A Human Focus on Being Thankful
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Tuesday, 11.10.15 ON THE WEB: www.yankton.net views VIEWS PAGE: [email protected] PAGE 4 PRESS&DAKOTAN The Press Dakotan THE DAKOTAS’ OLDEST NEWSPAPER | FOUndED 1861 Yankton Media, Inc., 319 Walnut St., Yankton, SD 57078 CONTACT US OPINION PHONE: (605) 665-7811 (800) 743-2968 NEWS FAX: Post-Pipeline: (605) 665-1721 ADVERTISING FAX: (605) 665-0288 WEBSITE: Shifting Gears www.yankton.net ––––– here’s one good thing (at least one … depending on which side SUBSCRIPTIONS/ of the issue you’re on) that can be taken from the scuttling of CIRCULATION the Keystone XL pipeline project last Friday. Extension 104 We can now focus our attentions more on the overall issue [email protected] Tof climate change and its impact on our planet, rather than grapple CLASSIFIED ADS over a project that really figured to be a small player in the scheme of Extension 116 things. [email protected] As we stated in this space last week prior to President Obama’s NEWS DEPT. announcement, the Keystone pipeline was not going to spell envi- Extension 114 ronmental doom for the planet, nor was it going to be the sprawling [email protected] shovel-ready economic stimulant that proponents have argued it The Rez of the Story SPORTS DEPT. would be. Even without the pipeline, the Alberta tar sands are going to be Extension 106 harvested, marketed and, for lack of a better word, burned. The [email protected] demise of Keystone doesn’t change that. ADVERTISING DEPT. A Human Focus Also, the State Department analysis of the project reported that Extension 122 while the project had the potential to create up to 42,000 jobs, they [email protected] would have been only temporary positions. The actual figure for BUSINESS OFFICE permanent, full-time jobs was placed at about 50. Extension 119 According to FiveThirtyEight.com, counties along the pipeline [email protected] On Being Thankful would have seen an increase in revenue, but the overall economic im- NEW MEDIA: pact of the project would have been quite small for the U.S. economy. Extension 136 All this belies much of the hand-wringing reaction dished out BY VINCE TWO EAGLES strength of the spirit to shield you in sudden [email protected] by proponents of the project since last week, who sound as though misfortune. But do not distress yourself with COMPOSING DEPT. Obama murdered a golden goose. Hau Mitakuepi (Greetings My Relatives), dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue Extension 129 So, let’s dispense with this symbolic episode and concentrate Imbedded in the Dakotah cultural perspec- and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, [email protected] more on overall climate issues, which are becoming more pressing as tive is the notion about being thankful — of be gentle with yourself. the years pass and the future grows warmer. course meaning being imbued with the “state “You are a child of the universe, no less than * * * A key environmental item actually did occur last week when of thankfulness.” This subject is of particular the trees and the stars; and whether or not it MANAGERS New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderma issued subpoenas to importance because of the holiday “Thanks- is clear to you, the universe is unfolding as it Gary L. Wood petroleum goliath ExxonMobil after evidence came forth that the giving” coming up on the 26th of this month. should. Publisher company had misled its stockholders and consumers (or, in broader I wanted to be one of the Native col- “Therefore be at peace with God, terms, the world) about the impact of climate change. It was reported umnists who remind Americans annu- whatever you conceive Him to be, Michele Schievelbein earlier this fall by InsideClimate News, a Pulitzer Prize-winning web- ally about the true history behind the Advertising Director and whatever your labors and aspira- based operation, that Exxon (as it was once known) knew as far back so called “spirit” of the holiday — but tions, in the noisy confusion of life Jim Gevens as 1977 about the impact of petroleum on the climate, but it used a not this week. keep peace with your soul. Circulation Director well-funded campaign of disinformation to keep this knowledge under In the spirit of Thanksgiving or “With all its sham, drudgery and wraps and delay efforts to address the issue. more precisely “being in the state of broken dreams, it is still a beauti- Tonya Schild According to The New Yorker magazine, last week’s headlines are Business Manager thankfulness,” let me share this bit of ful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be part of an increasingly effective environmental effort that has finally prose authored by a American writer, happy.” Tera Schmidt captured the momentum in addressing the impact of fossil fuels