The big story here is this. "When the Sierra Club and Bloomberg started in 2011, there were 514 coal-fired power plants in America; since then, 254 have announced they will shut down". If you want to fight Trump's inane environmental policies support the Sierra Club (and other proven environmental organizations) as much as you can. In this way we can effectively curtail his regressive policies.
27
In Germany they're converting a coal mine into giant battery storage plant for power produced by more environmental methods. Miners will keep working in the power industry, just not coal. They don't have to move, and their town won't die. "Win-win-win." - But not in GOP America! https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-17/german-coal-mine-to-b...
34
Trump all about "retro" - trying to bring back the dying coal industry while fighting another round of the Korean War. Does he listen to eight-tracks?
23
I read an interesting analogy. Imagine driving along at 60mph, and stopping in 6 seconds. You live. Now, imagine stopping in 1/200th the time, or 0.03 seconds. That's like hitting a brick wall: you would not survive. That's what is happening with our climate. A normal rise rate for CO2, in the 10,000 years it takes to go from a glacial period, to an interglacial one, is 0.01 ppm CO2 per year. The current rate of CO2 rise is 200 times faster than that. And therein lies the peril Trump and Pruitt etal are putting us in. https://skepticalscience.com/SkS_Analogy_01_Speed_Kills.html
11
Perfect! I am imagining the Coal Museum knows something, eh? We must all hope that the "tweeter-in-chief" does not do irreparable damage to an already fragile environment. Remember, "Mother Nature" always exacts her revenge!
7
We should be spending billions on birth control.
34
It's not enough for democrats to tell West Virginia "hey, he's lying so you have no choice but to vote for us, the democrats, who leave you with no hope at all".
Why not just vote for the guy who is willing to lie for you?
All con men will defend themselves, truth be told, by claiming that their marks wanted to be conned and they were simply providing them with what they wanted.
Why not just vote for the guy who is willing to lie for you?
All con men will defend themselves, truth be told, by claiming that their marks wanted to be conned and they were simply providing them with what they wanted.
5
Since I work in technology, H1B visas been of considerable concern. Business leaders insist on the need for these visas to meet demand; that is, they claim that there are not enough qualified computer techs in the US to meet business requirements. That, quite simply, is not true.
What companies have been seeking to do is dilute this job market. If they can flood the market with foreign workers, they can lower American technologists’ wages. Technology workers are no different than migrant workers who harvest our fields of fruit and vegetables.
Businesses are using H1B visas as a means of lowering wages for American technology workers. It’s the same old story just different industries.
What companies have been seeking to do is dilute this job market. If they can flood the market with foreign workers, they can lower American technologists’ wages. Technology workers are no different than migrant workers who harvest our fields of fruit and vegetables.
Businesses are using H1B visas as a means of lowering wages for American technology workers. It’s the same old story just different industries.
11
The NYT needs to do a well researched irrefutable article detailing the fact based reasons why "Clean Coal" will never be commercially viable. It is possible but the expense to produce it also produces power that nobody would be willing to pay for. Another myth being peddled by the orange one.
8
If economic arguments (solar is cheaper) won the day at the Coal Museum, why not change the arguments for renewables from climate change and the environment to economics.
Unfortunately, climate change has become one battle field of the culture war and are among the issues which divide the blue tribe from the red tribe. As such, trying to justify renewables and energy efficiency based on climate change is guaranteed to alienate half of the voters. So why not turn to an argument that is immune from politics, i.e., renewables and conversation will save you money. It may not be as much fun as calling the citizens of West Virginia deplorable and proving that the coastal elites are right to worry about the climate. However, selling renewable technology based on economics is likely to be more effective.
Unfortunately, climate change has become one battle field of the culture war and are among the issues which divide the blue tribe from the red tribe. As such, trying to justify renewables and energy efficiency based on climate change is guaranteed to alienate half of the voters. So why not turn to an argument that is immune from politics, i.e., renewables and conversation will save you money. It may not be as much fun as calling the citizens of West Virginia deplorable and proving that the coastal elites are right to worry about the climate. However, selling renewable technology based on economics is likely to be more effective.
4
Every time I read an article supporting some policy or other that Donald Trump should follow, I sigh. We're talking about a man with absolutely no knowledge of policy on any subject whatsoever. There is no rationale for any of his decisions other than what feels good at the time, and I harbor no illusion that he will change. Our nation's destiny is going to be a crap-shoot for far longer than I care to comprehend.
Meanwhile, other nations will grab market share in the industries of the future. Sad. Agonizingly, painfully, sad.
Meanwhile, other nations will grab market share in the industries of the future. Sad. Agonizingly, painfully, sad.
22
66,000 total jobs in the coal industry. Lots fewer than that who are really businessmen who happen to be managing coal companies. The people who actually mine coal, by whatever method, are too small in number to care about. There are several times as many workers in the solar industries. And retail jobs lost from brick and mortar stores overwhelm all these numbers.
But, to be kind (a concept alien to Republicans), we should pension off the actual coal miners based on how long they have done that job. That could not cost much, let Social Security manage the pensions, let Medicare handle the health insurance coverage.
But, to be kind (a concept alien to Republicans), we should pension off the actual coal miners based on how long they have done that job. That could not cost much, let Social Security manage the pensions, let Medicare handle the health insurance coverage.
12
Great column but I cannot imagine Trump ever being presidential, or making American great again. He's too unintelligent and stubborn, too disconnected from reality, too afflicted by ADD and possibly Alzheimer's. Until 2020 America will make no necessary adjustments to dealing with climate change, population growth, or anything else, and likely America will not be seen as a world leader again.
Which is good, because there's something badly wrong with the American culture, far too wrapped up in pointless narcissism and worship of detestable people, like Trump, Kardashians, football players, and other worthless types.
In the future, humanity will doubtless abandon coal, plan on smaller families, and so on, or go extinct. But in the present, the main result of overpopulation combined with climate change is going to be a major population size correction. I'd expect many millions to die, but it's OK in the long run, as this is what the planet needs most. And after that we can switch to solar, once America changes course again and gets a bit more intelligent, or once America is sidelined and becomes a whiny ex-superpower like France.
Which is good, because there's something badly wrong with the American culture, far too wrapped up in pointless narcissism and worship of detestable people, like Trump, Kardashians, football players, and other worthless types.
In the future, humanity will doubtless abandon coal, plan on smaller families, and so on, or go extinct. But in the present, the main result of overpopulation combined with climate change is going to be a major population size correction. I'd expect many millions to die, but it's OK in the long run, as this is what the planet needs most. And after that we can switch to solar, once America changes course again and gets a bit more intelligent, or once America is sidelined and becomes a whiny ex-superpower like France.
3
My assumption is that Trump does not like his son Barron at all, and wants to make his adult life a living hell. He figures that maximizing pollution of all sorts and also raising the temperature as much as possible will force Barron to live indoors. Of course, the hatred from those who can't afford to spend their lives indoors in air-conditioning will also keep Barron surrounded by security forces.
Trumps eagerness to deny Barron a chance to play golf when he is in his 70's is the most logical reason for him to pursue the policies he is following. Any other reasons imply Trump is either stupid, or pathologically anti-social.
Trumps eagerness to deny Barron a chance to play golf when he is in his 70's is the most logical reason for him to pursue the policies he is following. Any other reasons imply Trump is either stupid, or pathologically anti-social.
3
You will not be able to do any of your goals in the last two paragraphs because of the people who voted in Trump. Don't blame Trump (I can't stand him). The problem is the voters.
And the media. They bury the real news and put out the emotional nonsense.
The voters cannot think beyond their pain, their struggle of the day, their sports programs and other junk entertainment.
The really important matter will only become "known" and put on the front page and in the face of the politicians and the public when the real damage start to be seen; in the economy, in climate change in the ignorance of not understanding the exponential curve. That is rapid and increasing population growth, rapid and growing rates of the burning of fossil fuels, and the growing spread of nuclear weapons, etc.
It is getting very late for controlling this and educating the people in this regard. Four more years will be to late and it possibly can already be too late.
And the media. They bury the real news and put out the emotional nonsense.
The voters cannot think beyond their pain, their struggle of the day, their sports programs and other junk entertainment.
The really important matter will only become "known" and put on the front page and in the face of the politicians and the public when the real damage start to be seen; in the economy, in climate change in the ignorance of not understanding the exponential curve. That is rapid and increasing population growth, rapid and growing rates of the burning of fossil fuels, and the growing spread of nuclear weapons, etc.
It is getting very late for controlling this and educating the people in this regard. Four more years will be to late and it possibly can already be too late.
2
Unfortunately, the same ideological head-burying is going on in state government. Our GOP legislature and governor just killed wind tax credits that had been enacted in 2014 and resulted in making Oklahoma the third-largest wind electricity producer in the country. But now, in the face of a $1 billion budget shortfall -- self-created, by virtue of ideological income tax cuts to the wealthiest citizens of the state -- we are told that the state can no longer afford to give wind turbine technology any tax credits after July 1. And they have the nerve to say that the wind sector doesn't need the credit any longer because it has grown so dramatically.
At the same time, the legislature seems unable or unwilling to reconsider a gross production tax cut given to oil and gas producers a few years ago. In that conversation, legislators and industry lobbyists moan that rescinding such a promise will do grave harm on the industry, never mind the fact that they had just done the very same harm to wind. And if the oil and gas industry that has been around for more than a century can't compete without a subsidy, perhaps the state should cut its losses and move to a different economic model.
At the same time, the legislature seems unable or unwilling to reconsider a gross production tax cut given to oil and gas producers a few years ago. In that conversation, legislators and industry lobbyists moan that rescinding such a promise will do grave harm on the industry, never mind the fact that they had just done the very same harm to wind. And if the oil and gas industry that has been around for more than a century can't compete without a subsidy, perhaps the state should cut its losses and move to a different economic model.
8
Cities and states and (who'd have thunk?) corporate America will be leading for the next few years, while the fossil-faction of the Republican funding machine keeps Trump walking in the wrong direction - hands stretched towards campaign funding for his failed run 2020.
Part of Volkswagen's penalty for defrauding everyone with their diesels is going to build out more electric car charging stations in big cities.
Here in Chicago, the mayor announced this month that all city-owned buildings will be powered by renewables by 2025
https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_relea...
A nice collection of news about all the different places where Trump's (and the GOP's) "leadership" is being ignored, to our benefit.
http://midwestenergynews.com/digests/chicago-looks-to-power-hundreds-of-...
Part of Volkswagen's penalty for defrauding everyone with their diesels is going to build out more electric car charging stations in big cities.
Here in Chicago, the mayor announced this month that all city-owned buildings will be powered by renewables by 2025
https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_relea...
A nice collection of news about all the different places where Trump's (and the GOP's) "leadership" is being ignored, to our benefit.
http://midwestenergynews.com/digests/chicago-looks-to-power-hundreds-of-...
2
And where was the New York Times? It too reported big on the presidential bombings. As for the defunding of family planning - was it there? I don't know. I read the NYT virtually every day, but like most people I don't have the time to comb through the back pages. Like most readers, I rely on the fourth estate to connect some of the important dots that I don't have time to figure out for myself - such as the connection between family planning, climate and migration. I would like to read more about the unsung small decision that will really hurt us and less about the ludicrous, irrelevant antics Trump entertains us with.
11
Friedman lost me at "high speed rail connecting WV to DC." Even if the population numbers could support it, which they don't, there is an inconvenient, billion year old set of rocks called the Blue Ridge mountains which such a train would have to go over or through.
1
We need to approach global warming with the same energy that went into the space race. Doing so would be good for the planet and good for the economy. Where have all the visionaries gone.
9
The fascinating part of Trump's vision of "greatness" is that it invokes an almost Stalinist attachment to coal, big steel plants, etc. In other words, it is a 1930's vision of "greatness" and prosperity. This reflects Trumps lack of interest in anything other than himself (and himself making money) and an utter lack of understanding of history or economics (other than debt financing and bankruptcy).
7
There's this real liberal think tank that tries to exam possible futuristic scenarios. One is if the Gulf Stream stops. As in, stops, because of the changing water temperatures in the north Atlantic. If that were to happen - decidedly possible - it would throw Europe into a winter, lowering temperatures, changing and decreasing agricultural output and would probably cause mass emigration OUT of Europe.
The name of this think tank is our Department of Defense.
The name of this think tank is our Department of Defense.
6
How can coal miners not know the state of their industry, for years now we have been told how natural gas is better, cheaper and cleaner. Why are they voting for someone who tells them he'll reopen the mines, when deep down they know if profit were there to be made, those mines would still be running strong, especially with a republican in the WH.
I feel for these guys, when an industry dies, it's life changing and maddening, but time is always moving forward and we either go with it, or stagnant. And you know, Trump playing these guys is just cruel but makes a great sound effect. I've never seen anyone so unpresidential in my lifetime.
I feel for these guys, when an industry dies, it's life changing and maddening, but time is always moving forward and we either go with it, or stagnant. And you know, Trump playing these guys is just cruel but makes a great sound effect. I've never seen anyone so unpresidential in my lifetime.
13
Anyone who is sensible is in favor of clean power. And the more solar and the less coal the better. But Mr. Friedman should not make this point by reference to a rank publicity stunt. The use of solar on a coal museum is obviously provocative and is an obvious publicity stunt. The owner of the museum is a struggling community college that is bleeding losses. The solar project was funded by a private foundation which absorbed all the costs and allowed the museum all the benefits. This is not a viable energy alternative unless you've got a fairy godmother. Here, the fairy godmother is a publicity hound of a foundation. And what do you think? The Washington Post and the New York times can't resist the irony. And so they both publicize this transparent scheme, suggesting that this is a shrewd energy strategy when it is nothing more than a rank publicity stunt. As i say, I will be glad when clean power is everywhere, but playing into the hands of P.T. Barnum, who is on the road in Appalachia, is not the way to get there.
1
Trump is withholding 32.5 million dollars from the UN Population Fund, yet he feels it okay to spend over 3 million dollars taxpayers' dollars almost every weekend so he can golf in Florida. If Trump would stay in the White House, like he said he would, in ten weeks he'd save enough money to pay the US share for family planning and maternal health.
11
Thanks for the update, which includes a good few worthwhile points.
The military and insurance industry rely on facts. Climate change/global warming is a threat multiplier, and the evidence is pouring in.
Ice melting everywhere (with few exceptions) in monstrous and escalating quantities, adding to sea level rise. Increasing heat, increased extremes (floods and droughts), species migration, changing seasons, ocean acidification. Famine in Africa and human migration. Migration of disease vectors. Forest devastation, by insects overwintering in warmer temperatures and migrating to places where their natural predators aren't in place. Human desperation burning down forests as well.
The market is way ahead, and investment in clean renewable energy is the future of jobs, along with conservation and efficiency, developing storage and delivery that works.
Shutting down Chicago's EPA (today's news) will remove 1000 jobs and poison the Great Lakes, as well as resulting in a lot of human death and disease.
Bombing people instead of helping them doesn't work. The earth is a unit, and no wall will protect us from what's coming. Working together to solve problems is what raises humanity above animals.
Trump is barely human in those terms. His loyalties are to kleptocrats, the few who support him, the larger group who put up with him to enable and take advantage of him.
Climate science and evidence denial is a lose lose. The planet doesn't care, it acts.
The military and insurance industry rely on facts. Climate change/global warming is a threat multiplier, and the evidence is pouring in.
Ice melting everywhere (with few exceptions) in monstrous and escalating quantities, adding to sea level rise. Increasing heat, increased extremes (floods and droughts), species migration, changing seasons, ocean acidification. Famine in Africa and human migration. Migration of disease vectors. Forest devastation, by insects overwintering in warmer temperatures and migrating to places where their natural predators aren't in place. Human desperation burning down forests as well.
The market is way ahead, and investment in clean renewable energy is the future of jobs, along with conservation and efficiency, developing storage and delivery that works.
Shutting down Chicago's EPA (today's news) will remove 1000 jobs and poison the Great Lakes, as well as resulting in a lot of human death and disease.
Bombing people instead of helping them doesn't work. The earth is a unit, and no wall will protect us from what's coming. Working together to solve problems is what raises humanity above animals.
Trump is barely human in those terms. His loyalties are to kleptocrats, the few who support him, the larger group who put up with him to enable and take advantage of him.
Climate science and evidence denial is a lose lose. The planet doesn't care, it acts.
10
Really, Tom, I agree (as usual) with just about everything you write, But must you write such l o n g l o n g sentences?
I personally know too many people who give up reading your cogent commentary just halfway thru.
"Unlike the Syria decision, Trump made the second move without seeking a comprehensive briefing from experts — he controls the world’s greatest collection of climate scientists at NASA, NOAA, the E.P.A., the Pentagon and the C.I.A. — and without ever asking for an intelligence briefing on how the combination of climate change, environmental degradation, drought and population explosions helped trigger the civil war in Syria, spawn terrorist groups like Boko Haram around Africa’s central Lake Chad (which has lost 90 percent of its water mass since 1963) and become the main force pushing tens of thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa into Europe each year, and from Central America up to the U.S."
I personally know too many people who give up reading your cogent commentary just halfway thru.
"Unlike the Syria decision, Trump made the second move without seeking a comprehensive briefing from experts — he controls the world’s greatest collection of climate scientists at NASA, NOAA, the E.P.A., the Pentagon and the C.I.A. — and without ever asking for an intelligence briefing on how the combination of climate change, environmental degradation, drought and population explosions helped trigger the civil war in Syria, spawn terrorist groups like Boko Haram around Africa’s central Lake Chad (which has lost 90 percent of its water mass since 1963) and become the main force pushing tens of thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa into Europe each year, and from Central America up to the U.S."
Around the world, the cost of renewables is falling. We hear many complaints re American competitiveness being impacted by climate-related regulations; but the truth is that green is the future, and unless we face that fact, we will be behind the eight ball. China and India don't want to eternally inhabit the most polluted cities anywhere on Earth. In 2017, the energy intensity of economic growth is falling, and it will clearly continue to do so. Primary energy demand in China fell for the first time in 20 years in 2015, according to The Economist. "The same year, China's coal demand plummeted by about 40%." In India, too, growth in electricity demand now lags behind GDP. Investment in coal has dropped, and "India's Central Electricity Authority sees no need to build more coal-burning plants during the next decade."
"Bloomberg New Energy Finance ... estimates that from 2016 the amount of new renewable-energy capacity in China is likely to have started exceeding new fossil-fuel plants. It expects the same to happen in India in 2018." Why do the Republicans overwhelmingly disdain climatological realities, refuse to join the rest of the liberal democratic world -- and even the not-so-liberal world -- and determinedly seek to take us back to energy-production methods that will destroy the planet and decidedly NOT make America "more competitive"?
They simply don't like the solution so they deny the problem.
And even the ones who accept the problem usually offer no solution.
"Bloomberg New Energy Finance ... estimates that from 2016 the amount of new renewable-energy capacity in China is likely to have started exceeding new fossil-fuel plants. It expects the same to happen in India in 2018." Why do the Republicans overwhelmingly disdain climatological realities, refuse to join the rest of the liberal democratic world -- and even the not-so-liberal world -- and determinedly seek to take us back to energy-production methods that will destroy the planet and decidedly NOT make America "more competitive"?
They simply don't like the solution so they deny the problem.
And even the ones who accept the problem usually offer no solution.
2
"Imagine … we could actually make America great again, not just prolong a dying coal industry! Now that would be presidential."
That would make too much sense, save too much money and nobody gets hurt. Can't fo THAT!
That would make too much sense, save too much money and nobody gets hurt. Can't fo THAT!
1
It is a bit dispiriting to read so many if-only comments. Dear friends, please note that Trump was just elected and that he has delivered on several issues exactly what he promised. Until democrats convince middle of the road voters that they similarly care about jobs, this can only get worse.
