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Keystone XL Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Gabrielle Arnold in World History - Block on

​ For the past two weeks, our class has been devoted to learning about the Keystone Pipeline Proposal.  The Keystone Pipeline will run from Canada to Texas, using Canadian Tar-sands as the new North American resource for energy.  The pipeline has brought controversy and conflict between politicians and environmentalists.  The pipeline has become such a big deal that it has come up in the Presidential Election.  The politicians in support of the pipeline say that because Canada is an ally and the fact that the tar-sands do not have to travel overseas, that oil will be cheaper, there will be more jobs and that the economy will be better.  Environmentalists that are not in support of the pipeline say that the Tar-sands will create a "game-over" situation for the environment.  My project, was to create three monologues, with three different opinons on the tar-sands and Americans and their relationship with the environment in general.  I wrote as a teenager against the pipeline, a politician at a press conference endorsing the pipeline, and Mother Earth herself.  Before you watch this video I strongly suggest looking over some facts that I have provided, I hope you enjoy.

It’s politics
Hello, I would like thank the everyone at this press conference for allowing me to endorse the pipelines.  We, the American people have been in an economic downfall for the past 4 years.  Pipeline creates plenty of jobs for our American people.  We deserve to spend no more than 3 dollars a gallon on oil for our cars, our homes, and our stoves.  This is our chance to get back to greatness.  This is clean energy, cheap energy, job creating energy to power our country back on top of the economic food chain.  For those fearing that this too new and too risky, there are over 200,000 similar smaller pipelines all throughout the U.S. of A.  
TransCanada seems to agree with the plan that will create thousands and possibly millions of jobs that will bring the unemployment rate down.  Canada has also been using similar pipes for more than 50 years.  This new possible project will be powered by the 0.1%.  0.1% meaning that 0.1% of Canada’s forests will be affected by mining.  0.1% pollution will be created by the Canadian tarsands.  This is an incredible opprotunity!  I will open up the field to questions from the press now.  Fire away!

Well good question sir, for those of us who are on the fence about the tarsands and the enviornment, this is a clean american energy, to heat our american homes and to create american jobs.  This is will solve our issues with the middle east, this will bring less conflict and less dependence on other countries.  
Another good question, this is AMERICAN ENERGY.  Not as much travel as foreign energy, it all makes sense.  This energy is clea-.  
How is it clean you ask? Well the tarsands are accessed through drilling, then they are watered down and fed throughout the 17,000 mile long pipe.  No, no, no, no, no, the chance of the pipes leaking fluid are slim to none.  As I stated before, there are over 200,000 similar smaller pipelines all throughout the U.S.
I am not familiar to that study, no it will not be game over for the U. S. environment.  Hell, China is so polluted that its hard to see through the smog.  The tarsands aren't an awful air pollutant.  Look how well China is doing.  
*phone buzzes, from rep*
I would like to thank the press, and God bless america

Mother nature

I have been pulled apart, drilled, pounded and stomped on.  I've been bombed and beaten, driven on and through and now, just when I thought I was paved down, smoothed and filed the most.  I'm getting drilled into again, near my head this time.  Its like humans are performing surgery on my brain.  Taking away my lifeblood, they are are forming an artificial artery that will go from my neck to my stomach, because they are tired of giving me blood transfusions from my arms to my chest.  

Its not cleansing me its dirty I'm sick and tired of coughing, the air that surrounds me cloudy and muddy and I'm grasping for fresh air. Its funny to think that what you created is destroying you.  Well what I created is destroying me, taking advantage of me.  I made a monster.  These humans are monsters.

Permission slip.

Mom! Mom!
I really need to tell you something! Mom listen.
I need to go to this rally tomorrow, like I NEED TO GO TO THIS RALLY !
Its about these tarsands, you know the ones that we heard Mitt Romney endorse, you see its going to be game over for our environment if President Obama supports it.  My teacher is from Canada and they use tarsands there too, its not as clean as you think it is.  
Mom, just because it will create jobs doesn't mean its the right thing to do.  I know this won't affect you, but it will effect me and my kids, and my kid's kid's.  We, as people have destroyed this earth with every innovation we have made since the beginning of time.  I want our country to treat the earth as kind as the earth has treated us.  Mom, mom I need to go to this rally.  Mom I don't give a damn about class tomorrow, how am I supposed to care.  Mom you're in denial about the fact that the pipeline is running through our town.  They, they didn't tell you yet? Mom, this town is small, one  piece of the pipe breaks and our town, the streets, the shops and the roads are gone.  I need to help strengthen the voice of my generation.  Like I said before it doesn't affect you, it affects me.  My kids, and my kids kids.  Just sign the slip.

https://vimeo.com/51522523
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Screen Shot 2012-10-24 at 11.37.51 AM

Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Melanie Harrington in World History - Block on

​Introduction
For our Benchmark project in my World History class, we had to create three monologues from different points of view related to the Keystone Pipeline. The Keystone Pipeline is a pipeline that will run from Western Canada to Texas to transport oil from tar sands. There’s a lot of debate and controversy as to whether or not the pipeline should be built. This class project was created to inform others about the pipeline and to give them a look at how the pipeline might affect different people. I wrote my monologues from the points of view of Earth, the pipeline itself, and Fred Hassel, a man who has been looking for a job for three years. Throughout my research I have learned that the pipeline will cost about $7 billion to build and will run about 1700 miles long. It will carry over 800,000 barrels of oil a day and run over the biggest aquifer on the continent. People who argue for it usually argue that it will provide jobs, it’s cheap, reliable, and abundant because they’re buying it from ‘friends’ and allies. On the other hand, people that argue against the pipeline are more concerned about the environment. They live in fear of leaks and spills.  Hopefully the project I will show to you both informs and interests you and gives you an idea about the affects a choice has on a wide variety of things.

Monologue #1 (Earth): Earth and the People That Hate It

(raining) I’m dying. Those are the words the human’s fear the most. They hear it from a loved one and they believe their world is falling apart. (sigh) They hear it from me and decide to ignore it. To carry on with their days as if they don’t see the signs. The tears I shed pour upon them in waves, creating tsunami tides that wash away loved ones; my children. The emptiness I feel has caused droughts. The anger and rage has boiled over to emit fires, erupt volcanoes, that destroy everything in their path. (sigh) I’m falling apart. I’m running high fevers. These fevers are melting the world. Yes, melting the world. Destroying animals. Pollution. That’s what is causing this. It has to be. If that isn’t enough they decided to build this eye sore that runs through North America, transporting the world’s dirtiest oil through the Nation and eventually to other countries, causing more pollution.  

(scowl) Stupid humans. Do they not see what they’re doing? I’ve treated them well haven’t I? The pain they cause me is unbearable. I can’t believe this. (yell) What have I done to make them hate me so much? (thunder and lightning) I’m their mother. I feed them and provide shelter and resources. And this is how they repay me? By destroying me? By destroying the life that inhabits me? (thunder and lightning) Their world is actually falling apart. (sigh) I’m falling apart.

(sounds determined) I should destroy the pipeline. I should teach them a lesson. I could just end this now. No oil would have to be transported anymore. I’ve heard what the protesters say, “It’s game over for the environment”. That means game over for me.

But...(sigh) I can’t. If I destroy it, the oil will just spread on the land. It’ll cause more damage. I’m stuck. (look down) (raining)

Monologue #2 (Pipeline): Story of My Life

(lying on the floor) (disgusted) Here I am. Sitting here in the dying grass on the land a farmer once owned. I knew it. (angry)I knew since the moment I was mined from the ground they were gonna ruin me. Silly little humans. Uprooting me and my family, separating and compressing us into perfect sheets of shiny brown metal, penetrating our outer skin with big dull screws that cause more pain than necessary. (scowl and grip the grass tightly) (release) It wasn’t until I was shipped to to Texas and bolted to a stranger that I realized they planned to run the dirtiest oil in the world through me. 800,000 barrels a day. (raises voice) (tighten fists around the grass while saying...) A day! (release grass) Do they have any idea what they have done? It’ll ruin me! (pause)

(eyes widen, voice becomes shaky) Oh no. No, No, No! Why? What if I end up like my friend? He was so worn out he burst and caused one of the largest oil spills in history. I’m going to be over worked I just know it. I can’t do anything about it. (looks down) I feel so helpless. I can’t even find my family. (looks up with sad eyes) I’ve even tried to play “whisper-down-the-lane” with other parts of the pipe in order to find them. They’re gone and now I’ll never be able to say good bye. Even if I don’t burst, what will happen when all the oil is gone? There would be no use for the pipeline. No use for me. (angry)They tore apart families for nothing. ( grab the grass again) Dug up whole towns and civilizations of precious metal to make a profit. (release grass) (sad) I guess now all there is left to do is sleep. (weakly) Goodnight.

