Well i say lets pull the plug on power, shopping malls and go back to horse and buggy and washing clothes on rocks and raising a garden. No more having to work. Welfare could use a few more on its payroll. With everybody home we wouldn't pollute the air and water. Then the windturbines that you people want so much, after they discard their battery packs that have to be used to store that energy are damaged over our mountains and into our water streams your fish will have 3 eyes. Then you will have something else to fight about.

@Jessica,

"Where do we start?" You just did, Jessica. You just did.

It's like that line from the old Elvis song: "We're caught in a trap." Appalachian people have been caught in that trap for over a hundred years now. The trap is kept oiled and functional by bought-and-paid-for politicians, from the Congress down to the dogcatcher. People brutalized by coal company propaganda are fed into that trap. The coal companies pay more attention to their heavy equipment than they do to their employees.

MTR will most assuredly end, sooner or later, by force of law or by exhaustion of the reserves, which Rep. Nick Rahall, as good a "friend" as coal has ever had, says is coming in the next twenty years.

As such, the question becomes one of how we deal with that day. Do we emulate the grasshopper of the fable and live well for as long as we can until the snow flies and we die, or do we emulate the ant and take precautions against the day when the plenty is gone?

One thing is for certain: when the coal's gone, so, too, will be Massey and Consol and Arch and all the rest, like they've always done, leaving us high and dry and waiting for the next out-of-state interest to come and brutalize us some more.

If we want to break that cycle, Jessica, we have to do it ourselves. That begins by rejecting the coal company lies. Do you know that the Coal River Wind Project has 50 or more lifetime jobs with it, with periodic spikes for maintenance and further construction?

Would your husband work for the same money he's getting now to put the mountains back as best as they can? Less than five percent of all MTR sites have been reclaimed to standards set forth in the law. As usual, the coal companies will leave that toxic mess for US to clean up. But that's OK. If "We, the People" are willing to pay for it, every MTR worker in this state can have work for a generation or more. As far as I'm concerned, we Appalachian folk are just as American as some out-of-state Wall Streeter, and we should get serious money to clean up the mess. I'd like to make the coal companies pay for it, but I know they won't. I'm sure the plans for bankruptcy have been laid out well in advance.

To begin this healing, we have to dare to imagine a future free of the coal industry's death grip on our homes, our communities, our state and our families. We have to imagine a future where we won't tolerate having our children poisoned so some out-of-state corporation can make massive profits off OUR hides. We have to imagine a future in which Appalachian people have all the same rights as the rest of America.

If we begin that process now, we can end MTR and transition to a new economic model without missing a beat. If we wait, however, we will scream for help when the waters rise around our necks. And there will be no one to save us. There never has been and there never will be. Our salvation is up to us.

I participated in the rally Tuesday. Three comments: It is true that electricity is a part of our lives. The benefit of electricity comes at a serious price, however, which present and future generations pay with their health and ruined earth. Everyone of us protesting Massey's assault on God's earth is aware of our own complicity and are simply seeking a better way. We know we do not have clean hands. It's the system we are fighting, a system whose grip on us makes it literally impossible to live or engage in living without in effect contributing to the destruction of the earth. (biblical folks read Revelation 13:16, 17). Yet King Coal has the audacity to call itself our benefactor and expect worship! Bow to "King Coal" and it will bring prosperity to West Virginia, etc. etc. ad nauseum.

Therefore (my second point) we are not after people trying to make a living. Folks need good jobs that pay decently and contribute to society. One of the reasons why slavery was difficult to abolish was that the institution was vital for the southern economy. I can imagine someone back then yelling to an abolitionist on a hot day, "You're wearing a cotton shirt, so shut up." Again, it's the system that's defective, not the workers who are stuck with bad options to choose from.

Third, I heard a lot of Massey folks yelling, "Go back home!" Yet it is well known that Massey recruits and employs out-of-state workers. Most of Massey stockholders are out-of-state. And most of the coal Massey sells is for out-of-state use. Indeed, almost all of the wealth that Massey and other coal companies have amassed over the past 120 years has gone "out-of-state." Leaving West Virginia # 50 in just about every quality of life index.

