Beshear isn't taking it any more ... or at least some of 'it'

Apparently it takes a threat to his ability to garner votes in eastern Kentucky and win reelection before Gov. Steve Beshear will even consider standing up to D.C.'s assault on Kentucky's coal mines, the jobs they produce and the families who depend on that employment.

Beshear issued a statement Thursday warning that rule changes by the federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM) "would have a devastating impact on Kentucky's economy."

These changes not only would affect Kentucky's economy, but could impact 7,000 jobs nationwide.

Beshear said he was determined to make OSM follow the law "and balance the economic impact of these changes with the supposed environmental good." He also warned that no longer can the OSM ignore Kentucky's "concerns."

Now, when is Beshear going to start standing up to President Obama and telling him that unless significant changes are made, his administration's health care fiasco also "would have a devastating impact on Kentucky's economy."