Monologue Revised #3 (Fred Hassel): Desperate and in Need of a Job
(sad) So this is how it ends, huh? (rock side to side on rolly chair) Sitting alone in my office spinning on a rolly chair. No job, no money, near foreclosure. My family probably hates me. I have no idea why my wife hasn’t left me yet. It’s hopeless. There is no way to pay off our debt. (angry) I have no job! Haven’t had one for three years now! I should just...(eyes widen in excitement and smile) “Ohh, an email!”

Dear Mr. Fred Hassel, (mumble under breath like reading a letter to yourself) . …..................help.................pipeline............................welder..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................money(eyes widen in excitement)....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................(raise voice in disbelief and question)guaranteed job................



Sincerely,
TransCanada
(happily, smiling)) I can’t believe this! This is great! (excited) I can’t wait to tell the wife and kids. (types really fast on the computer)(yells) “Sweetie, come here. I have some great news!” (pause speaking. look over to your left) “Here, sit down, sit down.” (stop typing. look up in front of you)(take a deep breath and close your eyes) “I got offered a job. They saw my resume and want to hire me” (excited) “I know, I know! Isn’t it great? It’s so...(doubtful) well no I don’t really know when I start. Here I’ll explain it to you. So they decided to build this pipeline that runs from Western Canada all the way down to Texas, that will transport oil from the biggest tar sand in the world. Well they have this idea but no one to build it. So, they offered me a job as a welder to...” (pause) “Are you insane? Of course I’m going to take the job! I’d be stupid if I didn’t.” (pause) “No it’s nothing bad I promise. You have to trust me. We’ll be able to pay off our debt and send the kids to that nice school we were looking at.” (pause) (smile) “Yes I’ll even buy you that new pan that you wanted. The kind that you don’t have to grease before using.” (smile) “Thank you baby. I love you so much.” (close computer and stand up. hold out hand) “Come on lets go celebrate.” (walk off stage)

Appendix:
1)  Bill McKibben, an environmentalist, says that tapping into the tar sands will increase greenhouse gases. (PBS Newshour)
2) The tar sands are the 2nd largest pool of carbon on earth (PBS Newshour)
3) Carries about 800,000 barrels of oil a day (PBS Newshour)
4) The pipeline runs over the biggest water source on continent (PBS Newshour)
5) Joe Handson, a NASA Climate Scientist says that the pipeline will be “game over for the environment.” (PBS Newshour)
6) Over 400 protesters have been arrested (PBS Newshour)

Bibliography
perf. "Tar Sands Pipeline Plan Renews Energy vs. Environment Debate." PBS Newshour. N.p., 29 2011. web. 16 Oct 2012. <http://video.pbs.org/video/2110582932>.

"Tar Sands." Tar Sands. n. page. Print. <http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands>.

BILL , MCKIBBEN. "Three simple numbers that add up to global catastrophe - and that make clear who the real enemy is Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/global-warmings-terrifying-new-math-20120719

https://vimeo.com/51796645

Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Anonymous in World History - Block on

​We have been doing research on the Keystone pipeline that will run from Canada, through the U.S, and end in Mexico. We've done a project that requires us to write a monologue from the perspective of anyone or anything the involves the pipeline. These are the monologues please enjoy.

The Lucky One
  (Sitting in a chair twidling his thumb.) You are scum. You (Pause) are scum. A sick, vile virus among the population of humanity. You think your riches or your big fancy house makes you special, makes you unique? You are nothing more than a mosquito, sucking the blood out of society and those who depend on what it gives. You and everyone similar to you are meer insects to people who’ve had to crawl and struggle their entire lives to get by. People without chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, or fancy butlers serving them five star meals. Those are people with real riches. I can sit in this chair all day and lecture you on this. The sad part about it is people don’t care as much for human riches as much as they care for small green slips of paper with dead white leaders on them. And for those who do have it use it to hide from the real world like cowards while they watch us struggle through life from their high placed pedestals.

  Why did I try to steal from you? What would you care or understand? I’m going to prison regardless. Hmmp well if you must know I’m no criminal. A thief, but not a criminal. No, they are not the same thing! A criminal is someone who purposely breaks the law because they are too lazy to get a job and make something of themselves. Now there are two types of thieves. People who steal because they want to or people who steal because the have to. I steal because I have to. The funny thing is it wasn’t always that way.

  It was about a year after that pipeline was made. I lived in a rural area not too far from the pipeline and my family business was around that area to. I worked as a tourguide, take people through the forest, let them experience nature, stuff like that. It was called Natures buddies. Of course you’ve never heard of it, probably not good enough. You’d be that one person who had no one to come with. (Pause) Oh yeah, you married? (Pause) You have any kids? Yeah (mumbling) I bet even your parents be too ashamed to come with you. Anyway! I made a good salary, settled down, got married. Hmmp, I remember when I first met her. She came in for a tour one time with her friends, we talked for a little bit after the tour and we just connected ever since. I knew she was the one from that first hour we talked, but I guess you wouldn’t know about that would you. Soon after she gave me something to live for... two kids. They were my pride and joy and I really felt that it was just gonna get better from there. Thats when... it happened. (Pause) The pipeline burst. You probably heard about it. (Pause) Yeah but the only thing was they were sugar coating it. The the pipeline spewed thousands of gallons of oil a minute and ravaged the wilderness and everything else around it for miles, including our business.

I was out of work. Soon after I lost my home. In the blink of an eye I had no job, no home, and my emergency money was running dry. I felt like a boy in a book I read called House of the Scorpion when he was locked in that room because they found out he was a clone. I tried for months to get a job but no everyday job wants to hire someone who tread through the woods talking about trees and animals. Hmmp, you’d think people be more grateful for the tour’s we gave. I tried everything, I learned that those fundraising things they have on commercials are all bullshit. Just a bunch of people who steal from the public and barley give any of the money they raise toward people who need it. They’d much rather take almost all of that money for their own self purposes. Another thing I realized was that those who had plenty of money to give to a corner full of the homeless are the one’s who most likely would give us the finger and drive off.

My money was running dangerously short. My families ribs slowly began showing more definition everyday. I knew I had to do something. Then it hit me, Robin Hood stole from the rich to help the needy. As bad as it was I had two option, either steal food until I can find a real job, or watch my family wither away. That’s why I’m here now. This isn’t what I wanted, this is the life I was forced into. I know you have to call the cops, just please whatever you do keep my family out of it. They deserve better than me anyway. (Pause) What?! Your giving me this? But... but... this is ten thousand dollars, your just giving me this? (Crying) Thank you, from the bottom of my heart thank you. Ever since that incident I’ve thought I of myself as unlucky, but now I see I have a loving family and now I can support them. Thank you.

Hood Tales
(Sitting on the steps when friends walk up) Sup man. (handshakes are given) Got some stuff on on my mind you know. Here walk me to the store.

  You know how that pipeline is about couple miles from here. (Puase) Well, I heard from an article that an engineer named Vokes said there were some weak spots in the pipe where it is most likely to leak and got fired. No one gave him a reason why he was fired but it’s easy to say that they fired him because he knew the potential danger. (Pause) Thats what you think. My stepdad did some work on that jawn when they was building it. Even he said that though there were some faulty areas, but after what happened to Vokes no one was willing to risk their job by speaking up.

   (At the store) Yo you want something? (Pause) Imma just get an Arizona. (Go into store and gets an Arizona.) Yeah but anyway, my stepdad said was that one weak spot happens to be just off the city. (Pause) I know of all the places right here. I don’t know if it’ll leak on us thats the problem. You know my mom don’t work, my stepdad just got promoted to work on constructions like the pipeline so he’s never around, I’m tryna finish my last year of high school and get into college. Another thing is you know that UCLA gave me a scholarship for politics and basketball. Only thing is if I do go my mom will be by herself most of the time and with her drug problem already bad I doubt think she can handle it, but if I go to Community College I can stay and support my mom but I won’t have nearly as many opportunity as I would if I went to UCLA. If something does happen with that pipeline if I’m not around my mom aint gonna be able to do nothing to help herself, if I am around and it happens we’d be homeless, but at least she’d have me around to keep her sanity intact. So I’m most likely gonna stay here with my mom. I know I’m giving up my dream but my mom means more to me then that and since my real father left us to rot and my stepdad is never around it’s my responsibility to take care of her because no one else will you know. (Gets back to his house.) Na man I can’t play ball today, gotta get some work done you know. (Pause) No prob man thanks for listening man, needed to get that off my chest. Talk to you later.  


