This town powered America for decades. What do we owe them?

[@annadragan4896]

This didn't just begun yesterday. I was educated about emissions when I was in grade school and I'm now 63!

[@TheCodename420]

@Hagg Bisquette and you're a delusional conspiracy nutjob. What's your point?

[@SargR]

@Hagg Bisquette sure lmao, whatever man

[@helenpatterson3858]

@Hagg Bisquette YOU are hilarious! Anna, I turn 70 this year and sometimes I wonder if my 4th grade teacher was a time traveler. He also predicted to us the coming problems we now deal with. He also told us about how c a sh would fade and the banking system would transition into what we have today with primarily transactions by computers.

[@ishtar0077]

I wish they had shown the local school in this video. How much are they spending on public schools. Internet should be free for these families. If I had money I would build great public school, give each child laptop and free access to internet. The kids can become the future for this town. Now that covid change the office space to work from home. Look at the lottery we spent $2 dollars and create big pot of money. Why can we donate to created public schools. The children there have the potential to overcome the decisions made by the adults if we help them with the right tools for their future.

[@xiaoka]

And coal has been more and more uneconomical for decades.

[@dominoep]

Imagine how all those Blacksmiths must have felt when they saw Automobiles drive past their shops...

[@salomonarreguin3748]

Exactly! Those whiners, they could learn how to code and get jobs in IT.

[@juancarlosbelboder2534]

These people need to get their heads out the sand and diversify or LEARN A TRADE

[@wylde780]

@@juancarlosbelboder2534 I agree but you must remember these people and their parents all grew up with coal being the major source of income. It takes time for a major change like this to happen.

[@lostpony4885]

Scrap metal.

[@DriveInFreak]

"Hmmm. I know how to work with metal, and those things are mostly metal. I guess it's time to move."

[@HerseyOrchestra]

Industries evolve. Towns that exist due to a single industry will always be at risk.

[@matthew8153]

With a few exceptions isn’t that every city?

[@mitchclark1532]

And therefore we need to have jobs programs and retraining programs in place so that people aren't devastated through no fault of their own.

[@howdydoodilly6812]

@@matthew8153 no. Most cities run on numerous industries. Towns that don’t (like op was talking about) rely on a single industry for their economy and jobs so when the industry collapses, relocates, doesn’t need them, etc the towns economy collapses and the town goes with them. That’s what boom towns were during the gold rush or western expansion

[@grandmasmith]

@J G With no money, how do they do that? It is not cheap to move.

[@jacksoncollins662]

@J G lmao people can’t just “pick up and move” if that was the case it wouldn’t be a problem. You think coal miners have an ass load of money in there bank account to afford a place to live when they lose there house?

[@marctech1996]

“I don’t like asking for government assistance” he says after having a job that relies on federally owned land and natural resources, as well as federal and state subsidies

[@JB-uv4hm]

You’ll find those in the West are often like this. Marlboro ‘Men’ of the nanny state.

[@marctech1996]

@Ozark Yeoman Well it actually is. That kind of defines our civilization. If land is ever fully owned by an individual or corporation that land could be given away to another country for example. And “owning” a piece of land doesn’t excuse you from following the laws of the country. Therefore all land really is federal property to some extent, with the country even capable of confiscating most property, and there will be areas that the government rightfully will put solely under it’s protection and ownership to stop the potential exploitation of that land. The latter can be about guaranteeing equal access to resources for the people.

[@JB-uv4hm]

@Ozark Yeoman go read a book. Your GED is showing.

[@JB-uv4hm]

@Ozark Yeoman I’d seek a refund because you missed critical thinking.

[@JB-uv4hm]

@Ozark Yeoman see above. You could do a wiki search and spend 10 min and get a foundation in western states land policy. Put that degree to work or not.

[@Usmcto]

Let me get this right you’ve been laid off way before President Biden but you’re blaming President Biden ok smh 🤦‍♂️

[@wadestanton]

They got tired blaming Obama.

[@creativelife9871]

Their MO.

[@michaeljung4398]

@@wadestanton Lol

[@bunk9099]

Their lucky there BUSINESSES weren't looted by green haired hippies 😂

[@bloodwashedchild188]

Biden is the third term of Obama,he told everyone straight out and where is he now? Building libraries,helping the poor? Nope he's sitting in his office where he planned the Russian collusion farce taking off the attention to HIS and Bidens Urainium 1 scandal. Remember that folks? Evidence of the skimming off sent to Irans nukes b Hilary and Obama, The plan on sending to the US and blaming it on Russia. Take it or leave it,but if not searched out,quit opining.

[@KaiLivi]

Wow the level of entitlement when people like this tell others to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” and now they want to be compensated for industry loss when we’ve been subsidizing this dying industry for years.

[@castrinecubique983]

Can't be a real Republicans without being a fragile crying snowflakes annoying everyone with their feelings

[@debcarpenter8519]

I knew people working the coal mines in the early '80's in Gillette. Kids out of high school were making $40.00/ hr. I doubt very few set up retirement for themselves. Most bought new pick ups every few months! It's a shame, but there own fault.

[@radioqueenbee7008]

Hypocrites of the highest order.

[@christiannhein4532]

@@castrinecubique983 , shame on you. I pray for your children and grandchildren that they not inherit your heart.

[@KaiLivi]

@@castrinecubique983 I more of feel pity for these people, I’m angry that they woefully uninformed and have been conditioned to be condescending to those who need help and when they need help they feel entitled to it. They need to be able to follow their own advice for a harsh wake up call. The cognitive dissonance is astounding and needs to be addressed.

[@SaintCyrX]

What do we owe them? Did they not get paid for all the coal for decades?

[@harryjohnstone1306]

The world is changing with or without planning. As part of the plan any good steward of the People's economy will mitigate the damage. We failed a bit on NAFTA, but don't blame a dem president for that, blame GOP lawmakers who withheld funding for training programs and re-alignment. We don't owe Wyaomans for the coal we used, we do owe them a shot at the future. Government is NOT business, it is governance.

[@cecilvandeventer1157]

flip your switch and the lights come on

[@randyclark6010]

I live in Wyoming. My sister in law lives in Gillette. Wyoming has been reliant on fossil fuels since its conception. My wife and I have been telling city officials and our state senators we need to diversify for years. Budweiser offered to move its main branch to Wyoming and these idiots said NO. Politicians in Wyoming refuse to move to other avenues. They are getting what they deserve.

[@charlesbosse9669]

I wouldn't say they're getting what they deserve. I will say that I'm certainly not opposed to other energy sources by any stretch. I think renewable energy is a great idea, and I see wind and solar power catching in. Both great ideas. Better than han nuclear energy I think. But not all at once where it's hurting people like this. I agree that Gillette should diversify their sources of tax revenue and income.

[@randyclark6010]

What I mean is- yes diversify. But Gillette and the Wyoming state is dragging their feet until the absolute last second before they do exactly that. And by the way. Nuclear energy is the best source that we have so far. Until fission becomes reality. A nuclear powered aircraft carrier can constantly run on its own power for over 30 years without refueling. It’s just people are paranoid about it because their thinking nuclear explosion. That’s not how it works. Safety protocols are much better now than what happened in Russia, so no melt down either.

