​     The purpose of these monologues was to illustrate different viewpoints on the construction and use of the Keystone XL Pipeline. While on the surface there seem to be only two sides of the argument, it’s actually a much more complex issue. The First Monologue is meant to depict the point of view of an opposing company, who would want the profit for themselves. but for the sake of public relations probably wouldn’t want to say so out right. The Second Monologue is from my own point of view, your average teenager’s ideas about the pipeline and what it means for my generation’s future. The third is from the point of view of an investor in BP, and is meant to depict a purely economic viewpoint, or what this might mean for certain individuals.

Monologue 1:

As the C.E.O of Green Gas Enterprises.

Dear Mr. Obama,

 

I think that the tar sands of Canada are undoubtedly one of the most reliable energy sources known to man, however we at Green Gas Inc. strongly protest that Exxon Mobile and TransCanada are given any access to it. Doing this would be both economical and environmental suicide. Exxon mobile would have us believe that this oil will save our country’s economy, but the reality is it would give them a near monopoly on the country’s oil market. If one corporation is given that much power it’s very possible that they could take a lot of the government’s power.

Aside from that, TransCanada, their partner company has already pushed to violate standard safety laws. We feel if we had access to this oil we would handle the oil with better environmental practices as well as distribute the benefits among oil companies. We also would be able to transport the oil using cheaper and safer methods by running a pipeline down to Montana, the second largest oil production state, shortening the pipeline by about half a country. This not only reduces the cost but also lessens the chance of leakage along the pipeline. Furthermore the jobs that Exxon and trans Canada would provide wouldn’t last more than a year or two except for a few hundred high requirement jobs only available to a certain set of highly qualified individuals. We however can hire a regular staff of day-to-day maintenance workers. Please act now and give Green Gas Inc. the rights to the Keystone XL Pipeline.

 

Thank you for your time,

 

 

Howie Thrive

C.E.O., Green Gas Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monologue 2:

 

Writing as: Myself

9/23/11

Dear diary,

            This week in world history we’re learning about the Keystone XL Pipeline, which is a giant pipeline that will run all the way from Canada to Texas, transporting billions of gallons of oil per day. The oil in the tar sands of Canada, and getting it out involves pouring thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, making it borderline toxic. TransCanada, the company responsible for building the pipeline, seems to be openly corrupt. There are allegations that the engineers who built the pipeline tried to violate the safety regulations for the minimum thickness and maximum pump pressure. There’s also the risk of spills, since the pipelines run through several peoples’ homes and through several natural parks and reserves. The forests it goes through are very remote so if a leak occurred somewhere along the pipeline it could be days before anyone found out.  I strongly doubt they will take the appropriate safety measures to prevent this. On top of that Exxon Mobile is literally the wealthiest oil company in the world, so if they are given this opportunity it would generate a huge imbalance in the world’s economy. We may be forced into a dystopia, where giant corporations like Exxon Mobile have the final say on everything. Personally I would love to be out there with the protesters right now, but that kind of thing takes time that I don’t have. 

 

 

 

Monologue 3:

 

Written as: an Exxon shareholder:

 

[Wakes up in bed to phone ringing, reluctantly answers phone]

            H’lo?

[Pause]

            Exxon what now?

 [Pause]

A pipeline?

[Pause]

             How much oil are we talking?

[Pause]

[Sits up in bed and starts smiling]

 Well yea I want you to buy more shares, do you know how much profit they can make off that? It’ll boost at least a hundred dollars or so per share. Who else knows about this? Have you told the rest of the Firm?

[Pause]

Well people against it aren’t exactly gonna invest now are they?

[Pause]

             Just wait until this gets to the presses, Wall Street’s gonna go crazy. Hell if this all works out we could retire early!

[pause]

What?

[Pause]

Drawbacks? What are they? How could there be drawbacks to something like…

 [Pause]

             Leaks? They can’t just patch it if that happens?

[Pause]

That’s just ridiculous, 50,000 gallons per hour?

[Pause]

[Stands up slowly and begins to pace.]

Ok here’s what we’ll do. We’ll wait till the pipeline is running, then about a month in pull EVERYTHING out of the market before something bad happens. And I mean hell if something bad does happen its not like Exxon is gonna go outta business, if we sell our shares, and then something happens we can re buy them at a lower price. In fact its probably better for our sake if something does happen.

[Pause]

All right, you inform the rest of the firm and I’ll look into this more. I’ll call you back at 2 o’clock.

 

 

Written by Cameron Klales

The purpose of these monologues were to illustrate different point of views of the pros and cons about the Keystone XL Pipeline. Mr. Block had assigned 3 monologues and my point of view was from a Protestor, Police Officer, and a Farmer. These people will tell you what they think about the Keystone XL pipeline project. 