During the 1960's young people went into the south to work for civil rights. They, too, were told, "Go back home." They were told, "Things are fine down here, the Negroes are happy. Leave us alone." Yet without the advocacy of outside folks, Alabama, Mississippi, and other southern states would still have apartheid simply because the political, economic, and cultural systems were locked up in segregation. Black folks could not vote, for instance. Today, the majority of West Virginians oppose mountaintop removal, yet the state is locked up in the extractive coal system. We need outside pressure to break this coal's grip. And, importantly, we need at the same time, outside help to bring in a new, sustainable economy.

Telling outsiders to go home is not what West Virginia needs. The brain and talent drain is horrendous in the southern coal fields as population continues to plummet. The bullying, intimidation, and intolerance expressed by Massey counter-protesters does not bide well as a welcome mat.

Maybe that was the case back then, but I don't believe it's the case for many of the miners today. Its not a matter of just having "a" job, Ive heard them speak of it being a good paying job. Seems fr some of those it is more about greed. Everything is a choice. What do people value more? They say they wanna pay their children's way through college, but in the meantime they destroy the very land their children may inherit. Money doesn't buy everything.

In reference to your money comment; you’re right about the money. Let’s start with History 101. It started back when that poor mountain farmer was approached by mining company for the sale or lease of his land for xxxxx amount of $$$$. So off he went to Beverly Hills California and the poor mountain farmer neighbor who got left behind, wasn't offered any thing for his land had to go to work for that coal company to survive and make a living for his family. Maybe if Las Vegas and New York would turn off some of their lights we wouldn’t have to search for energy sources. But then I don’t live there so I guess it will take a scientist to figure that one out too.

To Raymond, "AMEN!" I still have some family in WV and many family members who worked the coal mines. I have no problem with the mining industry. I have a problem with destroying land and poluting the enviroment. Independent tests show coal dust contaminates Marsh Fork Elementary, a direct threat to the children’s respiratory health. Mountain removal only helps the greedy. For those of you who depend on coal, please support less invasive mining. Detroying your own rivers is no joke. Please educate yourself!

PS: It's nice to see that you care more about your money than the environment in which you raise your kids which can have a health impact on them. We see the priority here...

To the commenter below me, if you bothered to read alot of the previous messages, you would see that alot of those who you keep telling to GO HOME, are, actually, well, HOME. Stop acting like everyone who protested was from out of State. There were a great deal of locals. And, like it or not, WV is not it's own little empire that can do anything it wants. If its dirty mining practices are affecting the land water and air in our COUNTRY, then everyone has a right to speak up about it.

I want to start by saying I’M PROUD TO BE A COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER, COAL MINER’S WIFE AND COAL MINER'S MOM. In regards to the recent and ongoing events with Mountain Top Removal the tree hugging environmentalists. Actions truly speak louder than words so my advice is to go back to where you came from and start practicing what you preach before you try to make a statement. First, I’m curious as to what kind of home you live in with you being so called environmentalists. I assume your home is not made out of our trees and that hot water which comes from your faucet or that air conditioning that of course we all love and admire is not in your homes, by the way coal supplies some of those power plants. I’m going to assume you live in grass huts, but then you might want to watch that too. Grass environmentalists. I’m not sure how you arrived in my state maybe by plane, train or automobile, my advice would be to prove a point on that issue. You might want to walk back home, because then you would really make a statement to our air environmentalists. Truly, what I’m trying to say is everything we do has some impact on our lives and country. But you as environmentalists - ARE YOU READY TO GIVE UP ALL THAT, to prove nothing because even if we did go to wind power (read your statistics). What do you think happens to the mountaintops? Have you ever noticed the trees missing where they put cell phone and internet towers up? That takes away trees also but then I’m sure not one of you tree huggers has one of those either. Let’s not forget the birds that it kills, but let’s not get the bird environmentalists into this picture too, we have enough going on with you so called tree huggers that so far I have yet to see you prove your point other than trying to take a hard working husband’s or father’s job. You’re telling these hundreds of coal miners that have jobs, better pay and health insurance, that wind energy is the answer. Their pay could be cut more than half if not more and just a rough estimate. Wonder how many workers it takes to watch a windmill turn? I’m sure you stepped on a few trees and discarded your waste into our water supplies just traveling to WEST VIRGINIA and let’s not assume that you slept out under the stars because, of course, that hotel or fine resort you might have stayed in was made with trees or had power lines running to it. I could go on for days with this but enclosing MY ADVICE IS LEAVE MY HOME OF WEST VIRGINIA AND GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM AND CLEAN YOUR STATE FIRST BEFORE YOU COME TO MY HOME AND TRY TO TELL ME HOW TO CLEAN MINE. I’M PROUD TO BE A COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER, COAL MINER’S WIFE AND COAL MINER'S MOM

