oil is not for drinking Oil companies have been putting down pipelines for decades. Oftentimes, they’ve had to fight local residents in order to complete their construction, but they’ve almost always managed to go through with their projects. The Dakota Access Pipeline, so far, has been a different story. Worldwide resistance to the pipeline led to massive backlash that resulted in a temporary halt to building. The Standing Rock Sioux, with the support of hundreds of other tribes and thousands of people worldwide, have been protesting and obstructing the construction of the planned Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). According to the the DAPL website, it is a proposed 1,172 mile pipeline that is supposed to carry 470,000 barrels a day of mostly Canadian oil from North Dakota to Illinois. The DAPL is estimated to earn about 129 million dollars annually. The vast majority of the DAPL profits will end up in the pockets of Energy Transfer owner, Kelcy Warren. Warren’s net worth is 4 billion dollars. Although the DAPL is supposed to be a massive source of money, it really brings a host of problems with it. One issue is that the builders of the pipeline, Energy Transfer, used the law of eminent domain to take land from its owners in order to build the pipeline. Although they offer to pay the owners back for the land, many of them resent getting no say in the price paid or whether they wanted to sell the land in the first place. The Standing Rock Sioux also object to the pipeline cutting through their sacred land. The planned route of the pipeline travels underneath the Missouri river, posing a potential major health hazard. If the pipeline leaks even a small amount, it would not only contaminate the drinking water of the tribe, it would also threaten the drinking water of everyone along the river. Energy Transfer argues that their pipeline is built to never leak, however, there is significant evidence that it will. According to the PHMSA (the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration), there have been over 5,675 serious pipeline leaks across the country since 1996. These have resulted in 347 deaths, 1,346 injuries and over $7,542,390,190 in damages. With 308 leaks in 2015 alone, it is clear that it isn’t
OPINIONS BY: ETHAN ADATO
a question of if the Dakota Access Pipeline will leak, the question is when. When this happens, it will send oil directly into the Missouri river that would threaten the drinking water of millions of people. According to the DAPL website, the pipeline will be carrying sweet crude oil. Crude oil, when spilled, poses a serious threat to mammals. The oil becomes a sludge in the water and can be very hard to clean up. If the DAPL spewed crude oil into the Missouri river, it could ruin the drinking water for everyone downstream from the leak. In fact, the first proposed route of the DAPL traveled north of Bismarck, North Dakota but was moved closer to the Sioux reservation away from Bismarck after citizens in the city expressed concerns that the pipeline could endanger their water supply. This move illustrates the widespread belief that the pipeline could leak along with showing that Energy Transfer and their sponsors do not care about the well being of the Native Americans. The route move away from Bismarck to right next to the Sioux has caused massive controversy and helped to spark thousands of protesters. Celebrities including Shailene Woodley, Ben Affleck, Pharrell Williams, and Leonardo Dicaprio have stood up against the DAPL with Woodley being arrested during her time ing. On December 3rd, members protestof Green Day, Guns n Roses, Radiohead, Queen, Paramore, Pink Floyd and many others signed a letter that according to Rolling Stone reads “We are deeply disturbed by the police actions that have been taking place, where non-violent protests have been and continue to be met with extremely aggressive tactics including: being shot with water cannons in below-freezing temperatures, chemical weapons, rubber bullets and attack dogs. These are the same inhumane methods used during WWII and the civil rights movement.” The Sioux led the resistance and were the first to start protesting. The pipeline faced multiple road blocks and protester camps. The protests have been especially controversial due to the vicious police response. Private security hired by the pipeline launched attack dogs at protesters and their horses, resulting in numerous bites to people and horses alike. Police have repeatedly used sound cannons
to try to burst protester’s ears causing multiple injuries. According to reporter Dallas Goldtooth, on November 21st, police used water cannons to douse protesters during sub zero temperatures, giving more than 130 citizens hypothermia. Officers have repeatedly tried to shoot down drones filming them throughout the protests. According to the ACLU, more than 70 police departments sent troops and equipment to use on protesters. Police have also deliberately targeted journalists with rubber bullets. In footage from the Huffington Post, a journalist was in the middle of an interview when a sniper shot her in the back with a rubber bullet. Rubber bullets were also fired into the face of protesters causing eye injuries. One protester, according to the Bismarck emergency room, was struck by a tear gas canister in the face and will never be able to see through one eye again. The most aggressive police action occurred November 26th when police threw a concussion grenade at a crowd and nearly blew a woman’s arm off. Concussion grenades are non lethal when thrown near people but thrown directly at people, they can cause grievous injury. The police violence was so extreme that UN human rights observers were dispatched to watch the police response to protesters. The governor of North Dakota, decreed that all protesters must leave. According to NPR, the governor stated his reasoning is due to safety concerns. This contradicts his record of disregard for protesters health, notably allowing his police to give hundreds of protesters hypothermia, along with many brutal injuries. He also blocked all supplies from coming into the camps, which seems to come into conflict with his concern for protester safety. He also told emergency services to only consider responding to 911 calls by protesters on a case by case basis. The police were also trying to get rid of protesters by accusing them of federal crimes that they didn’t commit in order to hold them and delay their release. More than 100 federal charges were thrown out by North Dakota courts who have been overwhelmed with the 450 arrested protesters. At least three protesters are currently suing the Morton County Sheriff Office for their use of excessive force. The Morton County Sheriff Office, which lead the police effort in defending the pipeline acknowledged that they received monetary offers from oil companies to remove protesters.