on poet, and attorney from Terre Haute, I know from experience that Classified Manager the climate. There is also an economic logic tied to it: The world Indiana, Max Ehrmann, who accord- my efforts to further the narrative has five times as much carbon in its fossil fuel reserves as can be ing to Wikipedia is widely known for Vince about the “Native American Story” Kelly Hertz safely burned. These “stranded assets” are causing some investors Editor his now famous “Desiderata” (Latin puts me at risk for plunging into the to change their minds, according to The New Yorker: “… (Portfolios) — “things desired”). Mr. Ehrmann’s TWO EAGLES destructive lure of negativity and James D. Cimburek and endowments worth a total of $2.6 trillion in assets have begun poem has helped me to sustain a hopelessness. Our story, however Sports Editor to divest from fossil fuels. The smart money is heading elsewhere.” positive outlook and by sharing it convoluted, is still, and forever must Beth Rye And there is hope in this area because alternative energy sourc- I sincerely hope it will do the same for you. be, included in the written pages of human Digital Media Director es, such as solar and wind, are becoming bigger and more acces- “Desiderata” goes something like this: history. As a writer sometimes submerged sible players in the energy field. Also, the efforts to increase energy “Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and in the researching of the sordid detail of Kathy Larson efficiency are having an increased impact on America’s overall con- remember what peace there may be in silence. America’s treatment (past and present) of its Composing Manager sumption. While the transition away from a fossil fuel-based culture As far as possible without surrender be on good Native population I never-the-less fine it neces- may take us decades, the journey appears to be well under way. terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly sary to rely on the peacefulness one finds in There’s no one answer to addressing the climate change issue. and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull remembering to be thankful in living each and While killing Keystone probably has some symbolic weight to it, and ignorant; they too have their story. every day. * * * much more must be done than embracing symbolism. And that’s “Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are The lessons learned from being in a state DAILY STAFF going to take getting enough people on the same page in realizing a vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself of thankfulness are enormous. In addition Reilly Biel problem that must be addressed now. with others, you may become vain and bitter; to the nice big turkey and all the trimmings Cassandra Brockmoller kmh for always there will be greater and lesser per- to share with your families this year, teach Brandi Bue sons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as Rob Buckingham yourself, each other, your children, and your Caryn Chappelear well as your plans. grandchildren to not be so concerned with Randy Dockendorf “Keep interested in your own career, what they don’t have but with what they have. Jeannine Economy however humble; it is a real possession in the Especially, be mindful of our relationships in Rachel Frederick ABOUT THIS PAGE changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in our lives. I am convinced that this is the well Jeremy Hoeck your business affairs; for the world is full of where from we draw our strengths, courage, Nicole Myers The View page provides a forum for open discussion of issues and interests Robert Nielsen affecting our readers. Initialed editorials represent the opinion of the writer, but trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue and other attributes that will sustain us to Diana Smallwood not necessarily that of the PRESS & DAKOTAN. Bylined columns represent the there is; many persons strive for high ideals; follow the “Red Road” (the road of success, David Stephenson view of the author. We welcome letters on current topics. Questions regarding the and everywhere life is full of heroism. happiness and good health) as we Indian Cathy Sudbeck Views page should be directed to Kelly Hertz at [email protected]/. “Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affec- people say. I know its early, but heartfelt JoAnn Wiebelhaus tion. Neither be cynical about love; for in the nevertheless--have a happy, safe and thankful Brenda Willcuts face of all aridity [dullness] and disenchant- holiday season everyone. Alissa Woockman IN HISTORY ment it is perennial [enduring] as the grass. And now you know the rez of the story. By The Associated Press National League Cy Young Award. “Take kindly the counsel of the years, grace- Doksha (later) … * * * Today is Tuesday, Nov.