October 6, 2009
Manchin: EPA overstepped bounds

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Joe Manchin on Tuesday continued his criticism of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, calling its decision to more closely review mining permits in four states "cruel and inhumane."

Last month, the EPA referred 79 pending mining permits, including 23 in West Virginia, to its water quality experts and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for more scrutiny.

Speaking to reporters after an unrelated state Culture Center news conference Tuesday, the governor called the federal agency's move unfair and wrong.

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    Posted By: AaronS (11:21am 10-13-2009)
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    Have you had comments removed after they posted or have you had comments they wouldn't post for offensive language?

    Posted By: Nanette (11:18am 10-13-2009)
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    AaronS, I have had numerous comments removed, and certainly not because I have tried to silence anyone or abuse anyone. I certainly am not on your side on this issue. I believe these comments are being removed because of some glitch or someone who hasn't had enough experience to know what needs to be removed has been given the job of overseeing these forums.

    Posted By: AaronS (10:34am 10-13-2009)
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    Which claim is that mustang? That one that says Obama is using the EPA is politicizing this issue as a means of legislating MTM out of existence so his liberal Democratic Congress doesn't have to take a stand and legislate an end to MTM thus sparring them from voter retribution for higher energy prices come election day?

    Is that the claim you’re speaking of?

    Posted By: mustang (10:07am 10-13-2009)
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    Well Well, No one is denying the claim, must make it true. That's one thing I have learned on these discussions. If it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, must be a duck.

    Posted By: truthandreality (10:02pm 10-12-2009)
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    Opponents of Mountaintop Removal are “ On the Right Side of This Issue ” Says Duke Energy CEO

    “Duke will be looking to move away from mountaintop removal coal mining as its existing coal purchasing contracts expire.” He also expects “increased regulation of mountaintop removal from Washington, D.C.”

    http://www.ilovemountains.org/news/524

    Posted By: proboardff0425 (3:06pm 10-12-2009)
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    wow, what a headline............it seems if this headline is right, that manchin isnt the only one that seems to do it.

    Posted By: mustang (2:31pm 10-12-2009)
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    It won't make a difference to you and your protester buddies against MTR. You will still get your payday for a fight that you could care less what the outcome is. These walks and tree climbing and hanging banners has nothing to do with West Virginia and the mountains it has to do with you getting a PAYDAY. These are the green jobs you keep talking about. That is posting your propaganda and trying to get more people following your lies, misrepresentation and breaking the law.

    Posted By: AaronS (2:20pm 10-12-2009)
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    There are now reports that coalfield families are getting sick and dying at rates of over 5 times higher than non-coalfield Appalachians.

    I challenge you for the 8th time OC/TB to prove that.

    And then you can show us where Bob Wise's, Cecil Underwood's, Gaston Caperton's, Arch Moore's and Jay Rockefeller's (all governor's since passage of the clean water act) DEP did any better then Joe Manchin's has.

    Posted By: One Citizen (1:22pm 10-12-2009)
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    Massey violated its Clean Water Permits 28 times every day for 6 long years. Hobet amassed around 3,000 violations. Yet neither Joe Manchin nor his wonderful WVDEP stepped in to put a stop to it. His DEP has openly admitted that it never monitored properly, and is now stalling the settlement of SMCRA's definition of "reclamation". There are now reports that coalfield families are getting sick and dying at rates of over 5 times higher than non-coalfield Appalachians

    It was only after the feds stepped in did the unbelievable continuous violation of Clean Water Act Permits subside, when they enforced a fine of $20 million and required another $10 million in remediation. Had Manchin sued instead of the feds, that $20 million would have rightfully gone into state coffers. Had they been enforcing in the first place, your WV neighbors may have actually SURVIVED!

    Now your taxes are paying to run city water to places that historically could rely on pristine well water, thanks to Joe Manchin.

    Posted By: truthandreality (1:07pm 10-12-2009)
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    I will admit I'm in full agreement on that , AaronS .

    Posted By: Rational (12:52am 10-12-2009)
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    Fox News is not fair and balanced, but the Gazette is?

    The Gazette is censoring posts they don't agree with. Fox welcomes all comers.

    Posted By: AaronS (11:30am 10-12-2009)
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    There are 256 Democratic Representatives, which account for 59.1 % of the vote. They shoved through the Economic Liberal pork reward act of 2009 with nary a Republican vote.

    Iraq, Afghanistan, Gitmo, military tribunals, the Patriot Act, warrantless wiretaps and the economy are already Democrats babies. You can only blame GWB for MTM for so long and then it's liberal’s baby as well. That time is coming fast.

    You better tell Sister Nan to hop to it and get the bill passed or people are going to start wondering when all this change that was promised is coming.

    Posted By: truthandreality (10:33am 10-12-2009)
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    They are trying AaronS ......We now have 158 Co-Sponsors from 36 States for The Clean Water Protection Act .

    Pelosi needs to bring it to the floor !!

    http://www.ilovemountains.org/clean-water-protection-act/#111thcosponsors

    Posted By: Rational (10:24am 10-12-2009)
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    Aaron, I have not received an email from the Gazette. I have no idea what is going on. But since I strive to follow the rules, I can only assume that I am being censored because of the difficulty that the lefties are having responding to my challenges.

    I will not stop belaboring this point until the Gazette tells me otherwise.

    Posted By: AaronS (8:00am 10-12-2009)
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    Why doesn't Congress simply change the rules back truth instead of trying to legislate with a regulatory agency? Perhaps President Obama has already answered that question.

    http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=38638

    Posted By: AaronS (7:57am 10-12-2009)
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    That post will be gone faster then the EPA can pull permits that have already been issued.

    Posted By: AaronS (7:57am 10-12-2009)
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    I take each act of censorship as a victory Rational. I've refuted Teddy One Citizen to the point that I got a personal email from the Gazette warning me to stop or I would be banned.

    To me, when you have to start silencing the opposition as liberals like Teddy One Citizen, the Gazette and other liberals do by methods of removing post on public forums or going as far as enacting a policy like the fairness doctrine, your message is garbage and your stance is corrupt.

    But that's just me. I'm sure the editors have a perfectly logical reason for pulling post. They're just too scared to come forth with them.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_doctrine

    Posted By: AaronS (7:50am 10-12-2009)
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    So you're admitting Nanette that Democrats, who have not only controlled this state for almost 80 years but also the vast majority of counties including all southern coal counties are as crooked as a dog's hind leg and is willing to sell out their constituents for a little bit of money!!!

    Interesting. Most of you guys won't admit the truth. I just wonder how much they paid for Jay.

    Posted By: truthandreality (7:44am 10-12-2009)
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    The only instance of " OVERSTEPPING THEIR BOUNDS " occured in May 2002 , and it created the situation which " mountain-toppers " , and State Governments controlled by the COAL Industry have been used to the past 7 years !!

    Bush Administration Told By Congress and Court: Changing Environmental Rules to Allow Waste Dumps in Waters Violates the Clean Water Act
    May 8, 2002

    "Today, both the legislative and judicial branches of government came out in opposition to what the executive branch did to the Clean Water Act on May 3," said Joan Mulhern, senior legislative counsel for Earthjustice. "This should send a strong message to the Bush administration -- and the public -- that the administration's attempt to undermine the Clean Water Act is not only wrong, it is illegal."

    http://tinyurl.com/mhw4zz

    Posted By: Nanette (5:37am 10-12-2009)
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    Aaron you stated:
    "Seems to me like we have a major failure of government agencies and we need to take a serious look at exactly who has been running this state for the past 80 year, give or take a few.

    I can tell you who has been running this state for the past 80 plus years. The coal industry,lock stock and barrel. It hasn't mattered who has been in office. Coal has always run this state. The fact is that it has run this state into the ground.

    The sad thing is that it is so commonplace that it is right out in the open for all to see and nobody cares IMO.

    What was different under Arch Moore or Cecil Underwood? Both were miserable governors, much like Manchin. The only difference that I can see is that the first two I mentioned admitted they were republicans but Manchin is a DINO. All poorly ran the agencies and at least one of them ran this state into near bankruptcy. IMO every one of them was and is more cooked that a dog's hind leg.

    Posted By: Rational (11:24pm 10-11-2009)
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    They just can't hang.

    Posted By: Rational (11:14pm 10-11-2009)
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    I am irritated, yes - but also amused and flattered.

    Posted By: Rational (11:09pm 10-11-2009)
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    . . . and quite an admission of defeat.

    Posted By: Rational (11:02pm 10-11-2009)
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    My post of an hour ago is gone. Just like a health care town hall - we're shouting down opposing viewpoints.

