By Mark McKelvey
“Never question another person’s motive. Question the judgment, but not the motive. It’s not your role.” — Joe Biden
The Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal project has reached a decisive moment, and the Coos County Democrats have an important role to play.
Sometime this summer the Department of Energy (DOE) will issue permits for up to four LNG export terminals. Jordan Cove is the only west coast project under consideration. An endorsement of the Jordan Cove project from the Coos County Democrats could be influential with Oregon’s Congressional Delegation, particularly with Senator Ron Wyden, the chairperson of the Senate’s powerful Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
The Coos County Democrats have been engaged in the LNG issue for some time. In 2008, the Central Committee narrowly endorsed a resolution in opposition to the Jordan Cove project as an LNG import facility. The debate was contentious, emotional, passionate, and vigorous. It was good democracy in action, but the debate didn’t end with that decision.
The Coos County Democrats have remained active in the LNG debate since that time. As with any resolution, a changing landscape brings many good reasons to reconsider the 2008 Resolution. The debate now is not what it was then. The Jordan Cove project has changed; public opinion has shifted; the global energy market has developed; climate change politics have grown complicated; the economy has struggled. As with any fluid issue, it is wise to recall the words of John Maynard Keynes: “When the facts change, I change my mind.”
In 2011 the Coos County Democrats re-entered the LNG policy debate. At the Democratic Party of Oregon’s Platform Convention that fall, delegates from Coos County were instrumental in changing the language of a Legislative Action Item (LAI) regarding LNG. The original LAI read,
Promote and protect Oregon’s economic viability and jobs in recreational and commercial fishing, shipping and trade that will be jeopardized by the exclusion zones, priority passages, navigation delays and dangers from LNG and other mega-tankers and terminals.
The Coos County delegation sought to re-focus the LAI away from an anti-LNG posture to one of port development. It proposed new wording that read,
Develop the capacity and infrastructure of Oregon’s International Ports so as to capitalize on the growing Pacific Rim trade without threatening existing economic vitality, compromising the quality of the natural environment, or betraying the public’s best interest.
The wording was approved in a subcommittee and sent to the platform floor for formal consideration. Unfortunately only twelve LAIs are adopted for each legislative session, and the Coos County LAI did not pass the final cut. Even so, the point was made to Democrats across Oregon: Democrats in Coos County were willing to reconsider LNG projects on their merit.
Coos County Democrats have spoken clearly at the ballot box as well. They have worked hard to elect candidates who have held favorable positions on the Jordan Cove project. Today Congressman Peter DeFazio, State Senator Arnie Roblan, and State Representative Caddy McKeown have all endorsed the Jordan Cove project, although each one has expressed serious concerns about the use of eminent domain for pipeline construction. The Obama Administration also has a favorable view of exporting LNG.
These views are likewise held by organized labor, a key Democratic constituency. The bonds between Labor and Party are much stronger in Coos County than in many other rural Oregon counties. Indeed, the good family wage jobs renowned in Coos County’s recent past were a direct result of this successful collaboration. The Jordan Cove project has always been a high priority with our local unions. The Coos County Democrats stand side by side with our brothers and sisters of labor on many different issues. Matters of high importance to them necessitate our careful consideration.
As the LNG debate moves into its endgame this summer, it is incumbent upon the Coos County Democrats to make its voice heard. This project is in our own backyard. The Coos County Democrats have an opportunity to influence the debate one way or another. We should do so. Consequently, at its May meeting the Central Committee will re-evaluate the 2008 Resolution and consider the IBEW Resolution in favor of the Jordan Cove project. We welcome and encourage healthy debate and active participation from all local Democrats so as to aid the voting membership in reaching a determination that is in the best interests of our community, our quality of life, and our economy.
The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of MGx.
