Look more closely at your statistics, the tourism in WV doesn't bring in near as much revenue as the hunting and fishing. These mines are supposed to be reclaimed, our government collects millions in taxes and fines to clean these places up in the event the mining company doesn't. Why has the government not stepped in and done their job with the monies they have collected? I have been to some reclaimed mine sites that are beautiful. That are being used for wildlife reserves, businesses, and housing projects. Where are the pictures of those? Harp on the negative, ignore the positive. That's American ! right?

Take a look at California on Google earth, take a look at China on google earth! Look what they are doing to our atmosphere, yet you still support them everyday you buy their products. I bet you are driving a honda or prias and wearing your 100% cotton clothes that come from China or Singapore right now. Search Deep in your soul, what are you really doing for our environment and our country?

How many of the people protesting,making these movies ,and news articles are actually from WV or live in WV? From my experience not many. If you don't live here, if your livelyhood doesn't depend of the economy here, if you don't live on this land, then why are you voicing an opinion? Do you like your warm house and your lights to be on? Then you need coal. We should come together to find a solution not try to shut down these mines and destroy peoples lives without an alternative. Come up with one, we'll gladly change. But, if it is not something that can compare to the $30./hr my husband makes, then what alternative are you giving us? Not everybody can get a college degree and make large incomes. Someone has to do the dirty work. So who should it be?

Take a look at West Virginia on Google Earth. This atrosity is visible from space. Strip mining took jobs from West Virginians, and raped our land. Where are all the environmentalists?

Pimps and drug dealers do not depend on welfare. And though they are very active and not deadbeats, I do not see their entrepreneurial spirit as a valid justification for them to destroy communities. I feel the same about people who blow up mountains and dump the debris on the innocent people below. I know everyone has to have a job, but one does not have to hurt other people to make a living. Why not just become a hit man. It would be quicker and accomplish the same end.

As you can see, I do not buy into the jobs argument. As a matter of fact, if we went back to traditional mining practices 60,00 100,000 new jobs would be created in WV. Add to that the Billions of dollars of revenue that continued tourism will bring over the decades and I think there is a strong argument for keeping out mountains.

ok... i dont see what the big deal is about mountaintop removal! i live in jodie, wv. & my dad accually work on the powelton job. he doesnt do this because of greed. he is just doin his job to provide for his family for we dont have to go on walefair like alot of other dead beats (or treehuggers) that dont want to work for a livin!! further more the mountaintop job in jodie is just goin to eliminate alot of the existing high walls that never would be recaimed any other way. let these people do their job like they're suppost to!