[@justinrucker2807]

@@randyclark6010 i don't know bro, i think Fukushima is still melting?

[@randyclark6010]

Justin - earthquakes and tsunamis caused that meltdown. But your right. Japan wasn’t thinking about those things. But natural disasters should be taken into account.

[@wyosagekat.]

We are not being represented correctly by the people in office, they are only there to line their pockets. I live in Gillette.

[@fadetoblack1782]

I’m From eastern Kentucky. Coal is dead, has been for decades.

[@karlosdeevs]

so what next?

[@odeswx]

Then how are they generating energy at the power plant?

[@xman4399]

You know what’s funny as quite as it’s kept towns like these stole most of the coal jobs from out east so Kentucky, West Virginia, etc.

[@fadetoblack1782]

@@odeswx natural gas, easier to drill and extract than making a big strip job and blowing the side of the hill off.

[@TheProdiga1One]

It's degrading to ask the government for help, unless it's me asking.

[@gr8god4u]

The government is by the people. The people pay taxes for the government to Dole out. So you see it's people paying taxes to help people who pay taxes and who don't pay taxes through no fault of their own and some through fault of their own. From some perspectives it's people helping people meaning themselves when the need arises and that's what it's there for.

[@jimmytimmy3680]

GOP fools. Most of them are on the midwest and the poorest. They receive welfare and then complaint when other people use it. Only they can use it.

[@wilywascal2024]

Republican hypocrisy is killing us...and America.

[@Zenhumanist]

So true.

[@bobbakian7369]

@@gr8god4u but but but...isn't that socialism?

[@mistery-ed7900]

The horse and buggy industry had to change also.

[@vanadyan1674]

...and 1000s of other industries have rose and fell since the dawn of civilization. This is nothing new. Adapt or die.

[@johnpatrick1647]

Horse and buggys are more eco-friendly than any vehicle on the planet, including the Tesla. You're arguement is that renewable energy is more eco-friendly )and therefore better) than fossil fuels is hampered by your comparison of changing from an eco-friendly mode of transportation to one that is a pollutant because of... progress??

[@Scarsofevil]

@@vanadyan1674 except they kept denying it and being lied to by republicans who just want a senate or house seat and then sold their votes for money. They had 30 years to adapt.

[@sophiophile]

@@johnpatrick1647 That is an argument for why the transition off of oil is more desirable. So yes, I agree. Also, the transition from horses to chemical energy sources for transport allowed us to scale up our transportation capabilities to levels simply not possible with horses, so yes... Progess! (Not to mention that renewable energy would make it arguably more eco-friendly than horses, including many other advantages... I hope your point was being made in bad faith, because it's not very well thought out at all)

[@mitchclark1532]

And I'm sure a lot of workers were devastated. We have to take steps to prevent that devastation.

[@williebailey91]

Well I’m from Cleveland Ohio, the middle of the rust belt. I’m only 29 years old, but I remember my father and uncles all working at steel mills ( LTV steel) and other industrial companies in the 90s ( which were already on life support). Now in 2021 it maybe 1or 2 mills left in the entire city. This happened to Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburg, and many smaller cities in between. Things constantly change and people have to adapt, so Wyoming just needs to get on board.

[@pwisc2115]

Well said man!! Willie Bailey understand that the world moves and you have to move with it otherwise you are left behind. Like he said the key here is reinvent yourself and move on. If you don’t you have learned nothing about life.

[@magdathompson68]

What we need is a country at the forefront of science, maybe taking jobs away from traditional jobs and replacing with jobs that are better for our economy, our lands, and our people. However, it's been a country that pours money into dead end corporations like coal, oil, etc.

[@thorgran3]

So much this. Southeastern Wisconsin, 20 some years ago, was still a booming center of industry. That was 20 years ago, and we're all still here. I'm not making airplane parts anymore, but my family and I are still here. A roof overhead, food to eat, and while we're not wealthy by any stretch we have enough to be happy. ((edit. and to paraphrase the sadly departed Sam Kinison, "You live in a DESERT! Move to the FOOD!))

[@williebailey91]

@Chuck Farley My point is, the world doesn’t revolve around one industry forever. What’s happening in that little town in Wyoming, has been happening to major cities for decades now.

[@pwisc2115]

@Chuck Farley church is a good place to go and cry.

[@mrjooxmanallah]

We also owe horse breeders a debt of gratitude. These people are so full of themselves.

[@patsavage1245]

And plumbers.

[@GotoHere]

More jobs destroyed by Democrats, lives ruined by democrats , and communities destroyed by democrats. Democrats = fascists.

[@declaredjeans7555]

@@GotoHere The change to sustainable energy has to happen. Either the coal and oil industry gets smaller so we can keep the earth habitable for humans, which means the people affected are taken care of in the best way possible, or we keep going for the sake of the few, and destroy the future for mankind. What would you pick? Are you narcissistic enough to choose the former??

[@jdnb86]

@@GotoHere trump had 3 million less jobs when he left office then when he started. You seriously that stupid?

[@davidhoward8890]

Like Carlin said the earth has been threw worse then us

[@dsever64]

We in the rust belt dealt with a similar issue when the unions were busted and the steel industry was derailed by Reaganomics. We adapted, as will Gillette. Saving the planet has to take priority. Period.

[@cecilvandeventer1157]

Tell your family living in the cold and no electricity is good while China and India will never change

[@suspectdevice8725]

We owe them an education, healthcare, and a decent life, just like everyone else. This isn’t hard.

[@hannahdyson7129]

So ..that's why Sanders lost ?! Because it's what the USA wants ?

[@jeschinstad]

@@hannahdyson7129: I think they want it, it's just that for some reason, Americans have come to believe that there's a relationship between healthcare and tyranny.

[@Comeback180]

@@hannahdyson7129 Sanders said during the primary that they will give this fossil fuel and coal workers a union job at these wind, solar and other green jobs. They will transition over and be given training. i don't see Biden doing that at all.

[@alexoh9671]

They can get but they have to work for it. You don't get handed things in the world.

[@oceanbreeze2663]

It's not like these people gave up their resources for free.

[@thesinaclwon]

Right? Lol I mean for fucks sake they are fucking rich from us so fuck them!

[@luddity]

Also, they are sitting on a wealth of multiple forms of renewable energy that can be harnessed with a bit of retooling. Yellowstone is a Super-volcano, and they get lots of wind and sun there also.

[@xiaoka]

To quote Clint Eastwood in the “Unforgiven” - deserves got nothing to do with it. Lots of ghost towns all across the West. Booms and busts are normal. It’s a fact of life.

[@MartijnHover]

Every human being deserves a chance at a decent life. Every human being has the right not to be born into poverty. No baby has ever done anything to deserve that. That is a lesson we have to learn.

[@castrinecubique983]

@@MartijnHover tell that to all of those who lost everything due to hurricane, land slides, earthquakes, floods..... all powered by fossil fuel industries. Wanna play the blame game? They have nobody but themselves to blame!

[@DriveInFreak]

"Lots of ghost towns all across the West." Yep, and they were all exactly what Gillette is now..mining towns.