    As Pelosi shrieked, "That's un-American!"

    Posted By: AaronS (10:26pm 10-11-2009)
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    Every one of Kentucky's coal ash ponds have been discovered leaking cancer-causing toxins into Kentucky's water supply.

    Considering the number of fallacies you post, you'll need to provide something to back this statement up.

    Posted By: One Citizen (9:28pm 10-11-2009)
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    Every one of Kentucky's coal ash ponds have been discovered leaking cancer-causing toxins into Kentucky's water supply. Does anyone think that ours are doing any better?

    Massey violated its Clean Water Permits 28 times every day for 6 long years. Yet neither Joe Manchin nor his wonderful WVDEP stepped in to put a stop to it. His DEP has openly admitted that it never monitored properly, and is now stalling the settlement of SMCRA's definition of "reclamation". There are now reports that coalfield families are getting sick and dying at rates of over 5 times higher than non-coalfield Appalachians

    It was only after the feds stepped in did the unbelievable continuous violation of Clean Water Act Permits subside, when they enforced a fine of $20 million and required another $10 million in remediation. Had Manchin sued instead of the feds, that $20 million would have rightfully gone into state coffers. Had they been enforcing in the first place, your WV neighbors may have actually SURVIVED!

    Posted By: avidreader (8:49pm 10-11-2009)
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    I voted for Manchin prior to seeing that he cares nothing for the public employee or the general public. I now see him as being the lint in big business' pocket.

    I will never vote for him again!

    Posted By: One Citizen (7:20pm 10-11-2009)
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    For 6 long years Massey violated its Clean Water Permits 28 times every day. Yet neither Joe Manchin nor his wonderful WVDEP stepped in to put a stop to it. His DEP has openly admitted that it never monitored properly, and is now stalling the settlement of SMCRA's definition of "reclamation". There are now reports that coalfield families are getting sick and dying at rates of over 5 times higher than non-coalfield Appalachians

    It was only after the feds stepped in did the unbelievable continuous violation of Clean Water Act Permits subside, when they enforced a fine of $20 million and required another $10 million in remediation. Had Manchin sued instead of the feds, that $20 million would have rightfully gone into state coffers. Had they been enforcing in the first place, your WV neighbor may not have DIED!

    Now, every one of Kentucky's coal ash ponds have been discovered leaking cancer-causing toxins into Kentucky's water supply. Does anyone think that ours are doing any better here?

    Posted By: 4GOD (7:04pm 10-11-2009)
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    Agreed aaron, but this does not elevate the corporate ethical requirement to follow the law. We lock citizens away for repeated violations. What is different in this situation? We usually don’t reduce fines of 900 million to 20 million. We usually don’t allow probation while identical acts are committed, without correction.

    Posted By: AaronS (6:56pm 10-11-2009)
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    Seems to me like we have a major failure of government agencies and we need to take a serious look at exactly who has been running this state for the past 80 year, give or take a few.

    Posted By: One Citizen (12:19am 10-11-2009)
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    For six long years Massey violated its Clean Water Permits around 28 times a day, yet neither Joe Manchin nor his wonderful WVDEP ever stepped in to put a stop to it. His DEP has openly admitted that it hasn't been monitoring properly, and has even stalled settling the SMCRA definition of reclamation. There are now reports confirming the fact that coalfield families are getting sick and dying at rates of over 5 times higher than non-coalfield Appalachians.

    It was only after the feds stepped in did anyone halt the unbelievable continuous violation of Clean Water Act Permits, by enforcing a fine of $20 million in restitution and $10 million in remediation. Had Manchin sued instead of the feds, that $20 million would have rightfully gone into state coffers

    Recent studies show that every single one of Kentucky's coal ash ponds are leaking cancer causing toxins into their water supply. Does anyone think that ours are doing any better here in WV under Manchin and his WV DEP?

    Posted By: AaronS (3:40pm 10-10-2009)
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    If it states order then highlight it and show it. I read the order three times and no where did I see where the EPA determined DuPont was the sole party responsible and thus they had to clean it up.

    Like it or not, DuPont accepted their responsibility and re-aquired the land to clean it up. And what did they get for their troubles? A lawsuit for actions of their company from 50 years ago. T. L. Diamond was the last operator of the plant but it's hard to sue a company that's no longer around, isn't it? And we wonder why companies don't want to come to WV.

    Posted By: ajf (2:59pm 10-10-2009)
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    And yes Aarons,It clearly states order

    Posted By: ajf (2:58pm 10-10-2009)
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    Why Aarons,did you refuse to look at Ken Wards follow up report on the proven wrong doings of the EPA,DEP,and other responsible parties?It was proven in court documents,that the state and federal regulators new of these occurences and then lied about it!

    Posted By: ajf (2:54pm 10-10-2009)
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    I have posted what on various sites?And I do have an agenda.I am sick and tired rogue corporations POISONING innocent families and children,and getting away with it! if anyone disagrees with my opinion than I am sorry.

    Posted By: AaronS (2:29pm 10-10-2009)
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    EPA issued a unilateral order for pile consolidation and the installation of erosion control and security measures in September of 1997. The PRPs have accomplished the work in the approved response action plan submitted in accordance with the order.

    No where does it say that DuPont alone was declared the responsible party thus they were responsible for the entire clean up and why you continue to imply such is beyond me. The page says what it says and doesn't change the fact that DuPont took responsibility for their part as the re-acquisition of the property confirms.

    Obviously you have an agenda because you've continued to post this on various sites that have nothing to do with DuPont or the Smelter plant trying to get anyone to listen to you. As you’ve failed in whatever it is you’re trying to prove and unless you have something new, consider yourself proven wrong.

    Good day.

    Posted By: ajf (11:49am 10-10-2009)
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    Again on the same page Aarons, It says epa issued an order!

    Posted By: AaronS (11:41am 10-10-2009)
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    AaronS why didn't you post all of it? it clearly states a superfund removal order!

    I'm only limited to 1000 words.

    From your link.

    Last Update: March 2001
    No future updates

    I posted.

    In early 2001, Dupont and T. L.. Diamond, the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs), completed a Supplemental Site Assessment and a Human Health Risk Assessment. The reports have been submitted to the State for review. A determination will be made by the State if additional site assessment and or health risk information is needed. Following this, the West Virginia Voluntary Remediation Program calls for a Site Remedy Evaluation Report to be submitted by the PRPs.

    No where does it state that DuPont, as you have asserted, does it state the DuPont was forced to assume responsibility. I don't know why the crusade against DuPont but perhaps if you stuck with facts and left the emotional out of it, you might get somewhere.

    Posted By: Bruno (11:12am 10-10-2009)
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    Manchin talks about the "process" that the Raleigh County school board needs to go through to get the kids a new school, but when the EPA goes through the legal process they were supposed to all this time, Manchin has a hissy fit. He should step down and stop calling himself governor, because all he is is a coal lobbyist. No different than if our tax money paid Don Blankenship or Bill Raney.

    Posted By: ajf (8:59am 10-10-2009)
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    AaronS why didn't you post all of it?
    it clearly states a superfund removal order!

    Posted By: ajf (8:57am 10-10-2009)
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    Cleanup Progress
    EPA issued a unilateral order for pile consolidation and the installation of erosion control and security measures in September of 1997. The PRPs have accomplished the work in the approved response action plan submitted in accordance with the order.

    Posted By: ajf (8:56am 10-10-2009)
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    Site Responsibility

    Cleanup of this site is being handled under an EPA Superfund Removal Order with the potentially responsible party

    Posted By: rwc (2:24am 10-10-2009)
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    no you don't,you do the same as one citizen has done,copy off what people think and then make sarcastic remarks to what you don't like,the only difference is you don't repost things from three months ago.

    Posted By: AaronS (10:56pm 10-09-2009)
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    I do.

    Posted By: rwc (10:46pm 10-09-2009)
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    I just expect you to back up the BS you post. aarons i'll expect the same from you when you spout of your bs.

    Posted By: AaronS (7:11pm 10-09-2009)
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    http://www.epa.gov/reg3hscd/npl/WV0000634584.htm

    Is that the link you were trying to post ajf? I copied and pasted yours but it brought up a file not found page. So I did a search under the mid-atlantic superfund of Spelter Smelter and that was the page that came up.

    I'm confused though. From the site.

