I grew up in the "Witch City" of Salem Ma. (Mass, as we used to write). Although it's famous for witches, it's true historic nature was that of the largest Port in America. A bustling harbor of masts so filled with trade goods, it drove the Economy.
Nestled on the shoreline, for all of my life, was the coal fired Power Plant. Originally it was only a one stacker, but as I grew, so did the number of stacks. The billowing grey clouds from the stacks were a permanent addition to sky above us. A mountain of coal lay next to plant. It was as high as the plant itself. Continually kept high by large coal ships entering our once grand harbor, now just a small inlet of small weekend pleasure craft, and a few remaining lobster and fishing boats.
I lived next to the plant for almost 20 years, that being a cheap neighborhood to live. I raised my kids there. Every year or so, the plant would kick out a great layer of ash, and crud, blanketing the neighborhood. The plant owners would send out an army of reps issuing checks to us for property clean up.
Well, I haven't lived there for some decades now, but I still read the local "Salem Evening news" news online. Actually, there used to be two editions, one for the AM, and one that came in the afternoon. I'm pretty sure it's now only a morning paper.
In a small blurby column I found this:
Hard coal facts
We’re sorry to bring this up again, but the guy makes it so easy.
In the first presidential debate Wednesday night, Republican contender Mitt Romney uttered these immortal words: “I love coal!”
What?
If he loves coal so much, then who was that guy who held a press conference on a Salem lawn in 2003 slamming our coal-fired power plant?
Obama got a hold of the video from that day and turned it into a campaign ad that runs in Ohio and other coal states.
Want to hear Gov. Romney’s exact words on that fateful day? Roll the tape.
“I will not create jobs or hold jobs that kill people,” he said. Then he turned and pointed toward the plant in case anybody missed the point.
“That plant, that plant kills people,” he said.
The only thing he’s got going for him is that the coal miners in Ohio and other swing states don’t like Obama, either. This is the first time in 40 years the United Mine Workers union declined to endorse anybody for president.
Link
After the debate, I thought this little etch a sketch moment would strike a chord with you folks. I can't get his picture to embed, but here it is.
http://d6673sr63mbv7.cloudfront.net/...