1
Solar power is "economic" only when heavily subsidized.
For the next century, natural gas will be the chief source of power. It is putting coal and "renewables" out of business.
For the next century, natural gas will be the chief source of power. It is putting coal and "renewables" out of business.
Mr Trump is the preacher for a congregation of men who purportedly represent us in Congress when in fact they are no more representative of the American public than England is of the EU.
Our Congress, both sides of the aisle, is to blame for all the fiscal problems which have accrued over the last eight years and apparently will continue to undermine our so called representative democracy into the future. If our Congress, which has no fealty to anyone except those at the top of the corporate heap or to a lesser degree in the payoff line, was really "ours" they would not behave in a way which makes it clear they are in the pocket of big business.
The leadership of our states and Congress are united under the banner of big business governors and legislators who have no interest in anyone who can't help feather their nests. Paring down and eliminating agencies is a ruse used by them to deny the role of good government which is to assist all the citizenry rather than allow the free for all in which business interests are wearing the brass knuckles.
Those in Congress have free rein to destroy while Mr Trump, who has no need to care for the citizens he purports to represent, simply expands his thug like approach in life to his unwitting followers.
Living men and women who are the bodies of big business convinced a trusting citizenry to vote against their own interest and are at the bottom of this mess.
We are manipulated from birth.
Our Congress, both sides of the aisle, is to blame for all the fiscal problems which have accrued over the last eight years and apparently will continue to undermine our so called representative democracy into the future. If our Congress, which has no fealty to anyone except those at the top of the corporate heap or to a lesser degree in the payoff line, was really "ours" they would not behave in a way which makes it clear they are in the pocket of big business.
The leadership of our states and Congress are united under the banner of big business governors and legislators who have no interest in anyone who can't help feather their nests. Paring down and eliminating agencies is a ruse used by them to deny the role of good government which is to assist all the citizenry rather than allow the free for all in which business interests are wearing the brass knuckles.
Those in Congress have free rein to destroy while Mr Trump, who has no need to care for the citizens he purports to represent, simply expands his thug like approach in life to his unwitting followers.
Living men and women who are the bodies of big business convinced a trusting citizenry to vote against their own interest and are at the bottom of this mess.
We are manipulated from birth.
1
I doubt Trump even believes what he says when discussing coal. Sadly, his incessant statements about the revival of coal mining is nothing more than a hoax being imposed upon those who have lost their jobs as miners.
Coal mining is not the first nor the last industry which will disappear from the face of the earth. Rather than creating false hopes, Trump should be advocating for training of former miners in today's newest energy jobs. But that would take some forward thinking, something he sorely lacks.
Coal mining is not the first nor the last industry which will disappear from the face of the earth. Rather than creating false hopes, Trump should be advocating for training of former miners in today's newest energy jobs. But that would take some forward thinking, something he sorely lacks.
I found your comment about encouraging farmers to grow crops that restore carbon to the soil very interesting and have not heard anyone talking about this. Sounds like a great idea if the said crops are suitable and saleable to our market.
The argument makes perfect sense from the perspective of the policy elite. But let's look at it from another point of view:
The mine/plant/factory/shop is closing. I'm not qualified for any other decent job around here. We have to live on my whole income, so we have no savings that would make relocating, retraining, or retirement possible. I suspect this is happening to us because the world is taken over by people whose values are very different from ours.
Now, from that point of view, should I be impressed by long-term, uncertain policy goals, or by promises of concrete, short-term reaction--even if I think the promises are probably lies?
ron
The mine/plant/factory/shop is closing. I'm not qualified for any other decent job around here. We have to live on my whole income, so we have no savings that would make relocating, retraining, or retirement possible. I suspect this is happening to us because the world is taken over by people whose values are very different from ours.
Now, from that point of view, should I be impressed by long-term, uncertain policy goals, or by promises of concrete, short-term reaction--even if I think the promises are probably lies?
ron
Hard to think when you feed your brain on television. Friedman has lamented his inability to connect the policy dots. He doesn't even see the dots. He is incapable of defining what our problems are. Building a wall, banning Muslims, evicerating regulations and cutting taxes for the wealthy is not what ails us. He doesn't know what he doesn't know and this is the worst form of incompetence.
It was encouraging to see Mr. Friedman touch on two themes essential to the future of the US and our planet.
First, population explosion is the fundamental crisis confronting our species. The capacity of our ecosystem to support our needs is finite. At some point we will reach a tipping point that will lead to catastrophic consequences. To ignore that reality is foolish.
Second, Mr. Friedman's acknowledgment that we can make America great again transcends the petty partisanship so indicative of much of the establishment narrative.
Kudos, Tom.
First, population explosion is the fundamental crisis confronting our species. The capacity of our ecosystem to support our needs is finite. At some point we will reach a tipping point that will lead to catastrophic consequences. To ignore that reality is foolish.
Second, Mr. Friedman's acknowledgment that we can make America great again transcends the petty partisanship so indicative of much of the establishment narrative.
Kudos, Tom.
4
Well sure America could technically be made great again, restored to its greatness levels of 2015 and so on. But it's not possible with that idiot Trump in control, because he's so ridiculously uninformed and unintelligent. As soon as he's out of office we might have a chance again, if Republicans learn from their errors and start correcting their various inabilities to understand reality.
You lost me at "Trump should read a book...." Hopeless.
12
What may trouble me most about Trump - more than his boorishness, or his myriad conflicts of interest - is his utter lack of vision or leadership. On energy, on environment, education, economic development. Really, on anything.
13
Mr. Friedman - please do everyone favor and stop with the fluff and fold op-ed pieces while Trump is lying us into one nightmare after another. As long as Trump is in the White House it is our job as Americans to stop him and his administration form doing further damage to our nation while forces in state government across the country get ready to put him under a massive RICO investigation. It's time for you to put your shoulder to the wheel and help . . . for once.
6
Since Trump seems to be pivoting from some of his campaign nonsense, one can only hope he will do the same on these issues.
Appreciate the column. Two suggestions
Hope is great, “Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
But to "only" hope will not cut it. Those who go here have already lost.
The thing that keeps hope alive is determined, forceful, striving to make things right.
Imagining is also great, but again, if its just day dreaming or wishful thinking it will not cut it.
How about some concrete actions that people can take. How about encouraging action, getting involved at some level: think, talk, write, march, challenge,and for Humanity's sake VOTE.
Appreciate the column. Two suggestions
Hope is great, “Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
But to "only" hope will not cut it. Those who go here have already lost.
The thing that keeps hope alive is determined, forceful, striving to make things right.
Imagining is also great, but again, if its just day dreaming or wishful thinking it will not cut it.
How about some concrete actions that people can take. How about encouraging action, getting involved at some level: think, talk, write, march, challenge,and for Humanity's sake VOTE.
1
Mankind seems to have an inherent need for self destructive over consumption and distribution of waste products. Fossil fuels are the most recent example but many deforested areas around the globe have resulted from non-sustainable use of wood for fuels or products (China, India, Africa, Haiti, etc.)
Humans have demonstrated a willingness to pollute the air with smoke, and poison the waterways with garbage to sustain the wage levels of the appropriate CEO and defend the practice with promises of jobs.
What about in several decades? Do we even care what the world looks like? Apparently not. There is only a minority of people who have the foresight to see, and care, what the world of their children may look like.
Humans have demonstrated a willingness to pollute the air with smoke, and poison the waterways with garbage to sustain the wage levels of the appropriate CEO and defend the practice with promises of jobs.
What about in several decades? Do we even care what the world looks like? Apparently not. There is only a minority of people who have the foresight to see, and care, what the world of their children may look like.
3
While he spreads his version of 'manly' jobs he has been silent concerning the job loses in the retail sector. 79,000 lost jobs from January to March. Perhaps he thinks of these jobs as 'women's' work and that "they will something else".
3
On a serious note...My grandfather was a coal miner. He died of black lung disease. I never got the chance to meet him.
"Putting our miners back to work" down there in the mines, is the gift that keeps on giving.
I can't handle any more Executive Orders like this.
"Putting our miners back to work" down there in the mines, is the gift that keeps on giving.
I can't handle any more Executive Orders like this.
7
Trump is 70 and seems stuck in the world of his formative years (coal, old fashioned industries building identifiable, physical objects, a clear cut world with black and white politics, and brown or yellow people remaining at their due (inferior) place... Miners, steel, trucks, a reassuring world
4
Besides renewables, natural gas will put coal out of business because it is cleaner and cheaper and the utilities know it. You would think the coal workers would know it, too. The sad thing is that all who voted for Trump actually liked what he was saying. Like getting rid of NAFTA, which would cost the corn farmers of the Midwest millions in lost trade with Mexico. The Mexicans are already negotiating with South American sources.
3
Blowing up stuff is not presidential. It is male and testosterone driven and usually stupid.
4
Remember, this is the same administration whose treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, said that AI is not even on the radar for them because, "that's 50 or 100 years from now." How do we expect people with this mindset to figure out anything?
4
Mr. Friedman, you are very right Trump's ignorant coal policy when even the coal industry thinks is downright stupidity because it understands the future is solar energy, clean energy where the workers will be having full-time jobs which are less dangerous and also preventing lung disorders which results in disability and even death.
But Mr. Friedman, I am not so sure about your stance on the cruise missile attack attack especially with Trump as President who has no clue what should come next. He has opened a new can of worms. You had also vehemently supported the Iraq War which has only resulted in opening a Pandora's Box, totally destabilizing the Middle East and only creating chaos, displacements and deaths for the people there. Let's not absolve ourselves from all culpability to what's happening there. I am not condoning the tyrant Assad for gassing his people. It is not very different from poisoning our workers with coal. I guess it would be Trump's way to bombard Americans. And for what? A few jobs for optics?
But Mr. Friedman, I am not so sure about your stance on the cruise missile attack attack especially with Trump as President who has no clue what should come next. He has opened a new can of worms. You had also vehemently supported the Iraq War which has only resulted in opening a Pandora's Box, totally destabilizing the Middle East and only creating chaos, displacements and deaths for the people there. Let's not absolve ourselves from all culpability to what's happening there. I am not condoning the tyrant Assad for gassing his people. It is not very different from poisoning our workers with coal. I guess it would be Trump's way to bombard Americans. And for what? A few jobs for optics?
World's greatest collection of climate scientists at NASA, NOAA, the E.P.A. the Pentagon and the C.I.A.? A wee bit over the top Mr. Friedman but your allowed. They are good (now my point) how many of them are true Americans?
Mr. Trump is a miss mash. He speaks to whatever audience is in front of him at the immediate time. Yesterday he signed an order tightening up hiring foreign technological workers.
O.K., all of you at NASA, NOAA and the E.P.A. in the United States on a working visa not feeling wanted? Look north.
Montreal - space exploration.
Kitchener/Waterloo - silicon valley north.
Lower Mainland, British Columbia - renewable energy.
I bring up British Columbia last because when it comes to renewable energy do not just look above the ground and water. Look below, underwater tidal power has great potential to keep the lights on.
Mr. Trump is a miss mash. He speaks to whatever audience is in front of him at the immediate time. Yesterday he signed an order tightening up hiring foreign technological workers.
O.K., all of you at NASA, NOAA and the E.P.A. in the United States on a working visa not feeling wanted? Look north.
Montreal - space exploration.
Kitchener/Waterloo - silicon valley north.
Lower Mainland, British Columbia - renewable energy.
I bring up British Columbia last because when it comes to renewable energy do not just look above the ground and water. Look below, underwater tidal power has great potential to keep the lights on.
1
As a Texan, I've long wondered WHY we produce cotton! Why? Thank you, Mr. Friedman, for explaining why this is absurd. I can only hope the government realizes this as well but hold out no hope.
4
Is Trump Tower heated by coal? Are any of his real estate holdings heated by coal?
Gee, I wonder why not?
Gee, I wonder why not?
1
The electricity from Con Ed is some combination of sources. Trump could sign up for all wind or all renewable etc. I don't think there is an all coal option, unfortunately.
Trump doesn't see the future, but he sees the present, and he is great at turning people's insecurities into gold.
He is not a leader.
But he's good at telling the masses exactly what they want to hear.
Whatever you want, you can have it.
He will eliminate the source of all your fears, whatever they are.
He is not a leader.
But he's good at telling the masses exactly what they want to hear.
Whatever you want, you can have it.
He will eliminate the source of all your fears, whatever they are.
Apparently, this Clown (can't bring myself to call him Pre******) could care less if his precious little Baron and grandchildren spends their lives choking on poluted NYC air. I suggest filling envelopes with coal dust and mailing them to 1600 PA Ave. And, while we're at it, filling mason jars with coal run-off and sludge and do likewise. Imagine thousands of coal laden products shipped to the monon-in-chief? Just sayin'
4
Right on!
1
Trump doesn't "pivot." He whirls. He's the presidential equivalent of a poorly tethered windsock.
8
Good luck with that.
1
irony is the new normal. Lies are the new truths.
4
Mr. Friedman's comments regarding the consequences of sabotaging climate and environmental protection policies, as well as withholding support from the U.N. Population Fund, are all too true.
The contrast he is trying to draw between those decisions and the decision to bomb Syria, however, is arguably nonexistent. It now appears that the factual basis for the Syrian bombing is at least questionable, if not an outright fabrication. See http://www.alternet.org/world/trumps-missile-attack-syria-justified-fabr.... Thus, Trump has, in the Syria case, endorsed and acted upon questionable and incomplete information, while in the case of climate and environmental information, he has endorsed quackery in the face of nearly unanimous expert judgment that the evidence of human caused climate change is overwhelming.
Mr. Friedman is right that these matters pose a "question of leadership and how we judge presidents." The "bizarre contrast" of which he speaks, however, is between the disparate reception of policies that are both intellectually dishonest and corrupt.
The contrast he is trying to draw between those decisions and the decision to bomb Syria, however, is arguably nonexistent. It now appears that the factual basis for the Syrian bombing is at least questionable, if not an outright fabrication. See http://www.alternet.org/world/trumps-missile-attack-syria-justified-fabr.... Thus, Trump has, in the Syria case, endorsed and acted upon questionable and incomplete information, while in the case of climate and environmental information, he has endorsed quackery in the face of nearly unanimous expert judgment that the evidence of human caused climate change is overwhelming.
Mr. Friedman is right that these matters pose a "question of leadership and how we judge presidents." The "bizarre contrast" of which he speaks, however, is between the disparate reception of policies that are both intellectually dishonest and corrupt.
8
A pretext for Tom to point out “Climate of Hope", and hope that Trump doesn't wreck everything. However, there is every indication that Trump intends to pattern the USA after Putin's Russia. Whether Putin installed Trump or not, he's after a Putin-like Oligarchy, differing from the corporate goals of the Ryan-McConnell machine mainly in stripping the "democratic" facade of Congress away, and laying bare its fealty to billionaires.
11
Wow! Farmers in Texas and California can grow crops that drought proof their soils! Who would have thought that was humanly possible. Rewrite the bible! All those droughts were caused by growing the wrong crops.
I was just looking at the option of doing a five year deal for solar in Texas 10.5 cents. That is well north of any other similar term deal.
Solar is not cheaper than existing coal; and no serous power projection (including EIA) says coal is going away. Obama did every thing he could think of to force shut down of coal plants. It was an all of the above orgy/gauntlet of regulatory initiatives from forcing scrubbers, cooling towers, whether needed or not and then saying you had to be concerned about carbon capture after that.
I was just looking at the option of doing a five year deal for solar in Texas 10.5 cents. That is well north of any other similar term deal.
Solar is not cheaper than existing coal; and no serous power projection (including EIA) says coal is going away. Obama did every thing he could think of to force shut down of coal plants. It was an all of the above orgy/gauntlet of regulatory initiatives from forcing scrubbers, cooling towers, whether needed or not and then saying you had to be concerned about carbon capture after that.
solar is getting cheaper. And in other countries it is surpassing coal. While coal may not be going away, there is no rational reason for Trump's policies to "bring it back"
Firing missiles into a Sovereign State while having chocolate cake for dessert, is easy and macho, understanding the science of Climate Change is neither macho nor easy. It requires a level of intellectual aptitude that can not be expected from Trump and his supporters. And so long as there are 62 million ignorant electorate in this country, we will continue shooting missiles and dropping bombs to look Presidential particularly if you know not of any other way to achieve that image.
72
not just any chocolate cake - it was the most beautiful chocolate cake you have ever seen. So it must have been the right decision.
"Firing missiles into a Sovereign State while having chocolate cake for dessert, is easy and macho, understanding the science of Climate Change is neither macho nor easy."
Yeah, but WHAT a cake it was!
Yeah, but WHAT a cake it was!
1
"Trump summoned his national security team, asked for options on Syria, chose the cruise-missile strike — which was right — and won praise for acting “presidential.”"
Tom you just can't give it up. You were wrong on Iraq, so was this. Stop waving the flag and check the testosterone.
Tom you just can't give it up. You were wrong on Iraq, so was this. Stop waving the flag and check the testosterone.
36
Thanks, Steve Hunter. That little " - which was right - " statement was the second most insane thing Friedman has said. The first being, of course, his fascination with what could happen if we invaded Iraq. You nailed it.
3
It is somewhat revolting isn't it. The same journalists that have been critical of him since the election are suddenly gushing if he shows the slightest nod to normalcy, declaring him Presidential.
Has the man ever been into a coal mine? Has he talked to residents of the area about the leveled mountains or polluted streams resulting from coal mining? Has he spoken to a former miner who can't draw a breath due to incurable black lung disease? The only ones who profit from coal are the owners and politicians, and the rest of the country suffers from outdated modes of energy production while the world waves goodbye to us. The president is like a bad dream from the Grant or Hayes administration come back to life. He seems unfazed by the harm he's doing while profiting from it.
59
Tom,
I hope your informed insight that President Trump is pivoting from his campaign rhetoric (I don't like to use "nonsense" because he won the electoral college vote) to serious economic, social, and environmental challenges for the US and all humanity.
I believe that the world society must pivot from fossil fuels to avoid a catastrophe in all dimensions of humankind's development. Therefore, I hope that the President will take the bold action to mobilize the World community in making the shift to new sources of energy for electricity and transportation for the future.
In 10 years, we can start to create a global superconducting Maglev industry to build a prototype Maglev Launch Facility to send solar satellites to geosynchronous orbit to beam electricity to the whole world. This system proposed by Drs. James Powell, John Makins, George Maise, and Charles Pellegrino is projected to create 2 cents per kilowatt electricity and become the basis for a new global economy that can improve everyone's quality of life and life expectancy.
With very cheap electricity we can provide huge savings in mass transit, especially the very efficient Superconducting Maglev transport system invented by Powell and Danby following the deployment scheme of the late Senator Moynihan's Interstate Maglev Network for carrying trucks and passengers at 300 mph for huge economic savings. See www.magneticglide.com for concept.
We can make water, synthetic jet fuel, and capture CO2 from air.
I hope your informed insight that President Trump is pivoting from his campaign rhetoric (I don't like to use "nonsense" because he won the electoral college vote) to serious economic, social, and environmental challenges for the US and all humanity.
I believe that the world society must pivot from fossil fuels to avoid a catastrophe in all dimensions of humankind's development. Therefore, I hope that the President will take the bold action to mobilize the World community in making the shift to new sources of energy for electricity and transportation for the future.
In 10 years, we can start to create a global superconducting Maglev industry to build a prototype Maglev Launch Facility to send solar satellites to geosynchronous orbit to beam electricity to the whole world. This system proposed by Drs. James Powell, John Makins, George Maise, and Charles Pellegrino is projected to create 2 cents per kilowatt electricity and become the basis for a new global economy that can improve everyone's quality of life and life expectancy.