​Voice of a Protestor

From a long day at work, I sat down in my comfy couch and turned on the television to see what was on to watch. Flipping through channel to channel, the news had reported an impact and issues about the pipeline.  My name is Stephanie Zhu. I live in Canada and I am thoroughly against this pipeline situation. There are many reasons why I’m against Keystone XL pipeline.  Canada has been one of the biggest and most supplier of oil, exporting two millions barrels per day. United States has been using Canadian Tar Sands oil and the more oil that is being exported, the harder it is to find. The oil in Canada is made from Bitumen which is really expensive, and yet we have been receiving dirty and cheap stuff, which isn’t the best thing we could have here.This is where the protests had begun. I drove all the way from Canada to the White House to support the rest of the protestors about this pipeline tragedy. There were hundreds and thousands of people rising above one another outside the White House protesting about the KeyStone XL pipeline project. I was there too, and got arrested.

 “Nothing isn’t going to change my mind, officer.” 

I hesitated. I chose to be locked up. know it was illegal to protests outside the White House, but I was just trying to help others support this oil situation.The officer pulled my hands together behind my back, handcuffed me, and threw me in the car.

Pipeline Point of View from Officer Berkle William 

Hi, I’m Berkle William and I’m an officer who have yet involved in this protesting tragedy. 

(Gripping his hands together as he speaks)

 I’ve been out here all day arresting more than two hundreds people who has been standing outside of this White house protesting about the KeyStone XL Pipeline. I don’t get why these people are here trying to wait for Obama and other people in the White House to accept their words? Why here though? They’re making my job even harder. It’s even more difficult when I tried to convinced all the protestors to go back to their place. There were two options for them, two options for all the protestors to choose. Either vacate from this property or lock up. They all hesitated and decided to go for the jail house. I then realized this isn’t a game for them, they were all serious about this project. This is horrible. I have to come out here and handcuffs hundreds of people on something I am totally not against disagreeing about.There’s nothing that I can do about it. The president can’t just sit still and ignore this, he needs to do something about it. What’s even worse? Having to hear the protestors scream and yell all over the place. It’s like a nightmare. Hopefully, this tragedy will be situated. I’m tired from all this complaining. Please, do something about this.

 (Hand motions gesturing; speaking in an aggressive tone) 

Point of view from a Farmer Mary Jane 

Hi, my name is Mary Jane and I’m a farmer of my own farmland in Zionsville, Canada.

There has been major issues occurring in the farmland for the past few months, and it relates to the Keystone XL pipeline. I didn’t know it was happening, but many companies had canceled their order from exporting my products. I was very concerned to why this is happening. From then on, I’ve been observing the farmland day by day, and there were just many crops and produce that weren’t in good condition. I find it really strange until I read the news paper and found out about the Keystone XL Pipeline project. I want this pipeline situation to stop. It can’t be happening. The chemical of cheap and dirty stuff from the pipeline is affecting the produce and the business . Not only that, but it affect the family. We have been working hard; sweating from our head to toes each day. I’m very disappointed  and it really upsets me when this had happened to our family farmland. If the business is down, I can’t afford to fix this. I wanted to know more about this Pipeline, so I then searched up on the internet to see some updates on this tragedy and how might this problem be solved

[Sits in her office desk in an aggressive mood and read through each pages of the Pipeline stories. ] [sighed in relief as she scrolled from pages to pages]

There must be a way out, but I have to get this problem situated or else the business will go out of luck.

OPENING PARAGRAPH

To begin, I though this was a very fun and creative assignment. The reason being is that we were able to make up a story by standing in a fictional made up characters shoes in the mean time, we were learning. During the making of the assignment, we had to act as if we are a person that is being impacted by the Keystone XL Pipeline. And with that factor being played it gave us as the students to people creative in many possibly ways. So when creativity is a role in education rather than a direct assignment, it allows to the students express their selves in ways while still being educationally active.


​Woken From A Mistaken Earthquake

Chad is standing with his arms crossed with a focused expression on his face
Hello, my name is Chad Dickinson and I am a current household owner in the Steele City Area. I have many things to say against this fancy oil pipeline thing going one in my area. I am fully aware of the fact that I am not the only one being affected by this, but I am one of the million that is infuriated with this movement. It all began on August 22nd or August 23rd I was woken up by the sound of a truck engine at about 6:30 in the morning. I look out my window and see a white eighteen-wheeler truck with long pipes chained on top being driven across my neighbor Sally’s cornfield. To continue, I watched them drive across the cornfield and release the chains. Once released, the pipes rolled off of the truck and fell to the ground. That is only the beginning of my hatred. I’m hating so much because the stuff that people like Sally and I make, such as corn, is just destroyed because the ignoramus companies wanting their millions while others are becoming dirt poor. This is can no longer continue. I can assure you that we as a community can and will form a group and boycott this movement so that us people can live our lives with out obstructions in the way. The first person that I got to join this group was my neighbor Sally Duguid.