Under My Wing
(Laying on the ground) Ah, my wing. Hello! Hello! Can anyone hear me!? Oh whats the point? Without my wings, I’m nothing but a small chicken appetizer served with a side of oil for any predator that finds his way to me first. (Looking up) Speak of the devil. Let me guess, you heard my struggling and it lead you to me. Yup, I can tell by the way your eyes are widening and licking your lips. Whew, the last thing you ate didn’t treat you well did it? Look, I know how you predators work; you sniff around til you find some poor, weak, defenseless creature to stuff your face with. You found me hear laid out on the ground and thought, easy meal. But I will give you a fair warning, you really don’t want to eat me. Why? Because I’m contaminated. I know, just a way for me to not get eaten huh. Well, let me tell you how it happened. See, you heard of that pipeline that was built under us? Yeah well about a week ago so I’m just walking around minding my own business, when out of nowhere all this oil spewed on me. That was just the start of my problems. So I escape the oil pool and thankfully I didn’t consume enough to kill me (mumbling) lucky me. Once I escaped I realized that the extra wait prevented me from flying, so I began searching for something to eat. Because frankly I was really hungry. So as I’m looking for some bugs to eat, out of the blue this giant metal hits. At first I thought it was a big predator so to stay alive I played dead. It turned out that it was just a couple of humans. So they leave and it was then that I realized that I had broken my wing. I walked and walked for miles searching for help until I finally broke down here, and the rest you already know. Bet you don’t wanna eat me now huh haha. Yeah bet you won’t whoa... (crunch crunch) (swallow)

Little Sasha

 
My sister and I are living the dream. I mean there’s nothing to explain or say but that we are the daughters of the president of the united states. What 12 and 14 year old do you see living in the best house in America. But this life does have its flaws. Everywhere I go, i hear someone go, “Hey what's your dad’s next move:” Or hay how did your dad really kill osama. But as of late people have been asking “Is your dad gonna accept that pipeline proposal?” Now I don’t understand what the hell is wrong with these people. I’m just a normal 14 year old girl trying to live my everyday life. I don't have time to worry about a stupid pipeline. I mean between me and you i think my dad is gonna accept it. My daddy promised jobs to the unemployed people of the US. And i did some research, Well when i mean research i mean snooping in daddy’s office. And this pipeline can provide thousands of jobs. It also is a good and safe,cheap effect way to transport oil. And its a lot closer. But then what if the pipeline leaks. We are gonna get covered with oil. Its gonna be the gulf of mexico all over again. I hate this. This one of the flaws of being a first daughter. When will this ever change.

Obama Drama


(In oval office)
Damn. This is not a good look. I'm the president of the United States and Its the day of the speech and i'm STILL not sure on whether or not i'm gonna accept this pipeline or not. I mean I don’t want to but then again I do. What a president I am. I did promise jobs and this would be a good look for the economy. But what if it leaks. Then i’m gonna receive so much criticism and i don't need that during the run for my second term. OMG they just announced me. Ok i can do this. I have my mind made up this is what I’m gonna do. God bless america! I want to thank you. The americans, the citizens of The United State Of America.  I want to  talk a little about the keystone pipeline. Now its been some speculation regarding on whether or not i’m going to accept the application for it or not. Now, it does provide safe, abundant, cheap reliable energy. It also a benefit to having it as close as home as possible. If we don’t act now, it’s eventually is gonna find its way into the market. Some even say that its the safest most effective way to transport oil. BUT, When i think of this i think of how not long ago, we had this real bad oil spill around the gulf of mexico. Now, with all that oil, if it were to leak again, what are we gonna do as americans to clean it up. But you know what when it’s all said and done, its about the americans. And this project happens to provide over tens of thousands of jobs for the US population. And i remember specifically when i went into office one of my biggest promises was to find Jobs as a lot of jobs for the population of america. And thats just what i intend to do. Therefore we will start operation of building this pipeline, for the sake of the government, the climate, and the fate of the US citizens! Thank you and God bless America! That was my speech i Remember it like it was yesterday. Now those very words have came to bite my ass. I heard from my high school best friends. He actually introduced me to Michele. Yeah we had some good times. “Barack, How you doing? Oh yea yea im doing fine. HAD me a nice little house down in cali... But u know they are taking control of my land. Yeah Yeah, Me and my family are living in this hotel right now.. I just wanted to call and tell you how much of a bright president that you are. Thanks a Lot barack (CLICK) That was the worst click. What he did was what the kids now a days would say. He banged on me. That click was the click of failure. And that’s what i was. I had never thought that this pipeline would take a toll like this. I was so worried about what my people would think and call me a hypocrite but now they are calling me worst. A failure. I Have failed the people of the United States. “Biden Get in here, The nation had a promotion for you”!
- Maybe instead of using the teacher use one of the girls.

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/51697442" width="500" height="375" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/51697442">Pipeline Monologue video</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user14162008">True Black</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
    


History

Posted by Khadijah Fofana in World History - Block on

Over the last couple of weeks, my class has been focused on the keystone pipeline project. We as students all had an amazing and unique view of how we can get our massages across in a greater idea. We were asked by Our History teacher to write 3 monologues. As writers we all know that if we were ask to only write one, then the process of getting our points across, would have been a little too to easy. We believe that if you get your point across, not knowing what to say because you have loss all your ideas on the other one’s, and you are still manage to make sense of what you are talking about, then to us, that’s a very good definition of mastering and know what you are talking about. I wrote 3. I was the Pipeline itself, a 7thgrader and the soil. It was fun to find differ ways to come up with such creative pieces. I hope you enjoy.


I will fight for my rights.

 

Life gets hard as time goes by. I always knew this day would come, I knew that I was going to be a big part in this country, It all started when my ancestor wooden pipeline was created, 1865, in essence. I knew that I would be developing, because The Governors think that everything has to be developed. Like bye, your pushing it, is was never that serious.

 I can feel all the pressure to the society, How everything is being “developed” according to the Head of states. It was always prophesied that I would be the topic of conversations. Later on in the years they develop domestic and international markets in a big way where they wanted to make things better so that they can get more benefit out of me. I loved all the attentions and all the fame. I loved the presidential debate, and the fact that I was center of attention?

I was a little too hype. But this was not what I wanted to be. I was concocted to help people and make life easier. My mission has failed because now they are using about 7billoin of the U.S.A poor people’s money. I will be the biggest and the longest pipeline ever built. According to my family history “The project, which would be the longest oil pipeline outside of Russia and China, has become a potent symbol in a growing fight that pits energy security against environmental risk, a struggle highlighted by last year’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico”. This is not my motive if I can help I would. But as for now it is what it is I hope they will not build me and if they do I am asking everyone who will be effect by me to please forgive me.

 

 

The people of Camden.

 

It’s that time of the year I receive seeds and crops from all parts of the United States. Farmers, gardeners, and non-profit people provide me with my needs. They give me their only hope so that I can grow them. They Moisturize, and feed me with water. Some people even go all out and get some special minerals and put them all over me. The famer treats me with respect and they show that is an honored to be in partnership with me. The famers of this town are the only reason why I can produce.

 I have always loved helping people out here because they are very grateful. It was about last week I received an old farmer who came from Canada, he had an old friend of mine. Her name Shovel, she told me that she was just used to dig and plant down Canada. He when on and on about how she over heard, her masters speak on the behave of the Governors. They were going to upgrade the country but she never finished telling me because he had to go. her last words were you will not be here forever. I mean if this is their decision then there nothing I can do about it. But before this end I will like to speak about the time and what I have done for this place.

 I am very important to them. I was a lot of help in all kinds of way, economically, house issues and even safety. So now is not the time to turn this fine little town we call Camden over to the hands of the amateurs. They don’t know what it takes to build a nation. So they’re trying to manipulate the brain of these good citizens, so that they can "so call” provide a lot of jobs for the people. The people of this town trusted me with their properties.

 Now everything is clear I understand what Shovel was telling me. What she was saying is that they were building a pipeline all threw the U.S. I’m afraid, because I know that it is going to effect me in a big way. Couple years ago there was oil spill. It killed all the trust the people of the town had in my kind. These people were left empty some of these people whole life depended on me. Camden has always been poor towns were, people depends on the food they grow, without a good and healthy soil there is no Camden.




Hope

Mother do you even know what this means? (Pause) To you, to me to the land of the free. This is my home, and my comfort zoon; I don’t know what I will do now. I was born and raised in  Nebraska, I started day care down here and also elementary school. It is cruel and arrogant that the United States is breaking their promises. What happened to “land of the free”, or “is it free of the land”. Did that even make any sense? That is exactly how I feel. The fact that America holds false promises and false hopes is bothering me. 
I dreamed that one day I would make it out of  here and be able to come back to a place that I once called home. Mother are you listening? (Pause) Mother this is not fair I am not moving, I refuse to leave, my friends and my school. (crying) You know what, I will send a letter to the Mayor. Dear Jim Suttle
I am currently an 7th grade student at New foundation charter school, I heard that I was suppose to be moving because of a construction, They are suppose to be building a pipeline from Canada and all threw the United States. I don’t even have to tell you, about it because you know. I’m asking for your help, my mom is poor and we live in a project, who knows if we’re be able to find a home like this one. Sometimes you have to put yourself in other people’s shoes. The only reason why you are able to go back and help out in your community is because you yourself have a place call home. 
Since my mother and I heard about the good way of making things better, she has not been eating or saying anything for days. Who knows if she’ll die from worries? Not only that I am losing my home, but I am also losing my life. My mother is the most important person to me, she hasn’t even spoke to me in days. How would you feel? If my mom dies I am killing myself.

