health

Here at ItsYourNature we're no strangers to blogging about coal and growing up in West Virginia, it was impossible for me to ignore the impact that coal mining had on the state. This past week citizens of Appalachia as well as from the rest of the country got the chance to let Congress know how they felt about a relatively new but destructive form of coal mining known as Mountaintop Removal.

Remember Katrina? In many regards, it's hard to forget--whether for how it uncovered a side of domestic poverty and racial injustice shocking to most Americans, or for how it blew the door open to tangible discussion of global warming's effect on weather patterns and vulnerable waterfronts. Unfortunately, much of the public shock and awe that followed Katrina has dissipated, and while the city still languishes, struggling to rebuild homes, schools, infrastructure and economy, New Orleans has largely drowned out of the public consciousness.

In once simpler times, the summer beach vacation stood for all that was mindless and fun. A true getaway in the most fundamental sense--slather on some sunscreen, shut down the brain, pick up a trashy novel, and lounge with nary a care in the world. At the risk of reverberating buzzkill, it must be noted that these are "simpler times" no more.