[@jermainejohnson7026]

@@MartijnHover tell that to the Governments across the world 🌎 still poverty happens and nothing’s change

[@magdathompson68]

@@MartijnHover Said no Republican ever. I agree with your sentiment. But until money is taken out of politics and vote in the rich, things will not change.

[@alexvinson7373]

"What do we owe them"? Nothing, they were paid for the product at time of sale. In capitalism, it's on the seller to remain relevant in the market.

[@noel9339]

💀

[@a-totally-random-person]

And these are typically the people who are convinced that's the only way to go. Even when, as you can see, it negatively impacts them.

[@blindvisionary415]

Funny how the Anti Socialists, want the government to help them financially when times are tough. Hilarious!!!

[@NiiAnikin]

People like to eat their cake and have it back

[@warcrimeenjoyer219]

Yup people hate government until they need it and criticize others for the same

[@bclamore]

Milkmen, iceman, blacksmith, Blockbuster Video, TV repairman,.... Evolution happens continuously

[@cecilvandeventer1157]

flip your switch and the lights come on

[@bclamore]

@Tim Popik who suggested that?

[@rayndawg7181]

"If we could just go on polluting the worlds atmosphere, my life would be back to normal", he cried

[@ccrider3435]

Coal is literally made of extinction. It's dirty, dangerous and debilitating. But the sun and wind and are clean forever. Only someone stupid enough to vote Putin, tRaitor tRump and the complicit republicans would vote for and champion their own suicide bombing of Nature, Creature and Future.

[@Johnysack99]

he has the right to speak and be upset about the fact that he and millions going to lose their jobs, I'm with everything Biden is doing to fight climate change, and with progress and technology the old ways will be gone, but the government need to find a way to help the people who are going to lose their jobs cuz of this

[@wserthmar8908]

@Jonathan Washington, absolutely

[@magdathompson68]

@@Johnysack99 Like the millions that lost their job due to the mishandling of covid? I mean... If they didn't lose their lives.

[@Johnysack99]

@@magdathompson68 all of them are working folks and need help, this's not a political issue

[@ttww1590]

Coal has been declining as shown, the regulations are adding a time line for people to plan for vs. ongoing uncertainty.

[@DebbieDomestic]

My father made a living as a musician, and the live music industry was almost completely shut down by the government crackdown on drinking and driving. His livelihood took a massive hit and eventually he had to change careers. This doesn't mean that the government was wrong to try to eliminate drunk driving.

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

Drinking alcohol is not good for human consumption that has been proven every single minute of every single day and every single year ever since man has first consumed it

[@DebbieDomestic]

@@TruckTaxiMoveIt neither is climate change. You can't make changes without changing.

[@sherylF5610]

@Andrew Jackson that's kind of a sad statement. Perhaps I am misunderstanding, I don't know. Are you saying that the only solution to filling a void in your community is to drink? If you want vibrant find a way to bring it about.

[@amandagardner565]

@Andrew Jackson i think you should talk to a psychiatrist, you drink and smoke for a reason that you can't deal with. i stopped smoking weed when i told my parents and 13 siblings i was Amanda and not Andrew as baptized. . i still drink, a glass of wine or a jack daniels every other month, but really just to enjoy the taste.

[@fukhue8226]

Jacob I went through the same thing except I'm an amature musician. I have always had a real job so it didn't affect me financially. I went from playing 4 nights to 3, then 2 and now 1 if I'm lucky and this has been going on for years and not because of COVID-19. I agree people don't need to drive drunk but they took the law too far. The really drunk people leave late and usually don't get caught. The ones that do get caught are the guys that have had 3 or 4 beers (just enough to be over the .08 limit). What most people don't know the real limit is .04 because between .05 and .07 the cop can jail you if they "feel" you are intoxicated. At .08 they are mandated by law to arrest you. Considering the average cost for a DUI in my small town is around $10,000 they have made a lucrative business out of BEER. They sell it, tax it and put you in jail which makes them money 3 times.

[@rjmeyers81]

Did they not get paid? I don't think we owe them anymore than anyone else is owed something.

[@ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt]

Not only that, but they literally raped our public lands while we subsidized their operations. Coal land lease pricing hasn't changed in 30+ years ($3/acre and ~13% royalty). Many mines, however, pay below market rates on both leases and royalties. And, when they're done raping, pillaging and exploiting, they simply pick up and move on. Meanwhile, the livelihoods of thousands, the existence of entire towns and the economies of the state and region crater. But it's all Biden's fault? Give me a break, man!

[@eileenrobinson8014]

Clean energy - turn your thoughts in that direction! If you don't you're lost!

[@briankoski817]

How many Republicans does it take to screw in a lightbulb? None, they only screw the poor. 😆

[@briankoski817]

How many Republicans does it take to renew a lightbulb?.. None. They prefer to stay in the dark. 😆

[@Shadow-Kalbo1]

your clean engery the technolgy aint here yet ffs

[@rjlchristie]

@@Shadow-Kalbo1 Spoken in the true spirit of Orville and Wilbur Wright.

[@andrewrichardson3135]

Clean energy is expensive and hardly practical for a full time source

[@bigvaxmeanie925]

No one shredded a tear when the milk man lost his job Time for you guys to move on and get with the times

[@cheezykrafts8134]

I'm sure more than a few bored housewives shed a tear when the milk man lost his job.

[@bigvaxmeanie925]

@@cheezykrafts8134 its called he found a new job

[@cheezykrafts8134]

@@bigvaxmeanie925 As a gigalo?

[@velvetlensfilms3290]

@@cheezykrafts8134 I was a milk man times got tough yadda yadda yadda. P o r n.

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

Did you stop drinking milk

[@ryan1231691]

Probably wouldn't be in that position if you started changing sooner. But you decided to defend and fight for a company.

[@harryjohnstone1306]

@Ozark Yeoman The world, she's a changing way faster than most people realize. This is actually the golden age for people of vision. The fourth Industrial Revolution is at our doorstep and China is kicking our ass hardcore. It's AI - most jobs as we know them are as good as gone. Biden has a lot of thing to fix and some time is lost forever re climate etc., but I expect a tech initiative to go forward after we secure the House and Senate in 2022 - otherwise, we'll be lucky to create the same kind of engine Obama created in his first two years - facing obstructed progess for six more. "learn to code" is not a meme, it's the way forward

[@TraedayTraeday]

Times has changed and we need a better and healthier alternative to our energy resource.

[@Greenfield-yf1wh]

There is no unless you don't mind a 2000% increase in your power bills only to pollute the earth in other ways.

[@TraedayTraeday]

@@Greenfield-yf1wh it’s always about money to the conservatives. But regular folks like myself want CHANGE. Since when America been afraid of innovation. We need our identity back. The old way not working.

[@Greenfield-yf1wh]

@@TraedayTraeday I am not a conservative. However, I am just an informed regular guy who knows that any kind of form energy produce waste in one way or others. Economically & environmentally it doesn't add up yet ignorant people demand 'innovation' when they don't even understand the law of conservation of energy.

[@funsmartcontent4928]

Nice to see the switch from coal to renewable energy.

