Coal. It does a body good.

[skids]

For those who wisely eschew TV, you may not be aware of these ads.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20060301/pl_usnw/new_campaign_drives_the_point__there_s_a_lot_to_learn_about_coal__says_americans_for_balanced_energy_choices201_xml

The ads feature a kid doing their homework who looks up and talks to the camera about how his generation won't have to worry about oil supplies because we just have so damn much coal.

The ads are from an organization called ABEC, who's website says:

Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC) is a national, non-profit organization designed to promote a dialogue with community leaders across the U.S. on issues involving America's growing demand for electricity. ABEC will advocate in support of policies that strike the proper balance between protecting the environment and providing for continued economic growth and prosperity for America's working families.

Because they recognize the essential role that electricity from coal plays in protecting the environment while providing over half of the electricity used each day in the U.S., America's coal-based electricity industry (producers, transporters, and electricity generators) have provided the primary initial funding for this worthwhile project.

http://www.balancedenergy.org/abec/index.cfm?cid=7517

"essential role that electricity from coal plays in protecting the environment" :wtf:

Allow me to translate for the naive:

ABEC is a national industry lobby posing as an NPO, who have been tasked to sell coal industry needs and desires to local politicians. We will protect business interests from those sweaty environmentalists.

Because we feel threatened by the surge of interest in wind energy, and don't want to be thrown out with the oil bathwater, we in the coal industry are going astroturfing to remind you that we damn well control your electricity, and we want you to think that's just normal and will never change. Or at the very least, we expect you to swallow the line that we'll find new "clean" ways of using our filthy product.

Besides, we needed a facelift after the mine accidents. And the poison canned tuna.

So make sure to buy your kid a lump of coal for Christmas:

http://www.teachcoal.org/teacherstore/index.html

Oh, and lest there be doubt as to which local politicians will be bribed:

http://www.environment2004.org/story.php?id=564