You have the nerve to say you,re here to save my life, and my childrens lives. What do you know. Coal pays me well enough to feed my children, clothe them, give them shelter, and education. what else is out there that pays that good. You say those miners raised cain, well if someone tried to close the wal-mart where you work, you would be mad too. Daryl hannah said there are other jobs, show me. Wind mills create jobs for a while during construction, then they're gone with the wind. Surface mining creates a flat, clear place for them, so let us mine, and prepare the land then put them up.Do not come to my home and tell me how to live, go home,make you're place perfect, then you will have something to say. If these activist put miners out of work, I think the orginizations that back them should be criminally responsible for every lob lost. These people are terrorist, and try to make a point with faer and lies. They are misinformed and lead poeple through a lack of knowledge. I am proud to mine coal ............. You're Welcome!!!!!!!!

I am one of the wives who was there with Jessica, she speaks for a BIG part of us. We all want healthy children and might I add mine are VERY healthy and VERY smart so lets stop with the comments about our childrens IQ's b/c NO mother likes to hear someone insult their child and from what I've seen nobody has any of the other sides children , so lets leave things like that out of this... We dont like to send our husbands off to the mines and no man chooses that job just because he wants to but unless you do live here you dont have a clue. And for those of you from here commenting and complaining I would bet money someone in your family HAS worked there in the past and you HAVE benefited from the coal mines sometime. An outsider looking in may THINK they see a better way but until you move here and try to feed and provide for your family on WV wages you dont know... I am a proud, coal miners daughter, grand daughter and now my husband works there and we will continue to do what we have to, to provide for our children and until we see your "GREENER" way coal is that provider.....

This comment is for Bob. First and most importantly, I speak better than I type. I, along with several other wives, were disgusted by the behavior by some of those yesterday with the swearing and airhorns pointed directly into ears. I do not understand why the State Police did nothing, especially in regards to pushing and hitting with signs. I wish you could have seen the ones of us that were there simply to support our spouses. As I have said before, I am not and will ever be, a fan of Massey or any of these coal companies. I do think we have a common interest. I do want my daughter to grow up healthy. I also want her to grow up in a decent home, to have enough to eat, and be warm in winter and cool in summer. That is why my husband works at a job for a company he does not care for . That is why I was there. I am tired of the people in this area getting the shaft from these companies be it coal, gas, or timber. My husband comes home and tells me how they are "nothing but a dime a dozen" to the company. I want that to change. I would love for him to work at a safer job. The wives I was with feel the same way. We are out there and we are ready to make things better. I am tired of being a sheep. I have said before, this state has got to stop being a doormat and w*&^e to these companies. So where do we go from here??? I am sincere in wanting a dialogue and so are my friends. I know how Massey is and I would love to give them a what for. I think there are more of us in the coal community that feel like that , that wasn't seen yesterday. I think it's a culture of fear.. afraid to speak without retaliation (ie: job loss). Even right now I am afraid to post my last name for fear of my husband losing his job. I would love to post my home email address to talk more. My "anger" is that I feel these folks that come in from "outside" and protest maybe don't fully understand where we are coming from. We are tired of being dependent on coal companies and afraid. A perception more of "a push your agenda and to hell with the aftermath"...that is more of where I'm coming from. Who would still be here speaking for us when the dust settles (inappropriate pun?) It's anger and fear over not having any alternative for a job that is not dependent on mining. We have got to get these self serving bums In the Legislature out and get people in that care about us in southern WV that have a spine and willl stand up for whats right. I am not a fan of MTR, I will not ever be a fan of MTR, I am simply supporting my husband and the spouses of my friends that he works with because their company sure doesn't. He even told an interviewer yesterday, bring the jobs on. If there was a job that would pay like his does now, he would quit in a heartbeat. Like I said in my last comment, I know coal is not going to be here forever and we have got to get something going now. So where do we start?

