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The NY Times is carrying an article called Rift Widens Over Mining of Uranium in Virginia I’m not really sure if the average VA Republican legislator is more opposed to uranium mining than the average VA Democratic legislator, but clearly there is strong support against uranium mining from the Repub legislators, given that:
Opponents include most state lawmakers from the region, all of whom are Republicans.
. Since they are much more likely to be in the pocket of industry than the Republican base, I infer that appealing to Republican voters on other issues involving groundwater contamination is a no-brainer.
Bills introduced last week would lift a moratorium on uranium mining at the site here, known as Coles Hill. Political supporters say that the mining would bring economic benefits and that risks from radioactive wastes, or tailings, can be safely managed. Opponents fear the contamination of drinking water in case of an accident, and a stigma from uranium that would deter people and businesses from moving to the area.
The politics of the issue do not divide neatly along party lines. Opponents include most state lawmakers from the region, all of whom are Republicans. A prominent supporter is the minority leader of the State Senate, Richard L. Saslaw, a Democrat, who lives in the northern suburbs. Asked about buried uranium tailings that remain a risk for hundreds of years, Mr. Saslaw, who is known for unguarded statements, said in a radio interview, “I’m not going to be here.”
I have recently argued that anti-fracking and anti-GMO efforts are compelling value propositions for activists, in part because the they cut across partisan walls. This article from the NY Times on uranium mining in VA supports that general point of view.
Please see my diary, UPDATED: 2 issues, Par Excellence, for Mobilizing the Torpid and Demoralized American Sheeple, Left and Right
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Democrats are ugly stepsisters in whoring for corporate campaign money. Republicans can be choosey on the johns they choose to serve.
This is not appropriate behavior on MyFDL. Please do not engage in personal attacks against those you disagree with.-MyFDL Editor
Just look to the example of their great leader, Mark Warner.
The ALEC mineral rights model bill recently passed in VA and NC. Expect a similar situation in NC. Probably with regard to lithium-containing ores suitable for batteries.
When the opposition to the mineral rights bill starts being framed in terms of property rights, it will be easier to reverse. But for now it’s being sold as – jobs, jobs, jobs.
Dear Marvin,
Whose value are you propositioning?
Can you explain this, more? Are you saying that VA Republicans are generally for “mineral rights”, and that being anti-uranium mining is an exception?
Also, what are “mineral rights”, exactly?
I’ve heard about legislation that essentially hands over control of mineral rights under personal property, to be disposed of as the state sees fit, which just happens to be as ‘state sponsors’ (i.e., mining companies) see fit.
Are you referring to such laws? Whether you are or aren’t, don’t you agree that the Republican base would be mostly outraged at them?
I think there’s a lot of ‘smart ALEC’ legislation that the Republican base would be furious about, if they were only to be educated about it. See my diary
Progressives are Stupid if they don’t seize their opportunity to educate their Republican neighbors
> Progressives are Stupid if they don’t seize their
> opportunity to educate their Republican neighbors
Republicans, so-called Libertarians, religious crazies, science deniers and other fascists and rabid dogs are notoriously difficult to educate, and a fair percentage of the time it is impossible. Perhaps the same effort would be better expended elsewhere, such as by getting the entire population to vote, via paper ballots.