BREAKING: Obama Vetoes Keystone XL Pipeline Bill

[Hissyspit]

Last edited Tue Feb 24, 2015, 11:20 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Associated Press

AP: White House has informed Senate that President Obama has vetoed Keystone XL pipeline bill

Defying GOP, Obama Vetoes Keystone XL Pipeline Bill

Update at 3:37 PM
By: JOSH LEDERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has vetoed a Republican bill forcing construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

The White House sent notice of the veto to the Senate on Tuesday, shortly after the bill was received at the White House. It's the third veto of Obama's presidency.

The move puts a freeze on a top GOP priority, at least for now. It also reasserts Obama's authority over a project that's become a flashpoint in the national debate about climate change.

Congressional Republicans may try to override Obama's veto, but have yet to show they can muster the two-thirds majority in both chambers that they would need. Sen. John Hoeven, the bill's chief GOP sponsor, says Republicans are about four votes short in the Senate and need about 11 more in the House.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/congress-sends-keystone-bill-obama-plans-veto-29181671

[Marthe48]

1. Just saw on CNBC

woo-hoo!

[bravenak]

2. Thanks, Obama!

[perdita9]

3. Thank you, Mr. President!!!

Great job with the veto pen

[Helen Borg]

47. Thanks, Obama!

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. Another DU prognostication goes poof! n/t

Last edited Tue Feb 24, 2015, 07:53 PM - Edit history (1)

[greatauntoftriplets]

8. Spot on!

[demwing]

10. Well thank God you're here to remind everyone

[blue neen]

64. .

I'm sure that you are not expresssing "sour grapes", but your post certainly makes it look that way.

[Duppers]

73. it sure does!

Folks regularly point out how some DUers are usually naysayers and there's nothing wrong with that.

[1StrongBlackMan]

87. Wouldn't want it to go unnoticed ...

as so many DU adamant prognostications do.

[demwing]

99. How could it possibly go unnoticed

when you're on the job?

[1StrongBlackMan]

112. Does that mean I get a promotion for meritous service?n/t

[JoePhilly]

28. The Combustible Hair Club will not be amused.

[frylock]

41. the veto can in no way be attributed to public outcry against the pipeline though, amirite?

[Sheepshank]

43. In this case, the public outcry made the assumption that Obama would approve the pipeline

...too bad the hair on fire crowd couldn't have seemed to be more supportive of a veto that was likely all along.

Self congratulations in this case seems really stupid.

[rhett o rick]

75. One would have to be prognosticator to have guessed what Pres Obama would do.

Those that spoke out were exercising their obligation to participate in government. Whether the outcry influenced the Pres, you don't know any better than I. Bravo for the President for doing the right thing. Bravo to those that spoke out like free Americans participating in democracy. Not so much for those that blindly follow and accept whatever the President does and disparaging those that don't view the President as a faultless idol.

[1StrongBlackMan]

89. There is a difference between "exercising (ones) obligation to participate in government ...

and the DU "He's gonna approve it! I know he will! You just watch there corporatist sell us out again!"

Not so much for those that blindly follow and accept whatever the President does and disparaging those that don't view the President as a faultless idol.

Read: I was wrong ... again. But at least I was expressing my independent wrongness; unless like those that were exercising their independent rightness."

Is it completely incomprehensible to you that those (of us) arguing that President Obama would not approve Keystone XL, based that not on "idol" worship; but rather, on our own independent assessment of the circumstances?

Are you that ... arrogant?

[rhett o rick]

105. When one blindly follows the President, eventually they will get one right. Do you feel he will get

it right on fracking? Or the Patriot Act? How about continuing the war in Afghanistan after he said it was ended? I contended with my "arrogance" that he won't do the right thing with regard to the TPP, but that his blind followers really don't care. They will commend him how ever it turns out.

Calling me "arrogant" is a technique used to insult and attempt to minimize me. Not cool for a liberal message board. It signifies the desperation.

Tell the President that we don't want another killer "Free" Trade Agreement. They are killing the middle and lower classes. Not that his followers care.

[1StrongBlackMan]

113. Okay ... you were wrong ... again. Move on to your next outrage ...

and stop casting your outrage as some historic, monumental act of political courage, strike for FREEDOM.

ETA: So I guess your answer on the arrogance question is a resounding, "Yes."