Ones Lifestyle Destroyed
Sally is sitting in a chair, legs crossed, wiping random tears, and has a depressed expression on her face
                   Hi there, my name is Sally Duguid, and I am also a current household owner in the Steele City Area. As you all shall know from the interview with Chad, a large portion of my cornfield has been destroyed.
Puts her face in her hands and weeps for 3 seconds. Uncover your face and wipe the tears away

I’m sorry about that, its just that this is such a devastation to me. Let me continue, so I would say that it was about 6:30 maybe 7:00 in the morning, and I am woken up by the sound of something snapping, and my house was shaking. Well the snapping noise was the corn stalks being run over, and I’m pretty sure my house was shaking because of the truck, but at first I thought it was an earthquake. As the house began to shake I quickly ran into my sons bedroom, grabbed him and we ran out the house. As we jolted out the back door I notice a big white truck driving right through my cornfield. I started screaming at the truck to stop, but the sound of the engine overpowered my scrawny voice. Since I couldn’t get the trucks attention, I ran over to my neighbor Chad’s house. I asked him what was going on and he was clueless, so we decide to take a walk down the path of squashed corn. Once we approached the truck, we asked the driver who he was and what he was doing. He told us his name was Rick McKnight and updated us on the information that an oil pipeline will be placed in my cornfield. After he went into further detail I just walked away in disappointment. From their, my neighbor told me about a group he was attempting to conjure up to go against this pipeline being placed in our area. But for now on there is nothing we can do about the situation, its all about money. If we had millions then we could possibly get our selves out of this, we would probably be able to bribe Keystone XL to not do this in Steele City. But unfortunately we don’t have millions; all we have is a cornfield.  

Pipeline Point Of View From An Employee

Rick is standing there with a slouch, wiping sweat off his forehead, and taking big breathes occasionally to catch his breath due to the heat. Now and then stumbles with sentences.
Howdy there, my name is Rick McKnight and I am a Truck Driver Delivery Man for Keystone XL. During the spring of 2011 I was laid off from my job as an auctioneer. So I went job hunting and found this. It may not be my favorite job, but it pays the bills. Anyways, there are a few reasons why I don’t like this job. First, I’m driving a truck up, down, and around the USA picking up pipes for this fancy pipeline that my employer is building. It becomes very much just getting the pipes on top of the truck. But then after that, I have to chain them and buckle them. It is a lot of work. The other reason I don’t enjoy this is job is the way that the pipes are going to be used that I have to deliver. The reason I don’t like the usage of these pipes is they are going to stretch across the USA vertically. And the way they are stretching, they are going right through my hometown in Texas. For all I know, I might wake up one morning and have giant pipes laid out in my back yard. If they do put them anywhere near my house I might just have to move. Because I live with my wife and two daughters, and my daughters occasionally go outside to play and these pipes can be put their life on the line. When I say, “Put their life on the line” it may sound dramatic, but I am being realistic. Whenever they go outside, I am going to have to worry about them running into a pipe and tripping, or even a pipe exploding. To finish up with my ranting, I must say that this pipeline project is possibly one of the most idiotic and horrifying things that the USA has ever allowed to happen to their country.

The things that I wanted too show were different point of views of how the Keystone XL pipeline can affect people in different ways. Such as in my 3 monologues one was about a single woman not wanting the pipeline too go through home because she couldn't afford to pay for damages. Another was an environmentalist not wanting the pipeline because it was affecting the earth, and last but not least a rich stingy lady not caring where they put the pipeline as long as it wasn't near her home. These were all against the pipeline but from different perspectives. 

Phone Rings,

Maria picks it up

 

Hello?

I am complaining about the Keystone XL pipeline.

 

My name?

 

Yes my name is Maria Lopez; I live in a small house with my two children and mother.

I have huge yard where I harvest vegetables and all sorts of crops. I have no job, which is why I depend on my crops that I harvest too sell too other people and too feed my family. I am complaining about the Keystone XL pipeline because they are trying to bring it through my yard, and if they bring it through my yard and a disaster occurs I would have no crops too sell or too feed my family. Since my house is in a deserted area we would have no help, meaning we will have too move somewhere further and leave our home. Which isn’t possible.

 

Man on the phone. Why can’t you leave your home?

 

Why can’t I leave my home? Well sir for starters I don’t have enough money to afford another home and my mother is too sick for us too move to another place.

 

Takes deep breathe.

 

Well that is all I have too say, but please before you decide too put this Keystone XL pipeline through my home think about my children, and what is going too happen too them, also think about my mother and what may happen too her. I don’t want them too suffer the consequences of this pipeline.

Thank you. Bye.

 

Hangs up phone.

 

 

 

 

Pulls out paper and pen and starts writing.

 

Dear, earth destroyers

 

Hi, my name is Susan Cooper I am an environmentalist.

I’m a single woman with no children. I live by myself in a condo, and the other day I was reading through the newspaper where I saw that Canada was trying too bring the Keystone XL pipeline through the U.S.

 

I am complaining about this because I don’t feel as though the environment should be endangered just because they want to save money and bring in more jobs.

Did you people forget that we are not the only things that live here? This isn’t cool and then you guys have guts too know that the pipeline can go through homes. Do you people think we can just grab our things and just migrate like nothing is going on?