[@johnpatrick1647]

What switch? We don't have a renewable energy infrastructure in place to replace fossil fuels and wind and solar have been proven to be too costly and unreliable to power the entire nation, let alone the world. Our best bet for long-term cheap and clean energy is nuclear, but nobody wants to have that talk. Yes, we have had reactors meltdown because of geological issues (earthquakes) or bad design (Chernobyl) but that doesn't mean we can't make them better.

[@mitchclark1532]

@@johnpatrick1647 Right-wingers are the ones who don't want to have that talk. We on the left have been talking about renewable energy for decades, not just wind and solar although those are important pieces and they're becoming MUCH cheaper and MUCH more effective as time goes on. You don't seem to want to have that talk. You just want to talk about how to make uranium reactors "better". That is not going to save the planet. We are addicted to finite energy sources that require us to destroy the planet and make it inhabitable for humanity. Do you realize what is at stake here? Or are you one of those who think climate change is a hoax?

[@RupertSound]

I am Belgian and there were mineworkers in my family . The Coal Mines of South Belgium were closing between the early sixties and the early seventies. It took some decades to go through. Now my two cousins have worked in other industries and they lead their own businesses with real success.

[@musicmaster83x2]

There are other sources of energy.. it’s time!

[@magdathompson68]

@RED Mercury Like all republicans you want others to do your research. Look it up yourself.

[@Alvan81]

@RED Mercury You're StrawManning. Nobody said clean(er) energy doesn't have an impact. The point is reduce the impact.

[@Alvan81]

@Ozark Yeoman You're being political instead of factual. Red State Oil, Red State Fracking, and Red Natural Gas States also contributed to the Demise of big coal. Also the downstream costs of cleanup and remediation in the Red States themselves. Simplistic "blue state bad" is not the entire answer. Ironically I was in agreement with you about Politicians blocking other industries. But they did this due to lobbyists influence right?

[@VeryLegitPerson]

Wyoming is the windiest state, they need to move to wind turbines and export to other states. That's big $$

[@kaleria608]

What DO we actually owe them? Nothing. What CAN we do? Offer renewable energy producers tax incentives to move to the heavy coal job areas and offer job training for the new energy sources as we transition away from coal. Coal is a dying industry and we need to acknowledge that and start moving forward.

[@jmswillow5969]

I met a guy at my job that was paid to retrain and work on wind turbines

[@jkbjkb1178]

You wanna thank them? Build renewable energy facilities there and pay them a decent wage

[@quinnfrakt4837]

true true true true true true and also true

[@silverpairaducks]

You're a fool

[@mitchclark1532]

Exactly

[@castrinecubique983]

Fossil fuel has poisoned their mind too much..... plus they're just super lazy and don't want to make the slightest effort

[@jkbjkb1178]

Mining for coal causes carbon particles to enter your lungs and eventually kill you with “black lungs” how is building a safer type of energy facility foolish? This is me helping but if the dodo birds refuse to learn then let them go like the dinosaur because I’ll be honest even tho every day I hear republicans talk in a horrible way about immigrants coming to America immigrants like my family. We worked hard educated ourselves but if Americans keep treating us like this we just won’t care when we advance and you will be left behind this is me extending a olive leaf and being sympathetic with actual solutions but if you guys refuse that’s ur choice you know

[@debcarpenter8519]

I grew up in Wyoming. I'm feeling a lot of conflict. Transition is change. Nobody likes to change. Wyoming govt has known for many years it would come to this point. Instead of embracing it and helping to start new and up to date energy businesses, they couldn't get past those big dollar signs. I believe some of the blame comes closer to home, than just from Washington.

[@phillip_iv_planetking6354]

Remember,Wyoming is run by Republicans.....

[@boejiden5729]

Roger out lmao people are so pathetic saying that one party is hateful when both have been caught on video doing violence 🤡

[@MrFRNTIK]

@Roger Out yes. Cut down tress to kill more birds. Wind power is a stupid idea just go nuclear.

[@thezirons]

I grew up near the Bighorns, and I agree. The warning signs have been there since the turn of the century. I made sure to diversify my education to be sure that I always have another career path available if something happens. Seeing families get torn apart each boom and bust cycle in the energy industry made me realize that nothing is in the bag and we always have to be ready for change.

[@MrFRNTIK]

@Roger Out guess there aren't a lot of birds either.

[@jc8860]

The world needs to heal, they have to stop being so stubborn to learn new things and transition to sustainable cleaner energy. It’s for future of all humans, not just their few decades left on earth

[@kevlivinginabox]

Why is America resisting the potential to be part of renewable energy resources?

[@ericmichels6158]

$

[@kjjosker]

Because at the moment fossil fuels are cheaper and more reliable.

[@jimiknewstubb]

Because the republican political campaigns are largely funded by oil companies and they have no problem lying to their base about anything as long as it benefits them personally

[@kjjosker]

@@jimiknewstubb Buckle up buttercup, I don't think you people knew what you were voting for with Biden even though he flat out told everyone that he was going to do. Expect high energy prices and high unemployment.

[@harryjohnstone1306]

@@kjjosker Nope, expect re-alignment, expect free tech-school education and a living wage while you learn. If Biden didn't do it, the earth would eventually anyway. The only question there is - would she kill us before we drew her last drop of blood or would we suffer in a fossil-fuel based economy with no fossil fuels.

[@vanadyan1674]

What do you mean owe them? They got paid for their work. Should we crack down on corporate exploitation, yes, definitely, across the board. Industries come and go, they have since the dawn of time. Adapt or die.

[@vanadyan1674]

@Ozark Yeoman sorry to disappoint but I'm not a Democrat, but have always been a free market capitalist.

[@msjunpyo8]

What responsibility do you owe The Native American that the land was stolen from and mass murdered to get it hell at least he is alive

[@nebiyelleulkiros]

Stupid argument

[@hannahdyson7129]

@@nebiyelleulkiros Why?!

[@avadheshsharma1173]

@@nebiyelleulkiros No the argument is not "stupid" as you have tried to categorize it. You just do not have candor, logical thinking and grace to understand the native American reasoning.

[@wilywascal2024]

Not a minority, but this is a classic example of white privilege and "exceptionalism." Both things being ignorant and morally reprehensible, indefensible. You make an excellent point, which with we fully sympathize. If you hitched your wagon to a dying beast and got stranded, whose fault is that? And if you knew that dying beast was killing and sickening people, spewing poison into our air and water, but chose to hitch your wagon to it, anyway, what kind of person does that make you? One worthy of sympathy for losing that killer job? Besides, it isn't as if these people and communities are unable to learn new job skills, build a cleaner and more moral job base. In addition to being one of the dirtiest hydrocarbon fuels to burn, contributing significantly to climate change and harmful air pollution, after coal is burned what remains in the ash includes lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, and selenium, all in levels that may threaten human health. In just 2014 alone, the U.S. produced 130 MILLION TONS of coal ash. For decades, utilities have disposed of coal ash dangerously, dumping it in unlined ponds and landfills where the toxins leak into groundwater. According to the industry’s own data, more than 95% of the coal ash ponds in the United States are unlined. 738 coal ash units in 43 states and Puerto Rico have reported information in compliance with federal coal ash safeguards since 2015. More than 550 units - at 265 plants - reported groundwater monitoring data. Based on that data, 91% of these plants are contaminating groundwater with toxic substances at levels exceeding federal safe standards.

