Paul On Mountaintop Removal: ‘I Don’t Think Anyone’s Going To Be Missing A Hill Or Two Here & There'

[kpete]

Run time: 02:22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rFDQavG1GQ   Posted on YouTube: June 13, 2010 By YouTube Member: ThinkProgress2 Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: June 13, 2010 By DU Member: kpete Views on DU: 1244

 
INTERVIEWER: What about mountaintop removal?

PAUL: I think whoever owns the property can do with the property as they wish, and if the coal company buys it from a private property owner and they want to do it, fine. The other thing I think is that I think coal gets a bad name, because I think a lot of the land apparently is quite desirable once it’s been flattened out. As I came over here from Harlan, you’ve got quite a few hills. I don’t think anybody’s going to be missing a hill or two here and there.

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/06/13/rand-paul-mountaintop/

[RC]

1. Paul works for The Onion, right? Right? No?

[smoking357]

6. Oh, Come On

Eastern Kentucky is nothing but undulating hills which makes the entire region very inaccessible and hinders economic progress. We all have to admit that our lives consume natural resources to make energy. This energy has to come from someone's hill or valley.

[greiner3]

9. There is a cost for pollution;

And this generation will tie that cost into the polluters. It does not have to come from someone's hill or valley. Coal is a dirty, messy and dangerous way to acquire energy. Mountain top mining is that times 10.

[sabrina 1]

11. Sure it does. But you speak as if we have only one choice

of what to do with the mountains. Very unimaginative of you.

Support Wind Save a Mountain

Support Wind, Save a Mountain

In 2007 a wind potential study was commissioned to see if there was the potential to place wind turbines on Coal River Mountain. The wind potential study and the following economic study found that it is possible to place 328 MW of wind energy on Coal River Mountain. That’s enough to power 70,000 West Virginia Homes and provide permanent jobs and $1.7 million in taxes to the county every year.

Unfortunately, Massey Energy is applying for permits to mountaintop removal mine the mountain which would destroy the wind potential. This is the last mountain left standing in the area. Please help save it.

There are other ways that both answer the needs of providing energy and providing jobs, while at the same time preserving the environment for future generations.

If your post was meant to be snark, then ignore this comment except for the video ad on the front page of the site linked Exposing the Dirty Secret of mountaintop removal on national television

[Bette Noir]

2. Hsssssss...

All the guy needs is a handlebar mustache.

[PDJane]

3. Why, oh why

do the farthest right of the right wing always get voted in? This man is an absolute fool, and there won't be any environmental protections or income supports if he gets his way. The world will be run by those who can pay for it, and it's the absolutely wrong way to go.

[rurallib]

4. he's fucking crazy.

[rrneck]

5. Not doubting you

but I had to listen to the clip to actually hear that silly fucker say that.

Oh, please, please, please, let him get all the media attention we deserve.

[louis-t]

7. Is there a class on Stupid repug remarks?

Rumsfeld said "they're only vases, we don't need no more vases" when talking about artifacts from the dawn of civilization that were looted in Iraq because he was more interested in protecting the oil fields. Oh, and by the way Mr. Paul, pick up a damn history book (not one from Texas) and find out what caused the Dust Bowl in the '30's. Dumbass.

[defendandprotect]

8. Another right wing ....

psychopath -- !!

[Chulanowa]

10. We could do without a Paul or two here and there, too

[Dr.Phool]

12. This guy is a bigger asshole than his father.

Way bigger.

And if these numbnuts tea-baggers elect him, they deserve a flat state.

[WileEcoyote]

13. He gets a point for not breathing through his mouth

Otherwise he's just a typical knuckle dragging Neanderthal.

"Sure, let's just carve up Yosemite. Flatter land will increase it's value too"

[20score]

14. What a truly disgusting human being.

[dencol]

15. I recall a major coal sludge spill not too long ago.

In fact, it was just in 2008. How quickly we forget these disasters.

http://www.truth-out.org/122408N

[spicegal]

16. A hill or two!?!

Is he nuts? Has he ever seen mountain top mining? Oh that's right, he's from Texas where most of the land is flat, dry, barren, and ugly. Guess he's used to it.