Obama: New mining bill too tough on companies

[Robb]

Source: RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL

The recent mining reform billed passed by the U.S. House is "not optimal" and should be rewritten to reduce the economic burden on mining companies, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama said Tuesday.

During a conference call with Nevada reporters to present his rural agenda, Obama said he would seek a better compromise on the bill now that it is in the U.S. Senate.

"What's clear to me is that the legislation that has been proposed places a significant burden on the mining industry and could have a significant impact on jobs," he said. "We are going to have to keep on working to find the kind of legislation that is going to provide fair compensation for these federal lands and also enhances environmental protection (and) cleans up abandoned mines."

(snip)

"The question is what impact would these changes in law have on the mining operations specifically in Nevada and other rural areas in the West," he said. "My concern is not with respect to the overall corporate profits of these mining interests.
"My assumption is that they are making money, and they can afford to do more around conservation, and they can afford to pay a reasonable compensation to the federal government."

Read more: http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071107/NEWS19/711070420

[Robbien]

1. "My concern is not with respect to ...corporate profits"

Yeah right.

Now how much have these corporate profiteers dumped into your campaign coffers Sen. Obama?

[maxsolomon]

2. lock down that all-important miner vote, barrack!

nothing has changed since 1872, they should still be able to rape the land for no royalties or clean up responsibilities.

:sarcasm: :crazy: :sarcasm: :crazy: :sarcasm: :crazy: :sarcasm: :crazy:

[Joanne98]

3. Then NATIONALIZE THEM!

Obama is starting to sound like a Chicago Boy!

[Bumblebee]

4. He does pander, doesn't he? Another state, another "I feel your pain," esp.

if "you" have money to contribute.

[nykym]

5. Did you know

One approved reclamation of a spent mine is a C&D dump!

compensation for these federal lands and also enhances environmental protection (and) cleans up abandoned mines."

[Hawkowl]

6. What a hack

This guy is a snowball rolling down hill of errors and missteps. He is toast. He can't decide if we should all just get along, or if Hillary is an evil flip flopper.

PROTECT THE MINING INDUSTRY?!?! WTF. OVER?

[depakid]

15. What remaing respect I had is quickly going out the window

Anyone could have predicted that he'd make a lot of rookie mistakes, but things like this show that either he lacks a grasp of the issues- or that, as you put it, he's becoming just another hack.

Sad.

[customerserviceguy]

7. Translation

"It's not looking good in Iowa for me, so maybe Nevada will give me the boost I need to catch up." For someone who started out so promising, he's been a big disappointment. Maybe Dennis can pick up his support...

[salib]

8. Pathetic

[Bitwit1234]

9. Did he vote on this one....he sat out the one where it would

require stricker conditions so they would be safe. That's Obama..Sit it out and then go after which side is more popular, if you opponent voted for the unpopular side.

[pattmarty]

10. WHAAAAAATTT?????????

[amandabeech]

11. Or he's looking past the general election.

Lots of coal mines in Illinois are opening back up. Maybe he'll try for the governorship the next time it is a truly vacant seat.

[robinlynne]

12. I'm thinking end mining period, and let solar companies set up in west virginia

to create jobs for the people who will lose jobs.

[Robbien]

13. Ha! Solar Power Industries was one of the few companies who gained today

on the stock market. Solar and one or two others.

There is money in to be made in the solar field if the coal and oil industry robber barons would just stop being so obstructionist.

[Robb]

14. The bill he's against concerns hardrock mining

Doesn't affect coal, oil or gas. Does affect uranium, tho'.

[surfermaw]

16. Sounds much like he is for corporate America

[ryanmuegge]

17. I spotted this guy as a spineless punk a long time ago, and this is further confirmation.

He also supports corn-based ethanol, which, as we all know, is a FUCKING FRAUD.