[@nebiyelleulkiros]

@@hannahdyson7129 because the argument that "at least he is alive," can be said for literally everyone who is still alive and is pointless to a discussion on how to help people. Also repeatedly saying that this land was stolen from Natives has nothing to do with the video and all land was stolen by others

[@Jarod-sm5rf]

Set up a wind farm all that construction and maintenance can make jobs.

[@icecube721]

The conservative mindset: “I don’t want to change because it’s been working great for me for the past 30 years” while the world fly past you.

[@briankoski817]

Kevin, how many GOPigs does it take to screw in a lightbulb?... 3, but they're actually 1... Liz Cheney.. John Borrasso.. Cynthia Lummis.. Always voting against the people's best interests. Ugh! Stay safe!

[@miss.fuckyouropinion7062]

Exactly

[@tanyamurray1653]

Interesting. When descendants of slaves discuss reparations, they’re made fun of, but this....

[@EddVCR]

THIS.

[@allabored4443]

Right

[@pookieredz2359]

Not only made fun of, but, also told to get OVER IT!! Meanwhile, they'll parade around in Confederate gear, and carry that flag of racism and insurrection. And, when called out for that, they'll say "it's part of muh heritage " 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@bigtime9589]

Slaves were paid reparations. They were paid with knowlege to not become slaves. Even Steven.

[@allabored4443]

@@bigtime9589 go away.

[@gatoloco4217]

I wonder if he goes to the grocery store and uses the self check-out line.

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

lol, for real. And probably doesn't tip either.

[@user-nz4ux4cw2z]

He probably does, what an ignorant obtuse loser. Isn’t that right? He should just learn to code.

[@Don-ih5dn]

How about getting these people to transition into renewable industries.

[@brandonmitchell4046]

That’s what I’m saying, maybe give them retirement funds or help them pay college to learn about renewable energies.

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

If I dig up my yard and build a concrete and mortar skate park I don't keep paying the landscapers to show up every week.

[@Wren6858]

I’m from West Virginia, and hearing, “you see what happened in Appalachia, we don’t want become another story like that” was a punch in the gut. When someone in Wyoming says they’re scared of having your economy, you know it’s pretty fucked.

[@ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt]

Appalachia had two problems: the coal costs 4 times more because it's underground, and the federal government didn't own the land. Federal land ownership perpetuates dying industries, such as coal mining, as it's dirt cheap (coal land lease prices haven't increased in 30+ years, and royalties are well below economist recommendations), it created jobs, and contributed revenue for the Treasury. With that many hands in the proverbial cookie jar, West Virginia never stood a chance.

[@Wren6858]

@@ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt My feeling is that they raped the land of my state and left when they took all they could.

[@quonslecn7755]

Lost your job? "Try something new" - Ivanka Trump

[@dad45a]

Buy some of my boots......some have straps...also..Ivanka

[@cecilvandeventer1157]

turn the power off and turn the gas off at your house see how your family likes that

[@kanuck2003]

What did we do for the buggy makers when ford came around . Wyoming got 2 things wind and sun. Train the buggy makers

[@castrinecubique983]

They did absolutely nothing, because horses are like renewable energy to them; a lot less opportunities for endless profits, no matter the consequences.

[@mary9983]

@Mike Chandler nowhere near as much to keep a power grid going, that's for fucks sake. Gtfoh with your fake analogies.

[@illreportbackinabit.8514]

While you sip latte and collect welfare.

[@xiaoka]

Hillary offered job retraining for coal miners. Trump offered BS promises he never could fulfill. The miners chose Trumps fantasy.

[@anthonybrowne3942]

@@illreportbackinabit.8514 What do you say about big corporations collecting welfare?

[@grandmasmith]

Dear Mayor of Gillette: I have two ideas for you. 1) embrace the wind power and retrain your workers. 2) re-plant your beautiful land and bring back its natural beauty so tourism and other various industries can blossom, again you will need to re-train your workers. I know there are many, many incentive programs available to help you and your town do both.

[@wadestanton]

You don't remember when they fenced highway 85 (between Gillette and the mines) with the antelope proof fences do you? Thousands of antelope died when their migration route was blocked, piles and piles for miles and miles against the fence. These people had the worst regard for life then and reap only a fraction of what theysowed.

[@grandmasmith]

@@wadestanton I'm not from there so no, I do not remember. I'm not sure who "those people" are but I am sure that the town needs help now. I totally get "reap what you sow". On the other hand...if we treat them like they treated the antelope doesn't that make us just as bad as they are?

[@cecilvandeventer1157]

who is going to come and see the noisy and ugly wind turbines

[@wadestanton]

@@grandmasmith You are not from there so don't give the mayor any ideas. Leave that to his constituents."those people" are the mine operators. You know the people who pumped the groundwater away, so the bottom of the pit mines would stay dry. Bring your own water if you move there.

[@sherylF5610]

@@wadestanton horrible. I had not known. The famous "Wall" is interfering in the same way.

[@ReevansElectro]

Gee, we've been walking on the living room carpets of America and the world with our dirty boots for 40 years and now we want you to pay us to do something else. - Coal miners of Gillette.

[@dannycondeii]

So much hate in your message. That’s the unity we need 💛

[@ReevansElectro]

@@dannycondeii Please show me where there is hate in my post. The world can't take any more damage from coal and those who are in the industry have been told for 20 years that they need to stop.

[@castrinecubique983]

@@dannycondeii oh yeah, a snotty brat with projection issues will teach us about unity.... LOL!

[@georgelayton6641]

@@ReevansElectro You and i both know that it is Daniel C that is pushing the division here. His method just happens to be : Push division by calling others words divisive.

[@RobBCactive]

These open mines put other miners out of work, but it sounds like developing wind generation may help, but the remoteness from energy markets is a drawback.

[@logan4706]

If he was smart he should've created a solar/wind project to replace so these guys that lost their jobs would've gotten a chance for a new job.

[@kaygrace5250]

You can forget that, he has the IQ of about 90 at the most, hes not running nothing, everything is being down for him, he has a earpiece in his ear and is just repeating what he is told to say, all the orders are pre written for him and he just signs them. he has body doubles to takeover when he has to take naps. He is in mid stage demtia. The deep state overlords are blackmailing him and his family, thats how Wahighton swamp politics works. Yeah they will fake a medical event with him soon so they can bring in hardcore communist camel toes. That was the plan from the beginning.

[@qualicumwilson5168]

"created a solar/wind project to replace so these guys that lost their jobs " And when they finish building the solar/wind infrastructure the same "I need a job where I want to live" will start all over again. Non-renewable energy is the worse for job security, followed by construction. But you do not need to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. Just find a place that voted 86.76% GOP as they are strong independent "small government" no socialism people. Ya sure.

[@cecilvandeventer1157]

solar is 20% collective and wind is Negative percent but the government sends millions to try to make it work

[@wadestanton]

If he was smart he wouldn't be living in Gillette.

