COMMENTS: 40
Obama Must Say No to the Coal Barons Desecrating Our Mountains
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Obama spaketh, and it was good: "We have to find more environmentally sound ways of mining coal than simply blowing the tops off mountains," he proclaimed.
And, yea, in the mountains and down through all the valleys of the ancient land of Appalachia, hearts were filled with joy, for here was a prophet of hope who was signaling that a change was coming -- at last, the endtime was at hand for the brutish coal-mining method called "mountaintop removal," which is an abomination.
Even as the people rejoiced at this good news, coal barons trembled in their temples of black gold. For a decade, these mighty extractors of wealth had been allowed to accumulate unto themselves enormous profits by exploding the tops off the peaks in Appalachia, the oldest mountain range in all the land. With the top third of these awesome, forested mountains reduced to rubble, the barons used giant machines to strip out seams of coal, and then they simply shoved the rubble and toxic coal waste down the mountainsides, burying the valleys and streams below. It was a desecration -- but the love of mammon made it the law of the land.
Then, behold, now the prophet became president, so he was in a position to put his words into action.
And act, he did. On May 15, it was announced that Barack Obama's Environmental Protection Agency had quietly approved 42 of 48 new Appalachian mining permits sought by the coal barons.
Say what? The prophet of change and hope just OK-ed more desecration by coal mining profiteers? What in the name of a mysterious God is going on here?
Politics. Politics at its weaseliest. Industry supporters point out that while Obama had expressed his concern about this detestable practice in last year's presidential race, he had not actually promised to halt it. Cute, huh?
Once he was in office, coal executives, lobbyists and other enthusiasts for bang-and-shove mining went to work on him. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.V., chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee and a full-throated cheerleader for whatever his state's coal industry wants, met with the head of the EPA, the chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief of staff.
"In each of these meetings," says Rahall, "I received assurances. The Obama administration knows that it cannot turn its back on coal."
Of course, that's not the question. There are many ways to mine coal besides blowing up the environment. The question is whether Obama will turn his back on the mountains, the people and his own integrity.
The industry rationalizes its greed in the name of creating jobs for this hard-hit region -- but mountaintop removal relies on dynamite and huge machines, not workers. In fact, thousands of mining jobs have been lost as corporations switched to this method. In all of Appalachia, there are only 19,000 jobs connected to every form of surface mining -- and the tiniest fraction of those are in mountaintop removal. A much brighter job future is to develop Appalachia's boundless green-energy potential -- a blue-green initiative that's supposed to be one of Obama's top priorities.
The good news is that the approval of these 42 permits does not mean the debate is over, even in the White House. Some 200 other applications are pending, involving much larger projects, and it's known that top Obamans are very divided on allowing any more of this crass destruction.
This is a case where public outrage can make a difference. Obama and team snuck out the 42 permits without even notifying the public, but they won't be able to ambush us on the other applications. Rather than throwing up our hands in disgust at their first action, now is the time for us to flex some grass-roots political muscle.
To let him know we expect no more weaseling on his pledge to stop "blowing the tops off mountains," call the White House operator and ask for Nancy Sutley. She heads Obama's Council on Environmental Quality and needs to hear that We the People give a damn: (202) 456-1414.
To find out more about Jim Hightower, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.
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Comments are closed-
Posted by: SpiderWoman on Jun 8, 2009 1:39 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There is no end to the horrors of this rape of the earth.
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Posted by: CarlaWaters on Jun 8, 2009 3:43 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
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Posted by: tmullins on Jun 8, 2009 3:53 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=138
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» RE: Appalachia can't stand anymore of the prosperity
Posted by: Vik
» Neither can the surrounding areas. The damage will be severe and extend across.
Posted by: CarlaWaters
Comments are closed-
Posted by: tony_opmoc on Jun 8, 2009 5:47 AM
Current rating: 1 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Tony
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» So Becky dear, when are you going to tell Obama to STOP HIS CENSORSHIP and COME CLEAN?
Posted by: CarlaWaters
» RE: So Becky dear, when are you going to tell Obama to STOP HIS CENSORSHIP and COME CLEAN?
Posted by: orwellturns
» How about giving Obama and Congress a new residence in Wise County, VA where
Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: Scream in horror at HIM. It doesn't matter how many comments there are here.