With very cheap electricity we can provide huge savings in mass transit, especially the very efficient Superconducting Maglev transport system invented by Powell and Danby following the deployment scheme of the late Senator Moynihan's Interstate Maglev Network for carrying trucks and passengers at 300 mph for huge economic savings. See www.magneticglide.com for concept.
We can make water, synthetic jet fuel, and capture CO2 from air.
4
When the renewable energy sectors offer to personally enrich Donald as much or more than the fossil fuel sectors, Donald will sing their praises. Donald's reticence to embrace visionary ideals is neither frustrating or vexing. Just pay him. Donald is no more complex than a gumball machine.
6
The Koch Brothers and all those fossilized Texans and Oklahomans live in the windiest part of the country and are too foolish to diversify, and reduce the risks to their own incomes, by buying into the renewables industry.
Texas already gets 10% of their electricity from wind. That's putting money into pockets - of the ranchers or farmers leasing a bit of their land, counties where those wind farms are sited, and to the investors financing the development.
Texas already gets 10% of their electricity from wind. That's putting money into pockets - of the ranchers or farmers leasing a bit of their land, counties where those wind farms are sited, and to the investors financing the development.
Coal was just used as a marketing gimmick for Trump to appeal to coal country folks. I think everyone recognized that even the people that live in coal country, One cannot fault those that got taken in; as it was the first time someone paid attention to them and make promises. I have a natural tendency to want to believe and I think many people share that same trait.
The problem of getting jobs for these people will still be here by the time the next election rolls around. Will they be taken in by more false promises or can something be done to open up new jobs in a different industry.
The problem of getting jobs for these people will still be here by the time the next election rolls around. Will they be taken in by more false promises or can something be done to open up new jobs in a different industry.
8
Read ‘Climate of Hope’? The only publicly documented reading by Mr. T of greater than one page was his perusing an entire windows treatment catalog for his office.
I wish the writer would stick to one editorial at a time instead of sneaking jingoistic war theory into an article on the use of coal. The government has not proved by independent investigation that Syria was responsible for the use of poison gas in the current instance. It may or may not be true, but until adjudicated and authorized the launch of misses was an illegal act of war. The editorial writer has a history of supporting illegal war. If it was so "presidential" why was that strike not followed by another on the rebels' slaughter of Shia refugees from Aleppo or, indeed, on the U.S. forces who bombed civilians in Mosul. The writer should concentrate on coal; the dying are miserable enough without his approval.
1
"The coal mining museum is going solar, for solid economic reasons, and President Trump is reviving coal, with no economic logic at all." The logic is not economic, it's political. He wants the votes (in 2018 for Republicans and in 2020 for himself) of people who were in the coal industry but have lost their jobs. He also wants money from the coal barons.
3
I wonder how long we will have to wait to see the new solid glass electrolyte in commercially available lithium ion batteries. According to the article published here about the 94 year old group leader of its development team, it will allow battery capacity to be tripled in the same volume while making batteries much safer by eliminating potentially explosive water from the battery chemistry. It should make many more completely off-grid solar power installations economical.
But don't go looking for jobs mining lithium, it is generally extracted from brine by an automated process.
But don't go looking for jobs mining lithium, it is generally extracted from brine by an automated process.
1
Trump and Co. have been disingenuous, as have other politicians, with the American People. Since our Nation's birth--some 240 years ago--America has transformed fro m an Agrarian Society, to an Industrial one, to a Service Economy and, most recently, to the current Digital Society. Our forebears have had to adjust to changing needs, time and again, today's workers need to do the same.
Over the 40+ years that I was working I knew that I had to "re-invent" myself, time-and-again. The whole landscape changed over that period--banking and securities laws, changes in the overall financial industry, the economy went global, etc. Even having a couple of college degrees (no big thing today), I voluntarily took a course here or there, studies new ideas on my own, and constantly tried to ere-acclimate to today's workplace.
Also, when your job is based on the supply-and-demand of a commodity, newer technologies, and the increasing costs as the mines have to go deeper and deeper to reach the coal, the workers need to raise their heads, and see what's going on--all around them.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Over the 40+ years that I was working I knew that I had to "re-invent" myself, time-and-again. The whole landscape changed over that period--banking and securities laws, changes in the overall financial industry, the economy went global, etc. Even having a couple of college degrees (no big thing today), I voluntarily took a course here or there, studies new ideas on my own, and constantly tried to ere-acclimate to today's workplace.
Also, when your job is based on the supply-and-demand of a commodity, newer technologies, and the increasing costs as the mines have to go deeper and deeper to reach the coal, the workers need to raise their heads, and see what's going on--all around them.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Coal is cheap, plentiful and dirty. Certainly the technology to make clean coal exists but it is expensive. It's easier to just switch over to natural gas which is what utilities have done. Furthermore it's obvious that Donald hasn't thought about this, just like he hasn't thought about much of what he said during the campaign. "Health care is hard. Who knew"? Well, 63,000,000 Americans and the NYT knew. Will Donald ever listen? That is the question.
1
Trump came in to power riding on a pack of lies. Although he may be policy knowledge challenged, to say the least, and even though his faithful may not care about completion of the beautiful wall, Trump does know that he is toast if he fails to deliver on one promise: that he will bring back jobs. Transitioning to a climate friendly economy with a highly skilled work force requires long range planning and investment. Growth may be slow and steady, even if sustainable.
Trump believes the only way to quickly boost the economy is to cut taxes and regulations drastically, giving a short term shot of adrenaline . He is hoping it helps keep the Congress Republican in 2018 and maybe his job in 2020.
His economic policy will not succeed as he expects. Coal is not coming back. The economy cannot be carried by the energy sector (as it once was in oil rich Russia). There is a glut of oil and efficiency is cutting demand. Furthermore the unemployment rate is low and our low skilled workers cannot easily and quickly transition into jobs requiring higher abilities. If Trumpmdoes not deliver jobs, expect more rallies, tweets, conspiracy theories and time at Mira Lago.
Trump believes the only way to quickly boost the economy is to cut taxes and regulations drastically, giving a short term shot of adrenaline . He is hoping it helps keep the Congress Republican in 2018 and maybe his job in 2020.
His economic policy will not succeed as he expects. Coal is not coming back. The economy cannot be carried by the energy sector (as it once was in oil rich Russia). There is a glut of oil and efficiency is cutting demand. Furthermore the unemployment rate is low and our low skilled workers cannot easily and quickly transition into jobs requiring higher abilities. If Trumpmdoes not deliver jobs, expect more rallies, tweets, conspiracy theories and time at Mira Lago.
At the end of the day this can be made about Trump but it isnt, this is about the millions of Americans who VOTED for Trump knowing full well where he stood on the environment and everything negative he wanted to do to remove hard fought protections. These are the despicables that allowed this conversation about allowing un regulated coal pollution again to even happen.
If the point is simply that Trump could exercise being presidential more effectively than firing off missiles, well duh. But the major mistake here is to think Trump wants to be presidential. He does not,
Trump's aim is to install himself as the Putin of the USA running an operation where all public assets are controlled by billionaires and everyone else is a serf living upon these oligarchs' largesse.
Trump is destroying the government with the aid of the Quisling GOP Congress in order to implement a copy of Putin's Russia.
Trump's aim is to install himself as the Putin of the USA running an operation where all public assets are controlled by billionaires and everyone else is a serf living upon these oligarchs' largesse.
Trump is destroying the government with the aid of the Quisling GOP Congress in order to implement a copy of Putin's Russia.
This may well be a good thing for everyone, except for the out-of-work miners who actually think Trump will bring coal mining back again. When a museum dedicated to coal and coal mining decides to use solar energy to reduce the burden of power payments, the game is near its end.
Wind and solar (and natural gas) will continue to take market share from the coal industry, not so much because they are cleaner but because they are less expensive and growing less expensive every year year.
Trump picked up votes by making insane promises that could never be fulfilled and all the Obama-trashing rhetoric in the political arena is not going to change that. Score on this one: Obama 10, Trump 0.
Wind and solar (and natural gas) will continue to take market share from the coal industry, not so much because they are cleaner but because they are less expensive and growing less expensive every year year.
Trump picked up votes by making insane promises that could never be fulfilled and all the Obama-trashing rhetoric in the political arena is not going to change that. Score on this one: Obama 10, Trump 0.
4
Trump read a book? don't hold your breath
There is potential work for all the coal miners; take all of that coal ash and put it into the abandoned mines and seal it up. That solves a host of problems and provides employment for a lot of people.
1
People - especially journalists - need to stop believing that magically Trump will somehow become a "normal" president. Nobody, but nobody, changes his or her personality after 70 years of behaving in a particular way. The man has a defective personality - one that is mendacious, vindictive, narcissistic and devoid of empathy, introspection, knowledge and thought. It ain't gonna change, so stop pretending it can. The only way circumstances will improve is one of three things: (1) he is put in a playpen and someone sensible actually does the presidenting, (2) he is thrown out of office by impeachment or election of someone else, or (3) he wakes up dead one morning or is victimized by the Second Amendment. The persistent delusion that Truthless Trump will change/pivot/become normal is extremely annoying and counterproductive and at variance with everything known about reality. Trump is not, and never will be, a Harry S. Truman who learned on the job.
7
Prolonging a dying coal industry is code speak for propping up the illusions of certain people that they will still be able to consume to their heart's content even if they adamantly refuse to join the future that the rest of us don't have the luxury of ignoring. In addition to or instead of high speed rail, places like West Virginia and Kentucky desperately need their state governments to invest in education and high speed communications, i.e., Internet. The last time I went to a local Home Depot I was told that the cash registers were actually controlled from Atlanta. Even if you are really, really happy being a serf, future serfs will still need to have a minimum level of competence with technology. There is no getting around it.
Everything written here is far too logical, rational, and supported but real facts to appeal to Trump and the GOP.
1
Calling the Syria strike "right," or "presidential" is absurd. It's meaning exist only in context and the context of that was what? thoughtlessness?, impulse of the moment? pointless and devoid of any larger plan.? He felt bad about children dying?
Will this save lives in the future? Will it mark a change in the course of the devastation?
Tomahawks are very precise and struck a ring of buildings circling the untouched runways. Even if runways had been damaged, the question remains: what was the point?
Friedman is just as shallow, in this instance, as Trump and that's disappointing.
Will this save lives in the future? Will it mark a change in the course of the devastation?
Tomahawks are very precise and struck a ring of buildings circling the untouched runways. Even if runways had been damaged, the question remains: what was the point?
Friedman is just as shallow, in this instance, as Trump and that's disappointing.
3
Coal Museum...as in antiquities.
Not to be completely lacking in empathy, but the village blacksmith/coal contingent needs to look to the future. It's not to be found in a dark, damp, black lung generating mine. If Trump really cared about the people...and their children, he'd work for new and better (really) clean energy jobs.
Not to be completely lacking in empathy, but the village blacksmith/coal contingent needs to look to the future. It's not to be found in a dark, damp, black lung generating mine. If Trump really cared about the people...and their children, he'd work for new and better (really) clean energy jobs.
"... he could read a smart new book..." I thought I was reading The Onion for a second. Get real. He reads tweets, that's about it.
2
So, what else is new? Hypocrisy abounds!
The only way to get Trump to sign off on renewable energy is to convince him that he invented it. Otherwise, perhaps someone could show him photos of beautiful little babies poisoned by coal dust.
18
After seeing so many jobs disappear due to technological advances this reader would hope that our elected officials would request a meeting with Trump to lay out a few cold hard facts. One of those facts is that former coal miners still in their prime working years need to be trained for new jobs that pay at least as much as mining paid. Job retraining ought to be a priority in America because everyone is liable to lose their job to technology at some point, especially if the job can be automated to allow humans to perform other functions.
In fact there is no reason for our governors, our large corporations who want consumers to spend on their products, and our Congress not to enact and budget programs which will keep Americans working at good jobs for a good salary. There is no reason for employers to outsource or discriminate against older, more experienced job candidates or employees, especially if the age of retirement is raised. Coal jobs will go away but other jobs will take their place. Why isn't this Congress, along with our states, preparing American workers for the future by funding programs to help us transition into new jobs?
In fact there is no reason for our governors, our large corporations who want consumers to spend on their products, and our Congress not to enact and budget programs which will keep Americans working at good jobs for a good salary. There is no reason for employers to outsource or discriminate against older, more experienced job candidates or employees, especially if the age of retirement is raised. Coal jobs will go away but other jobs will take their place. Why isn't this Congress, along with our states, preparing American workers for the future by funding programs to help us transition into new jobs?
7
The coal miners did not prepare for the future. Why should others pay for their lack of foresight and error of judgment? They chose their path with some degree of arrogance and now want others to pay for their mistake.
The US solar industry employs approximately 274,000 people. The Dept of Energy reports that only 187,000 Americans are employed by oil, gas and coal combined, of which coal employs 55,000 people and dropping. Solar industry growth is 12 times that of the US economy.
Trump, a self proclaimed "really smart guy" should see the obvious and use his power to support this historical shift in energy sourcing that will continue to "Make America Great".
Trump, a self proclaimed "really smart guy" should see the obvious and use his power to support this historical shift in energy sourcing that will continue to "Make America Great".
8
If Exxon-Mobil's jobs produce two more jobs by economic multiplier effect, so do anyone else's comparably-paid jobs.
Trump will probably change his course. As Republicans are fond of saying:
history has its consequences.
history has its consequences.
"Trump summoned his national security team, asked for options on Syria, chose the cruise-missile strike — which was right"
A common knew-jerk comment from our short-sighted punditry. We should never forget how many pundits like Friedman bought into the "weapons of mass destruction" meme in the same unquestioning manner. Look where that got us.
War, if anything, is entirely unpredictable. That's why a measured approach with the consent of congress and a long-term strategic plan is the absolute minimum requirement. Our journalists let us down when they, like Trump, listen automatically to their lizard-brain selves when confronted with a problem.
A common knew-jerk comment from our short-sighted punditry. We should never forget how many pundits like Friedman bought into the "weapons of mass destruction" meme in the same unquestioning manner. Look where that got us.
War, if anything, is entirely unpredictable. That's why a measured approach with the consent of congress and a long-term strategic plan is the absolute minimum requirement. Our journalists let us down when they, like Trump, listen automatically to their lizard-brain selves when confronted with a problem.
10
Have arsenal, must use it to justify the expense and deprivation of civilian amenities.
3
In the "Make America great Again" litany this would be hilarious if it were not so utterly depressing to think about and live. Shortly after the election China announced that they were going to invest $650,000,000,000 in solar and alternative energy. We are going to burn coal!
148
Remember, in the GOP/Trump playbook anything that smacks of wonkism, intelligence, or doesn't make America great again a la 1950s, won't happen. If Clinton or Obama endorsed it it's out the window and into the deeply polluted political discourse. It's no accident that the most incurious president in decades is paired with a Congress that is protectionist, beholden to the ultra conservative economic elites of America, and won't act to preserve anything that the majority of Americans care about or need.
Had people not voted on the basis of their feelings about Clinton and Trump but on the basis of their qualifications we would have had a real president. Instead we have a Child in Chief who breaks his toys and plays favorites and has tantrums when he doesn't get his way.
Had people not voted on the basis of their feelings about Clinton and Trump but on the basis of their qualifications we would have had a real president. Instead we have a Child in Chief who breaks his toys and plays favorites and has tantrums when he doesn't get his way.
16
"...asking for an intelligence briefing on how the combination of climate change, environmental degradation, drought and population explosions helped trigger the civil war in Syria, spawn terrorist groups like Boko Haram around Africa’s central Lake Chad (which has lost 90 percent of its water mass since 1963) and become the main force pushing tens of thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa into Europe each year, and from Central America up to the U.S."
statements like this make me laugh. do you honestly believe DJT actually cares about anything other than what makes him "look good"? i mean honestly, you bring up topics and logic that are of no intetest to this imbicile (said with all due respect tp the office of the president of course)
statements like this make me laugh. do you honestly believe DJT actually cares about anything other than what makes him "look good"? i mean honestly, you bring up topics and logic that are of no intetest to this imbicile (said with all due respect tp the office of the president of course)
3
Trump only sees his future. He could not care less about coal miners.
7
"Now that would be presidential." Not in his nature, but.....
His driving need seems to be acclaim, therefor I am sort of surprised that he doesn't just flop on himself and start doing the opposite of what he has been doing. That alone might send his approval numbers skyrocketing, and since few of his supporters believe he will do what he said he would he would be in a win/win.
I am so glad, Thomas, that you pointed out the relationship to the refugee crises coming from the Middle East, Africa, and South America all have their roots in Global Weirding and climate change.
80% of the world's populations live along coastal areas, so imagine the crisis if sea levels do begin to rise and those people need to move inland.
The Pentagon is right to concede that climate devastation is perhaps our greatest threat, now they need to convince their so called boss.
The Coal Museum going solar is really quite the irony.
His driving need seems to be acclaim, therefor I am sort of surprised that he doesn't just flop on himself and start doing the opposite of what he has been doing. That alone might send his approval numbers skyrocketing, and since few of his supporters believe he will do what he said he would he would be in a win/win.
I am so glad, Thomas, that you pointed out the relationship to the refugee crises coming from the Middle East, Africa, and South America all have their roots in Global Weirding and climate change.
80% of the world's populations live along coastal areas, so imagine the crisis if sea levels do begin to rise and those people need to move inland.
The Pentagon is right to concede that climate devastation is perhaps our greatest threat, now they need to convince their so called boss.
The Coal Museum going solar is really quite the irony.
7
Much is touted about the solar industry, but solar is heavily subsidized and uneconomic at the consumer level. I would have liked to see a focus on the energy efficiency industry (think insulation, low-utilization technologies) which doesn't rely on government subsidies and is a proven, tried and tested option.
3
I certainly agree that energy efficiency deserves a much greater focus, not least because it is the biggest 'bang for the buck' in energy, but I have to correct the statement that efficiency is not reliant on government subsidies. In fact, numerous states and municipalities offer tax incentives, outright subsidies, and low or no-cost loans for insulation, thermally efficient windows, air leak fixes, and the like. There are also federal tax credits for both residential and commercial energy efficiency expenditures.
The website dsireusa.org has a comprehensive list of energy related financial incentives.
The website dsireusa.org has a comprehensive list of energy related financial incentives.
Jazzville
Oil, gas, and coal receive 70% of all energy sector subsidies.
These are well dug in, richer-than-God industries with proven (if somewhat evil) methodologies, and a desperately thirsty market.
Why are they subsidized at all?
And why to people like you keep saying "renewable energy is heavily subsidized, its a fantasy, and will never provide the energy we need!"
Really, why?
Oil, gas, and coal receive 70% of all energy sector subsidies.
These are well dug in, richer-than-God industries with proven (if somewhat evil) methodologies, and a desperately thirsty market.
Why are they subsidized at all?
And why to people like you keep saying "renewable energy is heavily subsidized, its a fantasy, and will never provide the energy we need!"
Really, why?
I do not even take Friedman seriously on renewable/sustainable. The first day he uses any or all of these, I will write "What took you..."?
Heat pump
Ground-source geothermal heat pump (GSG)
Bio-waste to biogas
Solid waste to heat/electricity via advanced incineration
Won't hold my breath.
Only-Never in Sweden.Blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
Heat pump
Ground-source geothermal heat pump (GSG)
Bio-waste to biogas
Solid waste to heat/electricity via advanced incineration
Won't hold my breath.
Only-Never in Sweden.Blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
4
The suggestion that Trump should read "Climate of Hope" is a good one, unfortunately you'd have to put that out as an audio book on FOX for that to happen, since we know he's not much on reading.