This opinion column of Mark McKelvey’s exemplifies the source of my disgust and discontent with the Democrats. I’m with “them guys”; I’m about ready to switch to a third party. Enough already. – Doro
Its been almost six months since Mark put this up. I’m wondering if his group has changed their position yet. He states “When the facts change, I change my mind. Do you think they have been able to find any new facts yet?
And this phrase should be giving them some trouble, “capitalize on the growing Pacific Rim trade without threatening existing economic vitality, compromising the quality of the natural environment, or betraying the public’s best interest”
“betraying the public’s best interest” Seriously these are the democrats. This party wants you to think your voice counts and then awards special individuals super delegate status where one individual can have more voting power in the primaries than a whole state of regular voters. Another form of gerrymandering at its finest.
This party has failed the public interest and seems more interested in providing corporate welfare in the form of grants, tax breaks and special deals and free infrastructure projects like railroads for the worst polluters on the planet, coal and gas. Read this manifesto again and see exactly where this party has gone and why so many have left it.
WHY we are at war in Syria now, just like Iraq, only difference? dimocrats sit in the WH, no difference really is there:
The SSG is working to help the rebels oust the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The notes on the map represent the locations of rebel commanders, with whom the nonprofit group maintains close contact.
Officially formed in the spring of 2012 by a group of Syrian expatriates living in the U.S. and Canada, the SSG has acted as a conduit for information between Syria’s Supreme Military Council, which commands the rebel armies, and outside governments ever since the U.S. severed diplomatic ties with Syria in February of 2012. It has also been raising money from private donors to support the Syrian rebels and lobbying Congress and the Obama administration to send military assistance to the fighters.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/04/syrian-rebel-lobby_n_3209727.html
Comments to art. from Common Dreams detailing how obama is setting up approval for Keystone, then tell me how safe it is going to be asshat !!
nofooling • 19 hours ago
Well, let’s see what we know about tar sands contamination. A train derailment in Minnesota spilled 30,000 gallons, a pipe-line gash in Arkansas forced the evacuation of a residential community and polluted rivers and a lake, a rail-way accident spilled over 1,000,000 gallons in the Kalamazoo river in Michigan. These are just the most recent events. How many more have there been? How many more are to come? With or without the proposed pipeline, Canadian tar sands will be transported by rail, by ship, on the backs of laborers, any conceivable way, to complete the journey of tar sands oil to markets. The United States should be crucially concerned about the possibilities that its entire food and water supplies could be destroyed if these proposals are approved. It’s the Ogalala Aquifer, it’s adjacent rivers, it’s the Great Lakes, it’s farming land–the potential for disaster is unimaginable and, yet…………….
Add obama to Mark’s list.The dimocrats are no longer the party of the people.Takes time to get here, but the fact is, the right has taken the dims. THIS is who the dims are, read how this party does business, then VOTE THIRD PARTY, ANY THIRD PARTY:
Keystone XL: Dunn’s Obama/Kerry Connections Portend a Dunn and Done Scenario
Dunn has maximized her White House insider access status since leaving the Administration in 2009 and starting SKDK.
“Dunn regularly attends closed-door political strategy briefings with top Obama aides; White House records show she has visited more than 100 times since leaving her communications job,” the Oct. 2012 New York Times piece explained. “She is now serving as a paid adviser to the Democratic National Committee.”
Dunn’s husband Robert “Bob” Bauer also maintains extremely close ties to the Obama Administration, serving as Obama’s personal and political attorney.
“Bauer also will play that role for Obama’s new political network, Organizing for America, and the Democratic National Committee, which is administering the network,” explained a Feb. 2009 article in Politico, “Bauer’s new, unmatched legal power.”
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/05/03-8
Our beloved country is crumbling, and the dimocrats ain’t gonna help us. Their man assassinates his own with no due process, just chooses every Tuesday morning who lives and who dies, does he use a hankie like Caesar did Mark?
Gawd help us, we are in for a collapse, with dimocrats like Mark M leading the charge, riding on his, let me put this politely, “family” dividend checks. Save that paper Mark, you’re going to need it to light fires to cook.Too damned greedy to see straight. Let’s stop kidding ourselves, that’s what it is pure greed.