 

Have some sense in yourselves, but I know one thing I’m not going too tolerate you guys destroyed the environment we live in. You people are destroying the earth, but when you people get the meaning through your heads then you will all thank me.

 

Until then you guys should be worrying about yourselves then ways to save money and destroying the earth.

 

Sincerely, Susan Cooper also known as tree hugger

 

Folds up letter and places it in envelope.

 

That out of teach them. Hmmm.

 

 

 

 

 

Pulls up face time on Iphone.

Lady speaks in British voice

 

Hello sir, my name is Lisa Anderson.

I am a rich, independent, hardworking woman.

I don’t depend on anybody for nothing except my maids, butler, and lawnmower. Their job is too have everything my way. I live in a 4-flour house.

I am complaining because these despicable people have sent me a letter warning me about the Keystone XL pipeline running around my home. Well let me warn you people about something if that pipe reaches anywhere near my home causing any sort of damage I will make sure every little penny is coming out of your pockets. Also making sure that you people buy me a whole knew house that tops this one. Because of course I wouldn’t want too live in a house that has been damaged. I don’t care if you people place this Keystone XL pipeline anywhere else as long as it isn’t anywhere near my home. I don’t want too have too repeat myself if not you people will have too face the consequences.

Well that is all I have too say today, thank you very much.

 

Cheerio.

 

Closes face time on Iphone.

 

Well now that, that is done, “ Carlos is my lawn mowed darling?”

​Mr.Block assigned us this project and its all about the Key Stone pipeline xl and I have three monologues that show you the pros and cons. One from a police man who is arresting people outside of the White House. Another from a worker for the Trans Canada oil company who is all for the pipeline. The last person is a women who is extremely against the pipeline. When people watch my one monologue and read all three of them, I want them to realize all the bad things about the Key Stone pipeline xl.

What goes on out side the white house-

  Talking to the news reporter about how she’s been arresting people all day. Just awkwardly sitting there keeping an eye on the protesters. 

How do I feel about arresting all these people? Well of course I feel bad, I mean because I agree with them.  Also, my family is going to be effected by it. The keystone pipeline XL will be going through my mothers yard in Nebraska. It would just be horrible if there were a leak because she really can’t afford to have it cleaned. Not to mention all the other things that the spill could cause, for example pollution. This pipeline is nothing but bad news to us. I would love to be protesting out here, but I much rather have this job then get fired. I mean one more person isn’t really going to make a difference. In the end they’re only making it harder for me to do my job. Excuse me one moment.

The pipeline will be carrying dirty oil from Canada to the United States, and it will be coming in at 900,000 barrels a day. The climate is bad already. This pipeline would just make things worst. The climate would be all mixed up. 

Can I think of any pros? Well, it’s cheap and reliable. But that’s only two compared to all the cons that I’ve just talked about. Another would be jobs, but there’s not that many and it’s really not worth all the damage this is going to cause. Excuse me again I have to leave now.

All against the Key Stone!

Just sitting in a chair, in an interview. She is sitting at a desk just explaining where she stands on the pipeline xl.

 Hi my name is Dana Miller, I am a person who is strongly against the Keystone Pipeline. I  protested for a while but I didn’t get arrested, thankfully. There are so many reasons that the pipeline shouldn’t happen. “The pipeline would pump some of the dirtiest oil in the world. Not to mention we are putting our farms in risk of an oil spill.” Also, a lot of the fresh water sources. We’ve already seen an atrocious oil spill in the gulf, we can’t let that happen again or near the farms and put all those animals at risk. Did you know the tar sands is the second largest pool of carbon on the planet?

 The previous pipeline has leaked a dozen times in just the past year. Who’s to say that this one won’t do the same? People have claimed that this pipeline was only supposed to leak one time in every seven years. Now that’s something to make you question. This one could even be worst, we can never be sure and if it happens then it’s going to be too late. The fact is, the other one happened in the gulf but this one would happen on land. Who can afford to clean that up? Also, there lives are at risk.

People are saying jobs are a big upside. But is all this really worth it, for what could only be like 5,000 jobs. It’s not worth all these consequences. “This pipeline wouldn’t carry the common oil it would carry thick, toxic bitumen. This is pollution that is being transported from Canada to the United States.” Even though the oil is cheaper then normal, we could surely find another alternative. This pipeline could bring close to 900,000 barrels a day.

 

Inside Trans Canada-

In his car talking to a man who new at the Trans Canada Oil company. He is not sure what side he is standing for.

Hello my name is Nick Brosman. I've worked for the Trans Canada Oil company for a long time now and I drive the trucks. Have you heard about the Key Stone pipeline? Well, im completely for it! Now don’t get me wrong I can see where the protesters are coming from about how bad this pipeline is. But I can find way more upsides to this pipeline then downsides and I think when I’m done you will too. Lets look at the first three simple reasons, it’s cheap. This is obvious why its good but just incase you are wondering. So we can afford it for a long time and put that money toward other global problems.  There’s a lot of it. If we’ll be able to use this for a really long time, we wont have to pay for this and then when it runs out pay for something else. We can just stay with this for a long time. We know it’s good reliable oil. We are not the only people who need oil, so if we don’t take this someone else will definitely take it. We can’t risk that. There are so many people who are un-employed and a lot of jobs that need to be taken care of in order to get this pipeline working, and for a long time after. Aside from those jobs, more truck drivers like myself will also be needed. Energy consumption is getting higher and higher, we need this. This brings me back to the point I made earlier about how abundant it is. So as you can see there are plenty of upsides to Keystone pipeline Xl.

