The AP has an interesting story on growing conflict between some Western tribes and environmental groups over coal-fired power plants.
The AP has an interesting story on growing conflict between some Western tribes and environmental groups over coal-fired power plants.
U.Va. Grad says:
Reminds me of something I once read about Justice Douglas, who had the most pro-Indian and pro-environment voting record during his time on the Court: “When Justice Douglas writes the opinion, the Indians always win. Except when it’s the fish.”
October 1, 2009, 5:20 amSMatthewStolte says:
It took me a second to realize that “Western tribes” meant American Indians and not “Republicans and Democrats,” the other tribes of the western world.
October 1, 2009, 7:46 amHouston Lawyer says:
Color me stunned to find out that the Indian tribes choose to act in their own economic interest and find outside interference to be unacceptable. In related news, the sun rose in the East this morning.
October 1, 2009, 7:50 ambebopkid says:
I think the AP meant to say this.
October 1, 2009, 9:04 amyankee says:
The coal industry supports the continued use of coal and dislikes people who want to regulate it out of existence? Real shocker there.
October 1, 2009, 9:13 amCato The Elder says:
I think you’re a little confused about who’s supporting whom in this article. Native Americans, the aboriginal peoples, are supporting the coal industry against the environmentalists. Who is anybody else to disagree — tell me, yankee, can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
October 1, 2009, 9:17 amyankee says:
No, in this case the Indian tribes are the coal industry. Technically the mines are run by Peabody but when 70% of government revenues come from coal mined by a single private company it amounts to much of the same thing. So it’s hardly shocking that they’re supporting the coal industry.
October 1, 2009, 9:53 amA.C. says:
People always like their own economic activities. And dislike the economic activities of other people, who (of course) are the ones causing all the problems. Why should Native Americans be the exception?
October 1, 2009, 10:33 amjb says:
It saddens me a little that so much of the tribal economy is based on coal extraction. How many Hopi and Navajo are coal engineers, geologists, and executives, and how many are unskilled laborers or just taking a cut of the profits? The latter can’t be good for the tribe’s long-term prosperity.
October 1, 2009, 11:02 amLaura(southernxyl) says:
For those of us who grew up with Iron Eyes Cody grieving over disrespect for America’s natural beauty, there is some cognitive dissonance here.
October 1, 2009, 1:50 pmShelbyC says:
Air quality in the four-corners area? There’s nothing there, the air is just fine, and it’s a beautiful, beautiful place. Except for the towns.
October 1, 2009, 3:16 pmDrew Cloutier says:
It will be interesting how emissions controls will play out when confronted with issues Indian sovereignty.
jb–I don’t see anyone offering to pay the Hopis or Navajos for not mining their coal.
October 1, 2009, 3:17 pmShelbyC says:
Anyway, I hope they do better than they did against the cowboys.
October 1, 2009, 4:43 pmRandy says:
Too bad — Native Americans like to portray themselves as longterm stewards of the land who think seven generations ahead. Turns out that they can be just as shortsighted as the rest of us.
What is interesting that they are shunning alternative energy not because it isn’t feasible, but because it won’t supply them the revenues that they have come to depend upon with coal. In other words, the coal industry has become a form of welfare to this community. I supposed that’s rational, and I certainly can’t blame them — they do have to find a way to put food on the table. But it does strike me as a great leap backwards rather than forwards.
October 1, 2009, 5:48 pmShelbyC says:
Randy, that’s gotta be one of the most racist comments I’ve ever seen.
October 2, 2009, 7:00 ambebopkid says:
I think Randy was commenting on American Indians as a culture within reservations. Not on American Indians globally. It’s still a generalization, but… wait, where am I going with this?… YOU LIE?
October 2, 2009, 7:59 amShelbyC says:
Wow! Now I know why folks do that! It sure was easier than refuting his post, pointing out the difference between productive industry and welfare, etc.
October 2, 2009, 9:10 am