Maybe it's the economy and the environment

For the entire decade of darkness we heard from the right side of things that it's the economy stupid, and you're all a bunch of environmental terrorists if you oppose pipelines, so shut up and do what you're told. That didn't go over so well as they tried to ram things through with little regard for any outside opinions. Meanwhile, the left side of the political landscape placated us with messages that said we can manage the economy and the environment in a sustainable manner, silly. FNs will protect us and take care of the land for future generations so you won't have to. Vote for us, we'll be different, here, have a cucumber sandwich. Of course the radicals on both sides ranted and raved like the lunatics they are, so I'll just skip passed that noise.

Now, after the Libs in Ottawa approve two pipelines, we hear that it's the economy and the environment stupid. We're being told that we can manage the economy and the environment in a sustainable, productive, gentle and even polite manner - I hear some Albertans like that. The guys who tried to ram things through for nearly 10 fruitless years are howling about cowardice and those tree hugging Liberals haven't gone anywhere near far enough to save our sputtering economy. You'd almost think they didn't learn a thing when they got turfed in the last election. Meanwhile, the moderate left is claiming that they have all been betrayed like never before, worse than Harper and that the Libs have lost their vote forever. All of which probably doesn't matter much since we're all going to die any second now with our lungs coated in dark black tar. Oh yeah, and the honeymoon is definitely over too (screen door slams shut.)

There are, to my way of thinking though, differences between the two eras. I mean between the 10 years of darkness and the one year of sunshine and cute pics. One used a bullhorn approach which failed, failed and failed again, while the other one, the new one, seems, and note the word 'seems' to be taking a more conciliatory tact. There have been lots of meetings which both sides claim were corrupt and biased in the other guys favour. There have been some, maybe not enough, but some consultations with various interest groups of varying sorts (I refuse to use the word "stakeholder'.) And then a decision was made that totally pisses off pretty much everyone. Except for this guy I know who said it sounded like a fair compromise, but he drinks.

So, the right thinks the Libs haven't gone anywhere near far enough and have betrayed Alberta, and all Canadians for that matter, while the a way too far left is lying it's ever loving heart out and spewing massive quantities of bull-squirt. Trudeau never, ever said he'd stop all pipelines and end fossil fuel production, he said he'd consult – he did, you don't like the results of that - tough. He never, ever said the environment would be held in higher esteem than all other issues – not even once that I heard and I don't want to read your cherry picked links to prove I'm wrong. He never, ever said that FNs would have complete control over all aspects of all pipeline construction and development – that never happened. Did you know there are agreements with 39 FN councils along the proposed routes? No?

The reason a lot of these misconceptions exist, in my opinion, is that people were so desperate to rid Canada of the foul smell Harper had spewed across the country that they made up a perfect world in their own minds. They heard what they wanted to hear. Now they're screaming for Trudeau's head. Who the hell are they going to replace him with? Burned out decimated Tom and the NDP who've made it clear they will only listen to the one side of any issue – which is theirs and about 20% of the population. Or how about the amnesia stricken Rona Ambrose, or Kellie (I'm the least racist person you'll ever meet) Leitch, or the other leftovers from the Harper years, wouldn't they be a refreshing change? Personally, I don't want to see any more tar sands development and shipping the foul stuff that comes from there either. But I'm also pragmatic enough to understand that 7.5 billion people are not going to go without fossil fuels and cripple their development because a handful of Canadians want to have a picnic in the Athabasca rainforests.

Bottom line, there will be more pipelines built, more fossil fuels used, more massive spills and large parts of our environment will be irreparably destroyed long before the world's population can be weaned from it's use. The sea change to a brighter alt-energy world won't happen in your lifetime. And don't bitch at me, I sold off my last car 8 years ago. I've got a bicycle, a bus pass and a new pair of shoes. I've also got a moderate's brain....except when it come to racists and bigots that is.

Have a great day and relax FFS!