The Keystone XL Pipeline: it's like putting coal directly into your car

Now through September 3rd, protesters are being arrested in front of the White House to protest the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would pipe oil from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
Why the protests? Says Bill McKibben of 350.org, who was arrested for protesting:
"Tar sands mining has already wrecked huge swaths of native land in Alberta and endangers farms, wild areas, and aquifers all along its prospective route.)
"Now, however, people are coming to understand—as we hoped our demonstrations would highlight—that it poses a danger to the whole planet as well."

Also joining the protests is NASA climate scientist James Hansen:
"What makes tar sands particularly odious is that the energy you get out in the end, per unit carbon dioxide, is poor. It's equivalent to burning coal in your automobile. We simply cannot be that stupid if we want to preserve a planet for our children and grandchildren."