The Man Behind The Mine

[hue]

http://blog.wisdc.org/2012/01/man-behind-mine.html?mid=57

Wisconsin's legislature will soon decide whether to reopen part of the northwoods to iron ore mining. Much has been written and said about the proposed new mine in the Penokee-Gogebic Range, but not much attention has been paid to the man behind the project and the sprawling global conglomerate he is connected to.

The Democracy Campaign first started noticing large campaign contributions from mining interests to Wisconsin politicians just over a year ago, long before the mining bill was introduced. All of the money came from out of state. Roughly a quarter of the donations came from West Virginia mining magnate Chris Cline. The rest came from associates of Cline's. Some of those associates are at Cline Resource and Development. Others are with a company called Foresight, which is majority-owned and led by Cline. Still others are with a law firm Cline does business with. The remainder are other mining executives who've done business with Cline.

Environmentalists claim the mining bill being pushed in Wisconsin was written by the mining industry and would gut existing safeguards. The legislation certainly is Chris Cline's dream. And its approach to permit streamlining and environmental deregulation does bear a striking resemblance to the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council's model legislation known as the "Performance Based Permitting Act" and "Groundwater Protection Act."

[ewagner]

1. Color me surprised....

NOT!!!

[glinda]

2. "Permit streamlining and deregulation". Sounds like MN. Surprised? NOT.

[Scuba]

3. Thanks for posting. Twenty generations of ruined environment at stake here. n/t

[Yon_Yonson]

4. Where does ALEC fit into this?

[hue]

5. Chris Cline is a billionaire and member of ALEC

And its approach to permit streamlining and environmental deregulation does bear a striking resemblance to the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council's model legislation known as the "Performance Based Permitting Act" and "Groundwater Protection Act."

American Legislative Exchange Council's model legislation=ALEC's agenda on strip mining.

http://alecwatch.org/

[Yon_Yonson]

7. Thanks for that hue ... no suprises there

[sybylla]

6. I stopped at a couple's house yesterday and they were watching the mine hearing on WI Eye

I was there to have them fix their recall petition so we could count them.

They were telling me they started watching WI Eye last spring when the pukes were pulling all their crap midnight votes and other late-night bullshit.

They said they never considered themselves political until Walker and his minions came in. They had their few favorite candidates, but they never got involved and never considered themselves Dem or GOPpie.

Anyway, they were saying how they find WI Eye fascinating. They can't believe how awful the Republicans are to the public during hearings and how much they lie - outright lie. They were astonished. All I could do was smile and secretly thank Wanker along with FitzOne an FitzTwo.

I guess they thought it was just that dirtbag, Rep. Scott Suder, who constantly lies. They told me he supposedly lives right down the street - not exactly lives but it's his permanent address. He's never there apparently. His mommy and others come to mow the lawn. But there's never any one there.

Long and short - they are pleased the Native American tribes may be able to stop this stupid mine. They like Moulson's response at the hearing and were pointing out all the arrogant pukes on the panel.

It was just too sweet!

[hue]

8. Thanks for this account sybylla! It made me smile!!

Chris Cline is a true Repuke! He cares if someone spits/gobs on his yacht, but cares not a whim if he rapes our (and other) WI land, soils our streams & waters & pollutes our air. His nickname among the 1% id "The new King Coal".

[sybylla]

9. They despised Sen. Mary Williams especially.

Thought she was the worst hag. And they know she owns all the Hardee's restaurants in the area.

Guess who's not getting their business anymore?

Needless to say, it was a delightful way to end my day.