Keystone XL Fate

Barack Obama ended seven years of high-wire political drama to reject the Keystone XL pipeline on Friday, saying the decision reflected America’s determination to be a global leader in the fight against climate change.

The move, less than four weeks before more than 190 countries gather in Paris to try to reach a global deal to reduce carbon pollution, reinforces Obama’s commitment to making climate change the domestic and international legacy of his second term in the White House – even in the face of Republican hostility.

  Guardian

When did we become determined? When did he become committed? Just now? He couldn't have rejected the pipeline on that basis seven years ago? Even one year ago? In the meantime, how much money was spent trying to persuage him to reject it? Hmmmmm....does that fit into the equation?

Or....what about this?

“Clearly, the administration is making a political decision when it comes to Keystone,” John Hoeven, a Republican senator from North Dakota, said in a statement.

“That’s why it is so important for four more of our colleagues in the Senate to join the 63 that already support the Keystone so that we can override the president’s veto and approve the project congressionally.”

Four votes wouldn't be hard to get, would it? I mean, they all want Obama to fail, don't they? Did Obama perhaps wait until he knew there would be enough votes to override him? 'Look, those nasty Republicans don't care about the environment.'

Obama in his comments on Friday had stern words for both sides in the extremely polarised debate over Keystone XL.

He said the project was neither “a silver bullet for the economy” nor “an express lane to climate disaster”, and said it was time for both sides to stop using the argument over Keystone as a political cudgel.

'Only I am allowed to do that.'

Or...maybe he wanted to kill the pipeline but had to wait on the foot-dragging State Department to make a report. That must be it.

Obama said his decision was in agreement with the State Department’s assessment that the pipeline “would not serve the national interests of the United States”.

Obama said the State Department review, which sought public opinion and consultation with other agencies, concluded that the pipeline would “not make a meaningful long term contribution to our economy”, especially as lower oil prices and a recovering labour market had already helped boost job numbers and cut gasoline costs.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.