Oilsands rant is getting old (Neil Young, again)

Toronto Sun ^ | Jan. 13/14 | Editorial

[Dartman]

Old man, we look at your life, and you’re not a lot like we are.

And if there’s one thing that average folks don’t like, it’s rich celebrities telling them what’s best.

Which is why we’re rolling our eyes at the free world rockin’ Neil Young.

Young gave a press conference opposing oilsands development at Massey Hall in Toronto Sunday , prior to starting one of his Honour The Treaties concerts.

He said "Canada is trading integrity for money," and that he’s embarrassed as a Canadian.

He’s raising money for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation to wage legal battles against the oilsands and the government.

It’s actually part of a larger Honor the Treaties American activist group.

Neil Young isn’t the only celeb on board. Daryl Hannah is also on the team. Yes, the same Daryl Hannah who’s been arrested protesting Keystone XL in front of the White House.

So needless to say, this movement isn’t about rational discourse.

That likely explains why Young says some of his more extreme statements, like this doozy he delivered last year: “Fort McMurray looks like Hiroshima.”

Really? More than 70,000 people died in the Aug. 6, 1945 bombing of Hiroshima. That’s not including the long-term health impacts or the bombing of Nagasaki.

Young recently drove around in an electric car taking pictures of the oilsands. Cute. An electric car plugged into a grid powered by a variety of sources, including coal.

Low-income earners in rural Canada or on aboriginal reserves don’t need electric cars right now. Not when they're so expensive.

What they need is opportunities. A recent Fraser Institute report showed that of the more than 600 prospective resource projects planned for Canada, each will impact at least one First Nations reserve.

Let’s work together so everyone can win during these prosperous times.

That version of winning includes knowing the environment is being considered as we develop the economy.

Strict regulations are important. But guess what? They already exist.

The Joint Review Panel that approved the Northern Gateway pipeline did so with 209 conditions. That’s not exactly a carte blanche approval. That’s a high regulatory threshold.

Keep on rocking, Mr. Young. We dig your tunes so much, we’d recommend you not quit your day job!

[Dartman]

PM's office responds

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/01/12/feds-respond-to-neil-young-anti-oilsands-tour

Good opinion piece

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/01/13/hypocrite-neil

Young in his own words

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/01/13/oilsands-dont-affect-me-i-drive-an-electric-car-neil-young

[Gaffer]

One too many tokes over the line in my opinion

[cripplecreek]

A Canadian man don’t need him around anyhow.

[Dartman]

If we gave you Neil Young and Jim Carrey, would you give us Tom Selleck?

[Dartman]

ping

[SeminoleCounty]

An Oil Man don’t need him around, anyhow

Wonder how much the Saudi Royals are paying washed up entertainers to attack the Tar Sands? Islamic Terrorists support Neil Young

[Arm_Bears]

When Neil Young and his ilk completely separate themselves from the benefits of fossil fuels and go live in a cave and eat tree bark, I might (but probably won’t) consider paying attention to what they have to say.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Hey, the old fool has made his living being bitter and angry at one thing or another. He’s just continuing on with more of the same.

[yawningotter]

Let’s just make the native peoples of the oilsands region live in the Stone Age. Would that make Neil Young happy?

[Gay State Conservative]

If we gave you Neil Young and Jim Carrey, would you give us Tom Selleck?

No,but send us Dan Ackroyd,Shania Twain (from 20 years ago) and Celine Dion (ditto) and you've got a deal.Add Stephen Harper and we'll throw in the entire Kennedy,Kerry,Clinton and Obama families and as a special bonus we'll include George Soros.

[bigbob]

Hello cowgirl in the oilsand
Is this place
at your command
Can I stay here
for a while

It’s the moron in me
that makes me want
to play this game.

[Fido969]

Hey, hey, bye bye, Neil.

[Clintons Are White Trash]

Neil is one of those guys that always looks like he needs a good shower. Yuck!! There is probably a decent supply of oil in his hair.

[Hot Tabasco]

If we gave you Neil Young and Jim Carrey, would you give us Tom Selleck?

No.......

[Bulwyf]

You’re ok if we just send them into the artic to work in labour camps?

[ScottinVA]

I have never in my life figured out why Neil Young made “star” status. Seriously, how can anyone sit through his concerts, hearing a “singing voice” that sounds like two rusted chunks of metal grinding together?

Granted, he’s penned some decent songs, but he should’ve given them over to a real vocalist to sing.

[Dartman]

Now that I think about it, you're right. He has made a living being bitter and angry. What a sad way to go through life.

[ScottinVA]

Now that I think about it, you're right. He has made a living being bitter and angry.

Very true. He does always seem to be pissed off about something...

[Squawk 8888]

To all- please ping me to Canadian topics.

Canada Ping!

[count-your-change]

Hannah was successful in her protests, no pipeline will be laid in front of the White House.