You said it Bob K. Thank you for your knowledge and words of wisdom. I have always been told by my father and my husband what goes on in and around the mines. So I assume it is no different on the MTR sites. Safety stops at the drift mouth and at the companies convenience. I personally know people who work for Massey Energy that have been told they could come out and work in the office to keep them from filing workers comp claims against the company, that keeps them out of a higher premium bracket.

Someday, somehow they will see why they are being ask to come to the rallies to protest the very people trying to save their childrens lives,

I do understand that men and women need to provide for their families, but are you providing for them or giving them THINGS to pacify them. Give them love and protection not a pacifier.

You looney facist tree huggers need to go home! Coal is a way of life here in WV and will not soon go by the wayside either. Go back to work just like the rest of the hard working people in this great state of WV, after all we all have a big national debt to pay off. Quit wasting time and stop imposing your will on people too!

Having spent my whole life in the Wheeling area, it sickens me that out-of-towners come into our area and demand that our livelyhood ends because of some imaginary theory (global warming, acid rain, etc.) We should treat these wackos the same way Arizona residents treat illegal aliens. Deport the scumbags back to California.

@Jessica:

I have no rancor toward you, nor did any of the peaceful protesters at the rally. Yet we were assaulted by the Massey-ites on occasions too numerous to count, while the State Police looked on like graven images.

One of the musicians had a piercing air horn repeatedly blasted directly at his ear by a Massey-ite. The State Police did NOTHING. The filthy-mouthed MasseyWives hit people with their signs and screamed obscenities. The State Police did nothing.

The Massey-ite men were nothing if not rude and hateful. Lord knows, I smelled booze on more than a few of them. Maybe they needed a little "liquid courage" before trying to intimidate peaceful protesters.

I must note that I find it both heartening and sad that you say you want a "dialogue." We'd welcome it. It's hard to have, however, when you narrow the terms of that discussion to your own perceptions of reality. You are "angered" at people whom you perceive to be accusing you of wrong-doing. What if they aren't actually accusing you of anything? What if they care as much for you as for themselves? What if they grieve, Jessica, at the fact that Massey children are as poisoned by coal as their own? What if they fear for Massey children who have a 10 point IQ deficit at birth because of mercury released by coal, the same deficit their own children have?

Jessica, less than five percent of ALL mountain removal sites have been reclaimed as required by law. Reclamation alone would keep your husband working for years. If you're tired of the corporate culture of Massey, then join with us in demanding that Appalachia be admitted to full citizenship in the union and that we be given the necessary tools to transform Appalachia from the extraction economy that has plagued us for more than six generations. Join with us in demanding GOOD, healthy jobs for your husband and your loved ones. Join WITH us in demanding that we stop treating Appalachian families like expendable commodities. I guarantee you: you'll feel better about your present and you're feel more hopeful about your future.

Right now, all our futures are at stake, not just the Massey-ites. Don't my grandchildren have as much a right to a future as Don Blankenship? Aren't we ALL Appalachian people? Aren't we ALL sick of being used by out-of-state corporations who only use us as long as we're convenient?

I THINK WHAT THOSE PROTESTER'S DID TODAY WAS THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN IN WV TODAY. I LIVE IN BOONE COUNTY & I DETEST ANY TYPE OF COAL MINING. I HEARD SOME WOMEN ON THE NEWS SAY WE ARE ALL ALRIGHT. WELL IF THAT'S TRUE WHY DO MINERS DIE OF BLACK LUNG OR GET TRAPPED IN MINES. LET YOU HUSBAND GET TRAPPED IN A MINE & I'LL BET YOU WILL BE THE FIRST ONE IN LINE TO SUE. I HEARD A WOMEN SAY HER HUSBAND GOT HURT ON A MINING TRUCK THAT WAS REPORTED TO BE UNSAFE & HE GOT NOTHING & NOW HE CAN'T WORK & WHAT DO THEY DO PUT SOMEONE ELSE RIGHT UP IN THAT SAME TRUCK. YOU SAID THEY PUT THE MOUNTAIN BACK BUT GET REAL YOU CAN'T PUT BACK A MOUNTAIN ONCE YOU BLOW IT UP. ALL THEY DO IS PILE A BUNCH OF ROCKS & DIRT UP TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A MOUNTAIN, BUT WHAT ARE YOU GONNA TELL YOUR GRANDCHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE LIVING AT THE BOTTOM OF THAT FAKE MOUNTAIN & IT COMES CRASHING INTO THEIR HOME? COAL IS BAD IT TOTALLY DESTROYS THE LAND. IF I LIVED NEAR THAT SCHOOL MY CHILD WOULD NOT BE GOING THERE EITHER AS I WOULD MOVE SO HE COULD GO TO A SAFE SCHOOL. I HOPE EVERYONE WHOSE CHILD GOES TO THAT SCHOOL REFUSES TO LET THEIR CHILDREN GO THERE, WAKE UP PEOPLE YOU ARE KILLING YOUR CHILDREN. THE INDIANS SAID IT BEST " WE DID NOT INHERENT THE EARTH FROM OUR ANCESTORS WE BORROWED IT FROM OUR CHILDREN"

