Big Oil has a stranglehold on North Dakota's Agriculture commission. Oil drilling permits are currently controlled by three republican shills who make up the three member agriculture commission.
35,000 new oil wells over the next 15 years is the plan for North Dakota. A plan with zero resistance from the "deciders" in charge.
In 2013:
• there were 153 pipeline leaks
• with 291 other reported oil spills
Also:
• Nearly 300 Oil Spills Went Unreported In North Dakota In Less Than Two Years
• radioactive oil waste sites
• Oil flares spewing toxic chemicals that can be seen from outer space
• vital bodies of water threatened
Ed Schultz has a report in this video report (apologize that I am unable to embed the player platform HTML) introducing Ryan Taylor (D), a 4th generation North Dakota rancher running against one of the three RWNJ Big Oil shills on the commission, Doug Goehring (R)
So although Reuters is reporting that this is all about oil, this race is about something deeper - imo - it is about the land, not just about the short term Oil Boom.
Will we be able to stop Big Oil from buying control and sucking the life out of this land, leaving it poisoned for many generations to come, maybe irreparably, or will there be a future?
This:
wasteland
Or this:
beauty
Some more pictures of the destruction North Dakota
Note: I don't Know much about Ryan Taylor but what I have recently read in these few links/reports. If he wins there will still be a 2/3rds RWNJ Big Oil majority on the commission, but at least there will be a voice that can speak out against the free for all destruction that's happening now; a voice for much needed regulation
Here is Ryan Taylors website for those who would like to support his candidacy
Thx for stopping by :)
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P.S. If we regular Daily Kos members could embed MSNBC videos with the newer 'player platform', in fact every different kind of video embeds, we'd all be happier - okay.. I'd be happier, and it would be fun and cool too - imo - un- subtle hint, hint, hint :)