I also wonder how much in campaign contributions these Democrats received, if any. It does seem a dubious proposition to say “not a penny.”

Potential unemployment is both a huge and legitimate concern. But destroyed health and death are worse still.

I recognize coal is a critical source of energy for us, and will be for decades to come, barring some stunning and unforeseeable breakthrough. (Assuming the vested interests to buy it and kill it, that is.) And if we have to use coal, okay, but let's mine it in the least harmful possible way. And burn it that way, too.

BTW, the family member who controls our mutual investments bought stocks in a coal company, so, yes, I own coal stocks.