RFK Jr. debates coal baron Blankenship on mountaintop removal

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Massey Energy President Don Blankenship and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday evening debated the future of coal and the science of climate change, agreeing on little but drawing still more national attention to the crucial issues that face the Appalachian coalfields.
Blankenship said coal has built the nation and must remain strong to protect national security and ensure a high quality of life for Americans.

"The mission statement for coal is prosperity for this country," Blankenship told a packed house at the University of Charleston. "This industry is what made this country great and if we forget that, we're going to have to learn to speak Chinese."

But Kennedy argued giant mining machines have cost thousands of miners their jobs at the same time that mountaintop removal has been destroying ancient peaks, burying and otherwise polluting pristine streams and eliminating once-vital rural communities.

"This is the worst environmental crime that has ever happened in our history," Kennedy said. "These companies are liquidating this state for cash with these gigantic machines."

more:
http://wvgazette.com/News/201001210645

[Canuckistanian]

1. "...we're going to have to learn to speak Chinese."

I love how they provide only two choices - either we're allowed destroy the mountains or you get taken over by a foreign power.

[Petrushka]

2. k&r

:kick:

[theHandpuppet]

3. Blankenship is EVIL

And you can bet Massey Energy was celebrating the SCOTUS decision yesterday!

Those of you who are unfamiliar with Don Blankenship and Massey Energy, just tap into Google.

[Raster]

4. You are sooooo right! If there is a face of unbridled corporate evil, it is Blankenship's.

He owns a sizable piece of *EVERY* politician in coal country, and uses violence of threats of violence to enforce allegiance to "King Coal."