Contiued on WaukeeArrowhead.com
Boys' Basketball // Girls' basketball 12/2 7:45pm Mason City, IA Location: Mason City High School Box Score: 76 - 74 (2OT) Loss 12/3 Mason City, IA Box Score: 76 - 74 Loss 12/6 7:45pm Des Moines East (Des Moines, IA) Location: Waukee High School Box Score: 68-30 Win 12/9 7:45pm Valley (West Des Moines, IA) Location: Waukee High School Box Score: 56-52 Win 12/13 7:45p Fort Dodge, IA Location: Fort Dodge High School 12/16 7:45pm Ames, IA Location: Ames High School 12/20 7:45pm Southeast Polk (Pleasant Hill, IA) Location: Waukee High School 1/3 7:45pm @ Ankeny (Ankeny, IA) Location: Ankeny High School
1/6 7:45pm @ Valley (West Des Moines, IA) Location: Valley High School 1/10 7:45pm Roosevelt (Des Moines, IA) Location: Waukee High School 1/6 7:45pm Valley (West Des Moines, IA) Location: Valley High School 1/10 7:45pm Roosevelt (Des Moines, IA) Location: Waukee High School 1/17 7:45pm @ Johnston (Johnston, IA) Location: Johnston High School 1/20 7:45pm Ames (Ames, IA) Location: Waukee High School 1/21 4:30pm Linn-Mar (Marion, IA) Location: Linn-Mar High School 1/24 7:45pm Lincoln (Des Moines, IA) Location: Waukee High School 1/27 7:45pm @ Southeast Polk (Pleasant Hill, IA) Location: Southeast Polk High School
Sports Managers
11/22 6:15pm Ottumwa, IA Location: Waukee High School Box Score: 78 - 31Win 12/2 6:15pm Mason City, IA Location: Mason City High School Box Score: 67 - 36Win
1/3 6:15pm Ankeny (Ankeny, IA) Location: Ankeny High School 1/3 6:15pm Ankeny (Ankeny, IA) Location: Ankeny High School 1/6 6:15pm Valley (West Des Moines, IA) Location: Valley High School 1/6 6:15pm Valley (West Des Moines, IA) 12/3 Location: Valley High School Mason City, IA 1/10 6:15pm Box Score: 67 - 36Win Roosevelt (Des Moines, IA) 12/6 6:15pm Location: Waukee High School Des Moines East 1/13 6:15pm (Des Moines, IA) Location: Waukee High School Ankeny Centennial (Ankeny, IA) Location: Waukee High School 12/9 6:15pm 1/17 6:15pm Valley @ Johnston (Johnston, IA) (West Des Moines, IA) Location: Johnston High School Location: Waukee High 1/20 6:15pm School Ames (Ames, IA) 12/13 6:15pm Location: Waukee High School Fort Dodge, IA 1/21 3:00pm Location: Fort Dodge High @ Linn-Mar (Marion, IA) School Game Details: Linn-Mar High School, 12/16 6:00pm Gym Ames, IA 1/24 6:15pm Location: Ames High School Lincoln (Des Moines, IA) 12/18 1:00pm Location: Waukee High School Olathe South (Olathe, KS) 1/27 6:15pm Location: Olathe South High @ Southeast Polk (Pleasant Hill, Polk School High School, Gym 12/20 6:15pm 1/28 11:15pm Southeast Polk Southeast Polk (Pleasant Hill, IA) (Pleasant Hill, IA) Location: Southeast Polk High School Location: Waukee High School
By: Grace Havnen
Students occupy the stands, shouting encouragement to the Warriors, but do they know what goes on behind the scenes? The sports managers play a major role in helping the team succeed. They race around, filling water bottles, getting equipment, and supporting the team. “We go to all the practices...and we also go to all the games,” said Morgan Halifax, a sophomore and one of the football managers. There is a lot of responsibility on the managers to always be with the team, ready to help. “We don’t just sit there and do nothing, we rebound their balls, fill water bottles, run the clock, help with injuries, and pretty much whatever the girls or coaches tell us to do,” said Paige Oswalt, junior manager of girls basketball. A managerial position requires a person who is social, willing to help the team, and enthusiastic. “I love being there and being part of the team. The other managers are great too,” Garrett Tigges, junior girls basketball manager shared. “Being at practice every day with the other managers creates a bond and a really good friendship,” Oswalt added on. Managers get to know the team, coaches, and their co-managers very well throughout the season, making the experience even more fun. During the season, the managers become great friends with each other as well as the team they’re managing for. “Hanging out with the team is really fun! If I didn’t become a manager I would have never met some of the people that I am close friends with now,” Oswalt expressed. “Helping manage the football team has prepared me a lot for my future. I’ve learned more about what I’m interested in and how to stay dedicated to one thing for a long time,” said Halifax. Learning these valuable lessons while still in high school can really help you succeed
in college and adulthood. Managers may be overlooked by the the student body at times, but they work hard to help the team out, along with the coaches.