[Sheepshank]

130. ok...that actually made me lol

how correct and funny can one short post be?

[stonecutter357]

114. .

[Sheepshank]

132. When one blindly and constatnly critises the President, eventually they will get one right.

see how that works?

[1StrongBlackMan]

135. But who's keeping score? n/t

[rhett o rick]

144. And what criticism did I post for the President about the XL Pipeline?

I may have criticized his lack of taking a stand earlier.

Some have noting to offer but blind acceptance and disparage those that feel it's our right to both speak out as to what we want the President to do and to criticize him when he takes different actions. That's our obligation as citizens, not blindly worshiping everything he does.

I applaud the president for this action but will continue to try to influence his support for fracking. Do you me promulgating my opinion of fracking is wrong or "blind criticism"? Do you have an opinion on fracking?

[Sheepshank]

151. you made a statement, I turned it around. Simple n/t

[Cha]

106. "Blindly follow the President"... LOL, it really gets their goat that the President has supporters

on DU.. tough nuggies.. if they want to talk about "blindly following".. I got two ******* words for them.. glenn greenwald.

[rhett o rick]

147. Blindly follow means always agreeing with everything he says and disparaging thosethat dare not to.

When I agree with the president I will say so. I agree with this action on the pipeline. Now if we could only get him to change his stand on fracking and drone killing.

I support following principles and not personalities.

[Sheepshank]

128. No, really? The hair on fire prognisticaiton was simply wrong. The guessing was wrong.

so you are telling me I am supposed to support that type of action? no thanks.

Ranting isn't the same thing as making the wishes of the public known. Ranting, guessing, blaming and assuming before an event has even occurred isn't the way I participate. And I will call it out when I do see it. It's exactly what the RW nutters do, I expect more from the Dems.

[2banon]

93. and guess what? This ain't over by a LOOOOONG Shot. O will be signing IF the repukes gives him

what he wants on an alternative energy bill. Once the repukes delivers, O will sign.

there's no story here, yet.

it's a twinkle twinkle little star.. look at the shiny thingy over there.

if the repukes don't deliver, O likely won't be signing. but not because he gives a shit one way or the other on that matter.

[1StrongBlackMan]

96. Okay. We get it ...

you don't believe the veto is a veto.

[sheshe2]

100. OMG!

[stupidicus]

52. well, that's one reason the crowers will ignore

along with the conditions underwhich it was vetoed.

It's not like he killed it by himself at the end of the process some thought he might not.

[treestar]

58. So you use this to be negative even in these situations

Maybe he signed other bills you didn't like for the same reason. It was just other people.

Funny how people who don't like him won't give him credit when he does what they want. Yet when he does what you don't want, that's on him and not the people who might have "pushed" him to do those things.

[NYC_SKP]

60. urrite. Obama ain't runnin' agin.

I give him credit where due, I don't think the outcry was particularly loud or widespread.

[midnight]

71. Article says, "Obama's veto doesn't mean the end of the Keystone debate."

"Obama could still approve the project on his own authority, although he has suggested that its environmental impacts would outweigh any economic benefits."


I'm hoping that he will not reverse his veto. But article goes on to say this process is ongoing with no deadline.

[1StrongBlackMan]

90. True ...

republicans, along with some Democrats, could over-ride his veto.

I didn't know they is a constitutional mechanism for a President to reverse his veto.

The things we learn on DU!

[2banon]

125. that's what I tried to point out. This battle isn't over by a long shot.

Anyone who thinks otherwise aren't paying attention.

The veto was on the issue of procedures as opposed to the principles involved in the bill.

[Sheepshank]

134. no...the ability to override a veto ISN'T what you were pointing out

you were explaining how Obama will change his mind and sign on the dotted line when the Reps provide him with concessions.

it's called a walk back.

[Liberal Veteran]

44. It's all part of his secret plot to approve the pipeline.

[2banon]

82. Well,you can put NPR and PBS in the Tin Foil Hat Source Box, because that's what THEY reported

today.

This is just a political dog and pony show. Obama will be signing a bill approving Keystone at some point, he doesn't particularly give a damn when he does it.

He just wants the repukes to give him something he wants wrt to energy alternatives as a quid pro quo to his signing on an approval. And this is how he's playing it out.

They're not there yet. that's all.

That pipeline is going through, on Obama's watch. one way or the other.