On the issue of consulting all of his experts in his various cabinets, I don't think he's going to want to hear answers he doesn't want to hear. So he won't ask the questions.
On the issue of consulting all of his experts in his various cabinets, I don't think he's going to want to hear answers he doesn't want to hear. So he won't ask the questions.
4
Again, Trump probably has shares or some other profit sharing program with the coat industry, otherwise he would not be involved. He is shipping coal to China and it probably is supporting all the factories Ivanka is setting up. It's all business to Trump. Every visit to the white house and florida is all about business connections. they have zilch to do with running the country.
4
Electric cars make sense only if coupled to renewable energy.As long as they obtain their battery charge from fossil fuel powered plants, coal and natural gas, they are thermodynamically much less efficient than modern motor cars, and hence have a large carbonr footprint. A sensible approach would be to adapt to 100 year old diesel electric locomotive technology - on board power generation, using biodiesel fuel.
In most places you can sign up for all renewable or all wind etc. electricity.
It is not the belief in coal that is driving our species into oblivion it is the belief in an economic system that puts the economic welfare of the few above survival and prosperity of the many. The absurdity of talking about the disappearance of Lake Chad and not about ExxonMobil would be absurd in an of itself if it wasn't in an op-ed about coal.
7
So what?
Trump is the President of the United States of America instead of a coal museum.
Trump is the President of the United States of America instead of a coal museum.
3
Tom,
Please explain why spending millions of dollars to move sand around near an airbase which had evacuated its planes is the right presidential decision.
Please explain why spending millions of dollars to move sand around near an airbase which had evacuated its planes is the right presidential decision.
7
That money could have built much-needed bridges over one of our dilapidating freeways or would have been beneficial to those being poisoned by Flynt water system. It was a very expensive fire-cracker.
1
" If Trump is looking for a blueprint, he could not do better than to read a smart new book, “Climate of Hope,” ".
C'mon Tom, by now it is clear the man can't read....
C'mon Tom, by now it is clear the man can't read....
4
Have you ever seen what mountain-top removal (MTR) coal mining looks like? The coal companies blow up mountains, leaving behind bare rock and rubble; streams choked with silt and contaminated with arsenic, sulfur, and heavy metals; and NOTHING growing. MTR leaves the land looking like a bombed-out site; it’s total devastation. The place will not recover until that particular tectonic plate goes into the earth’s mantle and re-emerges, millions of years later. Coal companies like MTR mining because they need a lot fewer workers to do it; and because a lot of the easy-to-reach and productive coal deposits—the ones you could get to with standard underground mining—have already been mined out.
That’s why I will be happy any time a coal-fired power plant closes. Maybe enough of them will close before large parts of Appalachia look like a war zone in a desert.
That’s why I will be happy any time a coal-fired power plant closes. Maybe enough of them will close before large parts of Appalachia look like a war zone in a desert.
8
I hear he's about to sign another executive order demanding that all our nuclear powered aircraft carriers be converted to burning coal, which will of course make them easier to find. There you go, a twofer for Trump.
5
Burning natural gas as replacement for coal is cheaper and reduces CO2 pollution but wastes the primary raw material resource for all future food and synthetic material production. 100 mi square of solar in SW desert can produce all our electricity,.
Thank you, Thomas Friedman, for bringing above ground the issue that the President would like to keep buried deep down in the mines. Unhampered by scientific fact, the Denier in Chief goes in search of ways -- no matter how small or imaginary -- to claim victory; the oh-so-close margin of loss for Ossoff in Kentucky his latest desperate conceit. As for "Climate of Hope" and Trump reading it? That he can read assumes a fact not in evidence.
2
The people I spoke with in Appalachia - looked me in the eye and without hesitation said - Coal is Dead and It is Never Coming Back.
These good people have literally given their lives to producing energy to light our homes - they told me - they are tired of being sick and dying from Black Lung disease from the coal mines.
These good people live in awesome beauty of those Appalachian mountains - there is natural power in those mountains - Wind and Solar power.
Mitch McConnell and Trump need to let go of the LIE to hold onto Coal when the only coal left is mined by machines and owned by huge companies in India.
These good people want to work and be healthy and prosperous - Wind and Solar industry needs to move into this area - to train the people to once again work to produce energy to light our homes - but this time with the exchange being to also build these good people's health and well beings for the benefit of all.
These good people have literally given their lives to producing energy to light our homes - they told me - they are tired of being sick and dying from Black Lung disease from the coal mines.
These good people live in awesome beauty of those Appalachian mountains - there is natural power in those mountains - Wind and Solar power.
Mitch McConnell and Trump need to let go of the LIE to hold onto Coal when the only coal left is mined by machines and owned by huge companies in India.
These good people want to work and be healthy and prosperous - Wind and Solar industry needs to move into this area - to train the people to once again work to produce energy to light our homes - but this time with the exchange being to also build these good people's health and well beings for the benefit of all.
174
Something else about the "awesome beauty of those Appalachian mountains": tourism is a low-impact industry that is infinitely renewable, that can share this beauty and create jobs. Taking the top of a mountain to get at the coal is a one-shot deal that ruins the tourism potential literally for centuries.
Can you please explain why so many of these good people voted for Trump? Or is "good" by definition the minority that didn't?
Surely soon the waning coal industry will no longer have money to pour into the pockets of so-called representatives of the people, as its profits continue to decline (because of progress, not a fictional "war"). Once our elected officials realize that the only thing the coal business can put into their pockets is worthless lumps of dirty carbon, they'll turn very fast to supporting (and be supported by) renewable energy industries that are actually innovative and profitable.
But isn't sad what it takes for this turnaround to happen?
But isn't sad what it takes for this turnaround to happen?
Hoping that our president will act in a rational, thoughtful, knowledgeable way about any issue is like hoping the Statue of Liberty will come down off her perch and protect new immigrants. It is not going to happen! And hoping for it is a waste of time.
Our president has no sense of history, is not well read, does not have a group of intelligent advisers, and is not very intelligent himself. Just look at the way he speaks, he has the vocabulary of an eight year old.
Climate change and population control are complicated, serious issues and will require the best of what humanity has to offer to prevent catastrophic effects. We are going to have to wait until our unfit and unstable president is gone to make any progress on these issues.
Our president has no sense of history, is not well read, does not have a group of intelligent advisers, and is not very intelligent himself. Just look at the way he speaks, he has the vocabulary of an eight year old.
Climate change and population control are complicated, serious issues and will require the best of what humanity has to offer to prevent catastrophic effects. We are going to have to wait until our unfit and unstable president is gone to make any progress on these issues.
95
spot on!
3
Let's face it. The best thing we can get out of this administration is the parodies of Trump and Spicer played by Alec Baldwin and Melissa McCarthy.
Trump's vocabulary and grammar reminds one of Swedish homesteaders in an old John Ford western. "Ya, mother, dat's very bad!"
1
Your suggestion that Trump read a book is probably going to fall on deaf ears. Trump relies on TV for his "information" and nothing else that I know of, unless it is the books about himself.
5
It is ironic that the coal museum is using solar power. Does Trump even know what a coal mine looks like, or what coal looks like, or how a miner looks after working in the mines? I doubt it. This is a man who lives in a gold encrusted museum of a home. He reads from a teleprompter and makes a decision to use missiles and everyone says "he is so presidential". Has the bar been set so low? The man lacks knowledge, language skills and knows nothing about the history of United States. I don't think he even reads. We made fun of George W Bush and his lack of reading books. George W. is a scholar compared to Trump.
195
He certainly doesn't know what irony is. Or museum.
1
"Has the bar been set so low?"
That's a rhetorical question, right? Just checking.
Trump is a symptom of Western society, as dumbing-it-down has become a growth industry.
That's a rhetorical question, right? Just checking.
Trump is a symptom of Western society, as dumbing-it-down has become a growth industry.
1
Friedman drives a coal-powered car, I mean TESLA. What an irony here. LOL
The Tesla can also be charged by the sun, wind, hydro and others.
5
YEAH No kidding! Because all the trends show coal use increasing at utilities! Wait....
Assuming he lives in NY State, almost none of the electricity that charges his car came from coal generating facilities.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/10/nyregion/how-new-york-cit...
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/10/nyregion/how-new-york-cit...
Your story Tom really tells everything. Plain and simple that a school child could understand. When Donald became president (notice it's lower case), I joked that I wanted to move to Australia. Now I'm not sure that even Australia is far enough away from this clown. You know what really scares me? That over 30% of Americans still support him. Yikes!!!!
Imagine that!
The most interesting thing was the mention of using agriculture to sequester carbon as described in the book "Climate of Hope." Rather than the endless mantra of simply halting fossil fuels and all will be well, the book seems to address actively sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. This idea is not only good science since carbon sequestration will help bring into balance greenhouse gases that lead to warming but also makes good sense politically. I am sure that farmers and ranchers would get very green if they were paid to manage their farms and pastures to capture and store carbon. They would see fighting climate change is more than endless regulations being handed down from "Washington."
5
Faux-President Frump is a no-nothing who doesn't give a flying fig that he is a no-nothing and certainly has no intention of learning anything! If he learned anything that would mean he didn't already know everything, and Frump could not bear that. One despairs while one despises.
Trump read a book?
7
A crooked president is also often ill-informed and simply stupid.
6
Please STOP suggesting this president read a book. It makes you look quite foolish and diminishes the effect of your column.
9
That's Funny, Trump read a book! Needs pictures...
6
"... he controls the world’s greatest collection of climate scientists at NASA, NOAA, the E.P.A., the Pentagon and the C.I.A
... "
reminiscent of Germany having the preeminent
atomic physicists before Hitler drove them out.
... "
reminiscent of Germany having the preeminent
atomic physicists before Hitler drove them out.
8
"Global Warming made them do it..."
Friedman officially lost his mind, if he had something there to begin with.
Friedman officially lost his mind, if he had something there to begin with.
It is discouraging to know that more Americans agree with your ideas on energy than those who do not - but it does not stop us going in the wrong direction.
More Americans want sensible gun control laws than those who don't.
More Americans want a cleaner environment for the sake of their children and grandchildren than those who don't.
More Americans want a better President than the one we got.
There is no help for it is there.
We keep shooting ourselves in the foot.
More Americans want sensible gun control laws than those who don't.
More Americans want a cleaner environment for the sake of their children and grandchildren than those who don't.
More Americans want a better President than the one we got.
There is no help for it is there.
We keep shooting ourselves in the foot.
9
Americans are obviously mindless about the way malapportionment cheats them of equitable negotiation of laws.
4
It's a shame the US isn't exploiting solar technology more fully, as well as other renewables & storage methods for energy produced. They may not be the only energy sources for the future, however. There have been articles lately on fusion reactor technology, but apparently that is in the distant future. A tokamak reactor has inherent difficulties with containment & the high temperatures involved; even a stellarator design consumes more energy than is produced
This correspondent wonders why more publicity & research isn't being put into thorium reactors. Such a power source would be more environmentally friendly with none of the safety & waste disposal issues of fission. A Manhattan Project for thorium reactor development would yield such advantages as well as less risk of proliferation and/or use by terrorists. The benefits of such power generation would be huge; waste-free nuclear reactors would be beautiful (to borrow a couple of phrases).
This correspondent wonders why more publicity & research isn't being put into thorium reactors. Such a power source would be more environmentally friendly with none of the safety & waste disposal issues of fission. A Manhattan Project for thorium reactor development would yield such advantages as well as less risk of proliferation and/or use by terrorists. The benefits of such power generation would be huge; waste-free nuclear reactors would be beautiful (to borrow a couple of phrases).
Thorium fission doesn't produce enough secondary neutrons to sustain a chain reaction.
Neutrons will also serious pose serious problems for practical fusion reactors because the high energy neutrons they produce destroy practically any material.
Neutrons will also serious pose serious problems for practical fusion reactors because the high energy neutrons they produce destroy practically any material.
The most effective way of eliminating fossil fuel is to find alternative jobs for those that are involved in the Industry. I’m sure most miners would give up the hazards of coal mining that is guaranteed to give them Black Lung & a early painful death..Where is the infrastructure jobs that Trump has promised ? It’s much easier to keep the status Quo then to change, no matter what damage coal is doing to our environment & to the Miners.
5
Trump's entire campaign was based on lies and one of those concerned about bringing back coal mining jobs. Arithmetic says it just won't happen, since coal mining jobs have been declining since 1980 -- during sucessive Republican as well as Democratic administrations -- and coal is now more expensive than natural gas. I'm not sure Trump asked his security experts fort options on Syria; I think he acted on impulse. And he certainly doesn't ask for expert briefings from his State Department, or they would have told him not to congratulate Turkey's president for seizing autocratic powers in a rigged election.
6
In addition to environmental degradation coal miners never had "great jobs' that paid well or were safe even when they had a strong union. Coal mining now means blowing off the tops of mountains and this method doesn't need more people but fewer. As a person living in western NC I don't relish looking towards the Appalachian mountains and seeing flat tops and no peaks. I recently saw an program on soon to be defunded PBS about the plight of former and would be coalminers in West Virginia. One sad young man with 2 children and a wife thought his future could only be secured by the way his grandfather and father made their living despite the risks. Sad indeed that this sincere young man could only envision coal as his future. In the same show they shot film of a row of former miners getting breathing treatments for black lung disease. A better life does not await them if Trump gets his way. Hillary had a better idea...education and training...but they didn't listen to her but to the greatest con man of all time. We will all suffer, as will the earth.
5
Mr. Friedman criticizes Mr. Trump for not consulting experts before making decisions, but Mr. Friedman displays the same fault before writing opinion pieces. He should consult some energy experts. The facts are that the U.S. needs a certain level of 24-hour reliable base load power; natural gas cannot provide this amount of base base load power; renewable energy cannot be a reliable source of base load power because the sun does not always shine, the wind does not always blow. Like it or not, the U.S. needs coal for base load power.
Mr. Friedman also criticizes Mr. Trump for ignoring the social costs of his decisions, but Mr. Friedman is ignoring the social costs of his recommendations. The cost of renewable energy as a marginal source of power is on par to slightly more expensive than coal, or natural gas. However, renewable energy as a source of base load power is significantly more expensive than fossil fuels. This increased cost will be passed on to consumers and will be a particular burden on the poor.
Finally, the experience of Germany over the past decade shows the pitfalls of shutting down coal generation and trying to use renewables as base load power. Electricity costs to consumers sky rocketed and the electric power system because much more unreliable. Germany is now moving to maintain coal as an integral part of their base load power and has opened a number of new coal plants over the past 5 years.
Get the facts Mr. Friedman.
Mr. Friedman also criticizes Mr. Trump for ignoring the social costs of his decisions, but Mr. Friedman is ignoring the social costs of his recommendations. The cost of renewable energy as a marginal source of power is on par to slightly more expensive than coal, or natural gas. However, renewable energy as a source of base load power is significantly more expensive than fossil fuels. This increased cost will be passed on to consumers and will be a particular burden on the poor.
Finally, the experience of Germany over the past decade shows the pitfalls of shutting down coal generation and trying to use renewables as base load power. Electricity costs to consumers sky rocketed and the electric power system because much more unreliable. Germany is now moving to maintain coal as an integral part of their base load power and has opened a number of new coal plants over the past 5 years.
Get the facts Mr. Friedman.
I wish John Lennon were still alive to rewrite his lyrics to his epic song 'Imagine' along the lines of Mr. Friedman's column.
But as insightful and meaningful as Friedman's remarks are, I am not holding my breath. This incredibly ignorant man in the White House can exploit the foibles of human nature, where short-term events like bombing(Trump is like a little kid playing war games but that's another story) are, as the column points out, more 'exciting' and interesting than the slow but inexorable process that this President's policies are creating: the acceleration of the destruction of the earth's environment.
Someday this will change, but not soon, as the Republican Party has made a deal with the devil to essentially feather their own nests. And I fear for the damage being done and that will happen, and I worry that we might reach a tipping point in the earth's environment that cannot be reversed.
Please keep writing columns like this Mr. Friedman. Many Americans and people of the world support the ideas you write about.
But as insightful and meaningful as Friedman's remarks are, I am not holding my breath. This incredibly ignorant man in the White House can exploit the foibles of human nature, where short-term events like bombing(Trump is like a little kid playing war games but that's another story) are, as the column points out, more 'exciting' and interesting than the slow but inexorable process that this President's policies are creating: the acceleration of the destruction of the earth's environment.
Someday this will change, but not soon, as the Republican Party has made a deal with the devil to essentially feather their own nests. And I fear for the damage being done and that will happen, and I worry that we might reach a tipping point in the earth's environment that cannot be reversed.
Please keep writing columns like this Mr. Friedman. Many Americans and people of the world support the ideas you write about.
3
Elite populist clap-trap, all this piling on about the death throes of coal, coal mining and coal miners. We are witnessing in real-time the end of U.S. industrialization and the relatively short-lived prosperous middle classes. As we create a permanent underclass of former blue collar and service workers, we do see our Congress or President doing nothing positive to plan and engage the future. Driverless vehicles, then what? Cheap energy, then what? Zombie malls, then what? Unvalued educated professions, then what? Get real about reality Friedman as the elites cram ever more into their golden, palm-fringed gated spaces.
Once again, an interesting column from Friedman with a few laughable bits. First, Trump is not going to read any smart new book or any book. Fox and Friends is unlikely to run a segment on the topic.
A huge investment in high speed rail from Boston to Chicago through Buffalo and Cleveland, and to Atlanta or Miami through NYC, Baltimore and DC, and from Seattle toi San Diego would make a lot of sense and just might have been a better investment than that lie based ten year war on the wrong country that I believe Friedman supported.
However high speed rail to Charleston is, as Eugene O'Neil might have said, a pipe dream. Actually given the politics of the US, it's all a pipe dream. Maybe Clean Coal powered High Speed Steam trains?
A huge investment in high speed rail from Boston to Chicago through Buffalo and Cleveland, and to Atlanta or Miami through NYC, Baltimore and DC, and from Seattle toi San Diego would make a lot of sense and just might have been a better investment than that lie based ten year war on the wrong country that I believe Friedman supported.
However high speed rail to Charleston is, as Eugene O'Neil might have said, a pipe dream. Actually given the politics of the US, it's all a pipe dream. Maybe Clean Coal powered High Speed Steam trains?
The current administration is working against any future for coal miners. Given our current EPA head and the work to undermine climate/environmental regulations, clean coal (or at least much cleaner coal) is out of the question: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2014/04/coal/nijhuis-text .
Renewables are not the only options on the horizon. How about a cheaper, safer and more powerful version of the current lithium battery: http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/glass-battery-technology/ ? This is some distance from widespread commercial application, but just another trend to emphasize that innovation is perhaps a way for coal country to find its footing--if we can get the children with the education and training they'll need.
Renewables are not the only options on the horizon. How about a cheaper, safer and more powerful version of the current lithium battery: http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/glass-battery-technology/ ? This is some distance from widespread commercial application, but just another trend to emphasize that innovation is perhaps a way for coal country to find its footing--if we can get the children with the education and training they'll need.
Imagine if every new building,residential or commercial, were built with high thermal efficiency as a mandate. I could envision a construction boom in America like no other. Homes could be built that use a mere fraction of the energy of existing ones. Come on Don, your a builder, right?
1
And all lighting LED. Meanwhile, Brooklyn 1930 apartment, no insulation, single pane windows, uncontrollable unzoned steam heat.
Climate change requires forward thinking, understanding the science behind it and making present day sacrifices for the future. "President trump" has none of these qualities.
1
We can pass a carbon dividend plan that is win-win for all players. It is simple--it will not be easy. But many hands make light work. Our first obligation as citizens is to work actively with our representatives on both sides of the aisle, since we can only fix climate change with a bipartisan effort. Start now. Go to http://citizensclimatelobby.org and write your representatives to let them know you support a fair, market-based fee on carbon. We work to solve the climate crisis, and we have hope.
