the message.

[Polly Jones]

Well, I think there is a problem when activism turns into sloganizing and not consciousness raising. I am not wholeheartedly a fan of Greenpeace and, apart from tactics, I think there is a failure to connect to environmental issues to some broader economic and social ones...

Having said that, I think some of the methods are very good...guerrilla theatre and art-in-action like the see no evil protest can be subtle enough to penetrate thought.

Also, if things get harder for Martha and Henry Albertan, they may be grateful for people like Hudema who will be the one physically blocking development and putting himself on the line...

[T B]

A message that doesn't reach someone right away may well burrow into their brain and germinate (if only after it's reinforced from another source).

I also think that it's important to try to avoid watering down a message. Otherwise some of the fight is already lost before the message is even out.

[Pete Moss]

Extremely good point, TB, and well said. I agree.