In Obama’s head

  Sitting in a conference room while being interviewed and he’s just staring at the wall and thinking in his head.

 Okay, I think there’s time for one more question”.

“Obama sir, as of right now what will your decision be on the Keystone XL pipeline project”?

Here it was. The question I’ve been avoiding for 3 years. Hmmm, What’s my decision on the pipeline project? For now, I am leaning towards approving it. We need cheap oil. This is very reliable, and will help our country greatly because our energy rates have gone up. This will give us thousands of jobs, even if they’re temporary. (Puts hand in head) But there are many downsides to this as well. Spills, it affects the water that these people drink. That I drink. Also, climate change is another horrific outcome. We already had an earthquake, and a recorded hurricane in other parts of the country. We need to act now on the bad things that are already happening, but this pipe plan makes it worse. Another thing I was thinking about was, this oil is extremely dirty. It will take us even more money to completely clean it so we can use it.

Either way, I will lose votes. I watched a video with my wife the other day. People were getting arrested right in front of my home, just to stop the pipeline plan. They say it will destroy their homes. This decision could make or break my presidency. For now, I can’t say anything. It will lead the wrong direction and just give me more problems. I’ll have to think about it.

“I’m sorry, there is no more time left in this interview. Thank you.”

A farmer’s life

Just woke up and is going to watch the news.

I woke up this morning, and turned on the news. They were talking about the Keystone XL pipeline project. Last week my husband took a plane to Washington D.C and protest this madness. He unfortunately got arrested and had to spend 24 hours in jail, but I’m glad he fought for us. I have been living here, in Nebraska for 32 years with my husband. We farm here, that’s how we survive. About a month ago, two large men in an expensive black suits came knocking on our door. They told us we had two options, have to pipeline go through our fields, or move. It’s worse enough now that it will pollute our air and create severe climate change, but to go through our fields. It’s a different story about our land, that is our life. That’s how we make money, and get our food. There must be some other way to get oil and not hurt us like this. Can’t they see it hurts innocent citizens? The ones who work hard for the little things they have. No, they pick on us the most. We need a voice. We need someone in a big black suit to stick up for us. The environment is so important and we need to preserve it. This damage will only make more problems. We could have more flooding, severe pollution, and oil leaks in my backyard. Even though I don’t want to leave, I can’t afford cleaning up an oil spill and risking health of my children. This plan needs to stop.

 

 

         

In my project I wanted to show different views from different kinds of people. I showed a pipeline worker, that would normally be for the pipeline. I made it so he didn't like working there and he was against the pipeline. I also made one of my monologs in the view of someone for the pipeline. I wanted to raise the issues of the pipeline having spills and being really dirty oil.

A Protestor’s Speech

You are talking quietly to yourself as you are standing on the stage about to a crowd of protesters at the protest in front of the White House. 

Thinking to yourself:

My name is Amelia and I am one of the protesters against the Keystone XL Pipeline. I’m standing here in a crowd of people who are trying to get Obama to stop this pipeline.  I am on a stage, about to tell people what I have to say. 

Your hands shaking with excitement and fear. You start speaking in the microphone.

“I’m Amelia. I live in Oklahoma and this pipeline will be going right through my backyard. I have a message for the government from the people of The United States. Yes, it would create jobs, but is it really worth worth what it would cost to clean up the amount of oil leaks and spills per a year? The first Keystone pipeline caused twelve spills in the first year. Remember the BP oil spill of 2010? Well there could be a lot more of that. Wild life would be in danger. Fish would die and there could be a short supply of food. It would be a catastrophe if a spill happened. Tar Sands oil is among the dirtiest carbon-intensive fuels on earth. As you probably know, there was a tar sands oil spill in July in the Kalamazoo River. You can’t build this. Its not worth it. There are other ways to create jobs. And even more ways if you keep the money you would need to clean up spills. I just hope you are listening.”

You step down from the stage, giving the mic to the next person as the sound of roaring cheers for your speech fill your ears.

Video Diary of a Pipeline Worker

Your sitting in a bulldozer holding your camera in front of your face. You are recording a video so you can show people how awful it is to work at the pipeline. You start recording the video and speak in a nervous, whispery voice because you are scared you will be caught not working. 