Sincerely: From one of us who cares.


https://vimeo.com/51723320

Pipeline Project: Adam Feliciano

Posted by Adam Feliciano in World History - Block on


Introduction:

Within the last few weeks in World History class, we’ve been doing class discussions and researching about the Keystone Pipeline XL project. As individuals, we all had our own opinions on how we felt about the topic. To express how we felt about the topic, we had the opportunity to create three monologues. For the monologues, we had to become creative thinkers and act as an object, person, or thing that is being affected positively or negatively on the Keystone Pipeline XL project. For my monologues, I wanted to make each one original and at the same time make all them have a different view on the project and how they were being affected. For my first monologue I played in the perspective of mother nature feeling betrayed by her children. For my second monologue I played in the perspective of a Rufous Hummingbird seeking hope that the construction company will stop. For the last I chose to play in the perspective of an abandoned car who is thirsty and wants the new oil, specifically the one that the Keystone Pipeline is distributing. 

Learned Anything?

After researching and creating each of the monologues, I learned that people and things have very different perspectives based on their environment and the situation that they are in. I learned that in ways, some people could benefit and some people can’t based off their needs and predicament. I learned that people we tend advantage of the resources in Earth because animals and other things can’t voice their opinion.


Monologue #1: What Have My Children Done?

(She's looking up at the clouds)

My kids are well behaved. They continue to do their regular routine, work, eat, sleep, clean, and reproduce. The cycle is going well and life feels good. 

What is that you say?

Oh no… the cars are just what they use for making life go fast and making things more convenient.

Yeah, what's the matter with life going fast? 

Well yeah, I'm sure they still see the beauty I have surrounding them everyday.

You said what about the factories?

(She thinks for an excuse)

Well I have to be understanding of the situation, they need ways to create new things and that all happens in those very special factories. Like the soil they make clean for me, it saves me a lot of work. Plus, I don't have to put so much pressure on the worms to work harder. Why are you asking me so many questions? Shouldn't you be doing your job, watering the lands that I create? Oh, so now you're saying you don't want to. The water you pick up isn't good anymore. Because there's a massive, robotic, worm, being created along the southern of America up into Canada. You say it's killing my trees? And hurting my air? You say that it would be used for transferring the oils from the tar sands? 

(She is angry)

I don't get it. I allowed them to take oil from the deep roots of the ocean, and yet they still want more? The tar sands were forbidden from being used as a resource. That's why I buried it into the sands. The oil is very harmful and I hid it to protect my children's lives. 

(Pauses)

...I understand that you are the overseer of the lands and the oceans.

(Pauses)

 Say what? They are the ones killing the trees and the animals and the air? They want to burn the tar sand's oil into the air? Have they gone mad? My children are being so ungrateful. Everything that could have harmed them, I hid them away. Why must they invade my personal property. I gave them life and yet they try to kill me? Do they not understand that if I'm gone, they will not survive? 

(She shakes her head, disappears)


Monologue #2: Look Up Here...My Nest!

(He sits on top of the nest and talks to himself)

Nowadays, there isn't anymore peace! 

I can't hum in the mornings because, they, are making this unbreakable silver tube. They are knocking over our homes, the trees, in which we make our nests. 

My kids are scared as they look down from the nest… They ask me questions like, "what if they knock down our home? How are we going to escape daddy? We can't fly." Or like "daddy would we run out of food soon?" How do you expect me to reply to that? ...I can't!

As days go on, we are flying further and further just to find twigs, food, and even new homes. Day by day, they walk around below and continue to make this, this, this thing that Gaia never intend on making. I mean if Gaia wanted you two-legged, two-armed, two-eyed, furless creatures to make this silver tube, to transfer the oils from the tar sands in Canada she wouldn't have buried it and held it to protect us from its harmful chemicals. 

Oh but we, the ones who can't talk, understand why Gaia held things under the roots of the ocean and hid things under the sands and the lands that we fly over appreciates her. Unlike you guys (he looks down at the workers) we only use what she has placed in our environment surroundings to keep us alive. You guys went beyond your environment surroundings and dug deep into the lands and released toxicants into the air. 

(His eyes widen as he laughs)

You guys are stupid and yet you guys think you all are smart. Just because you all make cars, bridges, and buildings, from harmful toxicants, doesn't make you all smart at all. Matter of fact, the only thing that you all are showing to Gaia is that you don't appreciate what she does to help you all live and you all show that you don't appreciate the beauties that surrounds us (he looks at butterfly, a deer, and a beaver). 

As I fly around this unbreakable silver tube I send droppings on you guys' bright yellow helmets, and yet you guys won't respond. Here's another dropping for you, the one who is sitting near the tree smoking that bright white stick.

(His eyes widen)

Is it me that you look up at? ...Why are your eyes beginning to turn red and watery? ...Is that a normal thing you guys do? What is this emotion that you make, shaking your head and wiping your face?

(He puts his wing on his head)

If he responded to me, then that must mean that you guys are different. Then if all you guys are different, then that must mean that one of you guys must care about Gaia.

(He gets happy)

Quick! I must call the others and bring this to their attention. Together, we will all send droppings onto them and make them stop this work…

(He flies off)


Monologue #3: Hey, I Want Some New Oil!

(Sitting in the vacant parking lot thinking. He is very mad.)

Oh so it's like that huh? You guys just abandoned me and let me sit here in this big vacant parking lot? Ever since those hybrids and those more efficient cars were and still are being invented, you guys think that I'm not good enough. I mean, what's so wrong with just releasing a little smoke into the air? The world is a huge place and by me releasing a little smoke won't make a difference at all. 

(Newspaper falls on windshield and he reads)

The all new 2012 hybrids! Update from your old car to the the most efficient car today.  Hurry... before the sale ends!

(He laughs)

Those cars are no different then my generations of cars. They claim that it is more healthier for the air. Who cares, we release a little smoke into Earth's huge atmosphere; there's no way that we are accountable for rising the CO2 levels. That other article i read the other day tells me that it's just the normal cycle with the Earth. The levels of CO2 bounces up and down. Right now it's up and I believe that it will soon go down. 

(Sighs)

I am so thirsty! I haven't tasted oil in so long. My throat is dry. The last time I tasted some fresh new oil was on January 4, 2003, it is now October 9, 2012. I can actually start to see myself rust. How insane is that? 

Those hybrids think that they are all that because they run on more mileage and they are "good" because they have more sophisticated technology built in. 

I tell you what, I can get you guys anywhere just as well as they can.

What is it that I hear now? Oh yeah something about new oil. I hear that that  new oil is from the Tar sands and that it is more thicker. Man, those new cars are so lucky. I bet it taste so fresh and better than the original. 

If only my owner would return day to give me something to drink. I'd be so appreciative to her and I'd scream less when she uses me. I always had a problem screaming when she had hit the brakes. Plus, she really hated the fact that I would leave trails of smoke when she rode me. She always complained on how her friends were always making fun of her because I was an old raggedy car. 

I feel so bad for not meeting expectations like those new cars nowadays. If only she would come back and give me some of that tar sands oil to drink. With the new taste of that oil, I'd promise her to never scream when she drives me nor try to release so much smoke into the air.


Video:

https://vimeo.com/51643156

Abandoned Car English2 from Adam Feliciano on Vimeo.

Important Information:

In the past 50 years, humans have consumed more resources than in all previous history.

The U.S. buried or burned more than 166 million tons of resources—paper, plastic, metals, glass and organic materials—in landfills and incinerators in 2008.

Between 1950 and 2005, worldwide metals production grew sixfold, oil consumption eightfold, and natural gas consumption 14-fold. In total, 60 billion tons of resources are now extracted annually—about 50% more than just 30 years ago. Today the average European uses 43 kilograms of resources daily, and the average American uses 88 kilograms.

TransCanada claims that the 1,661-mile project would “carry 700,000 barrels of crude a day from Alberta’s oil sands to refineries on the U.S. Gulf of Mexico coast, crossing six states and creating an estimated 20,000 jobs.”

Cornell University study estimated that the project will create “only 2,500 to 4,650 temporary construction jobs,” according to CNBC.

Though the Keystone Pipeline is capable of transporting large quantities of oil -- up to 590,000 barrels per day -- and tar sand oil is more polluting than conventional crude, this pipeline is not the climate end game.


Bibliography:

Jones, Christopher. "Keystone Pipeline: Facts and Fictions." 03 22, 2012. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christopher-f-jones/keystone-pipeline_b_1370787.html (accessed October 18, 2012).

" Global Warming Fast Facts." National Geographic News (blog), 06 14, 2007. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html (accessed October 18, 2012).

"Recycling and Environmental Facts." http://ecocycle.org/ecofacts (accessed October 18, 2012).

Cohen, Peter. "Keystone Pipeline: Winners and Losers." 01 19, 2012. http://www.forbes.com/sites/petercohan/2012/01/19/keystone-pipeline-winners-and-losers/ (accessed October 18, 2012).