[@AS-vh5uv]

Why don’t they provide training, develop and build, a renewable energy town based on all the new technology. That will provide jobs.

[@lillic8522]

From what we heard in Europe, Obama had those programs in place, they were cancelled under Trump. In certain regions in Germany they are now cleaning up the environment after the mining has gone. Could also be an option here, the land looks bad enough.

[@charlesbosse9669]

That's what I'm saying. Cannot be done in fifteen years. Screws too many industries and too many people. San Francisco, I do believe, has banned all natural gas energy for new homes and buildings. Cannot b done for a reasonable amount of money.

[@GodEnderX]

they are either to old or not smart enough to learn new things. they did a study, it is cheaper to give them ubi for the rest of their life then to retrain them.

[@jeffreym68]

They did offer that. Some people took advantage of the programs, but most believed the lies that their jobs and industry would come back.

[@nahelbeuk]

Switching to renewable energy is the right thing to do. Helping these people transition first is even more important.

[@vbesley46]

I agree

[@mitchclark1532]

Well, they're both important. If we don't help them transition, they could be financially devastated through no fault of their own. If we don't switch to renewables, the planet will literally die and there will no no jobs at all. lol So yeah, they're both pretty important.

[@jkfu247]

Isnt this just the capitalism they love so much? Supply and demand. If people want your product, you become rich. If people change to something else, good luck with your horse and buggy business. Stopping progress because a few thousand people don't want to learn something new is the American way

[@nahelbeuk]

@@mitchclark1532 True.

[@nahelbeuk]

@@jkfu247 Decent people won't let others go hungry and possibly die. Big corporations very well might. That's why we need to get money out of politics and humanity back in...or in at all.

[@casualman6716]

I feel for these people, but times are changing (for the better).

[@grahammarshall6135]

things will be "better" when the planet has around 2 billion on it. Otherwise your just peeing against the wind.

[@hannahdyson7129]

Are they ?

[@Im_Ain_Ani_Li_Mi_Li]

Ahhhh... ex slaves had to figure it out... and four to eight generations later, they are STILL figuring it out... so they should stand in line.

[@nakking3224]

Thanks. I didn’t feel like writing this. Yelling at a flying bird.

[@TheSuzberry]

I’m thinking about the people in Dalton who used to make “tufted textiles” and those in North Carolina who used to make furniture and those in Washington who used to work in the lumber industry. Bud, you are just the latest. Time we got som new industry in the US and stopped looking back.

[@mitchyoung8791]

The difference is the market decided those industries were obsolete. This is direct government action to shut down an industry.

[@curiosity2314]

@@mitchyoung8791 Well not exactly, people are asking for around the world a way out of our climate issue and for clean air. If you left it up to the fossil fuel companies there would be little to no change leading us down the wrong path. Governments do need to intervene as you are seeing as hard as it may be for some towns. I do believe at the same time programs should be setup to help these people as best we can. Some towns and cities built on resources people no longer want use, some of those towns that cannot attract other types of business just unfortunately will fall off the map. 30 40 years ago these communities could have become more diverse. Either they could not or they didn't have the foresight to see into the future. Change in this industry really started to take place back in 1973 with the energy crisis at the time. People have had a very long time to see the light.

[@odeswx]

True. Lets rely 100% on renewable energy!!! Oh wait bad idea. They had a "green energy" convention the other day and it cloudy so guess what people did? Gasoline powered generators lol. I'm for green energy but be smart and don't get rid of coal completly.

[@curiosity2314]

@@odeswx Agreed.

[@cannabiasmedia9008]

Literally live in a mill ville town outside of Charlotte, NC. Sad thing is many people never got past that time in life and so many millenials either leave or become skilled tradesmen.

[@ShlisaShell]

Sad to see that graveyard of train engines but it is also a glimmer of hope at the same time for our children's futures.

[@akashesklay4695]

Nobody: Dave Chappelle: "Coalllll?!? COALLLLLL?!?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@akashesklay4695]

@Tami Carter Right! Power from the sun, ok! Lithium batteries, ok! Catch up or get lost!

[@richardlawrence2890]

They have had decades to adapt and no Republicans have moved to help them during their years in power. Many other industries have become obsolete as well and found ways to move on. DID YOU KNOW THAT IN POLAND BEING A MINER IN THE COMMUNIST ERA WAS EQUIVALENT TO BEING A SOLDIER? You could enter the military or mines after high school. Had a better safety record than US mines,a govt paycheck & benefits, plus a pension starting in your forties. Still want to call everything about socialism bad?

[@pookieredz2359]

"I've never seen a lump of coal" 😂😂😂 Dave Chappell "The Goat" 🐐

[@u2mister17]

How in God's name is CCP going to get views with this Headline... "This town powered America for decades. What do we owe them?" The children here aren't into reality. Where is..."Trump grows Horns"

[@Lanananet]

@@u2mister17 Exactly! 😂😂

[@trancendental5373]

"This is Trump country" *Biden wins* "Save me Biden, you owe me..."

[@mitchclark1532]

Well, I hope you don't want to punish them just for voting Republican. That would be disgusting. Chris Christie levels of disgusting.

[@julesfans5190]

It's not about punishing them, they should take responsibility. They knew coal wasnt a thing anymore, they believed trumps lies they should own it and learn other jobs like being electricians, truck drivers etc. The world is changing and you change with the times

[@dannycondeii]

I agree with Jules. Same with student loans. And obesity. They chose to go that path. Or they chose not to educate themselves.

[@castrinecubique983]

Resume well the Republicans mentality.... f your feelings, but don't you dare hurt my fragile ego 🙄

[@castrinecubique983]

@@mitchclark1532 ever heard of accountability? They kept saying "f your feelings". Well then, tables have turned, and in life, when you spit into other's faces, don't come crying when nobody wants to help you. Your whataboutism is the hallmark of fragility. And don't come crying about it, man up!

[@cherstyler]

looks like a great place for a wind farm

[@Alvan81]

They stupidly let lobbyists convince them to oppose wind power. Why tax it when it could be a good hedge for them.

[@abberepair8288]

I went back to school, on the internet, and studied solar! You can too!

[@redlord4321]

we have over ten times the amount of people working in solor energy then we do in coal

[@freddexta3363]

So that's why it is so ugly expensive to get intermittent power from solar panels.

[@redlord4321]

@@freddexta3363 well it more depends on where you live. if your up north say around new york then ya it's going to take longer to break even. but you can recoup your cost in 3-5 years and for a system that can reasonably last 20-30 years, it's worth looking into if you live in a half-decent area for it.

[@ownageeagle]

you're talking a $70,000 job in mining vs. maybe 35,000-40,000. Most solar jobs in our industry are contactor positions.

[@cecilvandeventer1157]

and yet you can not turn on the lights without feeding into a power plant

[@Chaninification]

You won't lose your jobs if you get on board to transition into the future of you powering America! Much love. We won't leave you behind.

[@brockwarkentin410]

Talk is cheap...

[@StanTheMan-us3tp]

Everything runs its course my friend.