If there are "presidential" and "non-presidential" alternatives in any given choice, it's certain Trump will take the latter. With perverse glee.
And please, sir, spare us the cheerleading for what was a staged, faux-tough-guy theatrical attack on a conveniently-deserted airbase (the tough guy gave them advance notice) that destroyed a bunch of already-disabled aircraft and left it operational only hours after the $11 million was spent to distract from Trump's Russia troubles.
The next shiny object will be released soon.
And please, sir, spare us the cheerleading for what was a staged, faux-tough-guy theatrical attack on a conveniently-deserted airbase (the tough guy gave them advance notice) that destroyed a bunch of already-disabled aircraft and left it operational only hours after the $11 million was spent to distract from Trump's Russia troubles.
The next shiny object will be released soon.
1
Hey tom how about a presidential run in 2020? Please!
32.5 million Family Fundind UN Plan : much less than what the trump family has costed us SO FAR in innumerable flights , secret service , surveillance, police protection , loss of revenue ( therefore taxes ) for enterprises hit by the extended guarding of family properties etc. etc. etc.
Family planning is one of the most indispensable tool to control demographic explosion .
So much ignorance . Usque tandem ???
Family planning is one of the most indispensable tool to control demographic explosion .
So much ignorance . Usque tandem ???
Well, then, market force is working and coal will not be able to compete enen if President Trump wants more coal. Regarding to the wishful thinking of auto-on-demand, I doubt it will work in this country for the next 100 years! Cars (more precisely trucks and SUVs) are embedded in the American mindset. You should really know better that cars are not merely transportation tool in this country. Taking away cars from Americans will be a much bigger fight than the second amendment issue! Not to mention that the BIG Three haven't even started yet to manipulate the issue. We all know that American market is not free and it runs by crony capitalism. Just like taking away internet from Comcast and cell phone from Verizon. It is not going to happen! However, India (as reported by The Times) and many other developing countries will take the lead and revolutionize the car sharing market.
Finally, blaming President Trump for everything is really unfair. He is merely a good businessman with the vision to take advantage of the situations. Seriously, how can you even suggest you could take away trucks from Americans?! Liberals are all alike! Sad!
Finally, blaming President Trump for everything is really unfair. He is merely a good businessman with the vision to take advantage of the situations. Seriously, how can you even suggest you could take away trucks from Americans?! Liberals are all alike! Sad!
Your 5th paragraph is a single sentence!
It contains over 110 words, and nearly every known punctuation mark. You will NEVER reach people outside the demographic that already believes everything here, if you write like this! (Yes, this assumes demographics of beliefs.) The mental work you demand of your reader is staggering, and frankly you are harming us.
I have a PhD, went to "good schools", and study the brain professionally. Some of your sentences challenge me! This is not good.
You are a champion of some very important values, you think well, and you have the great privilege of publishing in the NYTimes regularly. You have a duty to try to change culture. You clearly want to change culture. Yet by writing in a way that few can process, you squander this astounding privilege and megaphone. No one at an awkward holiday dinner can turn to that cantankerous conservative relative and use your words verbatim. They won't land.
You are not just "preaching to the choir". You are preaching to a choir of Aramaic scholars in ancient Aramaic iambic pentameter!
Please use shorter sentences.
Please organize your thoughts into logical chunks.
Please fashion some into simple but pithy quotes for that person at the awkward family holiday dinner.
We have a culture that is deeply divided. Russia and China want this. Sun Tzu would be so proud: they are causing the enemy (us) to destroy ourselves.
Please help us actually speak to and compel the other side.
It contains over 110 words, and nearly every known punctuation mark. You will NEVER reach people outside the demographic that already believes everything here, if you write like this! (Yes, this assumes demographics of beliefs.) The mental work you demand of your reader is staggering, and frankly you are harming us.
I have a PhD, went to "good schools", and study the brain professionally. Some of your sentences challenge me! This is not good.
You are a champion of some very important values, you think well, and you have the great privilege of publishing in the NYTimes regularly. You have a duty to try to change culture. You clearly want to change culture. Yet by writing in a way that few can process, you squander this astounding privilege and megaphone. No one at an awkward holiday dinner can turn to that cantankerous conservative relative and use your words verbatim. They won't land.
You are not just "preaching to the choir". You are preaching to a choir of Aramaic scholars in ancient Aramaic iambic pentameter!
Please use shorter sentences.
Please organize your thoughts into logical chunks.
Please fashion some into simple but pithy quotes for that person at the awkward family holiday dinner.
We have a culture that is deeply divided. Russia and China want this. Sun Tzu would be so proud: they are causing the enemy (us) to destroy ourselves.
Please help us actually speak to and compel the other side.
We've got a pet rock as president. That's what it must be like when trying to talk about anything of substance or of future progress / vision. You'd be better off speaking to a cinder block.
1
"If Trump is looking for a blueprint, he could not do better than to read a smart new book, “Climate of Hope,” Umm, hello, Trump does not read. Sorry.
It's VERY simple: Coal equals MAN jobs: great, shout it loud, deny the obvious, blah, blah, blah. Sorry, Miners, but you've been Trumped. Bigly.
Trump The Great. Our man in Havana. Ready to huff and puff and blow our house down around us.
'If Trump is looking for a blueprint, he could not do better than to read a smart new book, “Climate of Hope,” by a most unlikely duo: former Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope and billionaire and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.'
I won't hold my breath.
I won't hold my breath.
Makes perfect sense.... and that is why it will never happen.
Signed,
No Hope
Signed,
No Hope
Trump cannot receive coal. The museum shows why, coal is more expensive. Trump is trying to negate and rewrite Economics 101. He cannot. Either Wharton is not what it's been cracked up to be or Donnie partied and groped his way through it. Me thinks it's the later.
In its continuing effort to restore once-thriving industries such as coal mining to their former prominence, the Trump administration would be wise not to overlook matchstick-making. Victimized by regulations prompted by the do-gooder William Booth’s concerns about workers afflicted with phossy jaw, British white-phosphorous-match plants went by the wayside, giving way to the more expensive (and allegedly safer) red phosphorous-based product. We see the sad and sorry results in today’s diminished international match trade. But matches have a brilliant future (indeed, striking a single match in a coal mine can reveal with blinding clarity conditions that might otherwise bring the life of a canary to an untimely end). Bring back enlightening self-interest! Bring back the little match girl! Make America great again!
Yes, Trump has made it clear he thinks climate change is a hoax. He is not alone, generally Republicans dismiss global warming as an important issue. Mitch McConnell could have spent the last 8 years encouraging Obama to do more investing in renewable energy development. McConnell could have put some of his miners to work manufacturing parts for wind turbines, etc. But, alas, while we are reading Friedman and agressing with you, Trump is watching some favorite conservative program that never discusses climate change other than to denigrate the subject.
Tell me you're a Republican and I hear you are anti- the human race. You're anti- health care for all, you're anti- population control/family planning, you're anti - those who are not heterosexual, and you're anti- the environment - from clean water and air (anti-EPA) to dealing with a warming planet that affects every homo sapien and most life (6th extinction has begun).
Tell me you're a Republican and I hear you are anti- the human race. You're anti- health care for all, you're anti- population control/family planning, you're anti - those who are not heterosexual, and you're anti- the environment - from clean water and air (anti-EPA) to dealing with a warming planet that affects every homo sapien and most life (6th extinction has begun).
3
Trump is the personification of willful ignorance, a character trait that enabled him to win a presidential election. Global warming is but one example of the disasters our nation faces because his willful denial of facts confirmed by massive scientific evidence, an amazingly popular belief that only survives because of the ignorance of a significant portion of the population. Many voters worshipped Trump because he pretended (maybe not) to represent their foolish, conspiratorial, religious, racist and sexist beliefs. Unfortunately, these voters do not read Mr. Friedman's columns or any other editorials in the Times. There is no hope unless we devise a strategy for educating this segment of the electorate.
If Bloomberg was Vice President right now, we would now be in the middle of impeachment hearings.
3
You are asking Trump to read a book?
We hope for changes of mind when there is realization of severe complications.
Apparently (well h, obviously) a reactionary policy of anti environmentalism is a foolish agenda.
Including Richard Nixon's solid choice of conservative conservationist John Gardener to head the first EPA, the sensible, prudent, science oriented GOP is bye-bye:
The conscience of know nothingness, except perhaps short term expediency, presides to cause an eternal hades on Earth.
The next time someone says there is no real difference between those who run for office, remember this column.
Thank you Mr. Friedman for your enlightened remarks. I always relish your columns of intelligent views and pertinent facts.
Imagine if the POTUS could read.
Imagine if the POTUS could read.
contribution to the UN population fund: $32.5M, estimated cost of the Syrian missile attack: $70M. What are your priorities?
1
Wrong. Trump didn't stumble-bumble his way to Billionairedom. He knows exactly what he's doing: tossing delusions of Easy Street being just ahead, just around that next economic corner. You can bet he doesn't use coal in anything he owns. And if he does, it's being quietly phased out. Mustn't besmirch the white dresses of his wife and daughter. Let it besmirch Obama. That's his mantra. Ain't me, boss! HE did it! And if things don't go just Right, he'll play that Obama card over and over and over until those dazed coal minors will start to pity him for all the bleep he, Trump the Great, has to take to get things on track again.
Trump read a book? Laugh of the day over with I guess
Trump read a book? Surely you jest.
Isn't it time for Trump and Company to belly up to the bar and start building manufacturing centers here in the United States to manufacture their goods. They browbeat GM, Ford, and Carrier to build and produce here. Why not them? And hire our citizens and pay them a fair living wage with benefits. So, how about it, Jared, Ivanka? How about spending some of those billions of dollars you've made off our tax loopholes? And, as the saying goes, "bring it on home to me, yeaaaa, yeaaaaa."
87
There is a day coming when Donald Trump will limp into history from the White House, two years, fours years from now--who knows, but that day will arrive. And history will escort him as it judges the anomaly of his getting elected president with a disdainful, and because of the absurdity of Trump's noxious decision making, almost mockingly. Trump will have enacted protocols, but not an everlasting paradigm. Those Republicans who are along for the ride right now will change horses in midstream in a heart beat, make no mistake about it. But we must get to the polls every election cycle and drive the enemy from our nation. They are evil, selfish, and asdthis past election showed us, therer are many who are just plain ignorant. We need to educate them, counter Trump and his acolytes's lies with the truth --and at every turn. Damage has occurred during his tenure, but it will not be permanent. We will clean up our streams and plant new trees, clean our air, but it will take time with our unequivocul sound science guiding us once again.
138
So true! I couldn't have said it better or more succinctly. The Barbarians are no longer at the gate they have taken the House and are trampling on a civilization, stomping on Humanity's social fabric that has taken decades to build and refine. But soon, and very soon, this Thug will disappear into oblivion along with his Clack. You are right, you will plant new trees, clean up after the Elephant parade and listen to the Scientists who guide use to a better future for our children. Well said.
Whether Trump persists or not, the corporate controlled GOP Theocracy is firmly in place and will be for years to come.
Unfortunately, the continuing -- and accelerating -- species extinction that will occur will be permanent.
I had to stop reading (for a minute) after, "If Trump is looking for a blueprint, he could not do better than to read a smart new book, “Climate of Hope."
As though the man reads books...
As though the man reads books...
357
We live near the most air polluted county in the USA located next to Allegheny Co.,(Pittsburgh) because of large coal burning power plants. One that supplies electricity for N.J. People are advised not to eat fish from the Allegheny River, which flows through it.
But yes the county is strongly Republican and voted overwhelmingly for Trump.
Coal is no longer a major employer in that county, but gas fracking is.
Politicians in coal areas have been lax in promoting and supporting natural gas as the replacement. Almost all coal areas are areas that have huge gas reserves, that can be fracked. What is lacking is transportation of the gas and other by products. Areas such as W.Va. need to find a way to encourage pipeline construction to open these reserves of relatively clean energy. It's time for the UMW to unionize gas well industry, it is in need of better safety rules and working conditions and offers growth to this once effective and proud union.
But yes the county is strongly Republican and voted overwhelmingly for Trump.
Coal is no longer a major employer in that county, but gas fracking is.
Politicians in coal areas have been lax in promoting and supporting natural gas as the replacement. Almost all coal areas are areas that have huge gas reserves, that can be fracked. What is lacking is transportation of the gas and other by products. Areas such as W.Va. need to find a way to encourage pipeline construction to open these reserves of relatively clean energy. It's time for the UMW to unionize gas well industry, it is in need of better safety rules and working conditions and offers growth to this once effective and proud union.
8
Yes, by all means, now that the air is too polluted to breath, let's ruin the aquifer too.
Maybe we should have taken a clue when Reagan removed the solar panels from the White House. Brilliant, no? Yet, he's the saint of the GOP, which tells us everything we need to know. And yet, here we are, rapidly (and, apparently for millions, happily) becoming the laughing stock of the planet. But, we still have the most bombs. Exceptional.
80
Friedman is awfully sure in his assumption that launching strikes in the Middle East is clearly "right."
He believes all the first assumptions about use of gas weapons, but then he believed all assumptions about WMD in Iraq too. He seems to like such thoughts, not to examine them.
Perhaps his environmentalism is just as knee jerk.
Of course we should do all the things he promotes here, and we are.
But what about coal? Two new "clean coal" plants opened in the last couple of months, that remove about 90% of the CO2 from their exhaust gases. They work.
The CO2 is used for things like cleaner fracking that does not pollute the water supply, and other uses are being developed. We should be expanding that, turning dirty plants into clean, and learning to use the CO2 instead of pumping it into the atmosphere.
Why coal? Remember "peak oil?" It is still coming, fracking only delaying that by a few years. Burning all the oil we can frack out just as fast as we possibly can is not the ideal alternative. We have vastly more coal, and we will need to use it correctly, cleanly, one day soon whether we like it or not.
He believes all the first assumptions about use of gas weapons, but then he believed all assumptions about WMD in Iraq too. He seems to like such thoughts, not to examine them.
Perhaps his environmentalism is just as knee jerk.
Of course we should do all the things he promotes here, and we are.
But what about coal? Two new "clean coal" plants opened in the last couple of months, that remove about 90% of the CO2 from their exhaust gases. They work.
The CO2 is used for things like cleaner fracking that does not pollute the water supply, and other uses are being developed. We should be expanding that, turning dirty plants into clean, and learning to use the CO2 instead of pumping it into the atmosphere.
Why coal? Remember "peak oil?" It is still coming, fracking only delaying that by a few years. Burning all the oil we can frack out just as fast as we possibly can is not the ideal alternative. We have vastly more coal, and we will need to use it correctly, cleanly, one day soon whether we like it or not.
10
I agree that Tom's enthusiasm about certain issues (flat worlds, WMDs, etc) are simplistic, formulaic and often out of whack with facts on the ground. He can assume to easily at the expense of due diligence. Too many of his columns are more TED talks than the hard-nosed journalism that, say, Roger Cohen routinely delivers.
Where's your evidence that these purportedly 'clean' coal plants actually work? Why will we have to use coal someday soon?
8
There are other toxins in the emissions from burning coal. One example, Dioxin which is a byproduct of burning coal. We need to move away from combustion entirely as technology allows.
7
One of Donald Trump's greatest inspirations was serial religious con artist Norman Vincent Peale who combined a belief in 'positive thinking' with a basic disregard for reality.
Peale also inspired many of America's Prosperity Gospel pastors and TV televangelists of the modern era who used his 'feel-good' techniques to dupe the masses while ignoring reality while turning American Christianity into a massive 'Jesus Saves' rock-concert-cash-register.
So Trump's basic disregard of the world's 'complicated' facts in deference to confident ignorance and bliss has been an award-winning con to America's religious and poorly educated masses for fifty years.
The fact that coal is dead and climate change and mass migrations are real and that the world and economics are complicated do enter the Trump Universe or Trump Nation.
It's all about a 'belief' in winning and a 'confidence' in being great that matter in Trump Nation's oblivious Power of Positive Thinking while Rome burns.
By all rights, America should be leading the charge for alternative energy development and creating millions of new technology jobs in the process, but in Trump's Assimovian Nation, a cult of Trumpian ignorance reigns supreme, nurtured by the false notion that ... '“my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”
It's up to the rest of us to remind America's black hole of cultured ignorance that keeping it simple and stupid in a complicated world is globally-assisted Trumpian suicide.
We must fix stupid.
Peale also inspired many of America's Prosperity Gospel pastors and TV televangelists of the modern era who used his 'feel-good' techniques to dupe the masses while ignoring reality while turning American Christianity into a massive 'Jesus Saves' rock-concert-cash-register.
So Trump's basic disregard of the world's 'complicated' facts in deference to confident ignorance and bliss has been an award-winning con to America's religious and poorly educated masses for fifty years.
The fact that coal is dead and climate change and mass migrations are real and that the world and economics are complicated do enter the Trump Universe or Trump Nation.
It's all about a 'belief' in winning and a 'confidence' in being great that matter in Trump Nation's oblivious Power of Positive Thinking while Rome burns.
By all rights, America should be leading the charge for alternative energy development and creating millions of new technology jobs in the process, but in Trump's Assimovian Nation, a cult of Trumpian ignorance reigns supreme, nurtured by the false notion that ... '“my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”
It's up to the rest of us to remind America's black hole of cultured ignorance that keeping it simple and stupid in a complicated world is globally-assisted Trumpian suicide.
We must fix stupid.
295
I appreciate the comment but there's no fixing "stupid" unless you've heard of something I don't know about.
Mobilizing the non-stupid, and getting out the vote? that, I know about.
Mobilizing the non-stupid, and getting out the vote? that, I know about.
1
Trump's belief-of-the-day is one thing, but you are perhaps forgetting the hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars that have been spent by the Koch network and others to convince us that the extractive industries are the road to the future, all engineered for the convenience and enrichment of a handful of families.
38
Most of us know way too little about the honorable people that for generations mined coal when it was a critical fuel source. And much like Rockefeller's Standard Oil kerosene, which at one time provided safe lighting for most of America, coal has seen its day come and go. Stamping around saying coal is vital is nothing more than a reach for nostalgia that in it's day, wasn't that glamorous to begin with.
The 1999 film October Sky, if you haven't seen it, is a gem of a motion picture about a coal town set in the 1960's. It is about four young men looking to escape following their fathers' into the mines and dramatically details the life of the coal miner including the dangers they faced as well as the fortitude of their conviction that coal was good and was essential.
Sadly our President is more than willing to play on the emotions of these fine, hard-working people, for political gain. But this I am certain of, Trump would never permit his kids or grandkids to spend a day working the mines.
The 1999 film October Sky, if you haven't seen it, is a gem of a motion picture about a coal town set in the 1960's. It is about four young men looking to escape following their fathers' into the mines and dramatically details the life of the coal miner including the dangers they faced as well as the fortitude of their conviction that coal was good and was essential.
Sadly our President is more than willing to play on the emotions of these fine, hard-working people, for political gain. But this I am certain of, Trump would never permit his kids or grandkids to spend a day working the mines.
45
There has always been disruption as technology has driven change and in modern times change has been accelerated by by a global economy that overall has been beneficial. A reasonable expectation is government policies that will aid those who have been harmed by unavoidable change. Republican policies do not do that and Trump policies are simply smoke and mirrors to distract his followers into believing he is interested in helping them. He is interested only in stroking his own ego.
3
Trump isn't about imagining what could be. He's the loudmouth at the end of the bar who tells you what he'd do if he were in charge.
