Robert Redford Thanks Obama For 'Standing Up To Big Oil' (VIDEO)

Actor and Natural Resources Defense Council trustee Robert Redford has thanked President Obama for "standing up to Big Oil," showing leadership and courage.

This past Thursday, federal officials postponed approval of the Keystone XL pipeline to beyond the 2012 election.

In what many have deemed a win for environmentalists protesting the project, 350.org's Jamie Henn wrote on HuffPost, "Most analysts think the 12- to 18-month delay will cause enough cost overruns and missed contracts that TransCanada will have to scrap the project altogether."

In a statement, Redford said, "This is American democracy at its best: a president who listens to the voice of the people and shows the courage to do what's right for the country. Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up to Big Oil. Thank you for standing up for us all."

President of the NRDC, Frances Beinecke added, "President Obama is displaying leadership and courage in putting the interests of the American people before those of Big Oil. He has taken another significant step in the fight against climate change and in our march toward a clean energy future, which will mean healthier lives for all. The president’s decision also means that our property, water and agricultural lands cannot be stripped from us without a fight."

WATCH Redford's response to the delay below:

Check out the slideshow below of other celebrities who have spoken out against the pipeline:

Comments

[Jorge Escondido]

11:40 AM on 11/25/2011

Yeah Robert, so now the Canadians can load that oil onto supertankers headed for China. When, not if, but WHEN one of these tankers ruptures and spills tons of this dirty oil into the sea killing millions of life forms, I will personally hold you accountable, environmentalist indeed!

[Shikari]

10:33 AM on 11/25/2011

Obama decides to rely on oil from South American dictators and Middle Eastern Kingdoms who hate America---rather than oil from Canada on the urgings of superannuated actors and leftist supporters.

This Canadian shakes his head and supports the Canadian government in locating other markets for Canadian oil rather than to rely on our "friends" and neighbours the USA.

[donttrustem]

10:32 AM on 11/25/2011

I appreciate your thoughts, Bob. When you reduce your carbon footprint to less than my family of five, I may even believe you are sincere.

[mmnrude95]

09:40 AM on 11/25/2011

To quote Bugs Bunny, "What a Maroon!"

[lostcall]

08:37 AM on 11/25/2011

Typical hollywood activist, lot of passion but no brains.

[Bruce Kettelle]

09:07 AM on 11/25/2011

Typical know-nothing response. No passion, no brains.
Your name should be lostcause.

[Rawmodel]

10:10 AM on 11/25/2011

Do you know what the tar-sand industry has done to northern alberta? Total devastation - water polluted, forests clear cut...inform yourself (brains).

[fortWorthTexas]

02:19 AM on 11/25/2011

Every time anyone attempts to provide actual insight to one of our many problems, the Tea Party members (or their wannabees) throw so much muck that the message gets lost. What ever happened to intelligent discourse?

[Bruce Kettelle]

09:16 AM on 11/25/2011

Intelligent discourse became polarized parroting long ago in the US.
Most Americans don't think; they mimic.
Corporate CEO's, wealthy financiers and the US Congress know this.
Why lead in the traditional sense when a gullible nation prefers being led around by its collective nose.

[Jorge Escondido]

11:44 AM on 11/25/2011

OUR problems? Speak for yourself you authoritarian collectivist. Of course what should one expect from people like yourself that consider books like Animal Farm and Brave New World as instruction manuals instead of cautionary tales.

[glenaurora]

10:56 PM on 11/24/2011

And Obama thanks Robert Redford.

[wildkatzaz]

03:16 PM on 11/24/2011

Robert Redford has just bought his ticket to the next Democratic fund-raiser bash. That's all he's done.

[plansmaker]

11:32 PM on 11/24/2011

Redford has been a life long environmental activist.
He is not a fake johnny comes lately like Al Gore and the global warming extravaganza.

[Q45]

02:38 PM on 11/24/2011

Robert Redford is one example of a Real American, putting people and country first.

[wildkatzaz]

03:14 PM on 11/24/2011

Robert Redford is one more example of slavish Hollywood egoists who believe it's better to party with Obama than think for themselves. Depending on technology that hasn't been invented yet while crippling the technology that actually works makes no sense. All it will do is kill the economy. It doesn't matter - Robert Redford is sure to be invited to the White House. That's what he cares about.

[tommyjohnson]

09:52 AM on 11/25/2011

are you kidding me? Look at his Sundance catalog - most everything comes from China or India. Give me a break - Redford - I thought you were going to leave the US if Bush won - you never did - still waiting. Use to think you were so wonderful - move on Redford.

