Quote of the Day

"I'm as much of an environmentalist as anybody else. I'm just not an obstructionist."

-- Gov. Joe Manchin, when asked by The Charleston Gazette and other media about "Tuesday's clash between Massey Energy coal miners and those protesting mountaintop-removal mining." The latter group included actress Daryl Hannah, NASA scientist James Hansen and West Virginia elder statesman Ken Hechler, The Associated Press and others reported.

They Will Vote For You: Cap and Trade

The Intelligencer of Wheeling reports that "Reps. Alan Mollohan (D-1st) and Nick Rahall (D-3rd) have yet to decide how they will vote on a 'cap and trade' energy bill, even though that legislation could be voted on as early as next week."

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, meanwhile "U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., "remained firm in her concerns over the bill," the newspaper reports, and "wonders where the bill will leave states like West Virginia that produce 98 percent of their energy from coal."

The article explains that "the cap and trade bill, also known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, would require an 83-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050," and "also would make it extremely expensive for industries to buy permits to burn fossil fuels."

Gambling in W.Va.

Clarksburg's Elks lodge is taking an array of state officials to court as it fights to keep in business in the wake of a raid targeting 144 video raffle machines, The Associated Press reports.

"The lodge seeks the return of its liquor license, which the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration suspended the day of the raid," the article said. "It is also fighting to keep its licenses to offer charitable bingo and raffle games as well as limited video lottery machines."

As AP observes, the court case centers on the legal status of the raffle machines. But the lodge's desire to offer those machines also underscores the ongoing tension created by the limited video lottery machines competing with the longer-established but fading raffles and bingo games allowed for charities and service organizations.

The Journal of Martinsburg, meanwhile, reports on West Virginia's newest form of legalized gambling - casino table games - and the renewed debate over seeking them for Charles Town Races & Slots.

Belated Quote of the Day

"No. I think that's so callous... What I'm reading and hearing, the speculation is just awful."
-- Gov. Joe Manchin to The Associated Press, when asked if he discussed replacing an ailing U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., during a much-reported phone call with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

(Reports also had state Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey taking part in the call. Not so, Casey told AP.)