Yes, they have wireless here.
Anyway, I’m currently reeling, as heroes of our movement surround me as I write. Today I met Ed Wiley, Judy Bonds, and Larry Gibson at the Mountain Aid Festival in North Carolina. I’ve never met a superhero or rock star before, but I’m pretty sure that this is what it would feel like. Practically speechless I just chatted with them amazed at their presence in the flesh. I have never met such powerful people with unwavering passion who are at the same time so gracious. They all filled out postcards and thanked me for my work. Me? Thank me? Thank YOU, heroes.
I was talking to my mother the other day and she sputtered an astonished “why do we let that..that…mountaintop removal happen?” She was floored that the practice was in any way condoned and impressed at the action that has been taken recently. She said to me:
First they ignore you.
Then they make fun of you.
Then they try to hurt you.
Then they deal with you.
She also mentioned that it looks like we’re somewhere in the second to third sections, and in an odd way it gave me hope. I’m so impressed by the action that has been taken for decades to stop this practice in Southern Appalachia, and further encourage by the upwelling of actions planned to make Massey and others deal with us and end the practice forever.
I am inspired by the recent action at Twilight, and am PUMPED for the event at Marsh Fork Elementary on Tuesday, the benefiting school of Pennies of Promise (which will receive a donation from my ticket price today!). Our dear friend and ally Dr. James Hansen will be risking arrest to show that his dedication goes beyond the “productive dialogue” he has had for over 20 years.
I hope you all find a way to put some love and energy and work into the communities of Appalachia, they are an epicenter for our movement. Coal can’t be burned without extraction, and every time we flip a switch another detonator is set, and every time we run the dryer a dragline rips coal from a seam.
And now I will go back to the great sounds of Kathy Mattea, check out her new album “Coal“
Thanks to the other organizations who were here educating the crowd and getting them involved:
Mountain Justice: http://www.mountainjustice.org/
Coal River Mountain Watch: http://www.crmw.net
Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition: http://www.ohvec.org/
Greenpeace: http://www.greenpeace.org
Rock the Earth: http://www.rocktheearth.org