While many cultures worked to create the diversification that WV enjoys, the coal mining culture is one that holds roots unbeholden to any other. There are segments within the mining community (labor, company, law enforcement, environmentalists) that have customs seperate still. So, while mountaineers always hold a special bond with one another, the coal mining communities go one step further. And as long as the same occupations bring about descriptions ranging from proud to pity, there are no magic mediators that will bring the sides together. The way we share our difference of opinions are examples of Appalachian dialect. Those who speak of manners, or vulgarity, or disconnect in reasoning I ask that you look deep into West Virginia's heritage. We all must remember that to advocate for what is the best for the future of West Virginia, one needs to first respect her past.

I am also a life long resident in Boone County, WV. My family was here in the early 1800's when Big Coal arrived on the scene my family was some of the men and women who died from the ill practices of the mining companies. My Great grandfather was killed in a Logan County Mine along with another man at the same time, so my granfather grew up with out a father. My dad and Husband also worked in the mine until they both became disabled. So yes I know where our living is coming from-- DISABILITY--from working their selves to death because their was nothing else for them here in this state. It takes money to go to college and if you didn't have the money the counselors weren't going to tell you about grants they saved them for kids who had last names and if the truth was told that is why these men and women are working for the Barron himself, and some of them used to be UNION no doubt. I understand why these caring people are ingaging in non violent protest and God be with them, if my child had gonme to this school they would no longer be going there I would be home schooling them at least if the Dam broke I would have them with me instead of never getting to lay eyes on them again, except in their small frail coffins. Think about it parents when it comes down to it what would you choose your child life and health or the burnable almighty dollar that is cluttering your yards with plastic and material things that can be bought at any yard sale. I say all of this with total humbleness of heart. I sware these people really do care. Just let your husbands miss a days work or get hurt and see how well you get screwed.

come down to mingo county and see all of us that got flooded because of MTR,Gas Drilling and timbering then tell us how great MTR is see the unsafe houseing our children live in stand and watch the water take out the foundation of your home walk the walk before you talk the talk big pay checks is not everything

I was also at the protest today. I am proud that my husband works hard at his MTR site to support his family. I want to say to those who complained about the "Massey Supporters" .. I am not a supporter of Massey. Not all of use were rude and yelling during silent prayer and not all of us wives were using language that would make a sailor blush. As for the woman who slapped the other. Do you know why she slapped her?? It was over the protest poster she was holding about the Clear Fork flood which depected a photo of her DEAD MOTHER. I would be angry if someone took a photo of my deceased mother and tried to use it in a political ploy. I am not a fan of Massey. I do not care for Mr Blakenship. Yes, I do know coal is not going to be here forever. Instead of protesting and risking injury to hang banners, how about getting something going with getting these green jobs here so that these men and women can work them and raise their families. I was there to show my support and appreciation for my coal mining husband and the people he works with. I have no love for any corporation. There has been such a permination of greed and disregard for human beings in this society. what has become of peolpe?? I am angered about groups coming in and telling us that we are doing a wrong and taking away the one livlihood choice there is right now. I will welcome something besides MTR. I pray for the day of a diversified economy that is not at the mercy of coal. I think both sides need to have a dialogue without the BS. Folks, the only people who really care about Southern WV are those that live here. It's time to stop acting like sheep and take charge of our own selves. I did say to one environmental gentleman I found it ironic that they were using the electricity that was obatined from the coal to power the amp and speakers for their music and microphones and I told him "you can't have it both ways." So let's stop fussing and throw the bums in Chas (AKA State Legislature) out and elect people who really give a flip. It is a visceral response of anger that you are going to get when groups are trying to take the job that feeds your family, especially in this economy. It angers me when there is no alternative offered. Who will be here in the aftermath and who will be off to champon the next cause? These are good , hard working people that just want to work and go home to their families every evening. Thank you.

