CEO Declares War on Labor Day

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Friday September 04, 2009 · 11:44 AM PDT

2009/09/04 · 11:44

A fellow contributor to West Virginia Blue wrote this great piece this week on the Coal CEO who has declared War on Labor Day. I am reprinting it here with his permission.

by One Citizen

No doubt you've heard the annual claims of a "war on Christmas" touted by the right wing punditocracy as a means to use hyperbolic rants to smear the left. But now there's a real war against not just another holiday, but the entire movement for which it stands.

Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship's hosting of a Labor Day rally to preserve American jobs in West Virginia's southern coal fields isn't just a sick joke. It is his full out declaration of war not just against the UMWA but all families who live in, or near, his precious coal.

wvablue

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Saturday August 29, 2009 · 7:34 AM PDT

2009/08/29 · 07:34

Back in 1999, Julia Fox of University of Oregon published a journal article in Organization & Environment called "Mountaintop Removal in West Virginia: An Environmental Sacrifice Zone." In the abstract she says:

Although the coal industry is regulated by the state and national governments, the regulators, it is argued, have been captured by Big Coal. The result is one of the most egregious and little-known instances of environmental degradation taking place in the United States today.

Ten years later, nothing has changed. Mountaintop removal (MTR) continues full speed ahead. West Virginia Cabinet Sec. Huffman, head of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), appeared before a Congressional subcommittee two months ago. His concerns were not about how to enact new regulations to protect the environment but, rather, how to limit enforcement to continue current mining practices.

Perhaps it was this zeal to represent Big Coal interests, that caused him to misstate a few key points. In fact, he may have even committed perjury.

wvablue

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Wednesday August 26, 2009 · 3:34 PM PDT

2009/08/26 · 15:34

By Clem Guttata, also available in Blue

For decades, how closely a coal miner paid attention to the canary in the coal mine was, literally, the difference between life and death. Today, the "canary in the coal mine" is a more sophisticated set of man-made monitors and biological indicators, but just as important for our long term health and welfare.

So what happens if the canary dies and no one hears its dying cries?

The modern day canary includes little known marker species like mayflies. As local newspaper comments retort that coal miner jobs are more important than mere mayflies, who will ask: if your job poisons your neighbors well water, is that a job worth saving?

wvablue

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Saturday September 13, 2008 · 1:14 PM PDT

2008/09/13 · 13:14

My blog mate Clem (wvablue here) is allowing me to post this from his account.

The following diary is photo intensive. It contains images of hopeful, hard working people. Such images can raise enthusiasm, hope, and cause smiles. Other side effects may vary. Use only as directed. Consult with your physician if such symptoms remain prolonged. The most recent poll taken earlier this week showed Sen. Barack Obama within 5 points in West Virginia. 5 points.

wvablue

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Friday April 25, 2008 · 9:46 AM PDT

2008/04/25 · 09:46

WV-02, a DCCC Red to Blue seat, is definitely in play this cycle -- it's our best chance yet to unseat ineffective Bush-McCain Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. We've got a great candidate in Anne Barth -- a 20 year veteran of Sen. Byrd's office.

First, Anne Barth needs to win the West Virginia Democratic primary on May 13. Read further for an overview of the candidates and learn why Anne Barth is the only viable candidate for West Virignia's second congressional seat.

Anne Barth for Congress :: Volunteer :: Donate

wvablue

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Friday March 28, 2008 · 3:08 PM PDT

2008/03/28 · 15:08

Most everyone here has heard of Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, right?

You know, the Senator who had it right on Iraq from Day 1. He's the President pro tempore of the United States Senate, noted orator, and a tireless protector of the constitution. He's that guy who's known for carrying a pocket constitution.

What you probably didn't know is, one of his key staff members -- an aide of 21 years -- recently resigned. Because of this resignation, Sen. Byrd is asking for our help.

wvablue

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Saturday January 26, 2008 · 3:11 PM PST

2008/01/26 · 15:11

Distressing news from Carnacki. Today was the filing deadline for candidates in West Virginia. Netroots-recruited, DCCC-supported, State Sen. John Unger has decided not to challenge Republican Shelley Moore Capito.

