Speaking of the Keystone XL, This Day in History

A reader sent me this fascinating bit of trivia, in light of the failure of the US government to find a compromise enabling the president to issue a permit for the Keystone XL.

On this date in history, President Nixon, yes that one, approved construction of the Alaskan Oil Pipeline.

Through a bit of serendipity and coincidence, I actually got to see some of the pipeline project while under construction when I had the unique experience --  unique, for me -- of flying into Prudhoe Bay in a different life. The wildlife loved the warmth of the pipeline. Smile.

I don't have any problem with some folks wanting the Keystone XL pipeline to avoid the Sandhills. I just found it incredible that "they" couldn't come up with a solution, allowing the permit to be issued.

Polar.

Prudhoe Bay. Polar.

Sandhills. Polarizing.

Oh, the first act in the Senate after the election: allowing 42 (or whatever it was) polar bear carcasses to be shipped from Canada back to the continental states. The polar bears were shot in 2008 when it was still legal to shoot this species endangered by the global warmth, something Mr Gore had been warning us about since 1992. From the AP, via Hot Air:

In its first roll call since September, the Senate voted 92-5 on Tuesday to debate a bill to ease restrictions on hunters and fishermen and allow 41 U.S. hunters to bring home polar bear carcasses trapped in Canada due to a ban on trophy imports. …

The idea was that the bill would pass easily post-election. Reid said it was “one of the most popular bills” the Senate had considered in the last session. …

Tester’s bill combines 19 measures favorable to outdoorsmen. In addition to dealing with the polar bear hides, it would allow more hunting and fishing on federal lands, let bow hunters cross federal land where hunting isn’t allowed, encourage federal land agencies to cooperate with state and local authorities to maintain shooting ranges, exclude ammunition and tackle from federal environmental laws that regulate lead, boost fish populations and protect animal habitat. A similar bill passed in the House earlier this year.

I can't make this stuff up. 

Oh, but there's  more. Scientists say the polar bear is doing just fine (well, the polar bears that are still alive, not the 42 polar bears that are now carcasses): they are increasing in number.

What a great country.