    Site oversight responsibility has been taken over by the State of West Virginia’s Voluntary Remediation Program. In early 2001, Dupont and T. L.. Diamond, the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs), completed a Supplemental Site Assessment and a Human Health Risk Assessment. The reports have been submitted to the State for review. A determination will be made by the State if additional site assessment and or health risk information is needed. Following this, the West Virginia Voluntary Remediation Program calls for a Site Remedy Evaluation Report to be submitted by the PRPs.

    I read the entire page and didn't see where DuPont was forced to do anything.

    Posted By: ajf (6:14pm 10-09-2009)
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    The new link I have posted below will show that thaey were forced to do so!

    Posted By: ajf (6:13pm 10-09-2009)
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    Here you go AaronS

    Posted By: ajf (6:12pm 10-09-2009)
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    <a href="http://www.epa.gov/reg3hscd/npl/WV0000634584.htm">West
    Virginia, Spelter Smelter, Current Site Information (NPL Pad) |
    Mid-Atlantic Superfund | US EPA</a>

    Posted By: AaronS (5:52pm 10-09-2009)
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    Not on every issue Nanette but on a lot, yes, I do know what I'm talking about. I don't spout off on emotion nor am I pushing an agenda. I reasearch every subject and study the issue and form my opinion, I'm not led by blind emotion chasing an agenda.

    And no, I don't need you to do my leg work rwc. I just expect you to back up the BS you post. If you can't do that, you're no better then the others spouting tripe without some sort of proof.

    As for Massey, I don't think their agenda is hidden. You may not agree with it but I think they're pretty upfront with it. And like it or not, ANY and ALL who work for them share the EXACT same agenda.

    I'll find the information I read on DuPont ajf and post it for you. If you have something that shows they were FORCED to participate in the clean up, I'd be interested in giving it a read.

    Posted By: rwc (5:04pm 10-09-2009)
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    ajf ,i was referring to aarons on the rest of my comment.

    Posted By: rwc (4:49pm 10-09-2009)
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    ajf,unless you do the foot work for him he'll continue to believe in principals that don't exist.according to aarons it has to do with principals on one side and hidden agendas on the other.apparently,you are blind to the hidden agenda that follows massey and others.the more i try to stay neutral to this ,and the more i listen to people like you,it makes it hard to look at it from both sides.

    Posted By: Nanette (3:58pm 10-09-2009)
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    It sounds like AaronS has inside the scoop and knows everything on every issue to hear him tell it.

    Posted By: ajf (3:47pm 10-09-2009)
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    I think you had better do some research about the facts of the case.And then tell everyone about how much you know.

    Posted By: ajf (3:45pm 10-09-2009)
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    How do you know the truth. were you there?

    Posted By: ajf (3:44pm 10-09-2009)
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    They did not volunteer to clean it up.They only complied when they were ordered to

    Posted By: AaronS (3:06pm 10-09-2009)
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    I know that DuPont sold the smelter plant in 1951 and after 45 plus years of ownership by another company, DuPont took responsibility for their past transgressions and assumed responsibility for the clean up and went as far to re-aquire the plant in 2001, none of which they had to do. And for their responsibility, DuPont got sued and lost

    As I know the truth, I really don't need to read Ken Ward's article but if you have the link, I'll check it out. I couldn't find your previous one.

    Posted By: ajf (1:48pm 10-09-2009)
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    You are very welcome Nanette

    Posted By: ajf (1:37pm 10-09-2009)
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    once again AaronS,look at this link that i posted earlier that Ken Ward Jr of the Charleston Gazette followed up on and look at what your State Regulators tried to pull and then let me know if you still feel the same way

    Posted By: ajf (1:34pm 10-09-2009)
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    Blogs @ The Charleston Gazette - » 'Green goo', dupont and ...

    Posted By: AaronS (1:32pm 10-09-2009)
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    Perhaps you should learn the truth about Spelter and DuPont Nanette. Or you can continue to believe someone with an agenda's version of what happened.

    Myself, I prefer to know the facts as they occur and not a version of a plaintiff's lawyer and remain ignorant but that's just me.

    Posted By: Nanette (1:08pm 10-09-2009)
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    Thanks for the link ajf. This is so disturbing. I cannnot understand how it is legal for a state official to do what Manchin has done and continues to do. I wish that the feds would come in there and go through this state with a fine toothed comb. I am sure that they would find that our leaders operate in a manner that is not legal nor ethical. We know it. I think the world should know it.

    Posted By: AaronS (12:33am 10-09-2009)
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    It's called principals rwc but I understand you're not understanding the concept.

    Good day sir.

    Posted By: rwc (12:24am 10-09-2009)
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    ajf,does this knowledge surprise you now that we know where it is that his loyalty lies?

    Posted By: rmorlock (11:24am 10-09-2009)
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    Has anyone else read that yet?

    Posted By: rmorlock (11:23am 10-09-2009)
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    ajf,I have checked out the link you have posted,and all i can say is WOW!

    Posted By: mustang (11:19am 10-09-2009)
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    accept my apology rmorlock if you are not one of those people I'm describing. By the way you mention dumping garbage into the waterways, you are absoulutely right. I have worked in several of the counties you speak of and most of what I see has nothing to do with mining, it has to do with laziness and instead of paying a trash bill to pick up trash it is so much easier to throw it over the hill and blame MTR. While the EPA is investigating mines, they will also start investigating and issuing fines upon those people that have batteries, cars, trash, sewer etc,etc,etc in the streams behind their homes and demand they clean up or continue paying fines.

    Posted By: ajf (11:07am 10-09-2009)
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    Below is yes another link to what our wonderfull Governor has been up to

    Posted By: ajf (11:05am 10-09-2009)
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    Please Governor Manchin,you are the one who is cruel and inhumane!

    Posted By: ajf (11:04am 10-09-2009)
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    http://richmond.injuryboard.com/toxic-substances/west-virginia-governor-exposed-as-pawn-of-dupont.aspx?googleid=245550

    Posted By: rwc (11:00am 10-09-2009)
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    well if you believe that the you've got a warped sense of humor.it's not that simple, you look at it as being a hypocrite,and i look at it as taking care of their families.in this day and time of losing jobs,most miners or coal truck drivers are doing what they need to do to survive.no i don't have a link for that,but the people i know have said that.apparently you don't understand the difference between work for and support.i personally wouldn't work for massey if they were the last job on the face of this planet,but i don't put down the ones that do,i slam the company itself for where they stand.instead of being a little two year old and accusing people of crying,why don't you look at it from both sides.

    Posted By: AaronS (10:35am 10-09-2009)
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    aarons,while that may be true,do you really think that it all the governments fault?

    Yes it is the governments fault. It is they who have the authority to put a stop to everything you are crying about, including issuing jail terms for repeated violators.

    ...just like not all miners working for massey support what there company does.

    Sure they do, when they cash their paychecks. They either support Massey or they're the worlds biggest hypocrites. It's that simple.

    Posted By: mustang (10:30am 10-09-2009)
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    please accept my apology rmorlock if you are not one of those people I'm describing. By the way you mention dumping garbage into the waterways, you are absoulutely right. I have worked in several of the counties you speak of and most of what I see has nothing to do with mining, it has to do with laziness and instead of paying a trash bill to pick up trash it is so much easier to throw it over the hill and blame MTR. While the EPA is investigating mines, they will also start investigating and issuing fines upon those people that have batteries, cars, trash, sewer etc,etc,etc in the streams behind their homes and demand they clean up or continue paying fines.

    Posted By: rmorlock (10:16am 10-09-2009)
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    mustang,why hve you resulted to name calling? blowing tops off of mountains is not ok.What's the point in that?Do you think these companies really care about the mess they leave behind?They don't care about you or anyone else.They are just going to rob the state of it's natural beauty,and then take the money and run!Where does that leave you?I think it is about time someone is holding these corporations accountable for their actions.Why should they be allowed to dump thier leftover garbage into our waterways and land,will someone please explain that to me.Because i fail to see the point in that!

    Posted By: rwc (10:09am 10-09-2009)
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    mustang ,not all enviromentalists are hypocrites,just like not all miners working for massey support what there company does.if these companies were more responible to their neighbors,i could understand your view.when they come right out and tell you they've done nothing wrong,and then cover it up or just downright lie about it,yes then you get responses to the mines such as some extreme enviromentalists do.

    Posted By: rwc (9:54am 10-09-2009)
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    aarons,while that may be true,do you really think that it all the governments fault?if these companies would follow these laws,instead of breaking them,then the fines and the epa wouldn't be finally coming down hard on these companies.i personally think that the repeated violaters should spend a little time in jail,just like any criminal.