“Hi everyone. I am sitting here in a bulldozer, working on the Keystone XL Pipeline. I have no idea why I’m working here because I’m fully against the pipeline. Let me tell you a bit about me. I grew up in the US, got married happily, and had three beautiful children. We were living in peace and happiness but then I lost my job and we went broke. The only job I could get was in Canada working on the pipeline. My family had to move to Canada. Now, I’m sitting here thinking about how its such a horrible place. Ugh! Theres the feeling is again. It comes about five minutes after I get here and never leaves. Its the feeling of pure dirt like you need a shower right away. You work here with the messiest kind of oil there is. Its made of clay, sand, water, and bitumen. Bitumen is this horrible heavy black viscous oil. This is one of the worst jobs you could ever imagine. When I’m working, I never stop wanting another job, preferably back in the United States. I have to hide the fact that I don’t agree with who I am working for. I don’t want to be fired, at least not before I can find another job. I hate the fact that I’m destroying the earth. I just want to be back in California where I grew up. I gotta go, the boss is coming”

You quickly turn the camera off.

Police Officer at the Protest

Puts handcuffs on a young man.

Why are these stupid protestors bothering everyone? I should be having a relaxing day at work, but instead I’m putting handcuffs on, oh I don’t know, maybe the tenth person I’ve arrested today? Why couldn’t I just be relaxing by the edge of the highway, waiting for some speeding car or something like that? These people are smiling as they get arrested. Who do they think they are? I don’t get it.

Starts shouting at a guy who is trying to take your picture.

“Now theres a camera in my face? Are you trying to take my picture, or the picture of the person I’m arresting? Stop pointing that camera at me!” 

Tries to cover face and put another set of handcuffs on someone at the same time. 

I have no idea why they are protesting this pipeline. I think it is a great idea. The U.S. needs more oil, and more jobs. My cousin is unemployed and is close to homelessness. This pipeline would give him a chance at work. If these people are really going to protest this, why can’t they do it somewhere thats actually legal? Why do it in front of the White House? 

Your friend comes over and takes the guy you about to put in the cop car. You start handcuffing someone else. All of a sudden the guy your arresting says your name. You realize its your old friend Sam. 

Oh great, my old friend Sam is being arrested now, by me. And now he’s talking about the pipeline. Now he's asking what I think about it? I remember why I stopped being this guy’s friend in the first place. 

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B7b-4bqRrz03ZmM4Y2ZjNjMtOWQwYi00MWZkLTgyMWQtM2JjYjc3M2VmNmM2&hl=en_US

​What we did was learn about the Tar Sands oil Pipeline project and We were told to make 3 monologues writing in three different peoples point of views and see what its like to be other people and see what they are thinking like. We also had to record one

                                                What is the Pipeline?

Today the US is debating on whether to drill the crude oil in the tar sands of Alberta, Canada. Although I’m not for the pipeline but I need this job because my wife and I are running on a tight budget right now. They claim to provide jobs but they exclude people because of their of their relationship with the pipeline and how it runs. I can’t tell the audience is but it feels wrong to not tell them, and now its time to do my presentation. The Tar Sands oil from Canada could bring many jobs for a certain length of time for the construction of the pipeline that will run through at least 4 to 5 states and maybe an Indian reserve. It will run through many residences and an aqua firer having a great risk for people who have the pipeline running through there backyards. It also creates a big risk for the residences that get water from the aqua firer nearby. Another problem could be that TransCanada could be trying to evade some minor safety issues to save money. It will bring money and jobs to the United states as well as the fact that we don’t have to go to a foreign country to drill oil and ship it over here, but with the crude oil from the tar sands it takes 3 barrels of water to have 1 barrel of oil for us. The risk of having a massive pipeline under residences creates a possible risk of having an oil spill in backyards.

 

                                                The Dene

 

The Dene is a Native American tribe that lives a long the pathway of the Tar sands crude oil pipeline. Even if the Keystone XL Pipeline does create jobs, TransCanada could exclude hiring people from the Dene. They could try to drive the Dene out of their homes because of the Crude Oil that could harm the environment. It could create a untrusting relationship between the Dene Native American tribe, and the Government because they are there legally. Many Indian tribes contribute to the environment and always take care of it, but if we drill the crude oil we have a chance of destroying some of the environment as a by product. It could possibly harm the wild life living in the nearby areas. It can affect the homes of the residences with the pipeline running through their home. It will make it more dangerous and riskier for the children to go outside and enjoy the fresh air. The oil can affect the homes and make certain household objects smell odd. It can have a safety hazard because you could smell the gasses in the house if it leaks out. The Dene tribe could be angered because they were left out of the jobs that the companies claim to hire people. They could sue the companies because its going threw their reservation. The Dene could become very sick because of the chemicals that could possibly leak out of the pipeline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                            My kids

As I drove home today I was thinking what would happen if the President allowed the keystone pipeline that usually averages about 25 years as a life span. I was driving home thinking if I would have to move away because of the possibility of the pipeline being drilled under my backyard and house. My kids might not be able to play some sports in our backyard with their friends. They won’t be able to enjoy the great outdoors like I did. My wife and I won’t be able to have the backyard pool parties me and the neighbors come over for a couple hours to eat and talk about recent events. As I was driving home I happened to drive by a school and I wondered were would all the kids play if the pipeline ran under their neighborhoods and parks and surrounding areas. Where would these kids go if the pipeline ran under the playgrounds?  How would the joggers be safe with the massive pipeline running through their pathway? I turned on the radio to see if any of the local news networks were talking about this massive pipeline that could change the United States. When I reached my house I came in and turned on the TV to see if there were any developments. I reached for the controller as the initial channel was something my kids were watching last night. I pressed on the channel+ button furiously until I found a local new channel that was talking about the Keystone XL Pipeline.

