At this point, discussing the pros
and cons of approving a second Keystone Pipeline is almost as
controversial as broaching the topic of abortion. Brave Texan and
Lone Star Strong blogger Dave Montgomery has written a valid piece
regarding the big question: to drill or not to drill?
Not only appealing to Texans,
Montgomery's article strikes a chord with many a U.S. citizen,
particularly those who live in one of the states necessary to connect
the pipeline. Montgomery is also a journalist for the Fort
Worth Star Telegram and he is a fellow Texan. Due to the
latter, could he be any more credible?
The author's political cartoon at
the beginning of the article is very tongue-in-cheek. The cartoon
displays an unemployment stand with the title “The Obama XL Pipe
Line” complete with an
extensive line of disgruntled-looking Americans. This humor does a
nice job of foreshadowing the author's point of view and “hooking”
the audience into wanting to read further. Essentially, the comedy is a
nice way to break the ice. It helps the reader to set aside his/her own biases and read with a more open mind.
The
organization of this piece is clear and concise. It begins with a
general overview of the controversy regarding the pipeline and how
the drilling proposal has currently been rejected by the Obama
administration. The article then transitions into the overall fiscal
benefits the pipeline would generate. Montgomery cites figures such
as “at least 50,000 jobs in Texas, $41 million in state
government revenue and $7.6 million for local governments during
construction” if the pipeline plan is carried out.
When discussing other positive aspects, he references key Texas
political figures like Gov. Rick Perry and Sens. Kay Bailey
Hutchinson. It is clever to include such local political “big-wigs'”
opinions to aid in making a more serious impact.
The
article tapers off with the negative environmental aspects of
drilling a connecting pipeline. Montgomery balances the negative
aspects with sufficient accounts from east Texas landowners. For example, by
referencing Texas farmer Julia Trigg Crawford and providing a back
story on her family's ranch, a very personal vibe is added to the
article. While it is influential to have local congressmen and
congresswomen advocating for a cause, it is equally affecting to have
the sob story of individual families.
In the words of Tom Cruise's character Danny from A
Few Good Men, “ We'll use his
first name. Start using his first name and all of a sudden he has a home and a
family that's gonna miss him.”
Critic Eleanor Fairchild, who cites
possible water contamination as a cause for concern, is quoted
stating that “we can live without oil, but we cannot live without
water.” Need she say more? Montgomery's way of serving up only the
most resounding quotes helps him to better identify with his readers.
On
a somber and perhaps blunt note, I say build the dang pipeline. In
all good sense we should be actively pursuing alternative fuel
sources instead of desperately depending upon a nonrenewable resource for energy.
Since that is no where near happening ( an issue for another post) my
advocating the above point is the equivalent to banging my head
against a brick wall. Translation--it ain't gonna happen. We will
continue to bleed our country of every last natural resource,
including oil, so why not build a pipeline and at least let it
bolster our state's economy?
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