Posing As A Bidder, Utah Student Disrupts Government Auction of 150,000 Acres Of Wilderness For Oil & Gas Drilling

In a national broadcast exclusive, University of Utah student Tim DeChristopher explains how he bought 22,000 acres of land in an attempt to save the property from drilling. The sale had been strongly opposed by many environmental groups. Stephen Bloch of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance said: "This is the fire sale, the Bush administrations last great gift to the oil and gas industry.
This is the first 10 minutes of the interview. For the rest go to:
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/12/22/posing_as_a_bidder_utah_student

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[TIMESNIPPET]

Tim DeChristopher is a HERO!

[sandweezy]

Yea...and how do you think that land will look after 30 - 100 years of oil drilling?....COMPLETELY RUINED!. Think about YOUR land. This is America.....why the fuck do we need to make one of the most gorgeous countries in the world look like a damn deserted island. Wildlife brings more to the country than just gorgeous views....it preserves the life that lives there. Fuck OIL....it is alllllll a scam for little koolaid drinkers like yourself.

[chadro85]

@Amaroq64 you would trade a little lower gas prices for this amazing place. why its not like its going to make anything better sure maybe gas prices would go down a bit. in short terms. but in the long run gas prices will just shoot back up again. even worse then befor even. but you know what would'nt shoot right back up or not come back at all. nature and all the amazing landscapes that have been forming for MILLIONS OF YEARS. ha wow what a great trade that is.

[ion010101]

If he wanted to stay out of jail, he should have driven drunk or hit his wife or started a fight or raped a kid. They give you a stern warning and a gift basket for violent offenses. Messing with the man's money - you will get sent up the river without compunction.

[Toobtron]

First of all, you need a plan if you're going to commit a Felony crime to stop big oil. I would plant fake archeological remains and artifacts at the drill sites as archeological discoveries can sometimes cause serious delays. just my 2 cents.

For DeChristopher, I would have thought with his skill set and grad degree, he would have chosen to cover himself in oil and set himself on fire in protest. Regardless, I am confident that he will lead the environmental movement to new heights from jail.

[jpmorgan187]

@Amaroq64

Wow, you sure are an insightful, critical thinker! Oh gee, I bet gas prices would drop down to like $1.50 a gallon if they open up this land!!

[Amaroq64]

I want to know who owned the land? As in, who held the property rights to it? In my view, whoever could legitimately buy the land should have been given it. This man is just a criminal for bidding money he didn't have. And for what? I'd rather the oil companies get the land so my gas prices can go down than for environmentalist nutcases be praised for violating property rights because they think the land looks pretty.

[Amaroq64]

@Manchac7 I wish youtube comment votes worked for me so I could upvote your comment, good sir.

[hfytr65]

If he goes to jail then I will lose all faith in America.

[j1a2r34]

Why didn't Redford and his wealthy friends buy the rights? Imagine being able to bequeath your estate the absolute LAST barrel of oil on Earth. Why aren't environmentalists of every stripe collectively stockpiling money in time for next opportunity (maybe the next auction) to make a real difference?

[gfaraj]

he said doodie :]

[captininsanity]

@jake84021 Hes got more courage to do whats right than you ever will.