    Posted By: mustang (9:35am 10-09-2009)
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    I think someone made a good point when they said environmentalists were HYPOCRITS. They continue to use all the things that THEY say causes the water issues and global warming, but yet they still take and use the resources, and if that is not enough now on the news nasa just bombed the moon, where are you environmentalists on that issue or is that different, out of sight, out of mind. Just like one commenter made underground mining is ok but MTR is not, again out of sight, out of mind. GIVE ME A BREAK YOU HYPOCRITS.

    Posted By: truthandreality (9:17am 10-09-2009)
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    WVU1981 .....
    Read the Fox News article , it explains it in-depth !!!

    Posted By: WVU1981 (8:59am 10-09-2009)
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    Hey "truthandreality" Please explain what is it that Obama did to bring world peace to win the Noble Peace Prize. Obviously you are unaware the voting concluded on February 1, 2009, which is only 10 days after his cornation. Just what did he do in 10 days that changed the world.

    Posted By: AaronS (8:06am 10-09-2009)
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    I didn't just get anything Malfoy. I've always blamed government agencies for all the crying you do daily. If they would do their job many of the problems we see today wouldn't be happening.

    Posted By: AaronS (8:05am 10-09-2009)
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    4GOD, not dodging you, but once again, I have no idea what you are trying to say.

    You're not alone rational.

    President Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

    I don't know which question is more relevent truth, why or who cares?

    Posted By: truthandreality (6:16am 10-09-2009)
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    Speaking of Cap & Trade , Al Gore won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work on CLIMATE CHANGE .

    Now , Oct 9 , 2009 ....

    President Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

    OSLO -- President Barack Obama on Friday won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.

    "Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future," the committee said. "His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/09/president-barack-obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize/

    Posted By: Rational (9:22pm 10-08-2009)
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    4GOD, not dodging you, but once again, I have no idea what you are trying to say.

    Except for your last sentence - that has been the underlying theme of just about every post I have submitted on these MTR threads - MTR is not as black and white an issue as the fanatical extremists say.

    Posted By: 4GOD (9:16pm 10-08-2009)
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    Rational, using your logic, why would I even associate cap and trade with coal? If I don’t have to worry about others, why would I care for the coal miners that lose their jobs (but I have to)? Why would I worry about any business (but I have to)? My cost may go up a little from the electric company because they would have to pay (the coal company doesn’t burn the coal, they sell it). Must be nice to have a only single person/direction to worry about? Step into the real world, things aren’t so easy.

    Posted By: rwc (8:46pm 10-08-2009)
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    rmorlock,it has a face and a name to it,just no one to take it to the point of arresting them and throwing their tails in jail.they should be held accountable,but are not due to people not doing their jobs.wv man they wouldn't be so dead set against coal,if these people were held responsible for their own actions,and i wouldn't count them out yet on the government bailout,several are near bankruptcy now as it is.massey has bought from several of these that are in bankruptcy.

    Posted By: Rational (5:21pm 10-08-2009)
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    rmorlock - what is your position on cap and trade? If you favor it you are anti-coal.

    Posted By: sox (5:07pm 10-08-2009)
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    True American

    So, if somebody wants to build a coal plant, they can — it’s just that it will bankrupt them, because they are going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted.

    Obama to the San Francisco Cronical Jan 2008

    Posted By: rmorlock (4:39pm 10-08-2009)
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    I don't believe anyone is anti-coal wv man. people are just sick and tired of regulators not doing their job.I mean if these pollutors have been caught time and time again,why should they not be held accountable?Everyone else has to follow the rules,why not the large corporations?I understand the need for jobs in Wv but does it have to be at the expense of our childrens health.Polluting our soil,air and water with toxic deadly chemicals!They are like thieves in the night robbing citizen's of their right to drink clean water or breath clean air.Did these corporations for permission to distribute their toxic garbage onto peoples property?If these corporations had a face,they surly would have been arrested for their crimes which include trespassing!

    Posted By: wv man (4:24pm 10-08-2009)
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    And again, all these anti-coal environmentalists are using up more and more electricty complaining about a "false" problem to which they are contributing. HYPOCRITS!! WV's coal industry one of the few industries still hiring, still employing, and not asking for a government bailout, and the OBAMA administration wants to shut'em down. Nobody has ever proved any MAJOR environmental damage from MTR over recent decades (at least since 1977).

    Posted By: rmorlock (4:14pm 10-08-2009)
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    Very interseting link ajf.

    Posted By: ajf (2:32pm 10-08-2009)
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    Copy and paste link on posted article and see some of what our state regulators have been to.The article is a followup by Ken Ward Jr.

    Posted By: ajf (2:26pm 10-08-2009)
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    Blogs @ The Charleston Gazette - » 'Green goo', dupont and ...

    Posted By: rwc (12:23am 10-08-2009)
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    malfoy,you are right and wrong.yhe wv dep started this mess,the federal epa is trying to clean up their mess and the industries blatant disreguard for the law.they were given the powers to fine them,and even send them to jail,but the latter has been ignored.i say start sending them to jail,maybe then they will play by the rules that have been laid out.

    Posted By: malfoy (11:57am 10-08-2009)
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    Aaron... my wrath?? You've got issues.

    You asked the question: Or are you saying ajf can post days worth of documents where there were violations but no punishment whatsoever?.. and I answered it.

    You then stated: That my friend is a failure of the regulating agency and is where your wrath should be directed..

    OMG, you finally get it. It IS the failure of the regulating agency (EPA). And they are finally doing something about it... what's the problem again?

    Posted By: rwc (11:57am 10-08-2009)
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    I'm curious, do you think that Massey should build this school because they've had mines that have violated the rules in the past?
    i'm curious too,aarons,just when was it that they stopped?or are you just "BLOWING SMOKE"? i for one agree with malfoy,for which i've never done,but for the sake and safety of these kids.the school board can find another place to build marsh fork elementary,and build a school that isn't around any of these mines.but for massey to use the "tax" factor is crap.i've said they would have paid them anyway.you haven't shown any links or proof that they have, in fact, stopped polluting.i've gone back and read on some of the fines that goals has paid ,and some where even fines pertaining to the slurry pond itself,allowing erosion on the walls that hold it into place.i'll see if i can ask ken ward to help me out on this,so you can have your proof.

    Posted By: lux (11:46am 10-08-2009)
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    The Feds should take over the entire enforcement of the mining industry in WV - just as they had to take over the enforcemetn of civil rights laws in the South in the 60's. Coal is too powerful here to be regulated properly. We need outside help - the EPA decision is welcome news and long overdue.

    Posted By: AaronS (11:42am 10-08-2009)
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    And, as violations continue, punishments should increase. Aaron, you and Mustang are putting words in people's mouths. No one said they haven't been punished. But, look at the punishment. It obviously hasn't been punishment enough to get them to quit violating the rules and laws.

    That my friend is a failure of the regulating agency and is where your wrath should be directed. And before you respond that they've all been bought, if you have proof of that then I would suggest a call to an FBI office near you.

    Posted By: True American (11:24am 10-08-2009)
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    SKEPDOC said,"Obama said he would bankrupt coal companies with regulation." This is an erroneous statement. Obama NEVER said such a thing. SKEPDOC is repeating SARAH PALIN who said this during the campaign. As usual she took something out of context. Remember there are lies of commission and lies of omission. To find the truth all I had to do was go to Yahoo and enter: Obama regarding coal. The first article quotes Obama. The second article quotes Palin and Obama's response. When are you people going to start thinking for yourselves and quit repeating everything you hear without confirming it. And the rest of you, instead of arguing endlessly and getting personal with each other, just do some research and come back at them with the TRUTH. People who do not want the truth won't believe it anyway, but at least the truth will be stated for the rest of us. And tell us where you found the truth. Truth always wins in the end. Just keep pounding back with the (documented) truth.

    Posted By: malfoy (11:21am 10-08-2009)
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    And 'For the sake of the kids', I do believe Massey should help with the cost of relocating the school.

    And, as violations continue, punishments should increase. Aaron, you and Mustang are putting words in people's mouths. No one said they haven't been punished. But, look at the punishment. It obviously hasn't been punishment enough to get them to quit violating the rules and laws.

    Mustang, are you really suggesting that someone said that coal companies are the only ones breaking the law? Did anyone here say Obama is our next king (I presume you're talking about after King W). For one, I broke the law on the way to work this morning (speeding), and Obama is not any kind of king.

    Where most people miss the whole picture (from being herded through the pasture [sheep]), is that presidents and politicians on both sides are evil, and are pawns of big money. Money runs this country... not politicians.

    Posted By: AaronS (11:00am 10-08-2009)
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    If ajf has 20 or 30 minutes to put into it, he/she could paste days worth of documents to show how many times coal companies have been fined for breaking the law in this state.