To all you tree huggers: Unless the computer you are using is plugged into a windmill or a solar panel-shut up! Go watch your tv, enjoy your cold bevererage from your fridge, crank up the AC and then go thank a coal miner. It is a very hard, thankless, dangerous job. I know, I do it every day. I do it for my family. Sure, some do it for the 12-16 hour work days, rocks falling on your heads, dangerous work environment, or even the dirt that covers you from head to toe. I just do it so my kids can go to college and not do what I have to do. If you don't support coal, remove yourself from the power grid now and then you can talk, until that day comes, shut up!

Regardless of how much energy coal may provide, or the few jobs it provides, nothing justifies mountaintop removal. It's destroying WV and yes I do live here right beside an MTR site. Why are some folks so eager to worship coal? It's a cult. And when that Massey wife slapped one of the protesters the news doesn't have anything to say. Do your jobs justify the violence you're so willing to inflict on your neighbors, or do you get a bonus for assaulting people?

It amazes me to see these Mountain Destroyers take such a reverent tone toward "Coal." Most of them are likely some sort of fundamentalist "christian," and yet they have made a graven image of "Coal;" have, in fact, made it their god. What ever happened to "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," Mountain Removers?

I, too, was a the rally. I'm ninth generation Appalachian and West Virginian, so the thugs from Massey will be hard-pressed to call me an "out-of-stater," even though that's about all they have left.

It was truly sickening to hear how utterly vulgar and foul-mouthed and nasty these Massey acolytes are. The men are bad enough, but the MasseyWives could make a sailor blush with their verbal filth.

In the final analysis, though, these Massey-ites are more to be pitied than despised. They made horrible choices in their youth and now find themselves enslaved to an industry that gladly uses, abuses and throws them aside.

If only they had the mental acuity to see where the blame REALLY lies: Don Blankenship and all the other corporate bosses who use them like bank mules and then consigns them to the scrapheap when their usefulness is ended.

So-called "environmentalists" aren't taking their jobs. They're working themselves out of a job. When the coal is all gone in the very near future (nearer than the Massey-ites even dare admit in their most quiet moments), who will they blame? At that point, they will have no one left to blame but themselves, for Don Blankenship will be long gone with the millions he made from their labor, and they, in turn, will have precisely nothing.

It amazes me to see these Mountain Destroyers take such a reverent tone toward "Coal." Most of them are likely some sort of fundamentalist "christian," and yet they have made a graven image of "Coal;" have, in fact, made it their god. What ever happened to "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," Mountain Removers?

I, too, was a the rally. I'm ninth generation Appalachian and West Virginian, so the thugs from Massey will be hard-pressed to call me an "out-of-stater," even though that's about all they have left.

It was truly sickening to hear how utterly vulgar and foul-mouthed and nasty these Massey acolytes are. The men are bad enough, but the MasseyWives could make a sailor blush with their verbal filth.

In the final analysis, though, these Massey-ites are more to be pitied than despised. They made horrible choices in their youth and now find themselves enslaved to an industry that gladly uses, abuses and throws them aside.

If only they had the mental acuity to see where the blame REALLY lies: Don Blankenship and all the other corporate bosses who use them like bank mules and then consigns them to the scrapheap when their usefulness is ended.

So-called "environmentalists" aren't taking their jobs. They're working themselves out of a job. When the coal is all gone in the very near future (nearer than the Massey-ites even dare admit in their most quiet moments), who will they blame? At that point, they will have no one left to blame but themselves, for Don Blankenship will be long gone with the millions he made from their labor, and they, in turn, will have precisely nothing.

