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Think

11/28/2014

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In February of 2014, a gallop poll listed North Dakota as the happiest state in America due to the Oil boom.  Since ordinary Mom and Pops are upset about all the fracking noise, 176,000 corporate executives must’ve taken the poll.  Decades earlier it was up to “you” to keep America beautiful.  With the money to be made destroying the land, unless you’re a dirty politician or a corporate executive it is not at all up to you.   

1980’s Captain O.J. Readmore’s message was, “Reading is where it’s at.”  When large oil corporations see signs of “Private Property,” they’ve come to read that’s where the oils at.  What can landowners do when large oil companies read something else into their “Private Property” signs, aside from the notice it was meant to convey?     

What do you do when you encounter a bully or have your property stolen in North Dakota?  In the 1980’s, McGruff the crime dog showed us to report thieves and bullies to authorities and “take a bite out of crime.”  Today in North Dakota, it is the authorities of government and judiciary positions that are being the bullies or stealing the property.  A corporation is said to have absorbed private owners’ mineral rights and their consent wasn’t needed since the “mega-unit” held the majority.  Burlington and the federal government own the “mega-unit”. (Sontag, 2014)

Big oil companies have intruded on state park land in North Dakota.  What will happen when fracking causes a forest fire and what will they use to put the fire out when their water spreads fire?  Smokey the bear once taught us “only you can prevent forest fires.”  You can’t prevent fracking from mixing gases into the water.

What can North Dakotans do about the pollution that’s a byproduct of the oil boom?  Woodsy the owl taught us to “give a hoot and don’t pollute.” They have the hazardous radiation of used oil filter socks that are dumped illegally.  Contaminated water is known as saltwater, it doesn’t sound nearly as dangerous as the toxins and gases it’s filled with.  Fracking brings “saltwater,” careful not to light a match near it, since it will catch fire.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act wouldn’t be able to protect Woodsy Owl today, since any harm done would be considered an accidental consequence.  In corporate America actions continue with a full understanding of what the consequences will come, so often leading to “accidents.”  If Woodsy Owl, McGruff the Crime Dog, and Captain O.J. Readmore are still around, I wonder what type of Public Service Announcement they could put together for those involved in the oil boom. Environmental activist, Lopi LaRoe, created a message for Smokey the Bear on fracking in 2013, “Only you can prevent faucet fires.”  She was served up a lawsuit from the US Government for that one. (Rugh, 2013)  

Works Cited 
Rugh, P. (2013, 05 07). Forest Service seeks to silence Smokey the Bear over fracking. Retrieved 11 28, 2014, from Waging NonViolence: http://wagingnonviolence.org/feature/forest-service-seeks-to-silence-smokey-the-bear-over-fracking/
Sontag, D. (2014, 11 22). Where Oil and Politics Mix. Retrieved 11 28, 2014, from New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/11/24/us/north-dakota-oil-boom-politics.html?hp&action=click&pg&module=photo-spot-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

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The Suffrage  

11/5/2014

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The more things change in our great United States, the more they stay the same. History taught us that Betsy Ross made the first American Flag.  Then we learned there is no such proof, but it’s true she was a seamstress.  In 1776, her participation in the suffrage wasn’t allowed due to her womanhood.  Today it’s not gender or race that stops folks from participating, but freewill.        

Lucretia Mott was a leader who joined in the call for the Seneca falls convention in 1848.  The convention is credited for being the start of the woman’s movement in America.  Race is more in the forefront for equality than gender.  However, there is a group today that lost more than women in the fight for equality. The LGBT may be the biggest losers in the 2014 midterms, as marriage equality will have less support with Republicans in control of congress. 

A supporter of the 15th amendment allowing black men to vote, some challenged her stance since it was an equality improvement for race not gender.  We are speaking now of Lucy Stone, the first woman from Massachusetts to earn a bachelors degree.  In the 19th century it was unpopular for woman to attend college.  Yale still struggles today with equality issues for women. 

             Some saw the dean as being dismissive when he announced the formation of a
             new task force on gender equity, saying it was necessary because some women 
             felt there were problems.  Dr. Daniel C. DiMaio, a genetics professor, said it was
             not just women complaining. The dean replied, “O.K., Dan and some women 
             think there’s a problem.” (Lewin, 2014)

Lucy Stone convened the first national Woman’s Rights Convention in 1850, a significant event in woman’s history.  One of the most notable women today is Hillary Clinton.  There has been a lot of buzz that the 2014 midterms are a trial run for the former first lady.  Democratically speaking, is the US ready for a woman president?

Julia Ward Howe published “Battle Hymn of the Republic” in 1862.  This hymn was used in suffrage movements.  Praise was sung in this year’s suffrage, but was different in the sense that it was coming from right wing media in favor of the results. 

Susan B. Anthony was co-founder of the National Woman Suffrage Association in 1869.  She voted illegally in the 1872 presidential election, in which she was caught and fined a $100 that she never paid.  Later honored with her image on the silver dollar.  Democratic Senator Roderick Wright was convicted of voter fraud, receiving a 90-day sentence.  Due to over-crowding in the jails, the California senator was released after serving an hour of his sentence. (Chasmar, 2014)  He is recognized for helping seniors recognize fraud scams while in office.  It is important to know how to commit fraud in order to fight against it.        

History reflects progress, while we never really leave the past behind.  The results are in, we have one step forward and two steps back.  Time to start focusing on the 2016 elections, with hopes something can be accomplished in the meantime. 

Works Cited 
Chasmar, J. (2014, 11 04). California Democrat freed from prison after serving one hour of 90-day sentence. Retrieved 11 04, 2014, from The Washington Times: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/4/california-democrat-freed-from-prison-after-servin/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS
Lewin, T. (2014, 11 01). Handling of Sexual Harassment Case Poses Larger Questions at Yale. Retrieved 11 04, 2014, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/02/us/handling-of-sexual-harassment-case-poses-larger-questions-at-yale.html?_r=0

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    Author

    My banter was on current affairs and ran from 2011 - 2016. I currently enjoy writing satire and horror shorts.

    I chose themes to run against each current event to bring some entertainment to my Banters. I began writing the banter in February 2011, and wrote my last in February 2016.

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