PS: long ago I went and spent money at the dimocrat spaghetti feed, I cornered Roblan, asked point blank his position on LNG,he literally turned and RAN out the back door, true story, what a phony coward. Takes one to know one.
Here it is from Mark.
“Coos County Democrats have spoken clearly at the ballot box as well. They have worked hard to elect candidates who have held favorable positions on the Jordan Cove project. Today Congressman Peter DeFazio, State Senator Arnie Roblan, and State Representative Caddy McKeown have all endorsed the Jordan Cove project”
I don’t remember any of them stating that position at any time in any of their campaigns, although many of us knew that was their un-stated position. They didn’t have the courage to run on that position. They all pretended to be thinking deeply on the subject without committing and without admitting they were for the project from the beginning. Now they think its safe to come out and admit the truth about their support, or did you decide to out them with this “vote”. Many of us remember when your group was afraid to let the public vote. You still are, that’s why you guys are going in sideways to penetrate the democratic party so you can feign support for LNG by the party, without have to let everyone have a vote, it will appear that the democrats favor this project and that might convince some that they should join in on the mindset. Was this your idea or did someone else hatch this scheme to trick the people?
How about all the info that has been passed along to you at this site by myself and others for the last several years, which you ignore as you always ask for more. How about the trampling of other’s rights and freedoms, which this plan and you have always ignored.
Congrats on your ability to slide into a position that allows you to think that you are talking for all the democrats. I will track your progress and watch to see how the party fares under your leadership.
That quote from Joe Biden has been used by you before to redirect attention from your motives by asking others to just question your judgement. Is that what you think people should do when others are breaking the law? If we don’t consider motives we won’t be able to hold criminals accountable for their actions and I think this community should hold you and all of your co-conspirators accountable for what you have been doing for the last 10 years. If you win you should be held accountable for the damages this will do to property values. If you lose you should be held accountable for holding back the kind of progress that we could have enjoyed if this threat hadn’t been wrapped around the throat of this community. The local leaders are all to blame and that includes you being one of the projects leading cheer-leaders.
Kay,
I truly wish you the best in bringing about the change you seek.
Truly.
Best,
Mark
Mary wanted me to explain why the CCDems are considering a pro-LNG resolution. She didn’t want me to make an argument for the Jordan Cove project. I’d be happy to do so if you like.
What scientific evidence should I consider?
Nice try Mark. You ignore any and all scientific evidence that has ever been presented to try and wise you up about the dangers of LNG. You and your mentors are willing to risk it all for greed. Your excuses and reasoning are suspect. This should never be built, but Arnie, Caddy, and Peter need the democratic party to cover their asses now that they have officially come out of the LNG hiding closet. If the majority of the democratic party goes along with your new leadership and the ruinous plans that your group of “blue dogs”are pushing for the fossil fuel industries, then we are seeing the beginning of the end of the democratic party.
Have you seen the documentary titled “do the math”? These people and the 350.org movement are gaining ground on your gang Mark. What will your excuses be when everyone else see’s and understands your motives for what they really are. Greed. You pretend to understand the environmental issues, you pretend to be concerned for the lost rights of landowners, and you pretend that your concerned about the safety of the area’s people. Your a genuine phony, just like Arnie, Peter, and Caddy.
Joe Biden also said this:
“If we do everything right, if we do it with absolute certainty, there’s still a 30% chance we’re going to get it wrong.” –Joe Biden, speaking to members of the House Democratic
Got a point Mark?
NO on LNG. NO on people calling themselves Democrats when they are clearly right wing hacks for industry.
Sorry Charlie, your stink still smells.
VOTE THIRD PARTY TO SAVE THIS NATION FROM THESE KIND OF PEOPLE.
Your children/grandchildren, seventh generations down deserve a safe place to live.