Keystone Pipeline XL

Posted by Chaveliz Nieves in World History - Block on

For the past two weeks, Science Leadership Academy students in World History in Mr. Block's class, have been learning about the Keystone Pipeline XL. This pipeline will be one of the most disasters in the United States. It's one of the dirtiest things in the entire universe. This pipeline is also going to hurt people, physically,mentally and emotional.
My partner and I collaborated to make five unique monologues and two complex videos.  By doing this we can inform our school community and many other vieweres who are interested in this contraversial topic. Take a moment or two to watch thee videos and/or read the descriptive monologues we wrote.

 


video of lamar county from chaveliz on Vimeo.

Earth Monologue from chaveliz on Vimeo.

Monologue 1 The Solution for Polution:
(Earth is located between Venus and Mars, the Moon is Right behind the earth located more to the right of earth, while the sun is located to the left of earth. Earth is making very sick, she’s constantly coughing and sneezing because of the pollution inside of her. She has a handkerchief and a nice warm fuzzy sweater. The sky is black with alot of shiny stars in the sky.)


*Cough Cough*
I have always tried my hardest to be the best I can be, reaching my full potential. I have  many responsibilities. My mother, the universe is relying on me. Yet I never get any recognition for the work I do. You know I do get dizzy spinning around non stop. The sun’s bright rays constantly trying to get through my sisters layer. I feel a loss of respect I am never thought about. Key decisions worldwide usually never reflect how this will affect me long term. The air has always been my friend but now, it has become my enemy. Air is thicker, the fog is killing me. I don’t know what to do anymore. I’ve been sending everyone signs, the extreme heats in the summer and the winters getting colder each year.  I don’t know if I could take the keystone pipeline. This pipeline says to be good for the economy of the United States but its killing me and everything inside of me.(Cough Cough*)Even the little tiny people inside of me that worry more about the economy than their lives.
I mean I have a sister the atmosphere to look out for, as well as my blood the ocean, imagine if there were an oil spill. My blue cold blood would not be able to handle the thick grey oil that will kill my creations the creatures of the sea and of the land. My life is depending on the prevention of the keystone pipeline. I remember when I was younger, life was  much easier. There was no cars, no planes. Nothing.  i remember when the tiny human people would ride a horse to get from the one side of a country to anonther. Trains were really helpful too. AI had  a few coughs a years but not as much as now. (Ahh Ahh Ahh Chouuuuu!) I am about to explode!   
Instead of the  Keystone Pipeline XL I have a better plan.
My cousin the sun emits multiple rays into the earth. A few years ago, scientist realized that these rays are energy and it can be stored. Well they created solar panels to start storing it for little things like light inside the house or the radio. Let’s think big now. What if these solar panels, can be put on top of a train. The train will travel from point A to point B while its getting the energy from the solar panels. Cough coughh )This way the little people inside of me can go from one place to another, and bring goods from one state to another without having to waste coal, or waste energy on cars for gas. It’s not only faster but it saves me and every little thing inside me. Please replace the Keystone Pipeline XL with this idea. Even tho it will take a little bit of work, it will create energy to transport people and goods from one side of the United States to the other. Say no to the Keystone Pipeline XL and say yes to the Solar Powered train system. Together we can save me and everything inside.

Monologue 2: Where’s Our Home?
Margret, Margret! Come meet me in the kitchen.
(pacing around the kitchen, wife walks in and he sits down)
Some people from the government just came. Talking about some they can take our land. Only gonna offer us some 15,000 dollars, don’t make much sense if you ask me since we got a good 5 acres of land. Honey I know, I know but there aint nothing we can do about it. They said  something about eminent domain, meaning we have no rights for this land. (jumps up)

This is not fair! I worked too hard for this dog on land. I have a barn out back with five horses three cattle and I can’t just pick up and leave. We just got a new pump out back, Jimmy just got braces, and the chickens got a new cewp. There is nowhere for us to go what do they expect us to do. Coming through a small town like Lamar County. I wonder what we’re going to do about my grandmother too been living on the acres next to us coming close to a century now. She put all her life savings trying to keep our family acres together. They come in here don’t even know what we’re going through the struggles that we will face because of this pipeline. What is the keystone pipeline anyway? Don’t we already have oil in the middle east? (turns to wife) Alright well don’t go on telling the kids yet.


Monologue 3:
No more Drinks?
(Soda drops from the vending machine)

Todays the day, today is the day. I can’t wait to tell everyone that our work from America is being cut down. After all these years of depending on them for our trade we are done. The Keystone Pipeline, muah (blows kisses). Nothing better than it. Now I can relax not have to worry about whether or not we need to ship out to those Americans. Yeah, you know how much they over use their oil, at least we won’t be the ones helping them. (turns head as his friend begins to talk) I never thought of it like that though. We do ship almost half of our oil to them what about our oil plants? I don’t know but it’s not like there are many other jobs here for  us that pay paying low. This pipeline is bad for the environment. It’s bad for everyone. Creating this pipeline will destroy my life now that i think about it.  What about my job, less oil means less of a need for me. The keystone pipeline won't only destroy the environment even more it will put me and others out of a job. I hate the keystone pipeline.



Monologue 4:
Mr.President says no to Pipeline

I have hope for this nation. Sadly nobody will be able to have a dream if I don’t win the 2012 election. In 2008, I promised that I will make the economy better. I also promised the U.S will help clean this pollution.that we the American citizens, will clean this mess.But I will assure you that our kids and the upcoming generations will have a place to live in and breathe freely without having to worry about possessing a disease that will not only harm them, but potentially kill them. How will I do this with the keystone pipeline though.

(tying his tie, looks down at index card into the mirror)

Let me try this speech again. We need to become independent from other countries. The keystone pipeline will allow us to create jobs helping our economy. (deep breath) I can’t do this anymore. I don’t think I want the keystone pipeline, it is damaging our environment it is putting people out of their houses leaving people homeless. Is it worth creating jobs when people are losing homes? I need to find a way to make it work. Have the people whose homes we are taking be the ones getting the jobs building the keystone pipeline. (rubs hand on head)

Before I was Barack Obama the president, I was Barack Obama the boy living in hawaii with my grandmother. Ugh I can’t keep forgetting this. My grandmother who risked everything to make sure that I am where I am today. What if this were her? But is it worth it the fact is this will help the States. it is too close to the election to be rocking the boat what do the people want? ( begins pacing up and down) The fact that my election can be based on something as dependance on foreign oil. There are other solutions we need to work our way up to no dependance on these oils. There are other solutions, such as solar energy. You know I’ve never really agreed with George Bush, but when he said that we were “addicted to oil”, yeah I have to agree with that. But what do I do when my opponent will kill me for doing this changing my opinion this far down the line, so close to the election. But I will not lie to the people I will be the voice of for four years. I will say the truth and hope for the best that’s all I can do. (walks out the door)



This Pipeline will Be The Death of Me
(Waiting in front of the court building for the trial. Looking through all the pictures and the evidence that has been left by the cops. The documents from the hospital, the pictures of the injuries the cop left all over my body. A phone in my right pocket with a few leftover dollar in my wallet in my left pocket.) All the witnesses are here with me, well the ones that are ready to testify.)
This is injustice!  After looking at all of the images when I can be doing way more. I don’t even understand how or why on Earth I would get this hurt? Don’t we have the right of freedom of speech? my voice had to be heard I had to stop it but the abuse got unbearable. I didn’t quit because thats why i am here. (The plaintiff’s lawyer asked him if he was fighting for the earth’s rights, and/or his rights. The plaintiff replies extremely fast trying to not sound stubborn but reassuring. Well of course sir. I’m here to fight for what’s right! and the Keystone pipeline XL is not right! it emits more three times more toxins than gas can release in one year.
I understand that this is a country where we all want what’s good and cheap. But what they did to me another fellow activist and what they will do to our country is not acceptable. To start of these gases that will be emitted into the atmosphere will hurt the earth more than two times than regular gas. They will first extract tar sands from Canada. The process of extraction will cause a great amount of pollution but then processing it through the pipelines from Canada to Texas will cause a greater disaster. (Ring,Ring,Ring.It’s the lawyer calling. the layer is waiting inside of the courtroom. He is rushing the plaintiff to go inside because the judgement will start in ten minutes.) Okay I will be ready in a few more minutes. Yes I know we will be proceeding into the courtroom any minute but I want to make sure that everything that I have brung in is used without being jeopardized. Okay well back to concentration. so these pipelines will create a gas that evaporated and won’t be used. It will stay in the ozone layer and will create a massive disaster to the world. The gas that will be created from the tar sands would be used to fuel up cars and a few members from the government claim that it will boost up the economy. But what will the economy without an Earth? Nothing ofcourse.
if this injustice continues then we will have no earth and according to the amendments we have the right to sleep. I know for sure that a lot of rights are broken. I am a slave to The Pipeline. I am afraid of falling asleep and waking up in a world which we would have to use masks to breath. This pipeline will be the death of me.(The plaintiff walks inside the building and the scene ends with him shutting the door.)