    I'm curious, do you think that Massey should build this school because they've had mines that have violated the rules in the past?

    Or are you saying ajf can post days worth of documents where there were violations but no punishment whatsoever?

    Posted By: mustang (10:43am 10-08-2009)
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    Well ,Well we have been busy today. Let’s see so far I'm reading well it (SOUNDS LIKE). Coal companies are the only ones who break the law and obama is our next king and government is not corrupt. WOW I must have missed a day or that water I’m drinking must be loaded. Talking about the coal companies like this is all their fault, pleeeassseee.

    Posted By: malfoy (10:39am 10-08-2009)
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    AaronS said, "Now if you have documentation or a link to evidence that Goals Coal processing center is breaking the law or polluting to the point that they should be forced to contribute to building a school, I'll give it a read. Until then, you're blowing smoke"...

    Are you insinuating that there is a threshold of breaking the law that should be allowed? Only after breaking it this much should they be held accountable?

    If ajf has 20 or 30 minutes to put into it, he/she could paste days worth of documents to show how many times coal companies have been fined for breaking the law in this state.

    Posted By: Rational (10:14am 10-08-2009)
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    I assume by your silence Truth and Reality that you agree that you quoted me out of context in a most disingenuous manner.

    Posted By: AaronS (10:12am 10-08-2009)
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    IT IS ALL ABOUT ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM " PROFIT " FOR " OUTSIDER " COAL CORPORATIONS .

    So only in state coal corporations are justified in obtaining maxium profit?

    Posted By: AaronS (10:10am 10-08-2009)
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    I don't have to tell you "that they haven't broken the laws and poluted" rwc. Once again, the burden of proof is on the one making the accusation. Why is that so difficult for you to understand?

    Now if you have documentation or a link to evidence that Goals Coal processing center is breaking the law or polluting to the point that they should be forced to contribute to building a school, I'll give it a read. Until then, you're blowing smoke.

    Posted By: truthandreality (10:08am 10-08-2009)
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    What we have is " CHANGE " !!!

    BUSH is gone , the BUSH EPA is gone , the BUSH rubber-stamp Congress is gone , the BUSH Dept. of Interior is gone , and the BUSH OSM and Dept. of Energy is gone .

    " CHANGE " .... BASED ON SCIENCE , AND .... THE FEDERAL LAW !!!

    According to The Sierra Club ,
    which has constant contact with the The U.S. Dept.of Energy ,
    " Mountaintop Removal " coal from Appalachia contributes approximately ( 4 ) - ( FOUR ) percent
    to the actual U.S. electricity generation .

    The ABSENCE of Mountaintop Removal coal in our nations coal - fired power plants would not even be noticed .

    The " lights " and all our computers would still be on ….
    as well as all residential , governmental , industrial , and commercial electricity in the United States .

    MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL COAL MINING IS NOT , OR EVER HAS BEEN .... ACTUALLY NEEDED .
    IT IS ALL ABOUT ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM " PROFIT " FOR " OUTSIDER " COAL CORPORATIONS .
    IT " DOES NOT " KEEP THE LIGHTS ON !!

    Posted By: ajf (9:36am 10-08-2009)
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    If you copy and paste the link to your browser that I posted a short time ago.you will see that Gov. Manchin does this all the time.The only thing he cares about is rogue corporate payoffs.He doesn't care about the people he was elected to protect.

    Posted By: rwc (9:16am 10-08-2009)
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    Seems to me that according to the American way, one is innocent until proven guilty thus the burden of proof lies with the state, just as it does with you and the accusations you make rwc.

    aarons,your going to sit back and tell me that they haven't broken the laws and poluted.where in the world do you live,fairytell land?even i have never claimed that,and i have been known to make comments upholding the coal industry.i've even gone as far as showing where the people living up prenter hollow need to clean up their areas before pointing fingers at just massey.but you want me to believe that line of bull?even manchin has overstepped his bounds when it comes to taking up for coal companies.fighting for jobs is one thing,but for him to blatantly come out like this.he'll never make it into a congressional seat.unless of course massey and others buy it for him.

    Posted By: malfoy (8:52am 10-08-2009)
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    Coal companies have broken the rules and violated laws for decades. So now we have a president that is requiring them to follow the rules and laws. What's the problem?

    I have rules at work. I have to show up on time. I have to take a certain length of time for lunch. Etc. etc. If I broke these rules, it wouldn't have taken them decades to fire me.

    Posted By: ajf (8:44am 10-08-2009)
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    http://wvrecord.com/news/214198-gov.-manchin-a-puppet-of-duponts-attorney-says

    Posted By: WallyKeyster (8:39am 10-08-2009)
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    Someone please provide a positive. I can’t find one.

    He sullied the reputation of WVU (which is good for Marshall grads).

    Posted By: idpeaceb (7:24am 10-08-2009)
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    It's almost humorous what an elected official can do or say under the guise of these assumed "jobs."

    Posted By: 4GOD (5:37am 10-08-2009)
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    I just wish he had done his job (in these times we need the role filled). I would have settled for neutral (at least don’t make things worse). How quickly did we go from statements like “everything is great” to where we are now? How well did his investment friends take care of us. How well did his privatization friends take care of us? Why did we have to pay for creating a company, without removing liability, while other commercial companies were out there?

    He could not generate morale if he had to. How many times has he walked through departments and thanked the employees for a good job? He wouldn’t want to get his hands dirty. This is called getting in the trenches. This has been the standard management principle since the late 1970’s. It’s called management by inclusion. WV is always behind the times, but by 30 years? How about the termination of employees for doing right? How much has this cost us after the fact?

    Someone please provide a positive. I can’t find one.

    Posted By: WallyKeyster (11:05pm 10-07-2009)
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    Joe, do you think you have done such a great job that you can start telling others how to do theirs...You have succeeded to the max at “your” job, it just happens not to be the one you are paid “by us” to do.

    He has performed exactly as anyone paying attention expected. He has enriched his friends and family while building his resume for Congress. Nothing more and nothing less.

    Posted By: mike fink (9:54pm 10-07-2009)
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    Obama will succeed in closing the MTR permits, by using the EPA and the clean water act by regulation, because legislation will not happen. Then, the state will go back into the red, losing all the jobs associated with it and all the people that say it is spoiling the state will be happy. They will be unemployed and on welfare and again wards of the state, because with the union metality of these areas, (non border counties mostly) they will be back to the old adage. "Vote for Bryd and get a check on the 3rd!" There will be no other jobs coming into this state. Think about this, what new industries have moved into these areas in the last 50 years?
    Trasportation to markets world wide just does not exist in our state unless you are on the border, steel is all but gone, chemical have left all but Dow and Dupont...what will be left? I know, move the people out to the borders and make the entire middle of the state a national park, THAT would do it>

    Posted By: Rational (9:45pm 10-07-2009)
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    Truth and Reality (as if), that was extremely disingenuous of you to quote me out of context. You neglected to note that I was responding to a post (2 posts earlier!) from hollergal:

    "Can't serve God and mammon. Your idea of prosperous is different than mine- you think it is all about who dies with the most stuff. God thinks different."

    So I did not invoke God - YOUR SIDE DID. And what makes you think I was bragging? I have some familiarity with the Bible, though by no means am I as pious as you. But what I understand of it is that it is first and foremost the story of God's redemption of fallen man though Jesus Christ. I didn't realize that there was an equally important message, or any message at all, that we are not to use our ingenuity to extract the resources he left us in the safest and most efficient manner possible. Also, (I get confused about this end of times stuff) isn't there supposed to be a new heaven and a new earth? The mountains aren't supposed to last forever.

    Posted By: 4GOD (8:50pm 10-07-2009)
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    Citizenship requires removal of bounds and blinders. To sanction or condone any activity, for single or self, is against both Republican and Democratic constitutions. These are simple actions of corruption against the rights of the entire body of Citizens.

    In other words, what did you do to correct the situation? Yet you complain that others did not correct.

    It did get corrected, no thanks to individuals such as yourself. Charity and welfare come in many forms. Sometimes it goes to those so wrapped up in their own world that they fail to realize when a situation “will” impact them.

    Joe, do you think you have done such a great job that you can start telling others how to do theirs? Do you think your agency can do any better? I would say you have failed miserably at your job, but that would be incorrect. You have succeeded to the max at “your” job, it just happens not to be the one you are paid “by us” to do. Think you need to look in the mirror real hard.

