Letters to the Editor | November 30th, 2016
To the editor:
I support the movement to not build the DAPL. I support the protestors. I support the law enforcement and emergency personnel.
I find it absolutely absurd that people think that if you support law enforcement you support the DAPL; or that if you do not support the DAPL, then you do not support law enforcement. In many news reports and people's personal Facebook statuses, I have seen so many generalizations about people that it's ridiculous.
I support the movement to not build the DAPL for one big reason. Some oil companies are not being held strictly accountable for current regulations. One simple search for a scholarly article would bring up the many pipeline leaks that have occurred and how companies are getting a slap on the wrist for it. I would be completely for the DAPL if there were a better record of companies being held accountable.
As someone who is more for clean energy I realize that the vehicle I drive takes gas, which comes from oil. I realize that many of the products I use come from oil. I would rather have oil from the U.S. than from across the ocean. Here is the thing though: companies need to be held accountable.
I support the protestors for two big reasons. Remember that thing called the First Amendment? People have the right to peacefully protest. Second, I full-heartedly agree that oil is and will affect the water.
I support the law enforcement and emergency personnel. I support them to help keep the situation in line.
I do NOT support law enforcement treating any person cruelly. Spraying water at protesters in freezing weather? Seriously. This is a first world country, let's start acting like it.
I do NOT support protestors causing harm to any other person (other protestors or law enforcement). I do NOT support politicians who just sit back and do nothing. I do NOT support companies being able to do something illegally because of the industry they are in or because they have a lot of money.
The next time you go and make a statement make sure you can back it up with facts. Please also remember to not make generalizations. Not all protesters are bad, not all cops are bad, not all elected officials are bad, and not all companies are bad.
-Morgan Kastner Glyndon, Minn.
January 24th 2026
December 18th 2025
August 19th 2025
June 19th 2025
June 2nd 2025
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