Pipeline Monologue-Jeremiah Cunningham

Posted by Anonymous in World History - Block on

​ In History, we discussed the keystone mercy pipeline. We talked about the pros as well as the cons. We also discussed how it is affecting the world today and the environment. We learned that this can be a good way to transport oil and it would be cheap and affective but it does have risks. What if it leaks and we have a repeat of the spill in the Gulf Of Mexico? How well could this plan go and how could this pipeline hurt or better others lives. These were some of the questions that were going through my lives when I was completing my monologues alongside my partner True Black. We really took the time to focus on how peoples lives would change if this pipeline were to go bad, and how President Obama feels on the subject considering that he gets the final say so. 

The Lucky One
  (Sitting in a chair twidling his thumb.) You are scum. You (Pause) are scum. A sick, vile virus among the population of humanity. You think your riches or your big fancy house makes you special, makes you unique? You are nothing more than a mosquito, sucking the blood out of society and those who depend on what it gives. You and everyone similar to you are meer insects to people who’ve had to crawl and struggle their entire lives to get by. People without chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, or fancy butlers serving them five star meals. Those are people with real riches. I can sit in this chair all day and lecture you on this. The sad part about it is people don’t care as much for human riches as much as they care for small green slips of paper with dead white leaders on them. And for those who do have it use it to hide from the real world like cowards while they watch us struggle through life from their high placed pedestals.

  Why did I try to steal from you? What would you care or understand? I’m going to prison regardless. Hmmp well if you must know I’m no criminal. A thief, but not a criminal. No, they are not the same thing! A criminal is someone who purposely breaks the law because they are too lazy to get a job and make something of themselves. Now there are two types of thieves. People who steal because they want to or people who steal because the have to. I steal because I have to. The funny thing is it wasn’t always that way.

  It was about a year after that pipeline was made. I lived in a rural area not too far from the pipeline and my family business was around that area to. I worked as a tourguide, take people through the forest, let them experience nature, stuff like that. It was called Natures buddies. Of course you’ve never heard of it, probably not good enough. You’d be that one person who had no one to come with. (Pause) Oh yeah, you married? (Pause) You have any kids? Yeah (mumbling) I bet even your parents be too ashamed to come with you. Anyway! I made a good salary, settled down, got married. Hmmp, I remember when I first met her. She came in for a tour one time with her friends, we talked for a little bit after the tour and we just connected ever since. I knew she was the one from that first hour we talked, but I guess you wouldn’t know about that would you. Soon after she gave me something to live for... two kids. They were my pride and joy and I really felt that it was just gonna get better from there. Thats when... it happened. (Pause) The pipeline burst. You probably heard about it. (Pause) Yeah but the only thing was they were sugar coating it. The the pipeline spewed thousands of gallons of oil a minute and ravaged the wilderness and everything else around it for miles, including our business.

I was out of work. Soon after I lost my home. In the blink of an eye I had no job, no home, and my emergency money was running dry. I felt like a boy in a book I read called House of the Scorpion when he was locked in that room because they found out he was a clone. I tried for months to get a job but no everyday job wants to hire someone who tread through the woods talking about trees and animals. Hmmp, you’d think people be more grateful for the tour’s we gave. I tried everything, I learned that those fundraising things they have on commercials are all bullshit. Just a bunch of people who steal from the public and barley give any of the money they raise toward people who need it. They’d much rather take almost all of that money for their own self purposes. Another thing I realized was that those who had plenty of money to give to a corner full of the homeless are the one’s who most likely would give us the finger and drive off.

My money was running dangerously short. My families ribs slowly began showing more definition everyday. I knew I had to do something. Then it hit me, Robin Hood stole from the rich to help the needy. As bad as it was I had two option, either steal food until I can find a real job, or watch my family wither away. That’s why I’m here now. This isn’t what I wanted, this is the life I was forced into. I know you have to call the cops, just please whatever you do keep my family out of it. They deserve better than me anyway. (Pause) What?! Your giving me this? But... but... this is ten thousand dollars, your just giving me this? (Crying) Thank you, from the bottom of my heart thank you. Ever since that incident I’ve thought I of myself as unlucky, but now I see I have a loving family and now I can support them. Thank you.  



Hood Tales
(Sitting on the steps when friends walk up) Sup man. (handshakes are given) Got some stuff on on my mind you know. Here walk me to the store.

  You know how that pipeline is about couple miles from here. (Puase) Well, I heard from an article that an engineer named Vokes said there were some weak spots in the pipe where it is most likely to leak and got fired. No one gave him a reason why he was fired but it’s easy to say that they fired him because he knew the potential danger. (Pause) Thats what you think. My stepdad did some work on that jawn when they was building it. Even he said that though there were some faulty areas, but after what happened to Vokes no one was willing to risk their job by speaking up.

   (At the store) Yo you want something? (Pause) Imma just get an Arizona. (Go into store and gets an Arizona.) Yeah but anyway, my stepdad said was that one weak spot happens to be just off the city. (Pause) I know of all the places right here. I don’t know if it’ll leak on us thats the problem. You know my mom don’t work, my stepdad just got promoted to work on constructions like the pipeline so he’s never around, I’m tryna finish my last year of high school and get into college. Another thing is you know that UCLA gave me a scholarship for politics and basketball. Only thing is if I do go my mom will be by herself most of the time and with her drug problem already bad I doubt think she can handle it, but if I go to Community College I can stay and support my mom but I won’t have nearly as many opportunity as I would if I went to UCLA. If something does happen with that pipeline if I’m not around my mom aint gonna be able to do nothing to help herself, if I am around and it happens we’d be homeless, but at least she’d have me around to keep her sanity intact. So I’m most likely gonna stay here with my mom. I know I’m giving up my dream but my mom means more to me then that and since my real father left us to rot and my stepdad is never around it’s my responsibility to take care of her because no one else will you know. (Gets back to his house.) Na man I can’t play ball today, gotta get some work done you know. (Pause) No prob man thanks for listening man, needed to get that off my chest. Talk to you later.  

Under My Wing
(Laying on the ground) Ah, my wing. Hello! Hello! Can anyone hear me!? Oh whats the point? Without my wings, I’m nothing but a small chicken appetizer served with a side of oil for any predator that finds his way to me first. (Looking up) Speak of the devil. Let me guess, you heard my struggling and it lead you to me. Yup, I can tell by the way your eyes are widening and licking your lips. Whew, the last thing you ate didn’t treat you well did it? Look, I know how you predators work; you sniff around til you find some poor, weak, defenseless creature to stuff your face with. You found me hear laid out on the ground and thought, easy meal. But I will give you a fair warning, you really don’t want to eat me. Why? Because I’m contaminated. I know, just a way for me to not get eaten huh. Well, let me tell you how it happened. See, you heard of that pipeline that was built under us? Yeah well about a week ago so I’m just walking around minding my own business, when out of nowhere all this oil spewed on me. That was just the start of my problems. So I escape the oil pool and thankfully I didn’t consume enough to kill me (mumbling) lucky me. Once I escaped I realized that the extra wait prevented me from flying, so I began searching for something to eat. Because frankly I was really hungry. So as I’m looking for some bugs to eat, out of the blue this giant metal hits. At first I thought it was a big predator so to stay alive I played dead. It turned out that it was just a couple of humans. So they leave and it was then that I realized that I had broken my wing. I walked and walked for miles searching for help until I finally broke down here, and the rest you already know. Bet you don’t wanna eat me now huh haha. Yeah bet you won’t whoa... (crunch crunch) (swallow)


Little Sasha

 
My sister and I are living the dream. I mean there’s nothing to explain or say but that we are the daughters of the president of the united states. What 12 and 14 year old do you see living in the best house in America. But this life does have its flaws. Everywhere I go, i hear someone go, “Hey what's your dad’s next move:” Or hay how did your dad really kill osama. But as of late people have been asking “Is your dad gonna accept that pipeline proposal?” Now I don’t understand what the hell is wrong with these people. I’m just a normal 14 year old girl trying to live my everyday life. I don't have time to worry about a stupid pipeline. I mean between me and you i think my dad is gonna accept it. My daddy promised jobs to the unemployed people of the US. And i did some research, Well when i mean research i mean snooping in daddy’s office. And this pipeline can provide thousands of jobs. It also is a good and safe,cheap effect way to transport oil. And its a lot closer. But then what if the pipeline leaks. We are gonna get covered with oil. Its gonna be the gulf of mexico all over again. I hate this. This one of the flaws of being a first daughter. When will this ever change.  


