Editor,

Since John Smith can’t defend the destructive and poisoning effects that strip mining does to our communities and people, he is now trying to shift attention away from the real issue by playing an old game called “look at the birdie.”

We are not against responsible underground coal mining.

Smith should educate himself and face the facts that coal is a finite resource and will end sooner than later. The biggest reason is because the use of coal greatly contributes to global warming, climate crisis. This will require carbon caps, which means less coal will be combusted.

Coal is used for more things than just combustion. Just because we mine it, doesn’t mean we have to burn it. While we will be in a transition to renewable energy, responsible underground mining will be the only acceptable option. Given the national opinion of coal, he should be happy some one is not against all types of mining.

We talk of the horror of more coal mined, we mean irresponsible mining, strip mining and sludge dams.

Surface mine workers hurt the underground miners the first day a surface mine opened. Coal mining wouldn’t be under such scrutiny and in such trouble today if it wasn’t for the horror, destruction and poison of strip mining. Most mining lawsuits wouldn’t be filed if it weren’t for mountaintop removal strip mining and sludge dams.

Julia Bonds

Rock Creek