[1StrongBlackMan]

91. The DU Double down! ...

[sheshe2]

95. Did I just read that?!

I knew when he vetoed the pipeline few would congratulate him. Instead, as you stated, the DU double down.

[1StrongBlackMan]

111. Yep ...

I have the perfect analogy ... but will refrain.

[sheshe2]

119. That is probably wise. nt

[BumRushDaShow]

66. Bingo

DU is littered with a ragged trail of false prophecies.

[VanillaRhapsody]

76. I wish I was keeping count.....If I only had a dollar for every time Obama disappointed some

poor prognosticators on DU!

[1StrongBlackMan]

80. LOL ...

if every working class American had a dollar every time Obama disappointed some poor prognosticators on DU ... we wouldn't be having this DU income inequality fight!

[2banon]

84. not quite dude. This is just being played out for a quid pro quo. it's going through and O will

will sign at some point when he gets what he wants. (some sort of alternative energy bill as a trade off he can hold up to the cameras) O's not in any hurry.

[1StrongBlackMan]

92. Wait ...

are you now saying that President Obama IS playing multi-dimensional chess?

[Myrina]

121. Can the dipshits override the veto?

n/t

[2banon]

123. ???

Is this intended as a serious question, or did you forget the sarcasm thingy?

[1StrongBlackMan]

126. The reporting suggests that ...

there aren't the votes to over-ride the veto.

[sheshe2]

94. Yup!

[MannyGoldstein]

98. Did anyone predict otherwise?

That would be weird, since the President's been clear that he'd veto it as soon as Republicans started talking about it.

Can you provide a link?

[1StrongBlackMan]

115. No Manny ...

No one at all.

[MannyGoldstein]

116. Then why did you claim otherwise?

Trolling?

Or are you unclear as to what Obama just vetoed?

[1StrongBlackMan]

117. Are you telling me that there where not "swarms" on DU ...

that did not post predictions that President Obama would (had always intended to) approve the Keystone XL project?

And you are doing that ... with a straight face ... even as there are people in this very thread arguing (in true DU fashion) "He will approve it ... you just wait!"?

[MannyGoldstein]

118. Are you sure you understand what was vetoed? nt

[1StrongBlackMan]

136. Yes ...

He vetoed a bill that would have declared the pipeline approved, ending the administration’s review of the project. And he did so based on a respect for the constitutional separations of powers, that secures to the executive branch the authority to review, and determine, international matters of national interest ... in this case, determining whether or not building and operating a cross-border pipeline serves the national interest.

And as I indicated in response to another post in this thread ... I, actually, think that was a great response ... It's a lot like a commitment-phobic suitor telling his/her lover, I promise that I'll marry you ... when the timing is right. The suitor hasn't jilted his/her lover; but, any thinking person would know it's no where near time to buy the gown/tux.

ETA: And it is likely, the not-quite jilted lover will waste more time and energy, trying to make the timing right.

[Buzz Clik]

143. A link? Really?

You post here constantly. You're telling me you cannot recall anyone at DU predicting that Obama is so thoroughly owned by big oil that he would NEVER veto this bill?

[MannyGoldstein]

150. Yup.

I probably would remember it, because anyone who predicted it would have been silly - IIRC, the President has said from the start that he'd veto this effort.

But if I'm wrong, by all means show us a few examples.

[Buzz Clik]

154. Fine. You should do your own research, but here's a start:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026273253

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023023018#post4

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026147247

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026158059#post7

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014509929#post33

This was pretty easy, Manny. It took me all of 5 minutes to find these, and there are plenty more.

(For the record, I have no doubt that maybe as much as one-third of these came from rightwing idiots who reside on a site you and I know quite well.)

[MannyGoldstein]

155. Not a single one of those links seems to predict that

Obama would sign that bill into law.

I'll take another look later, but I don't see anything that you claim. If you disagree, pick one to start with and I'll respond to that specific one.

[Warpy]

108. Obama plays Rope A Dope a lot

and I think a lot of people are afraid he's the one who is going to get roped in one of these days.

I'm glad he vetoed this stinker of a Koch Industries welfare project. I hope it sticks.

[Autumn]

120. If only another DU prognostication really had gone poof. But sadly no it didn't.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026274244

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Obama’s rejection was strictly about the legislation and not the project. It’s “certainly possible” that Obama would eventually approve the pipeline once a State Department review is completed, he said, without giving a timetable.