He knows his instincts are correct, because he's wealthy. If he was wrong about things, he wouldn't be wealthy. Other wealthy people are heavily invested in fossil fuels and that must mean climate change is unworthy of consideration, too.
Unless we can stick the likes of EPA Secretary Pruitt on a magazine cover, with a caption implying he's manipulating Trump, expect years of retreat on all environmental issues.
He knows his instincts are correct, because he's wealthy. If he was wrong about things, he wouldn't be wealthy. Other wealthy people are heavily invested in fossil fuels and that must mean climate change is unworthy of consideration, too.
Unless we can stick the likes of EPA Secretary Pruitt on a magazine cover, with a caption implying he's manipulating Trump, expect years of retreat on all environmental issues.
Fantastic ! Besides a good laugh a very serious topic.
The coal-museum-going-solar story should be communicated as widely as possible.
Seldom have I seen a better example of the changing times, and the genuine progress of clean technology and power production over old school energy production like coal mining.
The coal industry could not have made a stronger statement about its dwindling future.
The simple truth is, we can't do without a sustainable world free of carbon burning. For our children and to save ourselves from disasters, and because it is so much less costly.
I will use this wherever I can !
The coal-museum-going-solar story should be communicated as widely as possible.
Seldom have I seen a better example of the changing times, and the genuine progress of clean technology and power production over old school energy production like coal mining.
The coal industry could not have made a stronger statement about its dwindling future.
The simple truth is, we can't do without a sustainable world free of carbon burning. For our children and to save ourselves from disasters, and because it is so much less costly.
I will use this wherever I can !
16
Every time we built out infrastructure--think rail lines, bus lines, interstate highways, even just roads--the areas at the end of the build prospered. The suburbs became desirable when automobiles and highways made it possible for commuters to work in the city and live in the country. A high speed rail like from Washington to West Virginia would provide both immediate and sustained jobs to workers who would otherwise be left behind. Mr. Trump does not want to enjoy fresh air. He wants to taste it. He wants to see it in smog. Sad!
8
Mr. Friedman,
I certainly agree that coal must go and renewable energy sources must be put in place. That is all good policy. However, what domestic policy do we put in place to change the lives of all our citizens who are under-educated and under-employed or unemployed? They have proven themselves to be a potent political force and when they realize that Trump has betrayed them too, what will they do? A United States style Arab Spring might be in order. Those long term dispossessed and ignored will wake up then to realize they have absolutely nothing to lose by resorting to violence to achieve acknowledgement and assistance for their plight. That is when the U.S. will reap the whirlwind.
I certainly agree that coal must go and renewable energy sources must be put in place. That is all good policy. However, what domestic policy do we put in place to change the lives of all our citizens who are under-educated and under-employed or unemployed? They have proven themselves to be a potent political force and when they realize that Trump has betrayed them too, what will they do? A United States style Arab Spring might be in order. Those long term dispossessed and ignored will wake up then to realize they have absolutely nothing to lose by resorting to violence to achieve acknowledgement and assistance for their plight. That is when the U.S. will reap the whirlwind.
6
We can quit lying to them. They could also get off their behinds and educate themselves, and if they can't find jobs where they are living, go where there ARE jobs. Elect people who will work for your benefit, folks, instead of hating on the people who have the right ideas.......here's a hint; it ain't the GOP. Ask yourself "What have my republican government officials done for me? Why do we keep electing republicans but keep getting poorer?"
1
No, Mr Friedman. Donald Trump is not revving the coal industry. The President is ending Obama's war on coal in particular and energy in general.
I do not know if coal is the future or the past. I don't know if solar is worthwhile without heavy government subsidies. Neither do you.
Let them compete against each other without the government picking the winners and losers in the name of fraudulent global warming.
The miners want jobs not government handouts or reeducation. I think they may surprise you.
I do not know if coal is the future or the past. I don't know if solar is worthwhile without heavy government subsidies. Neither do you.
Let them compete against each other without the government picking the winners and losers in the name of fraudulent global warming.
The miners want jobs not government handouts or reeducation. I think they may surprise you.
2
The "War On Coal" was a marketing ploy envisioned, implemented and funded by the coal industry. It was championed by the likes of Mitch McConnell as long as coal dollars flowed into their campaign coffers. When the full cost of coal is taken into account it is not competitive. Global warming, acidification of the oceans, damaged roads, polluted streams, fouled air and ruined health are just some of the costs that have been ignored for too long.
174
How about the cost of unemployed miners and devastated communities and regions? Do liberal economists ever factor those negative externalities into their calculations?
Instead we get the junk science of global warming.
Leave the cost benefit analyses to the accountants.
Instead we get the junk science of global warming.
Leave the cost benefit analyses to the accountants.
Coal miners are not unemployed and their communities devastated because of Obama. The coal industry was rapidly shedding jobs even while business was booming, due to automation. And coal can never compete against other fossil fuels that are abundant and can be efficiently transported by pipeline.
Of course, then you ran off to complain about "junk science." This is a term I have only seen used by non-scientists who wouldn't be able to recognize science in a police lineup. Let me give you a hint: It doesn't come from the Heartland Institute's PR machine.
You either have to learn about science in school, or you have to trust that the world of science knows what it's doing and knows what it's talking about. Your way is silly.
Of course, then you ran off to complain about "junk science." This is a term I have only seen used by non-scientists who wouldn't be able to recognize science in a police lineup. Let me give you a hint: It doesn't come from the Heartland Institute's PR machine.
You either have to learn about science in school, or you have to trust that the world of science knows what it's doing and knows what it's talking about. Your way is silly.
24
My mother was from a small mining town in WV, in the panhandle. We traveled there every summer from MA to visit our grandparents in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Town population 584. The principle occupation, mining. My brother and I could sit on the back porch and watch the men enter the mine in the morning on those low slung cars with the mining hats and light and metal lunch buckets. At the end of the day they came out jumping off the cars, all filthy with coal dust. My grandfather work for the railroad and maintained the large train tunnel though town. He too every evening came home filthy with coal dust.
I visited recently. The mine is closed, many homes and stores are boarded up and the town population is now 129. There’s a mining operation going on just outside of town and think most are familiar with mountain topping. Just a handful of workers needed to run the big machines.
Separate from solar power, coal as a form of energy is dead! The population in these small rural towns will continue to diminish and people will move on just as they have in the past.
I visited recently. The mine is closed, many homes and stores are boarded up and the town population is now 129. There’s a mining operation going on just outside of town and think most are familiar with mountain topping. Just a handful of workers needed to run the big machines.
Separate from solar power, coal as a form of energy is dead! The population in these small rural towns will continue to diminish and people will move on just as they have in the past.
26
Why does Trump not get serious about supporting coal, and come out for tax credits for installing coal burning residential furnaces?
Those gated community Republicans will love the dump trucks tearing up their streets to deliver that coal, and enjoy the smoke and soot descending upon their homes. Bring it on!
Those gated community Republicans will love the dump trucks tearing up their streets to deliver that coal, and enjoy the smoke and soot descending upon their homes. Bring it on!
9
Brilliant!!!
1
Many of the utilities that have announced closures of coal plants have declared force majeure to get out of $ billions in contracts requiring them to pay for the transportation and delivery of coal to their power plants. The basis the force majeure claim is the Obama "Clean Power Plan". Those claims are being litigated by the railroads and mines. Now that the Trump Administration plans not to defend the Obama "Clean Power Plan" in court, the force majeure claims will fail and the economics of keeping an existing coal power plant change.
The status of the Obama clean power plan that would shut down coal fired plants, is that 28 states led by Oklahoma AG (now EPA head Pruitt) sued to stop Obama clean power plan. In order for the Obama clean power plan to succeed, the appellate court would have to ignore the fact that now the plaintiffs (the 28 states) and the defendants (the new EPA head) both claim that the Obama clean power plan is unconstitutional AND the third party environmental groups involved in the suit would now have to argue the exact opposite of what they said when Obama was president, that the administration and not the courts should have discretion over these matters.
When Trump won, the President of Armstrong Coal was giddy and said he could not decide who he was happier to see go, the head of the EPA or the head of occupational safety regulation at the Department of Labor. .."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4026652
The status of the Obama clean power plan that would shut down coal fired plants, is that 28 states led by Oklahoma AG (now EPA head Pruitt) sued to stop Obama clean power plan. In order for the Obama clean power plan to succeed, the appellate court would have to ignore the fact that now the plaintiffs (the 28 states) and the defendants (the new EPA head) both claim that the Obama clean power plan is unconstitutional AND the third party environmental groups involved in the suit would now have to argue the exact opposite of what they said when Obama was president, that the administration and not the courts should have discretion over these matters.
When Trump won, the President of Armstrong Coal was giddy and said he could not decide who he was happier to see go, the head of the EPA or the head of occupational safety regulation at the Department of Labor. .."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4026652
8
The Clean Power Plan or something akin to it still makes sense. Delaying it will not stop the migration away from coal fired power plants. There will be litigation tying up recision of the Clean Power Plan for years. Others will step up to the plate to defend the plan in the best interests of the American People as should the Department of Justice. One thing you learn in the coal fields is that when the tracks get torn up and the belt lines get pulled, for all practical purposes its over. The tracks are being torn up, the belt lines are being pulled and the old coal fired plants dismantled.
1
Trump has no clue of what he is doing except when lining up an 8 foot putt. His promise to revive coal is all talk and no substance. His offer to the coal miners who voted for him are merely words. He built his business by bluster and lies and that is how his presidency will fail. It is too bad for the world that for the balance of my life political leaders in America will be, by and large, 2nd rate people.
imagine...that every coal miner had decided to use his or her brain and vote for a candidate who understood where their buggy whip of an industry was headed and offered them a way out, with support and benefits and training to see them through the transition.
They might have been the ones directly benefiting from ideas like Anheuser-Busch's plan to aggressively move into renewable energy.
As it is, they'll be sitting on the sidelines again, wondering how a man like Trump could have lied to them so easily.
They might have been the ones directly benefiting from ideas like Anheuser-Busch's plan to aggressively move into renewable energy.
As it is, they'll be sitting on the sidelines again, wondering how a man like Trump could have lied to them so easily.
10
Jobs for many of the unemployed, underemployed could be had in repairing our massive and aging sewer, gas and water systems. But those kinds of projects aren't sexy so instead expect politicians to a get their name emblazoned on a few new roads and bridges. Meanwhile cities like Flint will have contaminated water. Aging levees in California will fail and flood towns. NYC will have more gas and manhole explosions, rail derailments and outdated slow, creaky, jerky riding subways.
4
Those formerly employed in the coal industry that are able to, are either commuting to or relocating to where alternative employment exists. There is an ongoing decline in population in the Appalachian coal regions. In spite of what Trump proclaims, coal miners are going back to work but not in coal.
Trump cares not a whit about coal, coal mining, pollution or coal miners. He craves himself, his businesses, money and models. In that order.
13
I find it incredulous that Mr. Friedman is puzzled by Trump's support of an obsolete coal industry.
His support is based on economics - if he creates policy that supports coal (and more importantly oil) companies, they will bestow on him (and other Republicans) a treasure trove of campaign contributions.
That's all there is to it.
His support is based on economics - if he creates policy that supports coal (and more importantly oil) companies, they will bestow on him (and other Republicans) a treasure trove of campaign contributions.
That's all there is to it.
21
Often overlooked is that the burning of coal will eventually change the climate back to the conditions where fast growing tropical forests will once again thrive. The ideal conditions for coal deposits to re-form! Who knew the coal industry was so advanced in it's thinking about recycling and sustainability?
10
Donald Trump is a short term thinker. The vision you present is beyond his limited imaginative capabilities. Besides the primary reason he sits in the oval office today is that he has convinced enough working men that he is on their side. Therefore, all regulations, although best for the public at large, have to be done away with to keep this core group believing he is on their side. Of course his thinking is short sighted and disastrous to our environment, but that is not where Donald Trump is coming from.
8
Trump is acting just like a typical Republican, more interested in bringing back the "good old days" for mine owners and operators. The people in these mining communities must truly be desperate to want to go back to dirty and dangerous mining jobs. Getting rid of regulations would only make things worse. Surely no one believes that increasing profits for mine owners is going to translate to better wages and working conditions for miners?
Tom Friedman loves that technology and sees the future as bright because of it. In the long run, he's probably right; people will figure out how to live with technological change. In the short run, probably the life spans of most of us now living, it's less clear that we can respond to the challenges of drastic change.
Back in the 1960s, when people could talk about the effects of the mass immigration early in the century with more objectivity, sociology 101 taught that the first generation of immigrants were typically lost souls. They had to depend on their children in ways that undermined traditional cultures. They were easily exploited and suffered from denigration and discrimination. If they were optimistic, it was because their present seemed better than their past.
Is this true of the people who have suffered from the changes that are buffeting society today?
At the moment it would seem that people are giving up a lot without corresponding promise for the future. Our political conversation is mired in a futile discussion of how individuals must be held responsible for fixing what's wrong with their lives. Inequality is increasing and there's a declining trust in the promise of opportunity. We are told that the government is the problem and not part of the solution. Unless we are willing and able to change our politics, it will not end well.
Back in the 1960s, when people could talk about the effects of the mass immigration early in the century with more objectivity, sociology 101 taught that the first generation of immigrants were typically lost souls. They had to depend on their children in ways that undermined traditional cultures. They were easily exploited and suffered from denigration and discrimination. If they were optimistic, it was because their present seemed better than their past.
Is this true of the people who have suffered from the changes that are buffeting society today?
At the moment it would seem that people are giving up a lot without corresponding promise for the future. Our political conversation is mired in a futile discussion of how individuals must be held responsible for fixing what's wrong with their lives. Inequality is increasing and there's a declining trust in the promise of opportunity. We are told that the government is the problem and not part of the solution. Unless we are willing and able to change our politics, it will not end well.
5
As someone whose home is completely solar, I believe every person and business that can afford a solar installation should do it. It is good for the planet and good for your family. And it pays for itself in less than 10 years. After that, your energy is free.
Once battery backup is affordable and plug-in cars become mainstream, why use fossil fuels at home? And think of resiliency. In the event of a storm or the threat of a cyber attack on our electric grid, a home with solar and battery backup will be able to function as normal.
Talk about energy independence!
Once battery backup is affordable and plug-in cars become mainstream, why use fossil fuels at home? And think of resiliency. In the event of a storm or the threat of a cyber attack on our electric grid, a home with solar and battery backup will be able to function as normal.
Talk about energy independence!
8
OK, if you want to gut environmental protections and climate change regulations it is much better to have a bunch of regular looking guys behind you – oh, I don’t know maybe like coal miners - instead of rich oil company executives. Trump and Republicans know that coal isn’t coming back and they don’t care; they just wanted to fool coal miners, desperate because their industry is dying, in to voting for them. They wanted to blame environmentalists for the death of coal, instead of the rise of alternative fuels like natural gas and solar so they could use that as a rationalization to gut Obama’s climate change policy initiatives for their rich masters in the oil industry.
I don’t understand why liberals and Times columnists spend so much Time pretending Republicans mean what they say and arguing with them. Friedman one ups the usual nonsense and validates Republican arguments by claiming without evidence that activism was the main driver for coal’s fate instead of market forces.
Geez, just call them out for what they are, filthy stinking liars.
I don’t understand why liberals and Times columnists spend so much Time pretending Republicans mean what they say and arguing with them. Friedman one ups the usual nonsense and validates Republican arguments by claiming without evidence that activism was the main driver for coal’s fate instead of market forces.
Geez, just call them out for what they are, filthy stinking liars.
4
Yeah, but he needs those Pennsylvania rubes to win reelection. So...
1
It is a waste of time expecting and hoping Trump to do any of the things Friedman is talking about. We elected Bozo the Clown. The most capable presidential candidate was Bloomberg. Unfortunately he chose not to join one of the two feckless political parties and hence was unelectable as a 3rd party candidate. So now he is focusing on the bottom-up, state by state path to change and improvement. If NYT and media would focus more on Bloomberg efforts and less on Trump entertainment - more progress will happen at a faster rate. Ignore the clown.
What in the world makes you think Trump is going to read a book now. I doubt if he has ever read one before now.
4
The only way Mr. Trump sees the logic in this column is for someone to read it on Fox News.
4
You promised to release your tax filings, Trump. Where are they?
Then you renege on our nation's promise to give $32.5 million to the U.N. Population Fund, which supports family planning and maternal health.
So, here's your track record on this narrow bit of your burgeoning history:
You lie then you undermine our nation's credibility internationally.
No doubt you could get away with that were you King of the Tower.
having to make some concession? However, would you allow a contractor who promised you something to get away without honoring his pledge?
Pay up, Donald. Give the UN and the world what we promised. Become your own best example of a committed leader.
Do what you promised to do.
And do what we as a nation have promised to do: live up to our commitments.
Then you renege on our nation's promise to give $32.5 million to the U.N. Population Fund, which supports family planning and maternal health.
So, here's your track record on this narrow bit of your burgeoning history:
You lie then you undermine our nation's credibility internationally.
No doubt you could get away with that were you King of the Tower.
having to make some concession? However, would you allow a contractor who promised you something to get away without honoring his pledge?
Pay up, Donald. Give the UN and the world what we promised. Become your own best example of a committed leader.
Do what you promised to do.
And do what we as a nation have promised to do: live up to our commitments.
We keep trying to figure out Trump's policies and yet they are starring us right in the face. In this stage of global, rapacious capitalism you squeeze every penny you can out of a project and then drop it and move on.
Trump the businessman was like a vampire and President Trump is the same. Only now, the abandoned project is not some housing development or casino that went belly up. Nor is it the failed airline or financial collapse of a sports team.
President Trump plans to leave office richer than he came in. He may talk the talk of national prosperity, but he plays the game as its always been for him, personal enrichment. He has surrounded himself with similar crony capitalists who lie, steal and manipulate. But since its all done for profit its as if they are players, acting out some divine morality play. Their obscene wealth is supposed to be the natural order.
In reality they are all taking us to the brink of a disaster that will change our lives forever. All predictions, including those of our own CIA, are for global warming, severe water shortages, soaring food prices and migrants fleeing drought and famine by the millions.
Rather than prepare us for this calamity, the political class in Washington, led by Trump, has become the Pied Piper, gleefully leading us down to the waters edge. As I write these words they're probably trying to figure out how that make a profit from our drowning.
Trump the businessman was like a vampire and President Trump is the same. Only now, the abandoned project is not some housing development or casino that went belly up. Nor is it the failed airline or financial collapse of a sports team.
President Trump plans to leave office richer than he came in. He may talk the talk of national prosperity, but he plays the game as its always been for him, personal enrichment. He has surrounded himself with similar crony capitalists who lie, steal and manipulate. But since its all done for profit its as if they are players, acting out some divine morality play. Their obscene wealth is supposed to be the natural order.
In reality they are all taking us to the brink of a disaster that will change our lives forever. All predictions, including those of our own CIA, are for global warming, severe water shortages, soaring food prices and migrants fleeing drought and famine by the millions.
Rather than prepare us for this calamity, the political class in Washington, led by Trump, has become the Pied Piper, gleefully leading us down to the waters edge. As I write these words they're probably trying to figure out how that make a profit from our drowning.
4
Thomas, I love your optimism, the hope that we might do something that makes sense beyond partisan bickering. Then too, as you know, it's not really even about partisan bickering. There's always a simple political question to ask and answer, "who does this benefit and how?" If environmental regulation benefited the fossil fuel industries, we would have such regulation in heaps. As it is, they do not, and any hope of a T pivot is misplaced. Or rather, we can expect T to pivot often in whatever direction benefits him and the so-called donor class loyal to him. In the meantime, we the people get bombings and a "business climate" at odds with our actual climate. We all know how well bombings have solved PR problems for presidents in the past, and it seems to be working again, particularly when the bombs drop for morally defensible reasons. And a good "business climate" helps create jobs, no? Think of the looming boom in sales for gas masks and oxygen generators! Can't wait to have my own stylish, steam-punk gas mask with VR goggles to help navigate the haze!