This is my take on the whole situation. Sure MTR is not preferred by these miners and their familys, but what choice do they have? These miners have to make a living and until the economy in West Virginia diversifys what else do you people suggest they do? This nation cannot supply a whole state with welfare. There are so many now on the social programs that they are going to fail within the next 20-30 years. The so called enviromentalist who travel to these sites to protest come from cities that have already destroyed the environment around them and are getting here by burning carbon based fuels to attend these protest are more hypocritical than those standing to fight for their ways of life. Dr. Hansen who is the almighty when it comes to the environment works for an agency of the US government that delivers waste to outer space and beyond and contaminates the environment with space vehicle launches almost daily and wants to tell West Virginians they are not allowed to make a living? Has anyone noticed everytime they launch from the Cape in Florida it rains here right after? How about the movie star Ms. Hannah - she manufactures bio diesel on her property which has an environmental impact on the earth with toxic waste. Woohoo she is driving a bio diesel but if she walked it would be better for the environment. Ms. Bonds who organised this rally surely thought she was going to face opposition once the news got out. On her site they post a wind study of coal river mountain that was commissioned and done within six months. The study cannot be valid as I know that during certain times of the year the air stagnates in these hills as I hunt them yearly and you have to know that the air is not moving. I feel the only resolution to this whole mess is for the out of state protesters to offer support but not come into this state telling West Virginians what to do unless they have the means to diversify this economy. If they do not then it is time for them to realize this is the way of life for these individuals working and to let them alone. It does not take a rocket scientist to see this is going to explode worse than the logging wars of Oregon and in West Virginia bloodshed in the coal fields is not anything that cannot happen, it has already in the battle these miners took upon themselves to gain the right to work once before. I would hate to see people hurt over something that is out of both of their control. The media could do their part by asking the Legislature when are they going to help diversify the economy to support other industry and help the citizens of West Virginia instead of keeping them apart with travesties such as this.

"there was about 300 + Coal Miners and supporters there to stand up for our community!!"

Yeah, it seems like those "300 + Coal Miners and supporters" of MTR are in favor of having their children's brains ginned up with mercury when they first come out of the womb because of them breathing in coal dust! You know, mercury, right? The stuff that causes people to have IQ deficits.

It's quite obvious that your IQ has already taken a hit. Be sure to thank Big Coal for that!

I was at that rally. I care for the environment and I have lived in the Coal River Valley all of my life. I am not an outsider. I don't know how many times the miners yelled go home! Well I hate to inform those miners that this IS my home and I hate seeing it being destroyed.

The miners were the ones who were rude and crude. They wouldn't even stop their yelling when the minister tried to have prayer. What does that tell you about these miners? No respect for anyone who cares about the beautiful Earth God gave us, not even enough respect for the minister to be silent during prayer.

I hope the person who assaulted one of the protesters enjoy their jail time for assault too.

I'm sick of the destruction workers saying that we are outsiders. I'm a native of WV and like the majority of West Virginians, I believe mountaintop removal is a crime against man and nature. The vipers who attended our rally showed their true colors. They ridiculed 94-year-old Ken Heckler, made vile comments about two ministers who tried to speak, and screamed threats at people who were gathered peacefully. These people have NO respect or regard for the lives of the people who are being impacted by mountaintop removal. NO JOB is worth the destruction brought about by mountaintop removal....poisoned water, damaged homes, and whole communities wiped out. If you don't believe me, take a drive through Twilight or Lindytown....but you better make it fast because they are both almost gone. Why you may ask...because these destruction workers don't care to destroy other people's homes!!! They are a bunch of dirty hypocrites, and I for one have had enough.

Heather: my question - as a mother - is: why aren't those of you who are supporting Massey, & the very insecure jobs that corporation provides, concerned about your kids who go to Marsh Fork elementary? How healthy are they? If my child was enrolled in that school, and I was aware of the amount of toxic dust coming out of those silos and - especially - of the huge sludge pond that would flood them out in 3-5 minutes if it ever breaks, I'd surely be joining some protests against the company that exploits and endangers my family. Can you help me understand this seeming disconnect in reasoning?

If you were their because you were concerned for the children at marsh Fork Elem..Then why were most of the parents who's kids go to Fork on the Other side for Coal miners...And i Believe the the tree huggers made the first move when they went on to massey property the other day..I hope they file federal charges against those people, They deserve it...I hope this shows that West Virginians are going to stand up for coal no matter what..Any plale any time....

How strange that the coal minions protect the out of state coal companies and the coal company profit. Here's the truth about the protest. The Massey supporters spouted hate and violence at the rally--blowing horns in people's ears- twisting knobs on the sound system..they even had their children tripping people. AND the violent Massey wife crossing the line and assalted the non violent protester --who was a local.

I wonder how much Massey paid its workers to come out today and harrass the protesters.

