Mine Shaft - How politics foiled efforts to bring jobs to Northern Wisco...

Taconite Mining in Ashland County and Iron County town hall meeting
The 30 minute documentary at the bottom of my blog is interesting if any of you have the time to spare. Of course it was put together by GTac and is very one sided.
The experience of investigating and representing different parties involved in the discussion was very enjoyable for me. I have to admit I generally run in the opposite direction of any of these sort of discussions. I always have anxiety and visions of the Jerry Springer show!! people shouting and chaos erupting, however this was a very civilized and organized (be it simulated, and amongst friends ) and it gave me a little bit more confidence to possibly attend a real town hall meeting in the future. Another admission I will make is that I chose this role because it has been a source of discussion in my family with members who support Scott Walker and are all for the creation of jobs and for the mine. I have again tried to avoid these heated family discussions like the plague. I thought this would provide the perfect opportunity to have you ladies respond to some of their views being environmentally aware like me and maybe provide me with some insight and ammo for the next family gathering. Funny thing was, even as an environmental advocate I didn't have as much trouble seeing the view of the people who are struggling to provide for their families and desperately need jobs. I felt for all of them, and although some of you can say I don't care, I'm against the mine, when you have children involved and are struggling to find work and pay your bills, struggling to feed your children, struggling to keep your home you would begin to think differently and you can not judge if you have never been in that position. As animals we naturally have defensive and survival mechanisms that take over when protecting your children. People often find themselves doing and supporting different things when a different view point is presented. For this reason I really tried to find a solution that would benefit both parties involved. Good paying jobs, and the opportunity to change the way we mine for resources world wide for all future generations. This could be an opportunity to make a great historical change with significant long term environmental impacts. I learned a lot about the mining process, and the politics involved, and I do feel a lot more educated on the matter for the next family discussion, and Joanna, my family would love to have you over for dinner anytime. Thank you all very much for an enjoyable semester!