Posted by: HillbillyRob
Comments are closed-
Posted by: Daito on Jun 8, 2009 5:59 AM
Current rating: 2 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
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» RE: Didn't Obama promise on TV to mine clean coal? So that was a ... Lie?
Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: Didn't Obama promise on TV to mine clean coal? So that was a ... Lie?
Posted by: HillbillyRob
Comments are closed-
Posted by: harpy on Jun 8, 2009 7:37 AM
Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
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Posted by: Bliss Doubt on Jun 8, 2009 7:59 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
He (Obama) said the country also needs a forward-thinking energy policy, and he alluded to his disapproval of the coal mining process of mountaintop removal.
"We're tearing up the Appalachian Mountains because of our dependence on fossil fuels," he said, sparking loud applause.
http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/27/obama_fires_up_cr...
When Appalachian Voices asked Senator Obama about MTR, and whether he supported or opposed strip mining, he (Obama) said:
"Strip-mining is an environmental disaster!"
The telegenic Presidential hopeful did not stop there. He went on to adress mountaintop removal by saying:
"We have to find more environmentally sound ways of mining coal, than simply blowing the tops off mountains."
Liar liar pants on fire.
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» RE: Aha!
Posted by: CarlaWaters
» No need to contact that sleazebag. VOTE HIM OUT ! Better yet, IMPEACH AND CONVICT Obama !
Posted by: CarlaWaters
» I think you know, Beck,
Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» And have you really nothing to say
Posted by: Bliss Doubt
Comments are closed-
Posted by: CarlaWaters on Jun 8, 2009 8:49 AM
Current rating: 4 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
» "Beck" is just a mentally retarded Obamabot who needs a TOUGH SPANKING !
Posted by: maxpayne
» You are out of line advocating violence against a fellow progressive
Posted by: Paul_C
» RE: You are out of line advocating violence against a fellow progressive
Posted by: Bliss Doubt
Comments are closed-
Posted by: motamanx6 on Jun 8, 2009 8:55 AM
Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
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Posted by: maxpayne on Jun 8, 2009 9:09 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
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Posted by: maxpayne on Jun 8, 2009 9:34 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
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Posted by: leemiller38 on Jun 8, 2009 9:46 AM
Current rating: 3 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
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» RE: Here is a long term approach
Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» That's no approach, here's a real one
Posted by: mgmyers79
Comments are closed-
Posted by: willymack on Jun 8, 2009 10:08 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Apparently so.
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Posted by: susanhathaway on Jun 8, 2009 6:44 PM
Current rating: 2 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The answer is HE ALREADY HAS.
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» Premature much?
Posted by: frantaylor
Comments are closed-
Posted by: frantaylor on Jun 8, 2009 8:18 PM
Current rating: 2 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If we truly want to burn less fuel, start with the method that gets the biggest bang for the buck. The government should print out vouchers and send them to every homeowner. Take the voucher to the hardware store and get free insulation. Take it home and put it in your house.
This is a simple, inexpensive, effective idea that can save untold amounts of oil, and it is a one time investment: that insulation keeps saving oil winter after winter.
Do the simple and effective ideas first. Get the ball rolling. People will get the idea and move further on their own.
If I were the folks at Corning or any other insulation company, I would be paying lobbyists to get this idea into the ear of every elected official in Washington. Go Pink Panther!
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
» RE: Move the prosperity north
Posted by: frantaylor
Comments are closed-
Posted by: Ian MacLeod on Jun 8, 2009 10:30 PM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Ian
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Comments are closed-
Posted by: davescott on Jun 9, 2009 3:24 PM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am a member of the Sierra Club's national board of directors.
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» Obama is walking a very fine line
Posted by: Paul_C
» RE: Obama is walking a very fine line
Posted by: atheistcable
Comments are closed-
Posted by: SpiderWoman on Jun 8, 2009 1:39 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There is no end to the horrors of this rape of the earth.
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
Comments are closed-
Posted by: CarlaWaters on Jun 8, 2009 3:43 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
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Comments are closed-
Posted by: tmullins on Jun 8, 2009 3:53 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=138
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
» RE: Appalachia can't stand anymore of the prosperity
Posted by: Vik
» Neither can the surrounding areas. The damage will be severe and extend across.