Obama Drama
Damn. This is not a good look. I'm the president of the United States and Its the day of the speech and i'm STILL not sure on whether or not i'm gonna accept this pipeline or not. I mean I don’t want to but then again I do. What a president I am. I did promise jobs and this would be a good look for the economy. But what if it leaks. Then i’m gonna receive so much criticism and i don't need that during the run for my second term. OMG they just announced me. Ok i can do this. I have my mind made up this is what I’m gonna do. God bless america! I want to thank you. The americans, the citizens of The United State Of America.  I want to  talk a little about the keystone pipeline. Now its been some speculation regarding on whether or not i’m going to accept the application for it or not. Now, it does provide safe, abundant, cheap reliable energy. It also a benefit to having it as close as home as possible. If we don’t act now, it’s eventually is gonna find its way into the market. Some even say that its the safest most effective way to transport oil. BUT, When i think of this i think of how not long ago, we had this real bad oil spill around the gulf of mexico. Now, with all that oil, if it were to leak again, what are we gonna do as americans to clean it up. But you know what when it’s all said and done, its about the americans. And this project happens to provide over tens of thousands of jobs for the US population. And i remember specifically when i went into office one of my biggest promises was to find Jobs as a lot of jobs for the population of america. And thats just what i intend to do. Therefore we will start operation of building this pipeline, for the sake of the government, the climate, and the fate of the US citizens! Thank you and God bless America! That was my speech i Remember it like it was yesterday. Now those very words have came to bite my ass. I heard from my high school best friends. He actually introduced me to Michele. Yeah we had some good times. “Barack, How you doing? Oh yea yea im doing fine. HAD me a nice little house down in cali... But u know they are taking control of my land. Yeah Yeah, Me and my family are living in this hotel right now.. I just wanted to call and tell you how much of a bright president that you are. Thanks a Lot barack (CLICK) That was the worst click. What he did was what the kids now a days would say. He banged on me. That click was the click of failure. And that’s what i was. I had never thought that this pipeline would take a toll like this. I was so worried about what my people would think and call me a hypocrite but now they are calling me worst. A failure. I Have failed the people of the United States. “Biden Get in here, The nation had a promotion for you”!


https://vimeo.com/51697198

  

Pipeline monologue

Posted by Alisha Rothwell in World History - Block on


Hi my name is Alisha Rothwell, and I am a student at Science Leadership. I have just finish studying about the Keystone Pipeline, inside of my 10th grade history class. I created three monologue that shows different point of views from three different characters. The characters names are, cindy (the high school student), Daryl Hanna (the old lady who was arrested), and a pipe names baby boy. Below i will post my three monologue’s that I made. Followed by on I re created.


My point
__________

*a sound of the door slamming*
*talks to self, pacing back and forth*
How dare she tell me that I’m wrong??
Oh, it’s because I’m in high school sweety *imitating her voice sounding annoyed*
*phone rings, sits down*
Ugh who’s calling me? I’m not even in the mood.
*it’s her best friend*
Hey girl.
Did you do Block’s homework?
(mom starts yelling)
Hold on for a sec.
What?! I’m not eating.
Do we even have the money?
Don’t you think we should save some?
Because it’s too much money for transportation and relying on the pipeline to save us from being bankrupt is too risky.
*BACK TO THE PHONE*
No, that was just my mom getting on my nerves as usual.
She feels like because I’m 14 i’m not suppose to have my own opinions on the pipeline and our money habit.
Are you kidding me?
It’s the pipeline, how do you not know what that is?
Pipe.
P-I-P-E
Ooooh well they’re building a pipeline that is going to convert oil from Canada to Texas.
It’s suppose to save us a lot of money.
I heard Obama approved of it, but it’s causing a lot of controversy with those affected.
Yeah.
She does.
She works for them which confuses me even more.
I’m like, how do you work for a company that created this project yet you don’t agree with it?
See, I feel like this pipeline can help us in many ways su- (gets interrupted)
Wait...
What do you mean?
You agree?
So you’re telling me that you think she’s right?
And why is that?
*long pause*

OH I get it! *emphasis on the OH* It’s because she works for them that she knows the ups and downs of everything they hide from the public.
Well I haven’t thought about it that way.
Hmm.. Well girl, I’m gonna call you back.
*hangs up and runs to her mom*
Mom! Mom! I’m sorry, I want to hear your side of the story.

My Story
_______

*taping her foot*
My story...?
You wanna know my story?
*takes a deep breath*
Your government came storming in through my front door with papers.
I don’t know what kind. I couldn’t really read them because out of nowhere i hear the roaring from the trucks.
Loud noises!
There was nothing I could do, so I waited...
and waited..
*sighs*
I waited for them to go on their lunch break
I had an idea that if I were to stand in front of the construction, they wouldn’t be able to work anymore.
In the process, the workers were all yelling at me.
*becomes really agitated*
This one man had the nerve to say i was trespassing!
*in disbelief*
Can you believe that??
Hell no! I wouldn’t call it trespassing since I paid for this land with my own flesh and blood.
I mean if I didn’t y’all mother fuckers owe my mother and I about 65 years worth of money.
Why?
I paid 100 dollars a week to get my grass cut and trees trimmed, so my home would look nice and presentable.
What makes me so upset about this is that they gave us no warning. No time for us to react and make a decision.
*goes into deep thought*
Now that I think about it, We never really knew what they were doing the construction for in the first place until now.
Apparently they are making a pipeline from the South to Canada in order to transport hundred of thousands of tar sands to preserve energy.
I just think that’s pretty dumb. I heard Obama approved of it yet the north half of the country hasn’t been approved.
Wouldn’t it create global climate problems and cause carbon levels to rise? Doesn’t sound like a good idea to me...
*calms down*
I guess.
Yes, that is all.
My name is Daryl Hanna. My mother and I were both taken off of our property in handcuffs, accused for trespassing, and the judge did not make us do jail time but let us off with a warning.
This is my story.
The pipeline is still being built and we’re still finding a new place for us to live.
This is ridiculous.

Pipe
_____

(looks up)
Mom?
Are you there?
Hello?
( He has this confused look on his face)
( spots a note across the room)
is that a note?
(Reads it)
Dear Metal Jr.
The workers we spotted the other day are taking me away.
I over heard them say something about using me to convert oil?
Weird right?
but listen, don’t panic baby boy
mommy is going to be ok.
You might even get picked up and brought with me.
And hey they’re taking me down south.
Well remember when we seen that man on the big tv?
I bet you remember him. We were going on our daily roll down the street.
Well anyway his name was Obama and he decides whether or not we could do certain things.
If he becomes president again then I have a chance to come back home to you.
He approves of it down south, so thats where im on my way to.
You always wanted me to go on vaction right hhahaha.
Well I left you food and water by the mud pale thats under the big truck that hasn’t moved.
Grandmom should be on her way but you know her old rusty self takes forever.
love you baby boy, now it’s your time to show me what i thought you paid off.

Pipeline Monologue Project

Posted by Jian Zhang in World History - Block on

This project is about the Keystone XL Pipeline that is being built in Texas. 
After reading this interesting subject our work is to write three monologues in the point of view of three perspectives. My first monologue is about a everyday normal office worker, since I wanted to imagine what a bystander thinks about this. My second is my own point of view about the subject. Since I really disagree with the pipeline my monologue is very optionated. My final one is about mother nature, but in this case father nature since I got a guy to do the part. The reason for this one was because I wonder what would the earth say if it could speak.
During this time I learned how terrible humans are when they are corrupted by greed.
Also how much this pipe will influence everyone's future.

Monologue 1- The Cubical Worker

(tired, walks to door and opens, LOOK DOWN) Lord what is wrong with the price of oil these day?
(angry) They cost more than a bar of gold!
(walks inside, irritated) If this blasted price don’t go down soon I’m going to have to walk to work. (sarcastic) Not like thats ever happening.
(sad) But I would really trade anything for cheaper gas...
(upbeat with a hint of tiredness, inside) (LOOK UP) “I’m home!
(crouches down) Oh what's this? That’s a very nice picture you have there.
(questioning) But why is the sky black, it should be blue.
(surprised) Wow you are learning about the environment so early on.
So tell me what you have learned?
"Wow that sounds very bad, but it’s your bedtime to go to bed.”  
(happy relaxed, lies down on bed) Ah! Finally a nice soft bed. (dark gloomy, in bed)  (LOOK UP) “hum, but is it alright?
I mean if this is true then by 2015 the air would be terrible!
I don’t want my family to be breathing toxic filled air! (confused) But what can I do? I’m just one person.
It’s not like if I stop everyone else would.
Besides biking is way too far I guess there is no other way but drive.
(questioning) Still if I do drive I would just help make the already terrible air worse and if what Josh said was true, (horror) than 100 million people will die because of it, and i’m helping to kill them.
Won’t that mean my hands are covered with blood too?”
(confused, LOOK DOWN) If I keep going with the car sooner or later it will harm my family.
But if I don’t how am I soposed to get to work on time?
(irritated) Ugh! It’s either I pay more or people die. (deciding) Money is important and all but family is more important.  
(enlightened) Yes, that right, family is much more important.
(amazed) What was I thinking!
(happy and questioning) Now, where did I put my bike?


Monologue 2- For a kid's point of view

(happy, sitting down in class, LOOK AT PRETEND LAPTOP) Yes it’s history class, this is going to be fun! 

What are all these for? (door opens) Mr. Block is back, gotta get ready for work. We are going to watch videos? Great! (interested, opens computer) Hum tar sands blockade, what is this about?

