King Coal sighed a big breath of relief last week, their friend and flunkie, WV Gov. Joe Manchin joined the coal industry as a friend of the court opposing two federal court rulings that would impose new regulations on mountaintop coal mining.
Let me say that again, Joe Manchin came out against federal regulations that would prevent companies like Massey Energy from dumping waste rock and dirt into WV rivers and streams. The same Massey Energy with a long history of union busting. The same Massey Energy that has “modernized” the coal industry, leading to the number of miners in WV dwindling from 150,00 to 20,000 (there are more florists in WV than miners today). The same Massey Energy that continues to operate a coal processing plant and lake of coal sludge 225 feet from Marsh Fork Elementary.
Friend of the planet, friend of the people? No, more like friend of a dying industry that pollutes communities and the climate, blows the tops off of mountains, threatens and intimidates environmentalists, destroys forests and species habitat and is implementing cultural genocide on Appalachia.
Way to go, Joe.
If you want to know more, check out Mountain Justice Summer; Coal River Mountain Watch and Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition.
Well, I guess all that there is to do is Vote everyone in West Virginia out , and see if we
can get a Better Class of Liars in Office
This should be read and mailed out by all West Virginians!