More wisdom from extractive industry spokesman, congressman and trophy spouse Dean Heller

After confirming his support for nuclear power (but of course), blond backbencher Dean Heller compares drilling for oil to mining for gold: "I think you drill where the oil is," he said. "It's like the mining reform bill. They're trying to tell us where to mine for gold" (RJ).

First, it's nice to see Heller refer to the planet's largest multinational corporate mining conglomerates as "us" -- politicians are usually more reticent about admitting that they are boot-licking head-nodding obedient servants of an industry, so Heller's candor is refreshing.

Second, about the mining reform thing ... it's not really about telling Heller's corporate masters where to mine the public's gold. It's about getting them to pay a little something for it.