The incorrectly attributed Oct. 18 story “Coal company owner fights back: He responds to ‘war on coal’ with lawsuits against feds” about coal baron Robert Murray supports the suggestion that many CEOs are sociopaths, lacking the social conscience of normal folk. It also shows how the mega-rich can be a deadly threat to society.
Murray uses surplus wealth to sue government agencies that try to limit the health and environmental damage associated with coal. He also sues members of news media that expose inconvenient truths about the “war on coal.” If he hasn’t already, he will likely sue environmental groups and individuals trying to rescue the planet from what he calls “the hoax.” He might sue me.
Murray is a perfect example of how oligarchs can soil the fabric of a civil society. Oil, gas and coal magnates can stifle the development of clean energy, elect sycophants to local, state and national office, and threaten and punish those who dare to do the right thing.
Ironically, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story provides Murray subsidized super-speech; while his words spread freely across the land, he warns that speech in defense of health and environment will be costly.