[@georgekent3588]

Exactly, brick and mortar stores are closing down due to online shopping. The strong survive and the safest and cheapest energy suppliers will thrive.

[@StanTheMan-us3tp]

@The Truth Is Out 777 the environment and climate doesn’t care, by the sounds of it nor do you

[@RR64434]

I feel bad for this guy because he was filling an employment niche which is now declining. It doesn’t cost anything to show this man and others like him some empathy and compassion.

[@mikedennington8856]

They should start to make candles and soap and sell on the internet. Coal is dead.

[@lillic8522]

Or start growing their own veggies in the garden - the exercise and fresh food would be good for the health of that man....

[@cecilvandeventer1157]

flip the switch and the lights come on

[@debbiethompson14]

That's exactly what I'm saying, roll with the punches and get to work man come on now!

[@debbiethompson14]

@@cecilvandeventer1157 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😋

[@christav7021]

Coal is dead. Burn the forest.

[@jesselawson224]

Where I lived, when GM left there was no good jobs. It happens, unfortunately.

[@cousinjake7986]

All I see in the bg is wind swept plains. They are so proud to provide energy? Retrain them to work on windmills and rebuild new innovate industry around that.

[@chiefanon789]

I feel bad for these people but we can't keep using fossil fuels

[@D11Dozer]

It's time to grow up. It's time for the Green deal to happen. We need to save America and the World.

[@sinistersilverado965]

we need to save America from people like you

[@seekingtruthfacts7743]

Stupid question. They were paid for the coal. Owing doesn't last for ever. They destroyed the environment, do they owe us?

[@robertybarra7826]

God-bless you folks you're gonna need it🙏

[@troytice8354]

I feel sorry for these workers, but they're kidding themselves if they think Republicans are going to be looking out for them after mines/wells close (well, maybe the executives). Better to elect Democrats who will actually work for a just transition.

[@369universal4]

Democrats cheat.

[@pl7929]

👍

[@jman8279]

😂 better to elect democrats tell that to the keystone pipeline workers if it was a just transition or the guys working building the wall both projects paid for and just abandoned a waste of billions of dollars

[@jordboyd7709]

Tell that to the 11,000+ Keystone workers who’ve just lost their jobs in the middle of a pandemic

[@williamh4172]

LMAO that you believe any political parasites work toward a "just transition" for anything. You are being lied to about everything and you will willingly accept any "solution" that is proposed.

[@inocencianieves9909]

I’m live in NYC and I’m a Democrat but I have always say why is it that the government hasn’t build training schools for them and educate them in other trades. I think this is pass due. Please, this are our fellow Americans even if we have different political values we can all agree that they need help🙏🏼💝

[@MoreThanYouTimesTwo]

He answered his own question, "Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do ". Yes you do! Like move somewhere else. Your skill is driving people to the train which can be applied anywhere there are vehicles, roads and trains. Possibly you could drive people to somewhere other than a train and expand your options. The answer isn't to pay more to keep using old technology because it suits your personal needs. The people at the buggy manufacturing plant made cars or something else we didn't just keep riding horses to cater to the few. Retrain, relocate and move forward with your lives elsewhere like soo many others have before you. Or I guess, sit there and wonder what happened. Martyrdom isn't a good look and has a bleak future. Take the opportunity to try something new! Your future is in your hands and I hope it is a bright future!!

[@bigtime9589]

They don't have to move, start producing drugs like Weed, MDMA, Crystal Meth & stuff like that. Give the democrats what they want. Give them clean air & fill their brains with dirty chemicals. Beat the Democrats at their own game.

[@hannahdyson7129]

So they look like they can afford to move? That's happend in England and now London is swollen and drains and suppers the life out of the rest of the UK

[@MoreThanYouTimesTwo]

@@bigtime9589 clean air isn't a game and it is something everyone deserves. Thinking them instead producing illegal drugs somehow hurts Democrats over Republicans is not reality but I doubt that matters to you.

[@bigtime9589]

@@MoreThanYouTimesTwo- These drugs are legal & it is a game. Your mind was taught to think they were illegal. Free your mind & free yourself.

[@MoreThanYouTimesTwo]

@@bigtime9589 they are illegal to produce for distribution without proper licensing which I am sure you already know

[@maltava4534]

They provided energy, we provided wages. These are the people of the party that promotes individual responsibility over all else. They are in this situation because they denied the obvious, failed to prepare for it, and now they want handouts for their failure to adapt. Well now it is time to pay the piper and pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

[@kitcarson1388]

Good job, CNN, for airing tbis. It's a very valid concern that needs to be addressed. Let's reach out, not ignore.

[@cmt635]

We are all concerned about these people who are worried, but we are worried about our jobs too. We are also worried about our kids futures. We need to figure out how all of us can keep working. I want our government to help all of us be able to figure it out.

[@etacbro7031]

Help from the government? Lol

[@Wordavee1]

They could have anticipated this and put a 0.1% tax on the coal into a re-training and investment fund. Lack of foresight!!

[@drink5773]

If they offer me free land to live and grow my personal business I would go.

[@kaygrace5250]

Beleive me that is not the New World Order communist Overlords plan for America. You people Wake Up or you austic or what?

[@drink5773]

@@kaygrace5250 then tell me what will motivate people to move to a ghost town? If there ain’t new people moving in the economy will not progress. Money will not cycle and ultimately the town will die.

[@jillgenrich1363]

The total opposite of capitalism 🤔

[@sherylF5610]

@@kaygrace5250 it's incredibly rude of you to use the word autistic like that. Was that supposed to be an insult? Btw, you might try proofreading. I can't make out what you are trying to communicate.

[@BobQuigley]

born and raised in Pittsburgh early 1950's. As kid you could hear the machinery underground and polluted red creeks were everywhere. By '80s coal was gone, steel collapsed, Westinghouse went bankrupt, many corporations left town. Pennsylvania had the first commercial oil well. Pennsylvania grade crude was the world standard. That's all gone also, down to fracking now. Very few jobs. Somehow Pittsburgh pulled up from their downward spiral! Good luck!

[@2626balboa]

what about all the loggers and sawmills in Washington State nothing lasts forever

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

You been to Longview WA lately? You never seen so many loggers in such expensive pickups in your life. Being a sawyer today ain't never paid so well. We just have this goddawful trade habit of shipping all our timber to Japan to be milled, then sold back to us. Not kidding, the bulk of our timber ships up here haul it out the Columbia and across the pacific.

[@krisfrederick5001]

When you're beating a dead horse and riding it through a ghost town...they deserve the same help the auto industry received. Love, From Detroit

[@mitchclark1532]

We're not talking about the industry here. We're talking about workers. Who cares about coal capitalists? lol That's a strawman. We just don't want workers to be hurt by switching to renewable energy. Got it? We need to have jobs programs and retraining programs in place so that people aren't devastated through no fault of their own.

[@xiaoka]

Hillary offered job training. Trump offered fairytales. The miners chose the fairytale.