Telephone operators used to operate switchboards to connect calls, and now the whole system is automated. We cannot turn back the clock. Coal mining is not the wave of the future. Face reality. I'm not going to hope and pray for a job as a telephone switchboard operator, and no one in coal country should be setting their sights on a mining job. In ancient times, being a shepherd was a good profession. How many shepherds do you now nowadays?
2
Make America Great Again is just a slogan Trump uses to stir the masses. In his mind he is saying Make Trump Greater. With great sorrow voters elected the epitome of anti-society. You have to reach to the bottom of the barrel to find something equivalent. If his actions stay on course the damage he does to the country will be irreversible. Logic, empathy, benefits, harm, facts, and the other things that make for good decision making are lacking in Trumpworld. Only how things benefit Trump seem to matter. Slogans are great but actions are greater.
4
The natural affinities of coal and solar are endless.
The sun was responsible for laying down the coal beds in the first place so why not use solar panels on a museum that honors coal while also paying homage to the star that created the stuff?
The sun was responsible for laying down the coal beds in the first place so why not use solar panels on a museum that honors coal while also paying homage to the star that created the stuff?
2
Bring back jobs. Trump will be faced with the end of retail. Automation and Amazon are terminating the Malls. All of those miners and manufacturers will be joined by workers who can be replaced by robots and on-line outlets or who, like the ice cutters of yore, technology replace human labor.
Ending subsidies for cotton to help African cotton growers is not all good. Cotton dependent nations import food as agricultural land is devoted to an inedible. Here's the real subsidy: Corn! $2.3 billion! Red herring!
Coal is poisonous. It poisons the air, water, soil. It kills miners and those who live near coal plants, and sickens Americans who breathe the air and drink the water tainted by coal. End of market profits have enriched the Kochs and they want to drag out the pain. What will miners do instead? What will all workers displaced by automation, technology, and innovation do? 89K retail workers have been laid off last year with 30K lost in March. Only 80K coal mining jobs left but it helped swing the election to Trump because hopelessness has entered the future of many rust belt, coal states. Without Infrastructure building, those unemployed will be a source of misery and extremism. The Party that embraces infrastructure renewal will be the Party of the 21st Century. The Party that opposes infrastructure renewal will languish and fail. Econ. 101: Infrastructure is an asset whose cost is paid for with new commerce, exponential productivity growth, and prosperity. Stagnation?
Ending subsidies for cotton to help African cotton growers is not all good. Cotton dependent nations import food as agricultural land is devoted to an inedible. Here's the real subsidy: Corn! $2.3 billion! Red herring!
Coal is poisonous. It poisons the air, water, soil. It kills miners and those who live near coal plants, and sickens Americans who breathe the air and drink the water tainted by coal. End of market profits have enriched the Kochs and they want to drag out the pain. What will miners do instead? What will all workers displaced by automation, technology, and innovation do? 89K retail workers have been laid off last year with 30K lost in March. Only 80K coal mining jobs left but it helped swing the election to Trump because hopelessness has entered the future of many rust belt, coal states. Without Infrastructure building, those unemployed will be a source of misery and extremism. The Party that embraces infrastructure renewal will be the Party of the 21st Century. The Party that opposes infrastructure renewal will languish and fail. Econ. 101: Infrastructure is an asset whose cost is paid for with new commerce, exponential productivity growth, and prosperity. Stagnation?
1
Tom, bless his soul, is absolutely right. Problem is, he thinks logically, sequentially, and follows the facts. All of this is foreign to Trump, who thinks spastically, incoherently, and on the basis of the last alt-right paranoia of who is out to get us. The words 'rational' and Trump cannot be used in the same sentence.
3
Why is President Trump reviving coal? Breathing life in the dead coal-mining industry when solar energy is arriving to solve our energy needs? Coal-fired energy is as obsolete as whale oil instead of electricity. Why move backwards in the energy revolution? Don't climate scientists' knowledge mean anything to President Trump and his malign entourage? Climate warming is a fact, no matter how it is denied by Republican naysayers and do-littles. Population explosion and environmental disasters will run amok during Trump's administration, and loose the dogs of war. Cry havoc.
The "climate of hope" - restoring carbon and water - clean air, clean water, in our farming land - technology to make natural gas and phase out coal - initiatives started by Mike Bloomberg and Carl Pope of the Sierra Club in 2011 - will make America great again, not the red golf-capped MAGA lemmings following President Trump off the cliff. Here, we remember the cartoon of Speaker Paul Ryan pushing the elderly person in a wheelchair
off the cliff.
We the people who did not vote for Trump or want him as our President, can't imagine what con-man scams our 45th President has up his sleeve, but we can tell you he is garnering miles in Air Force One as he takes his golfing weekends in his Palm Beach Southern White House, Mar-a-Lago.
Trump is an elderly man pushing us off the cliff. We hope he will be replaced (impeached constitutionally? Ousted? Removed?) much sooner than we can
foresee.
The "climate of hope" - restoring carbon and water - clean air, clean water, in our farming land - technology to make natural gas and phase out coal - initiatives started by Mike Bloomberg and Carl Pope of the Sierra Club in 2011 - will make America great again, not the red golf-capped MAGA lemmings following President Trump off the cliff. Here, we remember the cartoon of Speaker Paul Ryan pushing the elderly person in a wheelchair
off the cliff.
We the people who did not vote for Trump or want him as our President, can't imagine what con-man scams our 45th President has up his sleeve, but we can tell you he is garnering miles in Air Force One as he takes his golfing weekends in his Palm Beach Southern White House, Mar-a-Lago.
Trump is an elderly man pushing us off the cliff. We hope he will be replaced (impeached constitutionally? Ousted? Removed?) much sooner than we can
foresee.
4
Why does Donald Trump love love love the coal industry and why has he made its resuscitation a key selling point in his rants? It's a guy thing. Think of coal miners, you think of muscular men ... dirty, brave, with picks. Men.
All those foreign women who might be helped if they received contraception? Not interesting. That's girl stuff.
No, the coal industry won't be revived. Trump is lying. Already industries that channel renewable resources (wind, solar) employ many more people in the US than the mines do.
Now. There is one argument in this essay that surprised me. The author defends the extraction of natural gas as basically clean. He cites Bloomberg and the Sierra Club as sources.
But these days natural gas is "mined" through hydrofracking, a method that pumps water deep into layers of shale to force out the gas. Results from fracking? Big ponds of contaminated water. Poisoned wells. And yes, earthquakes. (See: Oklahoma. See: Pennsylvania.)
Not so good.
America's coal miners were and are brave. Originally they came from many different countries, and then formed unions to defend themselves from the "The Company Store."
There's a great coal-mining museum in Pennsylvania.
But steamboat captains were brave too. And there aren't many around anymore.
All those foreign women who might be helped if they received contraception? Not interesting. That's girl stuff.
No, the coal industry won't be revived. Trump is lying. Already industries that channel renewable resources (wind, solar) employ many more people in the US than the mines do.
Now. There is one argument in this essay that surprised me. The author defends the extraction of natural gas as basically clean. He cites Bloomberg and the Sierra Club as sources.
But these days natural gas is "mined" through hydrofracking, a method that pumps water deep into layers of shale to force out the gas. Results from fracking? Big ponds of contaminated water. Poisoned wells. And yes, earthquakes. (See: Oklahoma. See: Pennsylvania.)
Not so good.
America's coal miners were and are brave. Originally they came from many different countries, and then formed unions to defend themselves from the "The Company Store."
There's a great coal-mining museum in Pennsylvania.
But steamboat captains were brave too. And there aren't many around anymore.
4
WE the People need to call, write and insist that our Congressional Leaders and Senators support and cultivate opportunities and to develop Alternative Energy Resources and Initiatives to promote, support and sustain the wellbeing of coming generations of Americans... and frankly... the world. Americans want jobs... the answer isn't Coal or A Wall. You want Jobs? The Jobs that need to be created are in Alternative Energy, Sustainable Agriculture & Healthcare. The problem is that most of the wealth in this country is currently controlled by 3% of the country. Most of these people are consumed by GREED but NOT ALL. It is time for the Bill Gate's of our country to step up to the plate and help promote Alternative Energy, Sustainable Agriculture and Healthcare. And WE the PEOPLE need to Vote EVERY Politician who does NOT get on board out of office.
5
A lot of arguing and showmanship over coal but the free market (so widely touted by the Republican Party as being the panacea for all) will have the final say and it doesn't look promising for the coal industry. Not that the Democrats really did anything to try and re-tool the coal industry work force either. No one yet has really implemented any bold solutions nor are there many high minded US companies willing to re-train US workers. These US companies would rather throw up their hands and say there are no skilled US workers and effectively export these jobs to India. There is no imagination or patriotism here...just an unabashed grab for the money.
(See Article on H1B here: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/18/us/politics/executive-order-hire-buy-...
(See Article on H1B here: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/18/us/politics/executive-order-hire-buy-...
1
A sucker is born every minute and Trump seems to have cornered the market.
5
I do hope all these scientists don't get discouraged and leave their work as a result this speed bump on the road of progress that is the Trump administration.
4
Trump was never interested in reviving coal. He was interested in getting votes.
4
Trump's ignorance is profound. The only was he gets any positive press is by firing off guided missiles and dropping big bombs. That must be one of the lowest bars in history. It probably also encourages him to do more of the same.
3
President Forrest Trump is the Panderer-in-Chief, and his fixation on an ancient and dying extractive industry is absurd.
We in keeping with the absurdity of his presidency!
We in keeping with the absurdity of his presidency!
1
Renewable energy sources are the future.
Our President and his base want to live in the past.
Our President and his base want to live in the past.
3
But, Tom, you're missing the point. We can save a few hundred jobs for a while and make all sorts of blustery nonsense about MAGA. Who cares that the trade off is that China gets to lead the clean energy revolution? Or that the trade off for that handful of jobs is the death of tens of thousands of Americans from breathing poisonous air?
3
Since Trump loves coal so much, we should ask him to use a horse and buggy instead of Air Force One for his future trips.
You say, "What will he do for overseas trips?"
I say, "He can use a steamboat that runs on coal."
You say, "What will he do for overseas trips?"
I say, "He can use a steamboat that runs on coal."
8
Not sure any actual ocean going steamboats are available, but we do have some nice big clean nuclear ones. But there are working steam railway locomotives available or easily put back in running condition. The best of them were Acella fast too. There is no reason why Trump's weekly trips to Florida couldn't be by private cars on a steam powered train. A nice place for meetings and catching up on sleep along the way. And of course seeing a bit of the country up close instead of from 30,000 feet.
If the plan is to make Trump read a book in order to become more "presidential" I'm afraid that is a non-starter. Perhaps someone with enough time and crayons could translate "Climate of Hope" into a picture story for him?
1
Imagine...a different person as president. Because that's what it will take.
5
So Trump bombs Syria for using poisonous gas, meanwhile he 's out to enhance coal production. Coal combustion releases mercury, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and other substances known to be hazardous to human health, polluting the air we breathe and the water we drink. Cancer is a slower death than nerve gas, but the end result's the same.
3
There is simply no hope of anything good coming from trump and his posse of fat old white men. Yes American capitalism will continue to move away from coal -- capitalism is the greatest agent of change in world history, and will not be stopped in its imperfect, but relentless quest for better and more cost effective products. Ironic, eh, that capitalism offers the best hope for environmental improvement in this dark American age of white nationalist rage.
1
"Trump took two major decisions..."
Not to sound hopelessly pedantic but here in America we don't "take decisions"; that's what they do in Britain.
In American English we "make decisions".
Is Trump a buffoon playing to anyone who will cheer him? Of course.
Not to sound hopelessly pedantic but here in America we don't "take decisions"; that's what they do in Britain.
In American English we "make decisions".
Is Trump a buffoon playing to anyone who will cheer him? Of course.
Coal is sequestered carbon; let's keep it that way.
1
So looking at it the other way, for $32.5 million the US can save the world?
And by switching to solar panels you can save $8k to $10k per year? Why isn't everyone doing it! They must be stupid! Is that before or after you buy them?
Mr. Friedman the UN is perhaps one of the most corrupt organizations in the world, and this fellow named Al-Assad, along with his father for 40 years before him is the reason there is civil war in Syria. It's not global warming. Syria is a pretty hot and arid place to begin with' It is also ground zero for The Levant.
Not much has changed in this region for centuries, and I'm sure .005 temperature rise over the next 100 years makes little difference.
And by switching to solar panels you can save $8k to $10k per year? Why isn't everyone doing it! They must be stupid! Is that before or after you buy them?
Mr. Friedman the UN is perhaps one of the most corrupt organizations in the world, and this fellow named Al-Assad, along with his father for 40 years before him is the reason there is civil war in Syria. It's not global warming. Syria is a pretty hot and arid place to begin with' It is also ground zero for The Levant.
Not much has changed in this region for centuries, and I'm sure .005 temperature rise over the next 100 years makes little difference.
No, I didn't see the news items. Thank you for spreading it widely. How neatly it sums up the whole situation. I swear that no writer would have the nerve to make up such a fact. As they say, "You can't make this stuff up"
1
Cough cough...hope you are right...cough cough.
2
You ended your column with a number of "imagine if's"... wishful thinking at best with this very unimaginative president. The future will have too wait a little longer as imagination, creativity, and problem solving have all taken a back seat to narcissism, spontaneity, and delusions of grandeur.
1
That's a great idea. Modern fast cheap transportation has always worked for the Untied States from the Erie canal to the railroad boom in the late 1800's to the move to flight after WW2. Now we need to get rid of the reactionary right so we can get the country moving again.
2
Sorry but Trump doesn't read. Now if you can get the message on Fox and Friends maybe he'll receive it.
1
This column is a waste. There's no rationale behind Trump. A bit addled and taken with himself, he just rattles off anything he thinks will inflame the unthinking among us. Taking him as a serious man out to work a serious job is a mistake, Tom.
1
It amazes me and it saddens me greatly just how one-sided Trump is on environmental pollution and climate change. Trump seems to make decisions based on how these decisions affect him personally and financially. For instance, he may favor coal over more environmentally friendly fuels to curry donations from coal producers and coal miners' votes. It also amazes me how completely unsophisticated and unworldly Trump is, in spite of his wealth and his purported college degree.
On the other hand, he is no fool when it comes to self-promotion. His pretense at keeping coal miners employed and returning to work certainly sounds good to factory workers in other industries for 2020.
On the other hand, he is no fool when it comes to self-promotion. His pretense at keeping coal miners employed and returning to work certainly sounds good to factory workers in other industries for 2020.
121
Trump's "coal policy" is ludicrously cartoonish. That's the nicest description possible.
Coal is dirty, and terrible for the environment. It is a major threat respecting our changing climate, and the disasters that foretells. It makes the landscape ugly, and pollutes water courses and the air we breathe. Once, coal was necessary for industry, but not any longer. Better, cleaner, cheaper sources of energy are available right now, and others (even more sustainable) can be made more economic. The coal industry is highly automated, and growing more so. There are fewer jobs in it than ever, just for this reason. Those who actually work in mines are subject to debilitating diseases and dangerous working conditions. We have spent many millions addressing black lung and other resulting conditions. Future jobs are in sustainable energy.
Coal's time has passed. Trump's pronouncements are the product of his own foolishness, his penchant for hearing a few people around him cheering him on, and those few people's gullibility, laziness, and/or ignorance.
Trump could push the "mighty" whaling industry, too, where we get so much of our lamp oil; or, our telephone land lines, telegraph operations, or the pony express.
We need grown-ups leading this country. Being a grown-up includes the ability to look forward, think creatively, rely on science and credible data, and plan well. It means influencing the future, not just being victimized by it, or by our present stupidity and obstinacy.
Coal is dirty, and terrible for the environment. It is a major threat respecting our changing climate, and the disasters that foretells. It makes the landscape ugly, and pollutes water courses and the air we breathe. Once, coal was necessary for industry, but not any longer. Better, cleaner, cheaper sources of energy are available right now, and others (even more sustainable) can be made more economic. The coal industry is highly automated, and growing more so. There are fewer jobs in it than ever, just for this reason. Those who actually work in mines are subject to debilitating diseases and dangerous working conditions. We have spent many millions addressing black lung and other resulting conditions. Future jobs are in sustainable energy.
Coal's time has passed. Trump's pronouncements are the product of his own foolishness, his penchant for hearing a few people around him cheering him on, and those few people's gullibility, laziness, and/or ignorance.
Trump could push the "mighty" whaling industry, too, where we get so much of our lamp oil; or, our telephone land lines, telegraph operations, or the pony express.
We need grown-ups leading this country. Being a grown-up includes the ability to look forward, think creatively, rely on science and credible data, and plan well. It means influencing the future, not just being victimized by it, or by our present stupidity and obstinacy.
402
Of course you are correct for all the cognitive and higher level reasons. Additionally, it's less expensive. Everybody gets pocketbook issues.
I'm waiting for him to revive the horse shoeing industry.
Telephone land-lines are actually a good thing. They still work during many natural disasters unlike powered, towered cell-phone garbage.
I am going to build a coal fired lawn mower. It will have a red wagon that is towed behind filled with coal. You would have to fill a hopper with a shovel of coal every few minutes. Thick black smoke would billow out of its chimney and choke the neighborhood.
The smoke would be no problem as the EPA is being dismantled and my liberty to do what I want will gives me the right to pollute. That's freedom man!
Once I get the bugs worked out, I could send several to Trump and he could have them used to cut the grass at Margo Largo and the White House. This would be a great act of patriotism and marketing. Gold plated flag holder with flag come standard. Fox News would cover the story daily. Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell would proudly buy them. I'm sure they would love to have a coal powered lawn mower.
With millions of Trump supporters, I'll make a fortune. These things will sell like crazy.
I'll finance the startup with the money I have saved from my solar power system and electric bicycle. When build my factory, it will be solar powered, LED lighted, and super insulated which will further increase my profits.
I'm going to be rich!! I will owe my fortune to Trump. He made it happen.
The smoke would be no problem as the EPA is being dismantled and my liberty to do what I want will gives me the right to pollute. That's freedom man!
Once I get the bugs worked out, I could send several to Trump and he could have them used to cut the grass at Margo Largo and the White House. This would be a great act of patriotism and marketing. Gold plated flag holder with flag come standard. Fox News would cover the story daily. Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell would proudly buy them. I'm sure they would love to have a coal powered lawn mower.
With millions of Trump supporters, I'll make a fortune. These things will sell like crazy.
I'll finance the startup with the money I have saved from my solar power system and electric bicycle. When build my factory, it will be solar powered, LED lighted, and super insulated which will further increase my profits.
I'm going to be rich!! I will owe my fortune to Trump. He made it happen.
96
Yes! I am reading this on a coal-fired computer.
6
Tom, we live in the same town so I'll gladly help rest your new lawn machine. It'll go real nice with the 50 gallon drums of jet fuel I burn on the driveway.
3
How many shares can I buy in your com[any....I want to be rich too.
Recent news reports point to President Trump's daughter and son-in law as having perhaps the greatest influence over his domestic policy decisions. Articles need to be directed to Ivanka and Jared to encourage them to support rational positions on key public policy matters.
12
Their neural pathways are so narrowed to see only what's good for the Trump Brand they're not capable of acting in our best interests. Why doesn't the Trump Family build factories here and make thier goods here? They brow beat other manufacturers like GM, Ford, and Carrier to remain here, enlarge their manufacturing footprint in the USA. So let's start asking why they don't invest in America and start building plants here for manufacturing their goods here.
