Brian Crossman is a partner in Estevan-based Independent Well Servicing. The opinions expressed in this column are the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of Independent Well Servicing.
Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of two protesters who have thrown tinned soup at Vincent Van Gogh’s famous 1888 work Sunflowers at the National Gallery in London, Friday Oct. 14, 2022. The group Just Stop Oil, which wants the British government to halt new oil and gas projects, said activists dumped two cans of Heinz tomato soup over the oil painting on Oct. 14, 2022.. London’s Metropolitan Police said officers arrested two people on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass. (Just Stop Oil via AP)
We all love giving our opinions. Lord only knows I do. We just want to be heard, be validated and feel good about what we say and think. Many of us want to affect some sort of change to make things better for individuals and society as a whole. Take me, for example, I use this platform to express my views on the energy industry and sometimes other related subjects. I don’t expect everyone (or anyone) for that matter to agree with me, but if one person can take a tiny bit of positive information from my words, I’m good with that. Oh yeah, the irony of an “op-ed” on opinions is not lost on me.
But who listens? Do the people you reach out to already agree with you? Hopefully others are open-minded and willing to listen to your words thoughtfully. Or do they tell you to shut the f—k up and call you names? The attempts to silence people and name-calling routine seems to live in the domain of social media. When the name-calling, arguments and sometimes actual violence happens, it is usually widely posted on many platforms. It is oddly entertaining and disturbing at the same time. If you follow “Just Bins Disposal” you’ll know what I mean. (Also, very informative and sometimes hilarious by the way)
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Do our opinions matter? Of course they do. At least we all hope they do. When Pipeline Online puts forth commentary, it typically advocates for the oil and gas industry. Rightfully so, if you carefully read the name of the publication. Most people who read Mr. Zinchuk’s work would agree with nearly everything he has published. But as always, there is dissenting commentary. I often wonder why these people even bother to follow Pipeline Online. They often comment in a negative way on the industry in general. I could list a plethora of reasons on why I think they are wrong, misguided and need to look deeper on the value of what we do. For the most part I will disagree with their views on oil and gas vehemently. But I will say this: They are one hundred percent welcome to give their viewpoints and stand behind their convictions. On this I will stand behind them. As long as people are respectful, people are always welcome to have their say. This is one of the keys of modern society, we all can have a say, whether people like it or not.
Commenting and opinion is a form of action for your cause, whatever that might be. By action I mean encouraging a rational, civilized debate, not yelling and screaming like Jackwagons. (again, thanks Brad Wall) Please be respectful as well. I know it can be difficult, and I struggle with it sometimes. Good opinions can often lead to action that could bring about positive change. I have learned that debating a name-calling disrespectful person is not worth your time, unless you want some practice. Odds are their mind is not ready to change, nor will it ever be.
Actions such as donating your time, effort or money to those less fortunate is a great start. Getting involved with political parties whose policies align with your values and make sense is another. This course of action also provides opportunities to point of possible improvements or changes in direction. No matter what side of the spectrum you reside in, I am all for doing what you think is right.
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Actions that include throwing soup or paint at works of art, vandalism and laying on the road to stop traffic (that one confuses me) to try and stop fossil fuel use are a waste of time and resources and only serve to polarize the same people you want to educate. The irony as we all know is these very people use fossil fuels every single day of their lives. (One of my biggest peeves is the hundreds of private jets that fly to “climate conferences”) If you feel that strongly about stopping fossil fuels, go to school, become a scientist and develop working alternatives, and quit using things that are derived from fossil fuels. Good luck with that. I would like to know what these protesters do for a living, besides protest. That, my friends is a conversation for another time.
As always, most of us don’t have the time to go out and create wholesale change on a grand scale. That’s largely in part because we have jobs and families so flying somewhere (burning jet fuel BTW) to protest is not possible for us. But it is for some others, for better or for worse. (see paid protestors) But we do have time to support the causes, institutions and the people we believe in. As I noted earlier get behind the political party you like, as well as charities and groups that push for meaningful, positive change. And if you are able to do it the right way, and for the right reasons, your opinions truly do matter.
“Change your opinions, keep to your principles, change your leaves, keep intact your roots.” Victor Hugo.
Brian Crossman is a partner with Independent Well Servicing based in Estevan. As he noted, Brian is always full of opinions. (and sometimes full of something else) He is also fully aware of the old adage, “Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one.”
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- 0133 LC Trucking hiring Class 1A Payden0133 LC Trucking hiring Class 1A Payden
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- 0129 Turnbull drivers operators0129 Turnbull drivers operators
- 0128 OSY Rentals updated0128 OSY Rentals updated
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- 0118 IBEW 30 sec0118 IBEW 30 sec
- 0114 Prospera Bold Vision0114 Prospera Bold Vision
- 0113 Miller Epic Cinematic Hollywood trailer0113 Miller Epic Cinematic Hollywood trailer
- 0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended0102 Lori Carr Coal Extended
- 0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p0099 Mryglod Steel 1080p
- 0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it0095 Fast Trucking nearly 70 years good at it
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