Mountain Justice at VT

Living in southwest Virginia (and southern West Virginia), we are aware that coal is our friend. We should all we can to promote it as an energy source. Sure its a dangerous job. Yes its a dirty job. But for now, that is how we must get it out of the ground. Driving on the road is dangerous too. Coal put me through school. I appreciate all that coal miners do for us.

All this being said, I was surprised to see a sight called Mountain Justice at Virginia Tech. Part of their mission is

is to educate ourselves and our community on the effect the coal industry has on Appalachia and the world, particularly with regards to Mountain Top Removal;

and

and to stand in solidarity with those most directly affected by the coal industry.

I recoginze their right to gather and voice their opinion about mining and mountain top removal. But to do it in the heart of the coal fields seems anti productive. My guess is that the members are kids who grew up far away from Blacksburg, have not seen a piece of coal, have not seen a coal mine, do not know any miners, and are unaware of coal's importance to the two Virginias.

They are welcome to protest as much as they please, but I, for one, would like to hear some alternatives. Because, a good engineer never takes a problem to his superior unless he has at least one solution. Same goes for Mountain Justice at VT.