 

 

Jalisa Smith

Pipeline Monologues

            This unit was different for me. We had to write three polished monologues about the Keystone XL Pipeline, in someone else’s perspective. For my three monologues I chose to write as Michelle Obama, a single mother with no job and the prime minister of Canada. I wanted the reader to feel as though they were capturing the emotions that were going through the character, along with that I wanted the audience to understand the situation, that Michelle Obama probably doesn’t agree with it either but because her husband is president, she would have to agree with whatever he says just like the rest of us. I wanted the audience to understand how single parents would react and how the prime minister of Canada would be frustrated with the stir-up of issues because Canada doesn’t really put themselves in bad positions.

 

Michelle Obama: Good Morning America

  The news lady announces that Michelle Obama will be a guest on the show speaking on the Keystone XL Pipeline. Michelle Obama comes on the TV and makes her announcement.

Some of you watching are in favor of the Keystone XL pipeline and others of you are not. Some people do not know what the Keystone XL pipeline is. In short, it is a pipeline that would carry oil from the Canadian tar sands to Texas, which would serve as a port for the oil. I remember standing in my room, looking out the window to see you all those protesters in their frustration and joy, the environmentalists, the unemployed, the impressive citizens who actually care about their environment and those people who are afraid to be affected by the drilling. I want you all to understand that there is a better side to all of this madness; it makes America a stronger country.

As many of you know, I am a strong health spokeswoman. Some of you think that the pipelines can cause health issues, but in all honesty, once we have money health problems can be solved easily, which brings me to my second thought. Think about the large amount of unemployed people that will have jobs. That amazes me. Another thing to be happy about is that it will give us homeland oil and we would not be in the position to be worried about offshore drilling, which is more expensive. This will be a major accomplishment for those who understand where our economy is headed.

            I’m speaking to you all today in hopes that you can accept that I will try my best to be the best for you. I want America to be a better place. If that includes having to drill tar sands oil in Canada, then I will endorse it. Thank you and god bless.

 

 

 

Letter Of Change

            The mother sits down and begins writing a letter to her mom while reading every line out loud. She is by herself and is frantic but holding it in,

Dear Mom,

            Do you remember watching the news two days ago, about the people protesting the… Keystone XL pipelines? When Tracy was in her room, talking to the sock dolls we made? You must remember that. But you also have to know that I love my daughter, I hope you can understand that she is whom I live for and I will go to the ends of the earth for her. My child needs to live a happy, healthy life and in order for her to do that, I need to make some big decisions.

            My friend called me a few days ago about the jobs that I can have working on the construction site of that same pipeline. I know how much I need this job. I know that at some point my little Kayla is going to need something more than baby food and diapers. Sometimes I wish I had some help but now that I’m unemployed, living in your home, I now know that I need to do something with my life. I am legit broke. If I get a job working on the pipelines, I hope I won’t be in harm. But I am capable and willing to push my self to work.

            I need you to know that you taught me to be the best I can be for my child. Just by the way you treat me. It’s time that I grow up Mom. Thank you. Wish me luck.

-Teresa

 

Canadian Decision

The prime minister, Stephen Harper is pacing around his room, recording his speech for later on in the day. He is very nervous and upset.

            Good afternoon to all of you. I gathered you all here today to proclaim the accusations of the possibility that we could have a tar sands pipeline going into the United States as true. The project, also known as Keystone XL pipelines are going to take tar sands oil from our grounds and, using a pipeline, will take oil to Alberta, Texas in America.

 I understand that some of you are not so happy with the decisions we have to make. But that is exactly it; we haven’t made the decision yet. As of now, I will allow the American people to have a pipeline of tar sands oil. You all should understand how great this would be for our relationship with the America.

            When we are in trouble, they will be there to help us out. And because we are reliable and honest people, we will help America. I hope that those of you out there will look at the Keystone XL pipeline as a building relationship and courteous deed.  Thank you and god bless.

 

​Intro paragraph
The XL pipeline is a plan that's is supposed to help the United States lower fuel prices and decrease dependency on other nations. Since we have to build a massive pipeline from Canada to Texas more jobs will be available! With every type of plan there are downfalls. With massive Co2 emissions in the air the weather will be effected adversely. Also, the pipeline may break which would be devastating because its not regular oil; it's tar sand oil which is dirtier that regular oil. 

In our history class we had to write three monologues from the standpoints of different people involved in the XL pipeline. One monologue must be recorded. My first monologue is about a normal Canadian man who might have the pipeline built in his backyard. The second is an nerdy environmentalist blogger who is blogging about the new pipeline project. The last is about a Congressmen from Texas who must battle the decision between vetoing and supporting the pipeline. A portion of his family lives where the pipeline will be built but the other portion are always complaining about oil prices. 