    Posted By: AaronS (8:10pm 10-07-2009)
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    Under the Bush Republican Congress it never made it out of committee , and even if it had passed both House & Senate the past 2 years , everyone knew Bush would veto it .

    Perhaps if Democrats were a little more skilled at passing legislation they could have gotten something done.

    After all, Republicans got 2 major war spending bills and all they had to trade was an unconstitutional minimum wage increase and a few weeks of added unemployment.

    Even now, with a veto proof Congress, you guys are still struggling to get any meaningful legislation passed.

    So either Democrats are stupid or incompetent, which is it?

    Posted By: skepdoc (7:38pm 10-07-2009)
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    Obama said he would bankrupt the coal companies with regulations.

    No tea leaves or tarot cards or "secret conspiracy" here: He's doing what he said he'd do.

    And WV may not get wealthy because of what the federal EPA is doing.

    But impoverished WV families will be sure to pony up our children to the recruiters for Obama's "standing army".

    And paper it over the indignity with stars and stripes,and national pledges and patriotic jingoism.

    You'll take our children but you won't take our coal?

    WV should secede.

    Posted By: truthandreality (7:22pm 10-07-2009)
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    Nanette :
    He didn't actually make the claim that you posted , I searched back to 9-15-09 and found the post .

    Posted By: Rational (4:50pm 09-15-2009) Report Abuse


    I go to church with people who derive their livelihood directly from MTR. Anyway, we give at least 10% of out "stuff" to God's work. He doesn't seem to mind how we got our money. Which god do you worship - Gaia?

    Posted By: 4GOD (7:17pm 10-07-2009)
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    Here is the house investigation results:
    http://transportation.house.gov/Media/File/Full%20Committee/Stagnant%20Waters%202008%20Clean%20Water%20Act%20Report.pdf

    Here is the correction:
    http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c27/6944ea38b888dd03852573d3005074ba!OpenDocument

    Posted By: truthandreality (7:05pm 10-07-2009)
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    AaronS , The Clean Water Protection Act ( which reverses what Bush did , legally ,via CONGRESS ) has been introduced " every single year " starting in 2003 .
    Under the Bush Republican Congress it never made it out of committee , and even if it had passed both House & Senate the past 2 years , everyone knew Bush would veto it .

    http://www.ilovemountains.org/clean-water-protection-act/

    Posted By: AaronS (6:45pm 10-07-2009)
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    The current " LAW " is illegal :

    The date of the article you posted truth is May 8, 2002

    My questions for you are why didn't Congress do something about it then, why didn't regulatory agencies do something about it then and why has neither done anything in the past 7 1/2 years?

    I await your response.

    Posted By: AaronS (6:38pm 10-07-2009)
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    aarons,as i've stated,show the ones that are in compliance.they are few and far between.

    Seems to me that according to the American way, one is innocent until proven guilty thus the burden of proof lies with the state, just as it does with you and the accusations you make rwc.

    Or do you not believe in the American way?

    Posted By: Nanette (6:23pm 10-07-2009)
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    Rational, if you are a church going person, and you have made the claims that God made this earth for folks like you to destroy, please give the scripture to validate your claims. If you can't then your argument is mute.

    Posted By: True American (6:16pm 10-07-2009)
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    2000+ years ago a single man took on the churches of his day because they had become corrupt through greed and power and they had corrupted the laws of God. Today, we all know this revolutionary as Jesus. It seems to me that he proved that it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but rather the size of the fight in the dog. So, don't be so swift to diminish the number of environmentalists in this fight. They have been around for ever and I see them gaining momentum. Quit calling what these MTR companies have been doing "the law". It was not legal. It was illegal and therefore had nothing to do with "the law." The violation of the Clean Water Act by way of a presidential order of George Bush does not justify what is being done. He aided and abetted the devastation of OUR mountains AND this country for his rich friends. Halliburton, Merrill-Lynch, AIG, EXXON,Massey,Enron,etc.,to name a few. Need I go on. We are nothing to these people, NOTHING.

    Posted By: truthandreality (6:06pm 10-07-2009)
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    Rational , you actually make me want to puke !!!

    So , I will address a comment you posted about 2 weeks ago on another Gazette MTR article .
    You proudly stated , ( actually bragged ) that you went to church with numerous people who " derived " their paycheck from Mountaintop Removal . I'm sure you'll remember , if not , I'll go back and copy and paste it for you .
    Have YOU , or any of your Mountain-Topping church buddies , or any other Mountain-Topper who has ever invoked GOD into the debate .... ever actually read The Holy Bible , or have any idea what is in it ?

    You are in for a shocking , well deserved awakening .

    " And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come , and the time of the dead , that they should be judged ,
    and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets , and to the saints , and them that fear thy name , small and great ;
    and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. "

    REVELATION 11 : 18 - ( KING JAMES VERSION )

    Posted By: Rational (5:56pm 10-07-2009)
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    Here kitty kitty:

    "MTR hasn't only destroyed the environment (or as you say, a few "ordinary mountains" which being that I respect the work of the Creator think is an extraordinarily callous statement) but it's undermined the unions, eliminated jobs and sent even more money out of state."

    Unions need to be undermined. They've served their purpose, but now they're only a drag on the economy. MTR has not eliminated jobs - it has transferred them to support industries.

    Now, which creations does our Creator love more? His mountains or the ones made in His image? The height of callous disrespect, perhaps downright wicked, is for you hysterical extremists to sacrifice the livelihoods of His people for the sake of His mountains.

    And God, I'm sure, could care less which state people keep their money in.

    Posted By: truthandreality (5:53pm 10-07-2009)
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    TINY URL Link to Earthjustice BUSH Illegality article :

    http://tinyurl.com/mhw4zz

    Posted By: truthandreality (5:48pm 10-07-2009)
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    Hence , we have the Clean Water Protection Act , with 158 co-sponsors from 36 States .

    http://www.ilovemountains.org/clean-water-protection-act/

    Posted By: truthandreality (5:46pm 10-07-2009)
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    The current " LAW " is illegal :

    Bush Administration Told By Congress and Court: Changing Environmental Rules to Allow Waste Dumps in Waters Violates the Clean Water Act
    May 8, 2002

    "Today, both the legislative and judicial branches of government came out in opposition to what the executive branch did to the Clean Water Act on May 3," said Joan Mulhern, senior legislative counsel for Earthjustice. "This should send a strong message to the Bush administration -- and the public -- that the administration's attempt to undermine the Clean Water Act is not only wrong, it is illegal."

    http://www.earthjustice.org/news/press/002/bush_administration_told_by_congress_and_court_changing_environmental_rules_to_allow_waste_dumps_in_waters_violates_the_clean_water_act.html

    Posted By: rwc (5:36pm 10-07-2009)
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    aarons,as i've stated,show the ones that are in compliance.they are few and far between.

    Posted By: AaronS (5:31pm 10-07-2009)
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    The EPA needs to oversee what the Corps does.

    The EPA has no authority over the US Army Corps of Engineers. All they can do is take a look at the permits and if they feel they harm waterways, deny them. If the company is in compliance with current law, the EPA has no choice but to issue the permits.

    Posted By: kittykat (5:09pm 10-07-2009)
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    One more thing and I will stop wasting my time trying to change your mind Fink. The Massey pimps and thugs and wh*&^res like Joe Manchin and ll the other crooked politicians have been stacking the judiciary and the "regulatory" agencies for years to allow the rapist coals companies to run amok. If not for the fact that we have no governmental oversight, MTR would have been limited years ago by the Clean Water Act and other environmental regulations. But alas, because of political corruption, the coal companies were not required to satisfy the environmental protections provided for by the law. Now that the jig is up, they are squalling like scaled cats and accusing the new administration of threatening the industry. When in fact, they are only enforcing laws that have been on the books since the Nixon administration.

    Posted By: rwc (5:07pm 10-07-2009)
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    kittykat,please do not use the term thug.that word can be used on both sides of the game.

    Posted By: rwc (5:05pm 10-07-2009)
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    don't chastise the companies because they play by the rules they are given!
    mike fink,show me the companies that are playing by the rules they were given.out of the companies you name,how many have been fined for not playing by these"rules".

    Posted By: kittykat (5:02pm 10-07-2009)
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    MTR hasn't only destroyed the environment (or as you say, a few "ordinary mountains" which being that I respect the work of the Creator think is an extraordinarily callous statement) but it's undermined the unions, eliminated jobs and sent even more money out of state. Have you bothered to educate yourself on this issue? Yet Massey, again, has exploited the ignorance of the people of this state by putting "coal miner" on the front lines to fight its battles. How Blankenship must laugh when those ignorant thugs cry about losing their jobs when it's been him who has busted the unions and eliminated thousands of jobs by using the vastly cheaper MTR. What fools you people are to fight Massey's battle for them. Don't you think about what you're doing? Or are you like the people of Nazi Germany who actually know, but turn their heads?