[1StrongBlackMan]

127. And it's "certainly possible" that ...

republicans will suddenly become pro-civil rights and promote raising taxes on the wealthy.

I, actually, think that was a great response ... it doesn't allow the republicans anything to blame the Administration for.

It's a lot like a commitment-phobic suitor telling his/her lover, I promise that I'll marry you ... when the timing is right. The suitor hasn't jilted his/her lover; but, any thinking person would know it's no where near time to buy the gown/tux.

ETA: And it is likely, the not-quite jilted lover will waste more time and energy, trying to make the timing right.

[Autumn]

139. Looks like this can be repeated here to you also. No need to reply,

my question has already been non answered by two of you. Here is a cut and paste of my reply to the other poster

"So is that a denial or a confirmation that another DU prognostication has gone poof?
No, looks like it's just an attempt to change the topic that I addressed. Sorry that's not a game I chose to play. So go on and have a nice day."

You posted to slam DUers and the White House turned it on you. to the WH press secretary for clearing that up

[1StrongBlackMan]

141. It is a confirmation that the DU prognostication that President Obama would approve the Keystone XL

project. The veto, which if not issued, would have been a de facto approval, as it would have ended the executive branch's review. That did not happen, i.e., the veto was not an approval.

But as I indicated in the post you responded to ...

I, actually, think that was a great response ... It's a lot like a commitment-phobic suitor telling his/her lover, I promise that I'll marry you ... when the timing is right. The suitor hasn't jilted his/her lover; but, any thinking person would know it's no where near time to buy the gown/tux.

ETA: And it is likely, the not-quite jilted lover will waste more time and energy, trying to make the timing right.

[BumRushDaShow]

133. And you know, Larry Summers could boot Janet Yellin right outta there

in order to make yet another failed prophecy actually come true, because DU insists.

Add a helping of retroactively re-instating the Bush tax cuts, chaining that Unchained Melody of a SS CPI, and don't forget the bomb bomb bombing of Iran, and voila! Fixed! All for the ever-vigilant prognosticators.

[Autumn]

138. So is that a denial or a confirmation that another DU prognostication has gone poof?

No, looks like it's just an attempt to change the topic that I addressed. Sorry that's not a game I chose to play. So go on and have a nice day.

[BumRushDaShow]

146. The "topic" in this subthread

is the insistence that something is definitely going to happen... just.... because. "You wait, you'll see."

This has been the overwhelming theme here on DU over the past 6 years because there is a cadre who believes that the current President is a Republican, and nothing - not facts - not proof based on pages of progressive initiatives that were accomplished under his watch, would change their minds.

And thus some examples of what became abject hyperbole were given.

There were many many arguments proffered regarding why Larry Summers would become the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, how Obama would "cave" and not let the Bush tax cuts expire, or how Obama was going to implement the Chained CPI, or was definitely going to bomb Iran because that's what "authoritarians" do.

As I posted upthread, the road is littered with a number of these idiotic pronouncements.

And it's ironic how the same people who mocked "11th dimensional chess"!!111!!1!!!! suddenly embrace it for their own purposes.

[grahamhgreen]

131. Another progressive victory;)

[blkmusclmachine]

5. Give with 1 hand, and then take away with the other hand (TPP)

[blm]

6. Rand Paul would have signed this IMMEDIATELY.

No celebrating for the Rand2016 crowd.

[groundloop]

7. I hope Democrats do a proper job educating the public about Keystone and jobs

GOPers will undoubtedly claim this veto is going to cost a gazillion jobs, when in reality there were only going to be about 50 permanent jobs created by Keystone.

In any case I certainly hope that Democrats in both the House and Senate have the guts to stand up for this.

[Still Sensible]

27. We can try, but the GOP has the media control. n/t

[riqster]

9. Good on him.

[JDPriestly]

11. Great! Obama means business. We do not need the Keystone Pipeline.

Last edited Tue Feb 24, 2015, 05:50 PM - Edit history (1)

Let Canada export its oil from its ports. We don't need that damage to our environment. We are a food producing nation. We need to keep our environment as clean as possible. Our health depends on it.

[guillaumeb]

29. If oil man and Canadian PM Stephen Harper

could get the oil out through BC he would have, but First Peoples court actions have prevented it so far.