Posted by: CarlaWaters
Comments are closed-
Posted by: tony_opmoc on Jun 8, 2009 5:47 AM
Current rating: 1 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Tony
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
» So Becky dear, when are you going to tell Obama to STOP HIS CENSORSHIP and COME CLEAN?
Posted by: CarlaWaters
» RE: So Becky dear, when are you going to tell Obama to STOP HIS CENSORSHIP and COME CLEAN?
Posted by: orwellturns
» How about giving Obama and Congress a new residence in Wise County, VA where
Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: Scream in horror at HIM. It doesn't matter how many comments there are here.
Posted by: HillbillyRob
Comments are closed-
Posted by: Daito on Jun 8, 2009 5:59 AM
Current rating: 2 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
» RE: Didn't Obama promise on TV to mine clean coal? So that was a ... Lie?
Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: Didn't Obama promise on TV to mine clean coal? So that was a ... Lie?
Posted by: HillbillyRob
Comments are closed-
Posted by: harpy on Jun 8, 2009 7:37 AM
Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
Comments are closed-
Posted by: Bliss Doubt on Jun 8, 2009 7:59 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
He (Obama) said the country also needs a forward-thinking energy policy, and he alluded to his disapproval of the coal mining process of mountaintop removal.
"We're tearing up the Appalachian Mountains because of our dependence on fossil fuels," he said, sparking loud applause.
http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/27/obama_fires_up_cr...
When Appalachian Voices asked Senator Obama about MTR, and whether he supported or opposed strip mining, he (Obama) said:
"Strip-mining is an environmental disaster!"
The telegenic Presidential hopeful did not stop there. He went on to adress mountaintop removal by saying:
"We have to find more environmentally sound ways of mining coal, than simply blowing the tops off mountains."
Liar liar pants on fire.
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
» RE: Aha!
Posted by: CarlaWaters
» No need to contact that sleazebag. VOTE HIM OUT ! Better yet, IMPEACH AND CONVICT Obama !
Posted by: CarlaWaters
» I think you know, Beck,
Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» And have you really nothing to say
Posted by: Bliss Doubt
Comments are closed-
Posted by: CarlaWaters on Jun 8, 2009 8:49 AM
Current rating: 4 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
» "Beck" is just a mentally retarded Obamabot who needs a TOUGH SPANKING !
Posted by: maxpayne
» You are out of line advocating violence against a fellow progressive
Posted by: Paul_C
» RE: You are out of line advocating violence against a fellow progressive
Posted by: Bliss Doubt
Comments are closed-
Posted by: motamanx6 on Jun 8, 2009 8:55 AM
Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
Comments are closed-
Posted by: maxpayne on Jun 8, 2009 9:09 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
Comments are closed-
Posted by: maxpayne on Jun 8, 2009 9:34 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
Comments are closed-
Posted by: leemiller38 on Jun 8, 2009 9:46 AM
Current rating: 3 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
» RE: Here is a long term approach
Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» That's no approach, here's a real one
Posted by: mgmyers79
Comments are closed-
Posted by: willymack on Jun 8, 2009 10:08 AM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Apparently so.
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
Comments are closed-
Posted by: susanhathaway on Jun 8, 2009 6:44 PM
Current rating: 2 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The answer is HE ALREADY HAS.
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
» Premature much?
Posted by: frantaylor
Comments are closed-
Posted by: frantaylor on Jun 8, 2009 8:18 PM
Current rating: 2 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If we truly want to burn less fuel, start with the method that gets the biggest bang for the buck. The government should print out vouchers and send them to every homeowner. Take the voucher to the hardware store and get free insulation. Take it home and put it in your house.
This is a simple, inexpensive, effective idea that can save untold amounts of oil, and it is a one time investment: that insulation keeps saving oil winter after winter.
Do the simple and effective ideas first. Get the ball rolling. People will get the idea and move further on their own.
If I were the folks at Corning or any other insulation company, I would be paying lobbyists to get this idea into the ear of every elected official in Washington. Go Pink Panther!
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
» RE: Move the prosperity north
Posted by: frantaylor
Comments are closed-
Posted by: Ian MacLeod on Jun 8, 2009 10:30 PM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Ian
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
Comments are closed-
Posted by: davescott on Jun 9, 2009 3:24 PM
Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am a member of the Sierra Club's national board of directors.
[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]
» Obama is walking a very fine line
Posted by: Paul_C
» RE: Obama is walking a very fine line
Posted by: atheistcable
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