We can beg these two young know-nothing nepotism beneficiaries to please ask their Daddy to throw a few crumbs to the peasants. #tiredofwinning
Job Killing Regulations! No, no don't stop and think, just run with it. Job killing regulations!
Eliminate job killing regulations and you will have jobs. It just follows. I mean, if regulations kill jobs, then killing regulations will resurrect them, right?
Unless of course, it isn't regulations killing jobs, but a whole universe of other things, like 7 billion people vying for a piece of the pie, and technology, and regulations and tax law that make automation an even better investment than human capital. And saturated markets, and low wages driving low demand.
If all of that were true, then killing regulations will just eliminate any public protections of socializing costs like pollution and won't do diddily to help employment. You'll get polluted water, and no income to be able to afford to filter it.
Job killing regulations. People killing pollution. Which will win the PR war?
Eliminate job killing regulations and you will have jobs. It just follows. I mean, if regulations kill jobs, then killing regulations will resurrect them, right?
Unless of course, it isn't regulations killing jobs, but a whole universe of other things, like 7 billion people vying for a piece of the pie, and technology, and regulations and tax law that make automation an even better investment than human capital. And saturated markets, and low wages driving low demand.
If all of that were true, then killing regulations will just eliminate any public protections of socializing costs like pollution and won't do diddily to help employment. You'll get polluted water, and no income to be able to afford to filter it.
Job killing regulations. People killing pollution. Which will win the PR war?
37
Mr. Friedman could have stopped after the first paragraph.
Most persuasive argument in pundit history.
'Coal Mining Museum Switches to SolarPower'.
Most persuasive argument in pundit history.
'Coal Mining Museum Switches to SolarPower'.
114
Trump sees his future clearly. He doesn't care about our future or that of the children of America. His kids will be OK. He lives in a sour dystopia, fraught with puny enemies and carping critics. But his future is not very long, and it will be golden.
28
dEs: wrong. His kids will not be okay. When there is no longer clean fresh air to breathe and clean fresh water to drink NO ONE will be okay. Those are essential elements for a healthy life. There will be no place to find fresh water and fresh air.
China finally figured that out and is now trying to improve their air.
China finally figured that out and is now trying to improve their air.
1
Imagine! what would happen if Mr. Trump provided funding for wind mills on the mountain tops of West Virginia's former coal country. Jobs, energy, commerce, communities. Nixon went to China. West Virginia is in the president's own time zone. Real for sure jobs in coal country.
30
Sad to say ... the wind resource of Appalachia is mediocre. Look here:
http://www.nrel.gov/gis/images/80m_wind/USwind300dpe4-11.jpg
I don't know how we help people living in coal country in ways that can bring jobs to everybody there. But here's the history of my life: grew up in the SF Bay Area, but moved to Michigan and then Germany and back before I was 14. Went to San Diego for college, worked up and down the west coast, went back to graduate school in Seattle, worked in eastern Washington for nearly a decade at a DOE lab, then moved to Albany NY.
We can try to help people, but it's not possible to give everybody the job they want, in the place they want.
http://www.nrel.gov/gis/images/80m_wind/USwind300dpe4-11.jpg
I don't know how we help people living in coal country in ways that can bring jobs to everybody there. But here's the history of my life: grew up in the SF Bay Area, but moved to Michigan and then Germany and back before I was 14. Went to San Diego for college, worked up and down the west coast, went back to graduate school in Seattle, worked in eastern Washington for nearly a decade at a DOE lab, then moved to Albany NY.
We can try to help people, but it's not possible to give everybody the job they want, in the place they want.
1
There are just 66,000 jobs in the coal industry compared to more than 800,000 at its peak in the 1920's. It has been a steady decline.
Good for the director of the coal museum in Kentucky for switching to solar.
Good for the director of the coal museum in Kentucky for switching to solar.
188
Here in the U.S., we need to establish solar farms in the Desert Southwest and wind farms in the hinterlands and construct the ancillary power distribution grid to channel the energy to where it is needed most -- to the coasts and the major population areas in between. So many new jobs could be created for those workers displaced from mining and manufacturing.
Instead of following this sane path, we will persist in mining and burning filthy coal and creating a pipeline across the U.S. to channel dirty oil from the Canadian tar sands, oil that otherwise would stay in the ground since the Canadian government would not be able to afford its own pipeline and no other transportation method would be cost effective.
Natural gas (methane) is the bridge fossil fuel to the future. It is cleaner than coal in terms of particulate production and produces less CO2 emissions. However, its mining (hydro-fracking) and transportation leaks raw methane into the air, and methane is about 60 times more potent a greenhouse gas than CO2 -- so methane is not a viable long-term option (not to mention the environmental damage from its extraction).
Due to bad PR with Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima, as well as regulatory issues and the long timescales in getting new plants online, as well as issues with the disposal of spent fuel rods, nuclear power seems a limited option.
It's so pathetic that we will be working against our best energy interests for the foreseeable future.
Instead of following this sane path, we will persist in mining and burning filthy coal and creating a pipeline across the U.S. to channel dirty oil from the Canadian tar sands, oil that otherwise would stay in the ground since the Canadian government would not be able to afford its own pipeline and no other transportation method would be cost effective.
Natural gas (methane) is the bridge fossil fuel to the future. It is cleaner than coal in terms of particulate production and produces less CO2 emissions. However, its mining (hydro-fracking) and transportation leaks raw methane into the air, and methane is about 60 times more potent a greenhouse gas than CO2 -- so methane is not a viable long-term option (not to mention the environmental damage from its extraction).
Due to bad PR with Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima, as well as regulatory issues and the long timescales in getting new plants online, as well as issues with the disposal of spent fuel rods, nuclear power seems a limited option.
It's so pathetic that we will be working against our best energy interests for the foreseeable future.
24
Litotes: a rhetorical device from classical times, it means understatement. When you drop "issues with the disposal of spent fuel rods", that's a masterpiece of litotes. The "issue" is the absence of a way to treat, store safely, or live anywhere near nuclear plants after their lifetime ends. NIMBY, people wisely say, so all we do now is extend the lifetime from ours to our kids'.
The Conman will NEVER read a book, much less a book by Bloomberg. Michael Bloomberg knows far too much about the Conman as he brilliantly stated in his speech at the DNC convention & the Conman will never forgive him.
66
Can coal be used as a chemical feedstock for producing useful polymers. We have uses for petroleum other than burning it. Is this not so in the case of coal?
On an efficiency and cleanliness basis it makes much more sense to burn natural gas than to burn coal. Burning natural gas produces 1/6 the CO2 effluent per Joule of heat than it does for burning coal..... And natural gas burns hotter than coal so it is more efficient for running steam turbines than coal.
On an efficiency and cleanliness basis it makes much more sense to burn natural gas than to burn coal. Burning natural gas produces 1/6 the CO2 effluent per Joule of heat than it does for burning coal..... And natural gas burns hotter than coal so it is more efficient for running steam turbines than coal.
7
The current president believes climate change is a "hoax." Most informed citizens realize that climate change is real. Despite the efforts of conservatives and those who want to live in the past, this "train has left the station." Let's move forward and implement changes that will protect our environment, not move backwards by puttng profits ahead of the environment.
22
Climate control will be the new religion and the leftists plan a huge tax on everyone. That is coming; not if but when.
Climate change or not, we still need to move forward to be leaders in new technologies. Europe is, Asia is. Everyday I interact with businesses and scientists in Asia working and funding new energy projects. Trump is taking back to the 1950s on a coal fired train.
5
Jan, can you fill us in on how big the tax will be? How will it compare, for example, to the cost of building a border wall? Or the cost of everyday items we buy if we impose an import tax on non-U.S. made products? Or the cost of a military buildup? Or the cost of private health insurance if Obamacare and Medicare are dismantled?
You're obviously well informed, so please share some of what you know.
Thanks, Jan!
You're obviously well informed, so please share some of what you know.
Thanks, Jan!
1
"Climate control will be the new religion"
Then the U.S. Military is apparently one of the acolytes to this new religion: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/military-leaders-urge-trump-t...
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/09/14/climate-change-poses-significant-ri...
Then the U.S. Military is apparently one of the acolytes to this new religion: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/military-leaders-urge-trump-t...
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/09/14/climate-change-poses-significant-ri...
1
Why not extend that rail line to Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College and pay for the tuition of anyone who wants to retrain themselves. I believe Obama suggested that, but he was shot down by the Republicans who want you to cling to a dying narrative that will keep coal miners right where they are. And truly the best way to create friends and allies across the globe is to take away their opportunities for a better life in America, help dry up the rest of their water, and sit back and watch them starve to death. Nothing better for world peace than creating huge populations of people who are looking for something to do and terrorist organizations willing to help people who have nothing to lose by joining them.
71
China is going to lead the world in solar production. China is investing in Africa and South America. China is flexing its muscle in the South Pacific.
The U.S. is going to build a bigly wall and hunker down inside it because, you know, all those scary ISIS guys. We will hunker down on top of decayed infrastructure, while we build a yuge army.
This is going to lessen China's influence HOW?
The U.S. is going to build a bigly wall and hunker down inside it because, you know, all those scary ISIS guys. We will hunker down on top of decayed infrastructure, while we build a yuge army.
This is going to lessen China's influence HOW?
Imagine if we did not elect a corporate shill and ignoramus to the presidency.
195
All of your hopes listed for Trump require leaving the past behind and creating the future through an open minded pursuit of the possible using intellect rather than ideology. Not something that conservatives are good at, the future is created by liberals. Always has been that way from the time of Galileo on.
13
Trump? Read a book?
119
Maybe. If it has his picture on the cover.
"while quietly announcing plans to withhold a promised $32.5 million U.S. contribution for the U.N. Population Fund, which supports family planning and maternal health."
That will cover about a month's worth of Trump jetting off to Mar-a-lago, plus maybe 2 of Eric & Donald Jr's business trips (no conflict of interest there !).
Cutting funding for the Chesapeake Bay - another month. Killing off PBS and NPR? Maybe 2 or 3 months more.
So what's the problem? Win - win, right?
That will cover about a month's worth of Trump jetting off to Mar-a-lago, plus maybe 2 of Eric & Donald Jr's business trips (no conflict of interest there !).
Cutting funding for the Chesapeake Bay - another month. Killing off PBS and NPR? Maybe 2 or 3 months more.
So what's the problem? Win - win, right?
98
I have been explaining to my conservative friends for over a year now that capitalism killed coal not Obama, just more glaring proof. I don't expect to see this story reported in the right wing echo chamber and other fact free corridors of stupidity.
125
This is what happens when an economic system becomes a Religion. For your Conservative friends, bad-mouthing capitalism is the equivalent of endorsing communism. They then just stop listening, and that's why it's so hard to get through to them.
3
The coal jobs Trump promised are not coming back. Automation,
greed, and alternative sources of energy are the problem.
The miners bought the con. They wil live to regret it.
Already Trump has tried to take their health care away.
Making the air diritier won't help either.
Word
greed, and alternative sources of energy are the problem.
The miners bought the con. They wil live to regret it.
Already Trump has tried to take their health care away.
Making the air diritier won't help either.
Word
45
Unfortunately, they will not live to regret it very long. Black lung.
Does anyone think Trump would actually read anything? He's a gut guy. Don't need no stupid books (or experts).
11
What we face here is a Congress unable to see the difference between government spending and government investment. Trillions of dollars could be invested in infrastructure creating a great American future. Energy lines capable of transporting and selling electricity, generated in the Dakotas, to the East and West coasts. High speed rail connecting rural states to the great economic centers of America. Not to mention the need to repair roads, bridges and such. The need for American labor is huge. All that is needed is a Congress capable of understanding the difference between government spending, government investment and why Government is not always the problem.
191
Always wondered why conservatives, especially conservative business people, can't seem to grasp the notion of investment and returns that underlies borrowing, even if it is the government doing the borrowing. In fact the government has the advantage over private borrowing since it has considerable control over interest rates and over the value of the dollars used to pay back the loan. Though economists tell us using the comparison is inaccurate, maybe we can help our fellow citizens understand if we do use the mortgage analogy anyway. You borrow to buy a house for long term benefits like a place to live with the added expectation that eventually you will make the investment back when you sell it. Of course something can go wrong, risk is part of taking a mortgage, much more risk than the government takes by thinking ahead. Risk--isn't that a business concept too?
4
I totally agree. Instead of talking about taxes, we should reframe the conversation about investment - in education, infrastructure, the environment. Of course, nobody likes to pay taxes. But when we talk about the return on investment citizens can see the merit of such policies. Taxes are merely the means for making investments. When the issues are framed as narrow self-interest, the Republicans always win. The key for Democrats is to talk about enlightened self-interest, i.e. what is good for society is good for me.
3
And to win such a Congress, we need to replace the current crop of poll, rumor, personality emailemailemail polical "reporters" with journalists who will cover the actual issues at stake in each election.
3
Friedman continues to make the lazy, immature guy who knew more about his chocolate cake than which country he attacked with missiles, look legitimate with statements subs s this:
"..asked for options on Syria, chose the cruise-missile strike — which was right — and won praise for acting “presidential.”"
Then acts surprised when the the Pretender-in-Chief has a nonsense policy in regards to coal.
"..asked for options on Syria, chose the cruise-missile strike — which was right — and won praise for acting “presidential.”"
Then acts surprised when the the Pretender-in-Chief has a nonsense policy in regards to coal.
39
Trump is bringing back coal! And eight tracks, floppy discs and 35mm film! It's gonna be terrific! I feel bad for those working folks in the coal industry. It's not regulations and Obama that were causing the down slide in coal use, it is the market.
58
Can we bring back rents so low a minimum wage job paid for rent in one week, just like 1979? Ooo, I would like that. Vinyl has vanquished CDs in music why not the entire rest of the late 70's, the high point of human evolution( except clothing for the mainstream...)
Thanks for getting my day started with a good laugh, Mr. Friedman. And thanks to the eternal Trump apologist for once again showing how narrow-mindedness always trumps intelligence.
5
Why is Tom Friedman so eager to put District 12 out of business???
3
Ignorance is bliss for Donald Trump on the subject of climate change.
For the rest of America and the planet, Donald Trump’s ignorance is serious trouble.
For the rest of America and the planet, Donald Trump’s ignorance is serious trouble.
18
The Republicans' deity St Ronnie, slew the evil dragon of presidential policy concern regarding science, the environment and fossil fuels, by tearing down Carter's solar panels, eviserating policies regarding fuel savings with federal speed limits of 55 mph, and the EPA's agenda against gas guzzlers with Ronnie's crown jewel the SUV. American's in Red States will require several feet of ocean water in their major cities before they'll be convinced they have to be concerned. One suspects many Red State Republicans would celebrate floods caused by sea rise on both Blue State coasts.
29
The statue of the coal miner shows clearly the origins of the plight of coal miners. They no longer go after coal with pickaxes, and if they tried they would only emulate John Henry. Modern machinery makes them productive enough that not so many of them are needed; this is what has happened in manufacturing, farming, and most other fields. Numerical record management has been revolutionized by spreadsheets and document management by word processing, and both are also affected by other abilities of computers such as databases,
Businesses are not interested in making cities and countries more prosperous, innovative, healthy, and secure. They are interested in making themselves more profitable, but when Ford raised wages to ultimately make his business more profitable, they called him insane and a Communist, showing that their perspective was too stupid to deal with unusual ideas.
Businesses are not interested in making cities and countries more prosperous, innovative, healthy, and secure. They are interested in making themselves more profitable, but when Ford raised wages to ultimately make his business more profitable, they called him insane and a Communist, showing that their perspective was too stupid to deal with unusual ideas.
228
Ford also realized that his cars needed to run on public roads which his workers not only needed to invest in but also pay taxes to pay for
7
If the minimum wage was $15 an hour America would really be great!
Shame on Congress for ignoring their constituents!
Shame on Congress for ignoring their constituents!
1
In a concerted effort to salvage an America of the past, some give too much emphasis to coal mining – including Trump. May as well focus on street hawkers selling knife-sharpening services. But it’s become conveniently emblematic of a desire by others, Tom Friedman included, to demonize the entirety of Trump’s labor agenda, which focuses on somehow re-animating the viability of jobs that soak up the largely unskilled labor of millions of Americans whose labor so desperately needs to be soaked up by something made relevant again – and capable of supporting a fast-disappearing middle-class economic sufficiency.
It may be that not even Trump fully understands this, but his efforts have meaning beyond coal mining jobs.
First, those efforts ARE relevant. While automation (forever) and other market forces (e.g., fracking for gas instead of digging for coal), and globalization (for now), are increasingly rendering those jobs obsolete in America, they’re not obsolete yet. Then, in order for others (NOT Trump) to devise a workable transition to a very different world, we need to repatriate and otherwise incentivize the creation of such jobs to give us the TIME to devise other means of supporting our multitudes in ways that preserve the connections among labor, individual independence and social relevancy.
Tom’s emphasis on coal misses the forest for the trees. He needs to think more broadly … at least more broadly than Trump.
It may be that not even Trump fully understands this, but his efforts have meaning beyond coal mining jobs.
First, those efforts ARE relevant. While automation (forever) and other market forces (e.g., fracking for gas instead of digging for coal), and globalization (for now), are increasingly rendering those jobs obsolete in America, they’re not obsolete yet. Then, in order for others (NOT Trump) to devise a workable transition to a very different world, we need to repatriate and otherwise incentivize the creation of such jobs to give us the TIME to devise other means of supporting our multitudes in ways that preserve the connections among labor, individual independence and social relevancy.
Tom’s emphasis on coal misses the forest for the trees. He needs to think more broadly … at least more broadly than Trump.
10
If we reduce regulations so we can put the unskilled back to work until we figure out what to do with them, what we will do with them is put them to work in the growth industries that reduced regulation will create -- bottled water, rehabilitation medicine (for victims of industrial accidents), and treatments of asthma, autism, infertility, diabetes, allergies, early puberty, cancers, addiction to prescription drugs, and even mesothelioma (if we bring asbestos back).
Automation creates a new working class of robot slaves that reduces our need for human labor; the only thing we need displaced workers for is consumption (without which our robot slaves will have little to do and little reason to exist). The free enterprise solution to displaced workers is to get them to die off, and this solution is already underway; the power of the invisible hand is amazing.
Automation creates a new working class of robot slaves that reduces our need for human labor; the only thing we need displaced workers for is consumption (without which our robot slaves will have little to do and little reason to exist). The free enterprise solution to displaced workers is to get them to die off, and this solution is already underway; the power of the invisible hand is amazing.
100
C3p0:
Your cynicism puts mine to shame, and, frankly, I didn't think that was possible.
Your cynicism puts mine to shame, and, frankly, I didn't think that was possible.
6
Here, an obvious answer would be infrastructure investment on a greater scale than even President Trump has promoted. A national electricity infrastructure that would allow energy to be generated in North Dakota and sold, without obstruction, anywhere in America. High speed rails economically connecting states like West Virginia to the East Coast. The need for American labor is immense and only requires a Congress able to see the difference between government spending and investment.
18
Is there anything Trump will do right?
His mind makes him Chaos' delight,
Sans logic, sans sense,
With an Ego intense,
The instinct he triggers is fright!
Can his "better" advisers withstand
What an immature mind will demand?
Trump's clothed in a mantle
Geared just to dismantle
A China Shop Bull out of hand!
His mind makes him Chaos' delight,
Sans logic, sans sense,
With an Ego intense,
The instinct he triggers is fright!
Can his "better" advisers withstand
What an immature mind will demand?
Trump's clothed in a mantle
Geared just to dismantle
A China Shop Bull out of hand!
251
Brilliant.
Trump is acting with characteristic GOP ignorance and impunity.