    Posted By: Nanette (4:56pm 10-07-2009)
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    Isn't the EPA working to fix the problems that dirty politians have caused at the behest of the coal industry? The rules have been broken over and over and over again. It is time that these companies follow the law and the Corps of Engineers needs to stop issuing these permits until they do. If the permits do not follow the letter of the law they should not be issued period. The EPA needs to oversee what the Corps does. The Corps has proven that they can't or won't do their jobs.

    Posted By: kittykat (4:56pm 10-07-2009)
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    Just because I don't believe in committing an environmental holocaust automatically makes me a liberal? Actually, I don't identify with either side and consider myself an issue oriented person. I consider MTR to be an abomination against the Creator, the people of West Virginia, the environment and the critters who call this State home and have just as much right to be here as I do. West Virginia needs to be weened off coal. If we didn't use coal for a crutch, we might have moved on long ago and not ended up being a national laughing stock because of our legacy of backwater ignorance. No other state in this country relies on self destruction to survive. Also, MTR is a recent development. If you remember correctly, the number of miners peaked at somewhere around 130,000 in the early 1950s, long before MTR. As MTR has slowly replaced underground mining, the number of actual coal miners (as opposed to slob heavy machinery operators) has dwindled along with union membership. con't . . .

    Posted By: mike fink (4:37pm 10-07-2009)
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    I am a WV resident all my 54 years and know what has happened, and my first post on this site was "do you know any politician who isn't dirty? That is where you need to start to fix the problem, they are the ones who have allowed it to get where it has. Secondly unless you own a lot of land, they are not "your" mountains! I do not agree with MTR, however I also believe that a company follows the rules laid out by the state...ego refer to above.
    However, also know that coal pays the bills for all the people that sit in the hills and collect generation after generation of welfare, ( of which I have seen plenty of also) and also pays for the counties in WV that the state is the largest employer, ie schools, state road, HHS offices and prisons...change the laws, don't chastise the companies because they play by the rules they are given!
    ALthough, I always wonder why liberals such as yourself believe that your view is the only view and no one else is entitled....are you that smart??

    Posted By: kittykat (4:23pm 10-07-2009)
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    Mike Fink, do you really think the people who sold their land to the coal robber barons over 100 years ago became wildly rich? Are you even from around here? Because anyone from here knows that the coal robber barons came in here and waved a few dollars under the noses of people who didn't see $100 cash in a year and did nothing short of rob them by exploiting both their ignorance, isolation, desperation and poverty. Generations later, the robber barons, like environmental necrophiliacs are still taking their turns at our land and our people. You want to give my mountains to filthy out-of-state extractors? Maybe they aren't yours to give. You are not better than a slave owner or anyone else who has no problem making a buck off of human suffering and crimes against humanity and if you really knew what the coal companies have done to this State over the past 150 years, you would know they have committed nothing short of human and environmental atrocities.

    Posted By: Rational (4:16pm 10-07-2009)
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    Your refusal or inability to understand my points does not render them irrational. What we do for our profit is actually for the greatest good, even for you people.

    Posted By: mike fink (4:14pm 10-07-2009)
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    I have to agree with rational, I am also a business man that started out by quiting my union job and took a chance and succeeded. I often wonder when making a profit became "corporate greed"? I always thought it was reward for taking the chance and investing your own money. Out of state corporate owners? Why is that, Oh Yea, all the people in the state SOLD their mineral rights for what....Oh Yea...Profits!! Go figure...

    Posted By: plastic_avatar (4:10pm 10-07-2009)
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    Side note: I can't believe my post was removed because I used a word for urination! Wow. A bit Puritanical, no?

    Anyhow =)

    As I said:

    Is it acceptable to destroy streams- period?

    What gives anyone the right to kill miles of waterway, choked with orange run-off, and just go on their merry way?

    These orange streams are all over our state, and I don't think the people who own the land these flow through were ever given a vote on if they wanted those streams poisoned. The coal/chemical companies just keep chugging along, without the worry of stewardship or accountability (that stresses the bottom line).

    It's wrong. It's always been wrong. It will continue to be wrong.

    I'm sorry if satellite businesses suffer if coal goes under, but you're just as complicit in the rape of our state as the large companies. Sorry you're tangled up in it, but it's still wrong and it needs to stop.

    Profits are not more important than the world I leave my children.

    Posted By: rwc (4:07pm 10-07-2009)
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    rational,that sounds more like something that don blankenship would say than anyone that is "rational".that is a poor excuse for putting your business in front of people.profits for destruction,maybe massey can use that for it's slogan too.

    Posted By: ajf (3:57pm 10-07-2009)
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    No I want to save lives

    Posted By: Rational (3:53pm 10-07-2009)
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    I am in the private sector, in a business that derives the majority of its revenues from MTR customers, and we create not only direct jobs for our employees, but many more jobs through our vendors and the multiplier effect of the money that all these workers spend. We also pay a heck of a lot of taxes, as do all companies and employees who depend on us.

    And all this we do serves an even nobler purpose than what you call our "greed" (economists call it profit motive). We are helping to meet our nation's, and the world's, demand for cheap energy so we can all grow our economies and raise the standard of living for all.

    And your nobler purpose is - what? Oh, you want to keep some ordinary mountains, well outside any area tourists care to visit, from being flattened, you want to preserve a few "streams" (God knows why), and you want to stop the "killing and poisioning" MTR is responsible for (urban legends). So what if 1000's of jobs are lost (your neighbors) and energy prices go up?

    Posted By: ajf (3:51pm 10-07-2009)
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    I mean this time.Sorry

    Posted By: mike fink (3:50pm 10-07-2009)
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    After looking over these comments and being from the northern part of the state, first I have to ask if anyone knows a west virginia politician that is not dirty??Secondly when Byrd dies or resigns, Manchin will appoint himself to the position because it is hard to beat an incumbant.
    I agree with the folks that say West Virginians are their own worst enemy as they trash everything around their property and neighborhood, but remember back (not so far either) to the slates that we the people get election whisky for, a few dollars, etc from the politicians for your vote. All these things must change if you want the state to change.
    I personally believe that this issue will go by the wayside as Obama is intent on making coal illegal to use or so expensive through either his cap and trade
    legislation or if it fails, he has already issued the EPA the authority to regulate carbon dioxide and that will kill it all!

    Posted By: ajf (3:49pm 10-07-2009)
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    How dare you Governor Manchin,what's cruel and inhumane,is trying to stop the regulators from trying to do their job and protect the people!I didn't vote for you last time because it's clear where your priorities lie.So I'm sure I won't vote for you mthis time either!

    Posted By: ajf (3:38pm 10-07-2009)
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    FYI,Rational.I was a class representative in that trial representing some 7,000 people that Dupont poisoned,And I do have a job thank you.I just cared enough about the citizen's of the state to give up 5 weeks of my life to devote to helping others,So what is your excuse?

    Posted By: ByrdWatcher (3:31pm 10-07-2009)
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    Deep miners are the only real coal miners anyway. Any heavy equipment operater can now call themselves a WV miner. What a joke.

    Posted By: ByrdWatcher (3:29pm 10-07-2009)
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    I am out to get you Rational...and your little dog, too. Get out of Kansas. MTR is a multi-billion dollar scandal, nothing more. Go to deep coal removal, bring the price of coal higher because of the ban on MTR mining in the US and we in WV will continue to mine coal anyway, because it's here. We can deep mine it and what we can't suck out of the mountain while maintaining the enviroment might just have to stay there for future generations and better ways to remove it. Wow, that's such a bad thing...leaving something for future miners. Living in the here and now and getting all you can get is what got this whole country in the shape it's in.

    Posted By: Rational (3:26pm 10-07-2009)
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    It should come as no surprise to you, endcorruptWV, that I disagree with you. What is good for coal is actually good for you, and for WV's future.

    You just don't understand.

    Posted By: kittykat (3:24pm 10-07-2009)
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    Rational, stop playing the victim. It's the people of West Virginia who are the victims. You will be a casualty of this war and that's what it is - a war. We're fighting a war to save this State and its people. That's just the way wars work.

    Posted By: endcorruptwv (3:23pm 10-07-2009)
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    What's good for coal is not good for WV's long term future. What's good for coal is what's good for the coal corporations industry they support and their profits no matter what the cost.

