“Clean” Coal’s Dirtiest Secret: Part IV – final in a series
Coal River Mountain from Kayford
Mountain
Coal River Mountain is one of the highest and wildest peaks in West Virginia. Unlike much of the surrounding region, it is unscarred by surface mining. But Massey Energy and WV Governor Joe Manchin are out to change that. Subsidiaries of Massey propose to blow away 6,600 acres of Coal River Mountain — nearly 10 square miles — and the governor’s office has issued the permits. If the operation goes forward, one of the last remaining summits in the Coal River Valley will be leveled.
Despite an acclaimed local campaign to build a wind farm atop Coal River Mountain that would provide green jobs, tax revenues and sustainable energy 
for up to 150,000 homes for decades to come, state politicians know who lines their campaign coffers. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has rejected the public input of a majority of state citizens who support the wind project, in favor of Massey’s plans to begin imminent blasting. But opponents are not giving up. If anything, the fight for Coal River Mountain has only heightened attention and galvanized action. Full story »
What the hell has happened to “innocent until proven guilty” in the state of Illinois? Since when did mob rule – composed of the Illinois state legislature, much of the state and national media, and even President-elect Barack Obama himself – replace the rule of law?
Governor Rod Blagojevich may – may – be guilty of corruption. If what the FBI has released to the press is representative of their case against him, then Gov. Blagojevich probably is guilty. But not only is that a big “if”, Gov. Blagojevich’s case is looking more and more like “trial by media” instead of trial by jury. Full story »
Last week, at a meeting of his country’s ruling party, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak accused Iran of “trying to devour the Arab states.” Don’t worry, Hosni. Iran won’t eat you. It can’t. It can’t sit on you either. It’s too far away.
What led Mubarak to say such a mean thing about Iran? Well, it seems that a bunch of Iranian students shouted a bunch of mean things at the Egyptian embassy in Tehran, including their apparently genuine wish that someone would hang Mubarak. The Iranian students shouted mean things about Mubarak because Egypt wouldn’t let the Iranian Red Crescent sneak around Israel’s blockade of the Gaza strip and deliver food and supplies to Palestinians, who have been reduced to eating grass. Full story »
for up to 150,000 homes for decades to come, state politicians know who lines their campaign coffers. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has rejected the public input of a majority of state citizens who support the wind project, in favor of Massey’s plans to begin imminent blasting. But opponents are not giving up. If anything, the fight for Coal River Mountain has only heightened attention and galvanized action. Full story »