[@mitchyoung8791]

Yeah, 'job training'. 'Learn to code' at 40 when tech companies will hire a cheap 25 year old guy from India with a 'masters degree'

[@cecilvandeventer1157]

flip the switch and the lights come on

[@xiaoka]

@@mitchyoung8791 if anyone offered me a job that didn’t involve dying at the age of 60 from black lung or poisoning the ground water in my community, I’d give it a try.

[@mitchyoung8791]

@@xiaoka You might be surprised to know that miners and mining communities were proud of the hard, difficult work they did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmqpeoaZrdipr8U

[@xiaoka]

@@mitchyoung8791 I know they’re proud of their hard work, but that’s really not the issue. It’s a crappy job that’s bad for their health, it’s bad for their family’s health and bad for their towns and state.

[@btbingo]

Capitalism is indifferent to the needs of laborers who create the wealth of the capitalists and get a tiny smidgen of the wealth they create.

[@kgilliagorilla2761]

In a nutshell.

[@mitchclark1532]

Capitalists care about nothing but short-term profits. They're not stewards of the environment, they're not stewards of the economy, they're not the keepers of good government--they are the ones corrupting government. They serve no purpose in society other than to increase their profits, day-to-day, month-to-month, year-to-year, and when they die, they'll be dead, and they will have lived a life of luxury while the rest of us work for peanuts as we drift closer and closer to climate catastrophe. If we care about the long-term future of the human race, we have to move beyond capitalism. Now.

[@wserthmar8908]

Capitalism doesn’t exist, it’s 20th century cliché

[@btbingo]

@@wserthmar8908 do you exist? Are you a cliche?

[@grahammarshall6135]

a tad pink today are we?

[@zacdee316]

I feel for this guy, but the industry has been in decline for a long time. When your industry collapses, it's adapt and survive. If you can't retire, you've gotta find another way.

[@sir.joshuarane.doebler3762]

There's just so many stories in small town America though...

[@abdulmousa3955]

L

[@sir.joshuarane.doebler3762]

@@abdulmousa3955 Good Morning! Thanks for your reply? Stranger. My names Josh and it's a pleasure to have communications with you. Your absolutely right 'L' is a letter in the english alphabet? Have a lovely day! God Bless. Sincerely, SIR. Joshua R. Doebler

[@ShyLuna44]

I have family that were working in the coal mines in Saskatchewan, Canada. Really small town in Saskatchewan I must add. We are getting away from coal also so they had to find different jobs. It happens, they got different jobs, we can’t continue to destroy our earth and expect to be able to live here much longer! Americans are going to have to do the same thing. At least Biden’s opening up a whole new industry with windmills. That’s an opportunity for high paying jobs in another industry and helps our planet!

[@hamptontanguero]

I loved in Pittsburgh when it became a ghost town when Regan shipped the steel industry overseas. I got unemployment Sorry, but that's all the capitalists will give you. Coal has gotta go and we need to move towards a carbon neutral future. The question is what set of public policies will soften the blow to create an equitable future for you and others.

[@johnpatrick1647]

And Pittsburgh still hasn't recovered from that. Just like Detroit hasn't recovered from losing it's auto plants. Is that the end goal? To make all of America look like Detroit and Pittsburgh?

[@jimhood1202]

I agree. When conditions change some people (maybe a great many) will lose their jobs. It's the responsibility of those who support those changes to support those people. I believe Biden knows this and will play his part.

[@druggedbiden983]

@@jimhood1202 Shit the big man don't give a fuck about you or anyone else

[@sameppink9401]

“What do we owe them?” Did they not get paid all those years?

[@y.shaked5152]

Seems like they are looking for socialism... :)

[@JO-mg6xc]

This is sad.. But remember, The stone age did not end for the lack of stone... Fossils are killing us all. We need something new...

[@babyteano1977]

This is good interview, these people need real help not just broken promise like clean coal.

[@javalos8423]

Technology changes. We have to learn to adapt and change too. This piece sounds like a pitty me piece. What do you think happened when people stopped buying typewriters ? Think of all those who lost their jobs because of the change from land lines to cell phones. Wheel wrights, blacksmiths, typesetters. They knew this was coming. They should have seen this a long time ago, but like so many conservatives, they feel entitled and want a handout and a return to status quo. It ain't gonna happen. Rescue ? yes, ... in the form of education and retraining into something other than coal. Wake up and smell the coffee, Trump lied to you about clean coal, and now you're complaining.

[@yolandacreag6850]

Time does bring about a change, something good not bad, when things are out dated you have to upgrade to what does work

[@clivebradley2633]

They will end up like parts of Wales - so long and thanks for all the coal / slate / copper!

[@SkilledTadpole]

I grew up in Gillette. This is one of the most accurate pieces I've ever seen on it. I don't hope to see it disappear, but they've struggled to diversify and many there would seemingly rather die than give up on mining. It's as much a part of their identity as anything. You work to build this life as a miner, and when that's been taken away due to market forces it's caused a lot of pain. Gillette has a lot of potential still, if it doesn't grasp for its ball and chain with its dying breaths.

[@Junksaint]

It happened with lumber and clay bricks here. Hopefully they quickly pivot and get help doing so. The hard workers in the various industries are the biggest asset I say. They won't stop working hard if given the opportunity.

[@DragonAlchemist0]

So one thing that will never change is mining helped build that town. The town adjusting to change will show the adaptivity of that town. It can still have that history attached to the town. Something that will never go away. But if the town fails to evolve and adapt by leaving a industry that will go extinct. They set themselves up to also go extinct.

[@DragonAlchemist0]

Ok. Because a comic book film made it very simple. There valhalla. The people are valhalla. They can still be valhalla as long as they exist. If the kingdom itself is destroyed that does not end valhalla as long as the people live on. They can be in any land, they will still.be valhalla.

[@anthonybrowne3942]

David Bowersox, It's called adapting. They must adapt and evolve with civilization.

[@SkilledTadpole]

@@Junksaint This is true, the miners and oilfield workers there are among the most resilient workers I've met. Many of their skillsets would transfer very well to wind.

[@luddity]

Wyoming has an abundance of geothermal, wind, and solar energy potential. They could still be an energy powerhouse with a bit of retooling.

[@davidjas2378]

We are going through tremendous changes and I hope these towns and people can adjust.

[@MysticGaiaTarot]

Build algae farms on the stripped land and make bio diesel to sell. Grow hemp.

[@wadestanton]

That part of wyoming is so dry the mines do not have to do reclamation. Smoke that and tell me what you see.

[@MysticGaiaTarot]

@@wadestanton setting up an algae farm takes an initial large amount of water, then not so much to maintain. The amount of energy it can produce dwarfs coal. Have another drink.

[@jasonvegan5761]

They, along with other coal and fossil fuel workers, get first dibs on a job in renewable energy plus retraining for free.

[@KILLAWATTS804]

Not thinking about who America owes until it recognizes that it owes black people everything🙄 Country built on free labor owes quite much...

[@qwilliams2103]

EXACTLY!

[@a-totally-random-person]

If we take the time we spend crying and use it to acquire new skills, we won't perish with our dying industry. We'll adapt to or create new ones. That's what Americans do!

[@jckaboone9890]

Exactly! I love your comment! ❤

[@kenster8270]

This is some quality investigative journalism. 🤍