Thanks Obama! (seriously)

[G_j]

President Obama plans to make 12 million acres of Alaska protected wilderness
Over 7 million acres of the refuge is currently managed as wilderness.

By Thor Benson Contact the Author | Jan. 25, 2015 at 2:45 PM

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The Obama Administration announced Sunday it plans to set aside 12 million acres in Alaska to be considered protected wilderness.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is roughly 19 million acres in total, and President Obama hopes to make 12 million of those acres designated as wilderness, which means no roads can be built on it and there will be no motorized access. Designating it as wilderness is considered the highest level of protection for a wildlife area.

"Designating vast areas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as Wilderness reflects the significance this landscape holds for America and its wildlife," said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. "Just like Yosemite or the Grand Canyon, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of our nation's crown jewels and we have an obligation to preserve this spectacular place for generations to come."

The newly appointed Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chairman, Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), believes it is an attack on the oil and gas industry that could operate on the land.

"What's coming is a stunning attack on our sovereignty and our ability to develop a strong economy that allows us, our children and our grandchildren to thrive," she said in a statement.


Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2015/01/25/President-Obama-plans-to-make-12-million-acres-of-Alaska-protected-wilderness/5321422214141/#ixzz3PsN1hSU7


Arctic native people of the Gwich'in Nation form a human banner on the banks of the Porcupine River near Ft. Yukon, Alaska, with a message to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil development on July 21, 2010. The 'Protect' image includes a Porcupine caribou antler and a threatened Yukon River Salmon. UPI/Camila Roy/HO
| License Photo

[stage left]

1. Thanks, Obama.

good job.

[SunSeeker]

2. K & R

[rhett o rick]

3. Thanks Obama. nm

[Fred Sanders]

4. You earned your pretty penny from OIL, Murkowski, now run along, there are facts to discuss and

policy based on facts.

Be a good dear, will you?

And please leave the door open, been a warm year again in Alaska.

http://akclimate.org/ClimTrends/Change/TempChange.html

[Cha]

14. +1

[scarletwoman]

5. K&R. Thanks G_j, and

thanks, Obama!

[Cha]

6. I was looking to see if this was on DU before I posted it.. thank you, G_j.. Thanks Obama!

TheObamaDiary.com @TheObamaDiary
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President Obama to seek wilderness designation for 12 million acres of Alaska refuge
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/7/71/319122/obama-seek-wilderness-designation-12-million-acres-alaska-refuge …
11:01 AM - 25 Jan 2015 59 Retweets 32 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/01/25/a-tweet-or-two-218/

[Pharaoh]

7. Great!

But how about taxing the rich?


I would like him to get at the crux of the matter. And raise the cap on SS contributions.....

[F4lconF16]

9. C'mon, seriously.

I really can't stand what Obama has done in many, many areas. I'm tired of the bullshit we're being fed from so many corporate Democrats too. Yeah, he's probanly screwed the environment more than helping with his unwillingness to work on climate change and pushing of fracking, big oil, etc.

But just once, allow yourself to be happy about something good. This is just stupid. Something good was (edit: is *hopefully* going to be) done--give him credit for it, and don't just try to make him look bad.

[Cha]

10. Thanks for kicking the Thread about the Alaskan Wilderness!

[G_j]

16. not generally full of praise, this is dear to my heart, as it should be to all

there is only one earth.

[Beringia]

8. great

[mountain grammy]

11. Thanks Obama!

[Cha]

12. Serious KICK

[Cha]

13. K

[Cha]

15. "Protect".. beautiful!

[G_j]

17. you probably know

me more as a critic, but this is a big deal. We've been fighting with (mostly) Republicans about the refuge forever. I can bet they are upset.

[Cha]

18. Yes, I do, G_j.. and yes it is a BFD! As is this, imv..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026137381

[G_j]

19. agreed

I am very happy for that he is addressing climate change as the very serious issue that it is. Adressing the future for children and grandchildren, again, the Republicans are having fits.

[Scuba]

20. It's hard to take the President seriously when his statement includes the phrase ...

... "I’m going to be calling on Congress"


http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026137607

[IronLionZion]

21. "What's coming is a stunning attack on our sovereignty"

What we've been getting from the right is a stunning attack on our sanity and insult to our intelligence and values.

I remember a lot of DUers promising me that Obama would allow drilling in ANWR.

[treestar]

22. That's neat, I wouldn't have realized that was a group of people standing there

to form the words and figures.

Yay for protecting the wildlife. Murkowski can shove it.