Coal River Mountain

[dalthauser]

I was listening to NPR this morning, and Diane Rehm was interviewing the author of the book Coal River and supporting players in the story.  

Wow - I continually amaze myself as to how out of touch and uninformed I am in spite of watching CNN for 30 minutes every morning....... :-(

What a story this is.  It's got all the makings of a Hollywood Blockbuster like Erin Brokowitz or A Civil Action. 

The organization tracking all this and organizing the protest is Coal River Mountain Watch (http://www.crmw.net).  At that site there is so much more information.  


It amazes me that this type of thing is allowed to happen.  I want to thump the head of the people in government office - hard!
The whole thing is so incredible - it's hard not to be outraged. Thank goodness there are lawyers and bold people who will take a stand.  

It makes me wonder what I'd actually take a stand for.  I mean march, picket, and even be subversive over.  It's probably because of people like me that these big ugly corporations get away with what they do.  

Gives me something to think about today.  
(As if the failing economy, the war in Iraq, my crappy job situation, and my inability to lose weight weren't enough..... sigh.)

Comments

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

I listend to parts of that while running some errands. I think most of us are well intentioned but sadly do nothing.

On the other hand of it, myharry's family is from the part of Ohio that borders W. Virginia. Most people down there, if they have a job, it's in power plants; directly linked to the coal industry. Plus there is the abandoned family homestead, that sits on coal. They don't see a problem with the coal industry.

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

I wonder if it's that they don't have a problem with the coal industry or that they're trapped.

If you don't have options (or think you don't)- it's amazing what you'll agree to even though you know it's immoral or illegal or the like (I should know).

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

Well, yes and no. They make really good money working in a power plant, excellent benefits, vacation etc. But that is about all there is to do there now.

I can see their point of view. Most of us, whatever we do, don't have the direct possibility of the goverment passing some regulation that puts us out of work. And people just have different views of stewardship of the Earth.

[minemouse.livejournal.com]

Great post. I have always wondered too what would make me take a stand. We all have our issues we care about, but what is the difference between the majority of humans and those we stand up and fight? Very interesting.

[sahlah.livejournal.com]

Interesting isn't it how little we actually hear in our mainstream news. See if you get the BBC service on a local radio station. One of our local public radio stations takes the BBC feed for an hour in the evening. Listen to that for a week and you will wonder what our news organizations are doing... reporting on Britney Spears...

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

Yes, even CNN - their coverage is so commercial, even the Anderson Cooper stuff.

I'm pretty sure all the negative stuff is bad for me, but that doesn't change that it's all happening.