My overall goal was to show the importance of this pipeline being built. Also, to show the grief and major decision making behind the scenes and in the limelight with the congressmen.  

Monologue 1  (Normal Canadian)

Character description- This is a Canadian average Joe who is going to have the XL pipeline built in his backyard if it is passed(Setting: In the home of a Canadian man who is scared that the pipeline might go through his backyard.)

(After a long day of work walks though door, sits and watch the news. Reporters are talking about XL pipeline. Tired look on face, which turns irritated)

I’m finally home from a long day of work and now this!  Now my mind really won’t be quite settled tonight. I just wanted to pop a squat in my futon and eat. Now I’m wondering how I will live with a giant pipeline going through my backyard. Now don’t get me wrong the USA benefits from this a lot, but what is in for us Canadians. Do our oil prices get lower do we get thousand of barrels a day? No! (slams remote) We have to worry about if the pipeline will hold and not burst into our yards. Also, this isn’t any regular oil, but it’s tar sand oil that is significantly dirtier than regular oil. If this dirty oil leaks it is a done deal for my home. (Stutters) W-w-what about the kids? Will they be safe with all the CO2 emissions in the air. (Pace back and forth facial expression as if many things are going through his mind.) I guess I need to calm down and go to bed hopefully the government makes the right decision not to do so.

             (Walks upstairs and goes to sleep soon to be awaken by wife) (laying down half sleep half awake eyes are half open) “Hi honey how was work?” (voice comes from background) “Okay, Did you hear about that XL pipeline thing there talking about! Aren’t you happy? People in America will have oil and won’t depend on other countries.” Why is she so excited over it and it’s like 4am. I jump up out of bed after being so irritable “HAPPY…HAPPY? There’s going to be a giant pipeline going thought our back yard! What if it breaks and kills our kids? We won’t have a home, we will die and LIFE WILL END!”  (wife in background while laughing she says) “Oh stop it honey, get some sleep and we will talk about this tomorrow!” (fades to black)

 

Things I did well:

-Conflict

-Provides a lot of details and info

-The background comes through

 

What I need to work on:

Monologue not dialogues!!

Monologue 2 (Environmentalist Blogger)

Character Description-  This is a nerdy blogger who is making a blog about the XL pipeline

 

(Setting: On a webcam, excited to be talking about this environmental issue, His face is extremely close to the camera)

 

Hello guys!! (breathes heavily) I can’t believe this is happening (breathes heavier) This new XL pipeline is the revolution for the united states. It’s also the answer to all of our oil price problems! (fixes glasses) Oh my goodness my resources are telling me that the US is planning on making a crazy “ginormous” pipeline that goes from Canada all the way to Texas. Why oh why would we need such a massive pipeline? For oil (moves in excitement.) Isn’t this great! So what if it may be a little dirty. We all our a little dirty that doesn’t make you any less than the next man. Of course there will be a couple problems. One of the problems are the Co2 emissions. (sarcastic voice) Aw man that’s such a bad problem. It’s simply going to get hotter and we can just shed clothes. (smiles and laughs slightly) I don’t see the problem with that! (thumbs up) Also, no matter how you put it oil can spill weither a pipe bursts or if bp hates our world again. (laughs into a serious face) Okay I know that was corny but I tried. My stand is totally for it. I don’t think our country would mind if we had lower fuel price. So tune in next time to and I will recap the results and see weither this pipeline is passed or not. See you next time my fellow blogger conrad muchachos !

Monologue 3

Character Description-  A Congressman from Texas who must make a decision to pass or veto the pipeline. He is confused because he has family in Texas who might have the pipeline in the backyard and family that is complaining about oil price!

(Setting: Sitting at the table in the white house by himself after the meeting to propose the XL pipeline. Thinking to himself after the meeting...confused trying to make a decision.)

 (having the XL Pipeline folder in front of him trying to make a decision)

Man, (slams folder and un-tucks shirt.)  This is crazy!! I don’t know weather I should support this or not. There are many upsides and downsides to this plan. Sometimes I think being a congressman is to hard. Doesn’t Barack know that by passing this there will be lives ruined and paranoia? What about all the families in Canada and even the United States with pipes in their backyards! Then again we American will get thousands of barrels a day. Cousin Louis is always complaining about fuel prices. This XL pipeline can shut him up (laughs then pauses to think) It’s too much to decide! What if the final vote comes to me! (grabs face and looks nervously) What will I do? Also, since most of my family is from Houston what if the pipe goes through my grandma’s yard! She would kill me if she knew I helped the process of getting that thing in the back of her house! Oh my gosh and imagine the embarrassment at the family reunion! Well, I can simply ask for Mr. Obama to move her out. But as for everyone else… (shakes head in despair) Just imagine if the pipes burst. That would be so tragic. Hopefully we make the right decision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBEP3mkAZno (here is a link to my performed monologue)