Interesting, that is a very big project.
Now let’s see where they going with this thing.
(angry) Wow, what is this nonsense?
Are they even allowed to do that?
(angry and questioning) Isn’t tasing someone like that and physically harming a unarmed person illegal?
What was the law that prevents that again?
Oh ya! “No cruel or unusual punishment” I say tasing some unarmed person should be protected by that shouldn’t they?
(normal speech, stands up, LOOK UP AWAY FROM COMPUTER) “Mr. Block I have a question.
(questioning) why isn’t the government doing anything about this?
(mad) This is madness!”
(normal speech) Ok, oh, ya. (surprised) *sits down*
Wow so much for the land of the free. Let’s see what else did they do.
(surprised) (excited) A video! Let’s see what this is about.
Ok so the old lady was just doing her daily routines on her land, ok.
(questioning and mad) Wait what? Why are the police coming? Wait a minute!
She got arrested? (inraged) For trespassing!?
(enraged and confused) On her own land!
(mad) What in the name of zeus is this?!
(mad and questioning) They go in on some old lady’s land and arrests her?
For what reason? Tresson? against what? Walking on her land? This is ludicrous!
(sarcastic) Good job US, you have finally done it, you make the rules you break the rules, what are we supposed to do?
Rob a bank and said I didn’t do it? Madness, just madness.
(surprised) Oh what's this? (questioning) Hum, a chat box.
“What is going on?” oh I can answer that one.


(in a on stage “I have a dream type of voice”, pretend to type)
“Is this the sound of liberty we hear? NO. It’s the screams of the people.
Is this the scent of freedom we smell? NO. It’s CO2 that is killing you and me.
Is this the land of the free we live in? NO. It’s a land where greed overpowers all.”


There, now send.


Monologue 3- Mothe.... Father Nature

 (use a chair to spin) (spin while reading the whole thing, sad, sarcastic and mad, waves hand wildly in the air)
Oh the sadness! Oh the pain! Oh the unjust I have suffered!
(slouched over)
Day after day I work hard to keep all my beloved creatures alive.
I feed them, I give them shelter, I care for them.
(questioning and mad)
But what did that get me?
(angry, quickly stand straight up)
I do my best for them and yet they are not satisfied! They want more and more!
(look confused)
Why can’t they see what they already have?
(mad and sad)
Now they are building this giant tube on me just to kill me faster, 800,000 barrels of oil a day? (mad) They have already done so much to me!
(sarcastic and depressed, speak in a shakespeare like voice)
Why, oh why do you do this to thy?
Look at this thing!
They dig out bits of me and makes it into this matalicy round thing.
Now they are using the tube to kill me more! What did I do to them?
They Strip off my skin and mine my bones, they drill into my flesh and drain my blood,
*hugs hair* they cut down my lush green hair to keep themselves warm.
(questioning mad) What have I done to deserve this kind of treatment? Where did I go wrong? (sad) I did what every parent would do, caring for her children.
Yet they keep on torturing me with their non stopped madness.
(questioning) Can’t they see that they are killing me?
Am I just that useless that they have to kill me off to be happy?
It is useless, they can’t hear my plead for mercy.
(mad and insane, holds hand out in front, gripping tightly) But there is one thing I still can do.
If I must die then they will join me!

Here is the Video of Father Nature!

(Video is at the end of the Bibs)

Keystone XL Pipeline- A large pipeline that pumps tar sand from Canada to Texas creating more then 800,000 barrels of oil a day. 
("Keystone XL Pipeline Project")

Tar Sand- Other wise known as "Oil Sand", the tar sand contains bitumen, a type of oil.
("About Tar Sands")

Green House Gases/Effects- The warming of the earth due to  large amounts of CO2.
("EnvironmentalChemistry")

Oil- A type of fossil fuel used to do many things, such as gas for cars.
("Petroleum Online")

Tar Sand Blockade- A group trying to stop the building of the XL Pipeline.
("Common Dreams")


Transcanada- The company who is responsible for building the pipeline.
("Keystone XL Pipeline Project")

"http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html." Keystone XL Pipeline Project. Transcanada. Web. 16 Oct 2012. <http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html>.

. "2012 Tar Sand Shale and Tar Sand Programmatic EIS."About Tar Sands. http://ostseis.anl.gov. Web. 16 Oct 2012. <http://ostseis.anl.gov/guide/tarsands/index.cfm>.

. "CO2 Pollution and Global Warming."EnvironmentalChemistry. http://environmentalchemistry.com. Web. 16 Oct 2012. <http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/environmental/200611CO2globalwarming.htm

. "Welcome to Petroleum Online." Petroleum Online. Petroleum Online. Web. 16 Oct 2012. <http://www.petroleumonline.com>.
l>.

. "Tar Sands Blockade." Common Dreams. Common Dreams. Web. 16 Oct 2012. <https://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/10/05>.

Mothe.... Father Nature from wizard on Vimeo.

Keystone Pipeline Monologues

Posted by Monisha Das in World History - Block on

​Introduction:

            In the past few weeks, in my history class, I have been researching about the Keystone XL Pipeline. With our research we were told to create three monologues from different perspectives and make a video of one of the monologues. My first monologue was from the oils point of view. Its shows how the oil actually wants the pipeline production to happen and that the oli is really excited about it. My second monologue is from the point of view of mother earth. She shows how the Pipeline is hurting her badly. And lastly my third monologue is from the point of view of a farmer in Nebraska. It shows how the pipeline production will affect the Ogallala aquifer and that this should not happen in Nebraska. I did my video from the farmers point of view. Enjoy. 

First Monologue: Life as oil.

(The actor is lying down, in a dark room, which will be the pipe. The actor should be wear all black, which will look like the color of oil.)
(Should be happy and smiley) This is such a great idea.
(Shout it out) I wish those moving things up there could hear me. Hey pipe, what do you think about this? Are you even listening to me?
(Happy and calm) Anyway, I’m just amazed by the transformation I went through. I was first under Canada’s Boreal forest as tar sand, now as oil and then will be formed to be transportation fuel. When I am brought it will be cheap and reliable energy. While they are building this, they get more jobs that help them earn money to buy me. They also need money to buy you pipe.
(Really, really happy) Just thinking about it makes me so happy. I get to help those that need me. I get used for so many things all the time.
(Has a straight face and feels a bit bad) I might have done some harm around here, such as the extraction and production of this causes three times more carbon dioxide than average oil consumptions in United States. But there is a good side to all this and I’m being used for so many good things. I get to make those things up there happy and help them. (Smiles and fades away)

Second Monologue: Stop killing me!!!!

(Sounds of machines and drillers) This whole Tar sand production is killing me! All the carbon dioxide is affecting the air in which the people breathe in. This high amount of carbon dioxide is making it harder to get the sunlight, from you sun. The project is also affecting the personal areas of the people’s homes.
(Calm) If this continues to happen it will affect even more things and put me in real danger. I might not be alive anymore for these people to live on me.
(It begins to rain) If only the creators of this project would understand that.
(Still raining) It might be helping in one-way such as transportation, food, running people’s homes and other stuff. But this is harming in many other ways such as global warming, polluting the air and leaking into the water. There are better ways in which they can get oil. I just think they should not continue on with this.
(Shouts out, which is sound of thunder) And sun, I think you should be on my side and give me some support.

Third Monologue: STOP THIS!!!

(The background should seem like a farm or could just be sitting in a room.)
(Seem sad) I am a farmer in Nebraska. Home to one of the largest aquifer in the world, the Ogallala aquifer which lies here provides so much water for crops in the United States. By building the pipeline here, I think that it will destroy the resource. The Ogallala aquifer is not that deep in the ground but very close to the surface, so by having the pipeline built 4 feet deep in the ground it might actually be in the aquifer and destroy the water resource.
(Straight face) TransCanada should get their oil from a better place because Tar Sands is 16 times much worse than actual oil; it creates 3 times more Carbon Dioxide and might also have many leaks. So Tar sand oil is just dirtier than actual oil. If TransCanada builds this pipeline in Nebraska without Nebraska's agreement then it would actually be a violation of states rights. This pipeline will destroy personal properties and disturb so many landowners. TransCanada could build this somewhere else but just not here.

Video:

Monologue from Monisha on Vimeo.

Appendix

U.S needs oil that is cheap and reliable, so why not get it from a friend rather than be dependent elsewhere. (PBSNewshour)

While building the pipeline, it will create more job opportunities. (PBSNewshour)

The pipeline runs across one of the largest aquifers in the world. (PBSNewshour)

Tar Sands are sixteen time much worse then actual oil. (Friends of the earth: Tar Sands)

Tar sand is the dirtiest oil in the world. (Canadian Broadcast Corporation: Keystone Pipeline) 

Bibliography

“MCKIBBEN, B. (2012, July 19). Global warming's terrifying new math. Retrieved fromhttp://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/global-warmings-terrifying-new-math-20120719”

“Tar sands. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands”

“http://dl.dropbox.com/u/597059/PBS%20Newshour%20Tar%20Sands.mp4”


WRLDHIST-009

Term
2012-13

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