Here's the breaking news from West Virginia Blue:

wvablue

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Friday October 19, 2007 · 6:57 AM PDT

2007/10/19 · 06:57

This week's roundup is made possible thanks to the major efforts of boadicea. Residing in one of those "W" states, I'm turning the tyranny of the alphabet on its head this week. Here's the 50 State Blog Network Roundup--this week running from Wisconsin to Alabama!

Advertise on the 50 State Blog Network. Read the 50 State Blog Network Roundup F.A.Q.

wvablue

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Sunday September 30, 2007 · 5:32 AM PDT

2007/09/30 · 05:32

Sure, kos has his own full agenda of candidates to promote for an end-of-quarter push, but what about my district?? Yesterday, Carnacki reached the recommended list with a personal appeal. Today, it's my turn to convince you to adopt our district.

Turn WV-02 Red to Blue

We had a great reception to yesterday's "ask". We're so close, help put us over the top.

Update: 2PM ET You all are great! We're now at 58 donations and $5,030 raised!

wvablue

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Sunday September 23, 2007 · 6:29 AM PDT

2007/09/23 · 06:29

The first Beatle to die tragically young once said, "life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Life is also what happens when we're not blogging. In the better late than never category, life has finally gotten out of the way to allow this week's 50 State Blog Roundup to emerge.

If your favorite 50 State Blog member is missing from this week's roundup, I promise no slight is intended. It just means no one had a chance to nominate a post for the week.

You can help make sure that doesn't happen again in the future. You can submit a nomination for any blog listed at the BlogPAC state blog roll via the nifty automated nomination system prepared by Ralph Brodie. Give it a try next week.

wvablue

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Monday August 27, 2007 · 2:15 AM PDT

2007/08/27 · 02:15

Do you live in a safely Democratic Congressional district? Are you eager to add to the Democratic Congressional majority? Are you looking for an exciting Red to Blue campaign to watch?

Adopt our district!

W.Va. State Senator John Unger

West Virginia State Senator John Unger is a progressive Democrat who needs our support to successfully challenge vulnerable Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (WV-02). Your help today can make a major difference in this race.

wvablue

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday July 21, 2007 · 12:47 PM PDT

2007/07/21 · 12:47

I know we often make fun of lawyers in this country ("What do you call a smiling, sober, courteous person at a bar association convention? The caterer."). On the other hand, there's a lot to be said for the value of training in law for political leadership.

The Clintons (Bill, Yale; Hillary, Yale), Barack Obama (Harvard), John Edwards (UNC), Harry Reid (George Washington U.), and Alan Mollohan (WVU) all have law degrees.

Then we have our Republican mis-leadership. There's George Bush with an Master's in Business Administration. That's the same degree that Duke Cunningham and Jeff Skilling have. There's Rep. Shelley Moore Capito with a Master's in Career Counseling. That's the same degree as... well, actually, no one comes to mind.

Bush and Capito share a mis-understanding of the law, too. Whereas Bush missed the week in high school civics class about constitutional checks and balances, after six years in Congress Rep. Capito still hasn't figured out the basic mechanics of when a law is needed.

Poll

20 votes Show Results

Vulnerable Republican Rep. Capito (WV-02)'s bill is:

20 votes Vote Now!

Vulnerable Republican Rep. Capito (WV-02)'s bill is:

As Rep. Joe Crowley says, "It's all demagoguery."

6 votes

As Rep. Alan Mollohan says, "nothing but political chicanery"

5 votes

As Rep. Nick Rahall says, burdensome to rural and elderly citizens

4 votes

As Rep. Capito says, a "magnet [for] people to enter our country illegally" and get better fake IDs

3 votes

As American as Apple Pie

2 votes

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CEO Declares War on Labor Day

Did Sec. Huffman commit perjury on Mountaintop Removal coal mining impacts?

Legacy of Coal: The dead canary sings

Across Queen Street on Saturday morning in Martinsburg, WV

WV-02: Anne Barth shows why she is the only viable candidate

A special message from Sen. Robert Byrd

BREAKING WV-02: DCCC/Netroots-backed John Unger out

From the states - 10/19/07 50SBN Roundup

Pimp my f***ing candidate, kos (with matching funds)

Life Happens: 50 State Blog Roundup for 9-21-2007

Adopt Our District

Republican Rep. Capito (WV-02) takes credit for bolting a locked door