One of Massey's supporters even attacked Judy Bonds.

Mountaintop removal HAS TO END.

If coal is so good for West Virginia, then why do the counties with the most coal mining history have the lowest amounts of public water systems, of sanitary sewer systems, and other infrastructures, the poorest performing schools, and the lowest standards of living in this state?

Re: telling all sides of the story, please note the following (I was there): - It was a Massey supporter who was arrested first, for doing something vile to one of the speakers - Those of us in the "environmentalist" group were mostly long-term residents of the state; some of us have multiple generations of family history in the mountains -we were there out of concern for the children and teachers at Marsh Fork elementary, since they have to learn and teach in a toxic and potentially deadly environment, thanks to the Massey coal silo(s) and toxic sludge dam looming above them.

I personally am disgusted with these MTR protesters comming to our state, and trying to dictate how we are allowed to make our living. Most of the MTR protesters are from out of state and do not know what it is like to have to depend on the coal mines to be able to put food on you table . As for the MTR protesters that are from WV, you should be ashamed. I guarentee that your ancestors have mined coal to feed their family somewhere along the line. If not for the coal mines there would be nothing in this state. The businesses in southern WV earn their money from the Familys income earned on top of those mountains. What do these hills mean to you? If they would stop the mountain top removal would you ever even return to these hills? You have already ruined your natural habitat where you come from with city blocks , streets and retail stores. So stop trying to tell us how to operate our little corner of the world.

I am so tired of all these tree huggers talking about clean renewable energy what do they think will happen to all the trees if we usewind power. Then they would be mad about clear cutting for the wind farms. I think until thy can provide an cost fficent practical solution they should be quiet . I challange all the coal protesters out there to do your homework before you open your mouth and dont belive everything you hear. I hope all of you freeze in the dark!!!!!!!

How many tons of carbon did her jet spew into the atmosphere between here and Hollywood round trip, or anywhere else she and other "green ilk" fly to make their protests? Let's hear some screaming and ranting about THAT.

I grew up in WV, graduated from WVU and still live and work in WV. I am totally opposed to MTR practice of mining coal. It is destroying our state and country and polluting our natural resources. We all know this and are complicit in this travesty. Obama has already been bought by coal, just as this state has been a whore to coal companies for over a century. The problem is that our state and its workers (thats you mine worker) are continually exploited by these companies and we as a state continue to pay the price while pretending we actually get some kind of reward. MTR is responsible for thousands miners losing their jobs as it takes far less people to sit on their butts and drive heavy machinery than it does to extract the coal from below the surface. We rank in the bottom 5 of every health category in the nation. I think 1 in 3 people in southern WV get some type of cancer..thats not normal folks...why does it happen? Is it b/c we have let corporations treat this state as a toilet bowl for all their toxic discharges the last century? I bet there is a link. How many of you know people in southern WV that has died from some sort of cancer? I bet everyone of you does. My wife is from Charleston and we hear almost monthly of another person she knows still living there who gets cancer.

Hanson, what a prize catch. Maybe they will place a gag order on him, somebody has to stop his lies. Nasa has a great team with this guy on the gov. dime. (our dime) NASA what a bad name you have with this hockey player.

And plenty of LOCAL people were there protesting against this strip job and MTR as well!

This is good. This is what is needed. More direct action against this destructive form of mining ruining our Appalachians, and it's good to see people such as these who can create just that awareness. Our nation is moving forward, and instead of being left behind in the coal dust, this part of the country needs to awaken. Time that we bring in a clean, renewable job economy. One that will not pollute and destroy. The coal won't last forever.

We weren't all out-of-staters. We live in Beckley. If Massey is so concerned about their employees, why doesn't Pappa Don start training them for other jobs. The real answer- he doesn't care what happens after the coal runs out. He'll be back in Kentucky with his billions. And, if he truely is concerned about our children, why doesn't he build the 228 kids at Marsh Fork a new school away from the poison of the mine?

i think you may need to tell the complete story of how several hundred PRO-COAL supporters were at the Goals coal site to stand against the protesters...We as a mining community are tired of this!!!!!! Please tell the complete story without being one-sided...

Please tell the both sides of this story, there was about 300 + Coal Miners and supporters there to stand up for our community!! We are tired of out of state people coming in here trying to tell us how to live our lives..

I hope they all enjoyed theur JAIL time