How any times have you said the Pledge of Allegiance? If you are like me, it is hundreds if not thousands of times. Ever think about the ending? “With Liberty and Justice for All.”
The CO2 pipeline being surveyed to cross South Dakota farmland threatens the very idea of "liberty and justice for all." Why? Because like it or not, South Dakota is letting CO2 pipeline surveyors show up on anyone's farm, unannounced, move their heavy equipment across farmer's fields tearing up crops as they go and then drill. All this as a prelude to trenching across fields to install a liquid CO2 pipeline which will disrupt and freeze the soil around the pipe thereby reducing production all along the miles of pipeline - permanently.
What about the Liberty of an American farmer to do with his/her own land, what he/she wants to do with it? Where is it that we lose that Liberty to multi-billion-dollar corporations so they can make a buck and farmers can foot a permanent reduction in their production and in the value of their farm?
Where is the Justice that allows teams of lawyers and their hired guns to kick you off YOUR OWN property so they can profit? What happens to your Second Amendment that keeps these folks safe? Why can't landowners defend their land?
Stand your Ground? Not in South Dakota. Not even if you are standing on your own ground!
These CO2 pipelines are a scheme to pump US taxpayer cash into the pockets of out of staters and foreign owners. There is no benefit to South Dakota, but the burden is shouldered by South Dakota farmers.
Meanwhile, there is not even a whisper from most Republicans, Democrats, or even our Governor. Perhaps the hundred or so farms and farmers aren't a big enough constituency for the Governor or elected officials to care about.
Liberty and Justice for all? Not for South Dakota farmers and their families or their future generations.
-Jeff Barth
