The problem with coal

Don't believe everything you hear. "Clean coal" is a political buzzword but really carries no weight as an environmental solution. Just read this article in Popular Mechanics about the truth about clean coal.

The Myth of Clean Coal: Analysis

I also agree with some of what was said in this opinion article in the West Virginia University newpaper, the Daily Athenaeum, although it seemed a little too emotional and not factual enough for my taste. I recommend reading it, as well as the comments people left.

State of WV tied to coal industry for way too long

I think coal has definitely controlled WV for way to long but because it is a political struggle and rooted in money, a lot will never change. I think solutions need to be found to get southern WV out of poverty and out of the polluted environment that coal creates. To illustrate what I mean, just check out this article in the New York Times.

Clean waters are neglected, at a cost in suffering

Coal is a serious problem in West Virginia. Let's work on changing our state before it's too late for many of its residents.

-K

What is the value of a life?

Watch this video before reading on: 99 Balloons

Our culture is full of death. The wonderful couple in this video were told to abort their unborn child because of his potential health problems, but they refused. I wish I could say that the doctors were wrong, that there was a miracle of health in that baby boy, and that he lived to be just like any other child. Sadly, in spite of the committed efforts of his parents, he only lived 99 days.

Globally, 59 million unborn children are aborted every day. Abortion has become a pragmatic solution to the "problem" of pregnancy in a culture bent on instant gratification and hedonism. What has happened to the sanctity of life? The pro-choice argument I've often heard is that it's about what's best for the mother. That it's "not fair" for her to have a child because she was raped. How is that fair to the child? He or she does not have a voice in this discussion. Others might be concerned that the mother won't be able to take care of the child. There are solutions to this. Give the child up for adoption. Some might say this is too much emotional stress on the mother, but honestly, ask someone who has had an abortion, and it is likely that they bear emotional scars that will never heal. Often, it is pragmatism that drives the decision: the mother and father "can't" care for the child because it wasn't in their plans and heaven forbid their plans change. Maybe they should have considered the consequences before jumping right into something for instant gratification.

What fascinates me the most is that people in this country care more about animals than they do about unborn children. They so passionately fight for the rights of animals, they won't eat animal products, they sink all their money into saving these creatures, and yet they are pro-choice. Don't get me wrong--I LOVE animals and I have always had pets--but we're talking about the beasts of the earth and HUMAN lives. I'm curious how many PETA members would fight for the rights of an unborn animal. Think about it.

We consider ourselves higher than animals, yet we decide to use their behavior as an excuse for human behaviors we don't want to take responsibility for (i.e. homosexuality, but that's a whole other story). Animals sometimes devour their young when they do not know how to parent them. Maybe we aren't so different after all.

Pastor David Linn's sermon during Sanctity of Life week is a great discussion of everything I am trying to put into words. Check it out, there is a sound file and a text file, whichever you prefer:

mp3 text

Let's start taking responsibility for our actions and give these human lives a chance. Even a sick child is a blessing--the Mooney family seems to think so.

-K

Big Ol' Trees

While I was doing MORE research for my tiny 4-page paper, I stumbled across this article/blog post. It's awesome; I have never heard of most of these trees and they're all AMAZING. I guess this is what my prof was talking about when he said, "Have fun with this paper."
10 Amazing and Magnificent Trees

-K