[JDPriestly]

33. I made a bad typo in the title of my post. Thanks for your response.

[djean111]

12. It also reasserts Obama's authority over a project that's become a flashpoint in the national debate

about climate change.

The veto is more about Obama's authority than about the pipeline.

[99th_Monkey]

13. Thank you President Obama! nt

[Cryptoad]

14. Thank you Mr President! nt

[alcibiades_mystery]

15. Haters gonna hate (watch this space)

[cascadiance]

16. I will thank him for this! But I'll be vigilant and watching Fast Track and TPP activity too!

And will call him out if he does the wrong thing signing either one of those bills (which hopefully the Senate will block him from being able to do).

THANK YOU RON WYDEN FOR STOPPING THE FAST TRACK NEGOTIATIONS IN THE SENATE!

[truedelphi]

42. My sentiments exactly! n/t

[cascadiance]

51. If TPP passes, perhaps a TPP tribunal might force us to build the Keystone Pipeline then...

If Obama's supporting TPP heavily still, then perhaps that's the ace up his sleeve, and one that we need to make sure never gets played if that is the plan. If putting in place TPP tribunals let's the money people in effect put their own laws, executive actions, and court decisions to get Keystone Oil Pipeline built, then all of this will be for naught.

Those worshipping this victory now should focus on the Senate now and make sure that we have enough Democratic votes to filibuster the Fast Track authority bill if need be, because that may be what's needed to stop TPP.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

65. Wow, that's some disconnect.

[cascadiance]

68. I thank Obama for vetoing Keystone...

But he'll seal the deal if we are able to stop TPP and he doesn't try to get it through the Senate to sign it... TPP is a bigger deal, and as I noted has the power to work around so many of these other issues that we think we might be winning battles on today.

I still am trying to understand why he's pushing it behind closed doors.

[geardaddy]

17. just saw this on Mother Jones

[bigwillq]

18. Awesome!

Good job.

K and R

[hamsterjill]

19. Very glad to hear this!

Way to go, Mr. President. Thank you for thinking of more than just the billionaires!

[quadrature]

20. Save the pen! ...

for the President Obama Library.

this will be a big part
of his legacy.

[winter is coming]

21. I wonder how long it will be before it's tucked into some funding bill. n/t

[DeSwiss]

22. YAY!!!

- Oh yeah.....



K&R

[StarzGuy]

23. Yes, this news is great. but...

We need to be wary of those rebublic's because who knows how much arm twisting is going to happen on Dems in both houses. Also, as others have mentioned, lets see where they tuck this into some "must pass" bill. Of course passing a bill in either the Senate or house is problematic...

[Jefferson23]

24. It's the right thing to do. +1. Excellent. n/t

[madamvlb]

25. Wonderful news!!!

[El Shaman]

26. Aww, shit!! One pissed off guy.

"..... Revelations this past week from his financial disclosure forms that John Boehner invested $10,000 to $50,000 each in seven firms that had a stake in Canada’s oil sands should raise red flags for the House Oversight Committee; especially in light of Boehner’s push to grant a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline ahead of the State Department and EPA studies and reports and the millions big oil spent to hasten its construction. To make ......"

Credit: http://www.politicususa.com/2012/01/22/john-boehner-keystone-xl.html

[DeSwiss]

31. !

- They don't even try to hide their immorality anymore, do they?

[SunSeeker]

30. K & R

[ZombieHorde]

32. A happy surprise.

I was expecting something to happen that would lead him to signing the bill.

[TimeToEvolve]

34. good news! finally!

[LuckyLib]

35. Yes! The first of many!

[bowens43]

36. Cool!

[stranger81]

37. Thank Gawd!!!!

The timing delivers an extra punch, too.

No quarter!

[golden-girl]

38. Good news!!!!!!

That is good news for sure. I hope the Republicans can not reverse the veto. Let the oil go to China or where ever. We do not need a pipeline here when we can just import our oil from overseas. We don't need to get oil from our neighbors. Lets keep oil coming from the middle east and let them have their workers make the money. Our oilfields are making enough as it is.

[KeepItReal]

39. Well done Mr. President

eom

[frylock]

40. knr

[Duval]

45. Yayy! Now we need to

sign NRDC's petition to veto the entire Keystone XL, not just the bill "forcing" construction. This is a beginning!

[Helen Borg]

46. "about four votes short in the Senate..."

Let's see who the traitors will be...

