THE FIERCE MORAL URGENCY OF CHANGE: Washington Post: Obama Is Right to Allow Mountaintop Removal Mining. “DURING THE campaign and after his election, President Obama left environmentalists in coal country with the distinct impression that he was going to do away with mountaintop removal mining in the Appalachians.” But he didn’t, and that’s a good thing! “While Mr. Obama may have wanted voters to believe otherwise, he never flat-out said he would end this brand of mining. His decision reflects energy and political realities.”