[wildkatzaz]

11:52 AM on 11/24/2011

Folks - we still need fuel while we develop green energy. Viable green energy is a long way off - despite the ridiculous amount of money this administration has blown on bankrupt green energy companies in order to support the re-election of President Obama.

[madisgp]

03:06 PM on 11/24/2011

If you are talking about Sylendra, that deal was done by the Bush Administration. Obama just oversaw the payout. You are wrong again. And a few hundred million is NOT gonna sink our Government. Buying as much FORGIEN oil as this pipeline would have brought here just might.

[wildkatzaz]

03:18 PM on 11/24/2011

I'm sorry - who oversaw the payout - not only on this deal but on many others? And whose campaign benefited?

Wake up and smell the economy. The US can't keep this up without collapsing - and believe me, that will affect liberals every bit as much as it affects conservatives. Wake up.

[Bridget Guzzi]

11:25 AM on 11/21/2011

In what many have deemed a win for environmentalists protesting the project, 350.org's Jamie Henn wrote on HuffPost, "Most analysts think the 12- to 18-month delay will cause enough cost overruns and missed contracts that TransCanada will have to scrap the project altogether."

I too wanted nothing less than a firm "NO". I will have to adapt to the reality of the delay and trust in Jamie's thinking.

[Neil Hunt]

12:26 PM on 11/15/2011

THE MORONS WHO ATTACK REDFORD & THE PRESIDENT HERE DONT EVEN CAST A SINGLE THOUGHT FOR WHAT A LEAK OF THE DIRTIEST OIL NOW AVAILABLE COULD DO TO THE LARGEST WATER AQUIFER WE HAVE UNDER NEBRASKA--WHEN COUPLED WITH THE DAMAGE NOW BEING DONE TO THE DELAWARE RIVER VALLEY & MANY OTHER LOCATIONS WATER SUPPLIES BY FRACKING WE NEED ALL THE FIGHTERS WE CAN MUSTER TO SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT! STOP THE CARBON BINGE! TIME TO GO GREEN!

[GW Lawson]

05:10 PM on 11/18/2011

The Canadians will still take the oil out of the sands and sell it overseas. Don't you get it? Apparently not. We know the dangers and we know we have thousands of regulations they have to adhere to. Shouldn't we use the revenue and job creation to our benefit? Using attacking language means you have already lost your argument.

[Neil Hunt]

06:03 PM on 11/18/2011

Oh Duh! Maybe I have lost the argument -or will - not due to my language for Gods sake --but to 'big money' investments already made or committed! BUT-we used to lead didnt we?- not follow?--so lets lead again with 'Green' technology & jobs -as promised during the 08 election (or was that only empty talk?) & maybe we can still halt the carbon rampage from entirely ruining the planet--there is very little time left now to turn it around anyway--but its worth a try-- ah! hell-who am I kidding--the big money already invested wins-will always win! But it'll be hugely & painfully ironic if the heaviest carbon burner now prospering--China-- also ends up leading the green technology way out of the looming G.W disaster. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT REPLACING CALAMITOUS CARBON BURNING WITH GREEN TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE NEXT 20 YEARS! IT CAN & MUST BE DONE!!

[tedsbcfe]

08:29 AM on 11/24/2011

I don't know much about this fractuing stuff so I'll yield to you on that. I'm sure leak prevention is a big consideration with these pipelines. The many that we have already seem to be trouble free, so far, that is. Do me a favor and look into where China is getting fresh water from these days. Our precious water, which I also hold in very high regard, is going to them by way of the Great lakes GOOGLE IT: Nesley and the Great lakes. Then google Bioshere International Inc. You love it!

[Vige]

10:02 AM on 11/24/2011

Everyone should be educated about fracking. It has pros and cons. Chocolate also has pros and cons. It can be fantastic in moderation or it can be abused.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNl6sx059bE

[Vera Gottlieb]

04:15 AM on 11/15/2011

And after the 2012 election???

[Mike Cofta]

11:05 PM on 11/14/2011

...every time Mr. Redford opens his mouth, he proves what an intellectual fraud he is...

[Neil Hunt]

12:14 PM on 11/15/2011

NO he doesnt--but you just did! Thanks R.R & thanks mr President--history will judge you both kindly.

[Mike Cofta]

09:23 PM on 11/15/2011

...history will remember neither.

[tedsbcfe]

08:32 AM on 11/24/2011

As long as you and your lefty lopsided pals write the history books Omamba will look like Father Theresa!

[labrown]

08:34 PM on 11/14/2011

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