To the Point
Leveling Mountains for Cheaper Coal
Coal miners are taking the tops off mountains and dumping the rubble in streams and valleys—forever changing the Appalachian Mountains. Should government regulations require environmental protection? Also, disagreement among military leaders on the Iraq buildup, and Kid Nation and child labor laws.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenCoal miners are taking the tops off mountains and dumping the rubble in streams and valleys—forever changing the Appalachian Mountains. Should government regulations require environmental protection? We hear the controversy over new rules published today by the Bush Administration. Also, disagreement among military leaders on the Iraq buildup and, on Reporter's Notebook, 40 children worked up to 14 hours a day on a Reality-TV series called Kid Nation. What about child labor laws?
In this episode
3 storiesLeveling Appalachia's Ancient Mountains for Cheap Coal
For the past 20 years, coal operators have been removing the tops off peaks and ridges and plugging up streams in the Appalachian Mountains, one of the world’s oldest ranges, allowing them to mine more coal with fewer people than they can with traditional mining. Today, the Bush Administration is issuing new rules for a practice that can…
Read the story1 min'Lord of the Flies' in 'Kid Nation'
In a 13-part reality series scheduled to begin in September, 40 children were challenged to create their own society, without adults, in a New Mexico ghost town. Aged 8 to 15, they sometimes worked as many as 14 hours a day. Was it good clean fun that made for entertaining TV or child neglect and endangerment?
Read the story1 minJoint Chiefs Chair Recommends Drastic Troop Reduction in Iraq
President Bush says military leaders should make the decisions about how long the buildup lasts in Iraq. But what if they disagree?
Read the story1 min