Monday, May 05, 2008

The Don Shows His Hand........
THIS is why we can't get anything done about the devastation being caused by the coal industry in our state:






As you can see, our politicians in WV are mostly bought.... and not just our politicians, but our states' DEP. Despite all of this controversy, Spike Maynard is running for re-election. And on the Republican ticket, running unopposed, is Beth Walker, wife of the Vice President of Walker Machinery, the company that makes millions of dollars selling equipment for MTR sites.

And Don Blankenship, the CEO of Massey Energy, who attacked the reporter in the video? He just told the Wall Street Journal that his goal for the upcoming year is to open a new mine every 17 days. Denny posted about it on our End MTR blog here. It's absolutely maddening...

Meanwhile, study after study is showing the ill-effects coal is having on people's health in the coalfields, how it is the major contributor to global warming, and how more and more mountains are being blown to smithereens to extract it. Our state is being raped daily. And when the Coal is gone, there will be nothing left. The hills that have sustained the mountain people here for generations will be no longer and WV residents will be left with nothing.

It's wrong on every level.....

11 comments:

L.L. Barkat said...

Ouch, ouch, ouch.

We just did that book "Missing Mountains" in our social issues reading club. The participants all said this: I had no idea this was happening in the United States.

bluemountainmama said...

ouch, indeed. but it's heartening knowing more and more people are becoming aware. thanks for helping, l.l.

Anonymous said...

It is very sad that the government agencies that are supposed to protect both citizens and the environment have fallen down on the job so badly.

More people are finding out what's happening though, and that's got to work for the good.

bluemountainmama said...

so we hope, kristine.....

photowannabe said...

It makes me sick right in the pit of my stomach. All for the almighty dollar. How can it keep going on like that? It doesn't seem to be a high priority. So many don't know anything about the rape of your area.
WV is too lovely to end up with nothing but devestation.

Granny Sue said...

I've followed this case, and Don Blankeship, for years. I've noticed a lot of Spike Maynard ads around the state--wonder who is paying for them? I bet I know.

Unknown said...

this is very sad...isnt somebody protesting this?

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

a new mine every 17 days!!!!!!!!!!
he gotta be a nut......and people buying that!!!!!!!! this is as you said WRONG.

bluemountainmama said...

anoop- yes, people have been protesting for years and still are. unfortunately, we haven't been able to get very far. and the residents of the coalfields who are brave enough to stand up to the Coal Industry face intimidation, threats, and even bodily harm by what we term 'coal thugs'.

Anonymous said...

Your site is amazing. It kind of looks like we are going to have to take back control of our Gov. It might take a revolution to do so. People a getting fed up with being ignored. We must keep fighting for what we can save. Appericate all that you do, Mountainsaver.

bluemountainmama said...

thanks, mountainsaver. yes, we HAVE to keep fighting and demand our elected officials to listen to us.

i admire all that you do, too.....