What’s in the pipeline for the new Congress? It looks from here like it’s the Keystone XL Pipeline. Things in the pipeline, are “in process,” like oil or natural gas, and there’s no topic of any greater concern before our august representatives.

With the clock ticking down on a final decision, it’s time for people to come together and oppose a project that would hasten the climate crisis, pave a pathway to pollution, and pose a major threat to public health.

The pipe as a musical instrument comes from the Latin pipare, “to chirp like a bird,” the plural pipes naming the vocal chords as well. On the high seas, the boatswain once used a high pitched pipe to signal the crew. Piping up was the call for all to assemble on deck. Piping down signaled lights out, all hands turn in. Today, when you pipe down you retreat to metaphorical quarters inside yourself,” by simply shutting up. It’s now time for the public to pipe up, to assemble and make its presence felt—by speaking out and asserting itself.

Don’t lose sight of who’s behind the project. Remember, he who pays the piper calls the tune. In medieval times, when strolling musicians toured the countryside, the only payment they received came voluntarily from members of the audience. Whoever gave up a few coins had the right to choose the tune to be played. Everyone knows the influence brought to bear on them by these purveyors of energy. So too in corporate America— whoever puts up the money having the ultimate say over those who accept it.

Under closer examination, the argument that the pipeline will increase employment by creating new jobs turns out to be a fantasy of sorts, like something induced by the smoking of opium, reducing it all to a pipe dream.

We’re talking about a truly representative democracy asserting itself. Contemplate for a moment the virtues of that ideal against your own delusions. Or to put it more simply: “Put that in your pipe and smoke it!”