[TBF]

48. Excellent. K&R nt

[Aldo Leopold]

49. Holy crap!

Woo-hoooo!

[allan01]

50. yabbbbba dabbbbba dooooooooooooooooo!

[jalan48]

53. Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Obama is the man on this one!

[rationalcalgarian]

54. Thank you, sir!

😄

[spooky3]

55. Do the Rs have enough votes to override? Guess I should start a poll.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

56. Shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.

He's been saying he would veto any bill that came up before the full environmental impact report was completed for some time now.

And it does NOT mean that Keystone is dead, even for just his remaining years in office.

If the report comes back as 'minimal impact' or however they phrase it, and Congress sends him another one, there have been no promises that he will veto it at that point in time.

Boehner and McConnell just got greedy, and wanted it ASAP as a trophy on their wall.

[Warren Stupidity]

57. kick. Bring it.

[PoliticAverse]

59. Obama's statement on the Keystone bill veto...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026274004

[old guy]

61. Thank you Mr. President!

[awoke_in_2003]

62. thank you Mr. President. nt

[slumcamper]

63. SWEET (and I ain't talkin' 'bout crude)!!!! n/t

[Dr Hobbitstein]

67. Is there enough crow to go around?

There sure were a whole lot of people claiming the exact opposite will happen.

[obxhead]

69. Thank you Mr. President.

Now, when they send a softer bill through, do it again.

[BrotherIvan]

70. Excellent

Thanks, President Obama. Credit where credit is due.

[truthisfreedom]

72. Thank you Obama! Woohoo!

That's why we voted for you!

[Cha]

74. Uh huh.. Mahalo "King" Obama!

Thanks Hissyspit

[nikto]

77. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lovemydog]

78. Thank you President Obama.

[Blue_Tires]

79. A certain contingent on DU is hating this news about now..

[Miigwech]

81. Feels great

to see the good guys win one. Thank you Mr. President Obama!!!!! Kicking the (oil) can, OUT of the road.

[mountain grammy]

83. Good news today, very good news.

[Thespian2]

85. Thank you

Obama.

[proverbialwisdom]

86. Friends of the Earth Press Release

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2015/02/24/president-obama-vetoes-kxl-bill



For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 24, 2015 - 3:45pm

[center]President Obama vetoes KXL bill[/center]

WASHINGTON - President Obama used only his third veto to halt a bill that would force construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Neither the House nor Senate have enough votes to override the president’s rejection of this controversial project.

Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica issued the following statement:

We thank President Obama for using his third veto to strike the Keystone XL bill. The veto sends a strong message to Congress that the government should represent the interests of the American people instead of Big Oil.

The Keystone XL bill is the first in the Republican leadership’s plan to unabashedly assault our clean air and clean water, during this Congress. The veto follows through on the president’s State of the Union promise to prevent Congress from endangering the health of our children.

We applaud the president’s veto, but encourage him to refuse TransCanada a permit to wreck our planet. Now is the time for the president to reject the entire pipeline.

Note to editors: The State Department is expected to finalize its National Interest Determination memo, and make its final recommendation to President Obama in the coming weeks, paving the way for him to make a final decision.

###

Friends of the Earth is the U.S. voice of the world's largest grassroots environmental network, with member groups in 77 countries. Since 1969, Friends of the Earth has fought to create a more healthy, just world.

[center][/center]

[hue]

88. Adding my thanks as well! President Obama You are the very best!

[JEB]

97. Good news.

[merrily]

101. Good for Obama. Let's see if they try an override.

[elzenmahn]

102. This is good...

...watch for the Repigs, however, to try to attach it to something else. We need to stay vigilant on this.

But this was a good move. Thank you, President Obama!

[craigmatic]

103. The man has balls. Show those gop bastards who's boss.

[sheshe2]

104. Kick and Hell Yes Recommend!

Thank you President Obama. There was never a doubt in my mind that you would make this so!

[Warpy]

107. I'm glad. If the Koch boys want it built, let them build it in Canada.

Crossing a major aquifer here so it could be offloaded in Houston and sent overseas was a losing proposition for this country from the get-go.

[Enthusiast]

109. I'm glad the President vetoed KXL.

The only people benefiting from KXL were owners of a foreign corporation. So the veto was a No Brainer.

[workinclasszero]

110. Thanks Obama!

[thepissedoffjackass]

122. reply

glad it was vetoed.

[uppityperson]

124. welcome to du, great username

[orleans]

156. hello n/t

[grahamhgreen]

129. Progressive win. Thanks everyone!

[lewebley3]

137. Three Cheers for Obama, everyone mail a Thank You to him for stopping the pipeline

This is a great man, thanks Obama

[Initech]

140. Most excellent!

[Corey_Baker08]

142. That's My President, Standing Up & vetoing A Bill That Is Gonna Draw Criticism...

STAND YOUR GROUND PRESIDENT OBAMA

[zentrum]

145. Tried to call the WH

….this morning to thank him but the comment line had too long a wait. So I sent a thank you email. The form is on the WH website. All of us should do this because the pro-Pipliners are always very active at such important moments in criticizing the "Socialist" in the WH. Show your support!

[bobclark86]

148. ...and the trains keep derailing.

AP EXCLUSIVE: FUEL-HAULING TRAINS COULD DERAIL AT 10 A YEAR

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) -- The federal government predicts that trains hauling crude oil or ethanol will derail an average of 10 times a year over the next two decades, causing more than $4 billion in damage and possibly killing hundreds of people if an accident happens in a densely populated part of the U.S.

The projection comes from a previously unreported analysis by the Department of Transportation that reviewed the risks of moving vast quantities of both fuels across the nation and through major cities. The study completed last July took on new relevance this week after a train loaded with crude derailed in West Virginia, sparked a spectacular fire and forced the evacuation of hundreds of families.

Monday's accident was the latest in a spate of fiery derailments, and senior federal officials said it drives home the need for stronger tank cars, more effective braking systems and other safety improvements.

"This underscores why we need to move as quickly as possible getting these regulations in place," said Tim Butters, acting administrator for the Transportation Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Until you ban oil shipping in from Canada, you're going to have this happen, the government estimates, 10 times a year. Or build a fancy new pipeline with upgraded safety features and massive government oversight. Republicans say no to the first, and Democrats to the second. So the trains will keep rolling...

[carolinayellowdog]

149. This is excellent news worth celebrating, marred only by...

people taking at yet another meta opportunity to spew disdain at other DUers instead of appreciating that this is one thing almost all can agree on.

It's as if they can't experience one moment of pure pleasure and satisfaction at good news without immediately stirring in some poisonous spiteful schadenfreude and meta-snark. Proving the Wrongness of The Other becomes far more important than enjoying a possible moment of solidarity.

[polynomial]

152. Is this the audacity of hope

The xl pipeline could very well be that branch from the tree of knowledge that man-made not God.

Again, God made all sorts of trees grow that were pleasant to the sight and good for food, as well as the tree of life the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

From every tree in the garden you are free to eat but from the tree of knowledge of good and evil you must not eat, that day you eat of it you will certainly die.

Perhaps the message in the bible has value here…

[JohnnyRingo]

153. Give it a week and the GOP will declare Obama's vetoes illegal.

...just as they have his executive orders.

Just last night I heard a republican congressman rant on about Obama's illegal moves to force immigration reform. His logic was that since the congress is supposed to make the laws, Obama has no constitutional backing to pass any executive orders. Apparently, this is the first that republican ever heard of such a thing. Of course he was elected by voters who maintain a similar grasp of government protocol.

[Nihil]

157. Wow ... but good!

I will admit that I have been in the crowd doubting that Obama would follow through with this
and am very pleasantly surprised that he did it.




As others have pointed out upthread, there is still a very strong need to keep eyes on the ball
e.g.,
> White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Obama’s rejection was strictly about the legislation and not the project.
> It’s “certainly possible” that Obama would eventually approve the pipeline once a State Department review is completed

+ the replies upthread about the chances of the 1%ers (of both parties) sneaking it through as a rider on a major bill.

That said, I am still pleased to be able to say "Sorry, I was wrong on this one.".

[Maineman]

158. The veto is good. Modernize train rails. They can carry much more than just oil.

[MADem]

159. Thanks a LOT, Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll bet it's not just Republicans who are pissed off about this. There are people who were so SURE he was gonna "sell us down the river!" and "get in bed with Big Oil!!!" and "Give our national birthright to the Big Corporations...!!!" etc., etc., and so forth.

They'll have to put away those "I told you so" rants and rework them for some other supposed "sin" he has yet to commit...