    Balance.

    Posted By: Rational (3:15pm 10-07-2009)
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    ajf, if you sat through 5 weeks of any trial, then you either need to get a job, or if you are retired, a life.

    Posted By: Rational (3:11pm 10-07-2009)
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    So none of you deny you are "out to get us".

    A small cadre of extremists on the verge of shutting down an entire industry. God bless America.

    Posted By: mustang (2:47pm 10-07-2009)
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    Since I seem to be the only one that doesnt know what I'm talking about, WHY SUCH THE FUSS. Then you won't mind me posting, what I have to say then. Thank You. I have worked in several of the counties you speak of and most of what I see has nothing to do with mining, it has to do with laziness and instead of paying a trash bill to pick up trash it is so much easier to throw it over the hill and blame MTR.One could only hope that while the EPA is investigating mines, they will also start investigating and issuing fines upon those people that have batteries, cars, trash, sewer etc,etc,etc in the streams behind their homes and demand they clean up or continue paying fines.

    Posted By: ajf (2:34pm 10-07-2009)
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    And Rational,I sat through the entire Spelter Smelter Contamination trial,all 5 weeks of it,and the things that came out during that trial would make you sick!

    Posted By: ajf (2:31pm 10-07-2009)
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    Rational,If you were watching what was happening through the courts,you would see the lies,and coverups reaching all the way to the Governor's office.

    Posted By: pickingrass (2:24pm 10-07-2009)
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    Wal-Mart/Sam's have about 4,254 stores nationwide. If each store requires around 20 acres and another 10 for the scrub stores around it (conservative), that's over 125,000 disturbed acres for Wal-Mart. What about acreage disturbed by urban sprawl and over-population? These topics aren't sexy enough for the enviros - they like that warm, fuzzy feeling they get thinking they are fighting for a mountain top or a butterfly.

    Posted By: Rational (2:24pm 10-07-2009)
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    Nanette, surely you do not deny that you are out to get us? Any reasonable person listening to what you say and watching what you do, especially though our courts, would conclude unequivocably that you are trying to shut down MTR. And if you do not disavow cap and trade, the further conclusion has to be drawn that you are "out to get" the entire coal industry.

    Posted By: Nanette (2:15pm 10-07-2009)
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    Rational, the pro coal folks are the ones screaming about how everyone is out to get them, and you say we are in a tizzy over black helicopter conspiracies? Good grief.

    Posted By: AaronS (2:14pm 10-07-2009)
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    I have but one request. Will those who believe that mountain top mining is nothing more then a cheaper version of underground mining please take some time and educate yourself. That's like saying you’re going out on the Kanawha to do some deep sea fishing.

    As for this article, while I don't agree with the governor that the EPA has overstepped their boundaries, I do hope the EPA will use this permitting process as a means to ensure safe mining is being done and not as a vehicle to eliminate MTM. They are a regulatory agency and that is not part of their job responsibility.

    If they are going to set new regulations and guidelines, then they need to do so quickly. Private industry has invested millions into extracting the coal out of those mountains and they should not be left trying to second guess what the EPA is going to do. The EPA should clarify the situation posthaste. If not, coal companies will idle mines, which will come back to bite us all in the long run.

    Posted By: ByrdWatcher (2:12pm 10-07-2009)
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    They took my comment off...obviously, censorship is still alive and well here too!

    I am going to send every exec for Massey a bottle of water from Prenter.

    Posted By: ByrdWatcher (2:10pm 10-07-2009)
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    Better yet...he should attend the funerals of all affected people and explain to their families why he is so pro-Massey and why he would allow this to happen to all of the wonderful folks that voted him in. Everyone should remember this when he tries to move up the Government ladder...Get him out of WV politics...better yet, get him out of politics all together. Ugh...I get madder the more I read this. Unbelievable that anyone would defend his actions on this one.

    Posted By: Nanette (2:09pm 10-07-2009)
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    He won't do it Byrdwatcher. He knows what is in the wellwater. He won't drink it but he sure doesn't care if the citizens of this state have to drink it.

    He is one of the worst governors I can remember, and I can remember back a long time. Lord help us if he worms his way into the Senate.

    Posted By: kittykat (2:00pm 10-07-2009)
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    Hahahaha. True Byrd Watcher! Manchin should have to drink that Boone County Water the New York Times did that article on last week. Let his teeth fall out same as that eight year old boy who had a mouthful of fillings and caps.

    Posted By: ajf (1:42pm 10-07-2009)
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    Mustang,do you work for Dupont?Or maybe the Governor's office?You are not on the same page so quit trying to change the subject!

    Posted By: Rational (1:40pm 10-07-2009)
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    No ajf, I stand by what I said. You guys have worked yourselves into a tizzy with your black helicopter conspiracies.

    Posted By: kittykat (1:39pm 10-07-2009)
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    I see what Mustang is saying, he's just not articulating it. I think what he/she is trying to get across is that the trash thrown in the environment by residents of rural West Virginia runs contrary to the notion that MTR opponents are concerned about the environment. He/she does have a point. It's hard to argue that people who live with five rusting cars in their yard, throw trash in the creeks, pitch refrigerators over the sides of the hills and dump garbage anywhere they can get away with it, are environmentally conscience. The sad fact is that West Virginians are their own worst enemies. We have indeed long disregarded our environment as a people. Take a drive through Roane, Nicholas or Summers County in particular and see how the people trash the gift of the Creator. They seem to have no appreciation for the beauty that surrounds them. Just drive in to Charleston from the North on 79 and take a good look when the trees are bare. It's pretty sad.

    Posted By: ajf (1:37pm 10-07-2009)
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    Focus,Focus,Focus,Rational.that's what Gov.Manchin wants you to believe.
    he really sounds like he is concerned with the jobs in this state.REALLY,All the while Rogue corporations are giving hefty donations so he can live in the lap of luxury in his manchin while men,women and children as well as yes,workers are sick ,dying and suffering from the poisons that these corporations he is backing,are putting into our Rivers,Streams,properties,and homes.

    Posted By: mustang (1:29pm 10-07-2009)
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    Well i see you do read english not that it sounds like. Very good class. Thats whats wrong with the ecoterrosits wanting to manipulate words. I have worked in several of the counties you speak of and most of what I see has nothing to do with mining, it has to do with laziness and instead of paying a trash bill to pick up trash it is so much easier to throw it over the hill and blame MTR.One could only hope that while the EPA is investigating mines, they will also start investigating and issuing fines upon those people that have batteries, cars, trash, sewer etc,etc,etc in the streams behind their homes and demand they clean up or continue paying fines.

    Posted By: Rational (1:29pm 10-07-2009)
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    Thank you Joe Manchin.

    Gov. Manchin, for one, understands how important coal mining, including mountaintop removal mining, is to the State of West Virginia.

    Posted By: ajf (1:26pm 10-07-2009)
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    Does anyone know if Mustang is on the same page in this conversation?

    Posted By: ajf (1:23pm 10-07-2009)
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    Mustang,you are being rediculous.

    Posted By: kittykat (1:23pm 10-07-2009)
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    Thanks ajf. I'm not going to tip toe around coal miners like they are some sort of mountain nobility because they're anything but. It's the Massey thugs who are attending the rallies, threatening the environmentalists, vandalizing, and generally helping Massey perpetuate MTR and wipe out the union. The MTR miners some how believe that their livelihood is more important that the environment, the health of West Virginians, the creatures who call the mountains home, the air, the water, and overall human decency. I disagree. Other states survive without destroying their own environments and we can too. Besides, responsible coal mining employs more people. That's why trash mining companies like Massey use MTR. Then we have those heavy equipment operators who masquerade as coal miners telling the world that we tree huggers will cost them their jobs! When it's they who are costing jobs! Not to mention that when this state is gutted and left in ruin, none of us will have jobs.

    Posted By: kittykat (1:22pm 10-07-2009)
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    Thanks ajf. I'm not going to tip toe around coal miners like they are some sort of mountain nobility because they're anything but. It's the Massey thugs who are attending the rallies, threatening the environmentalists, vandalizing, and generally helping Massey perpetuate MTR and wipe out the union. The MTR miners some how believe that their livelihood is more important that the environment, the health of West Virginians, the creatures who call the mountains home, the air, the water, and overall human decency. I disagree. Other states survive without destroying their own environments and we can too. Besides, responsible coal mining employs more people. That's why trash mining companies like Massey use MTR. Then we have those heavy equipment operators who masquerade as coal miners telling the world that we tree huggers will cost them their jobs! When it's they who are costing jobs! Not to mention that when this state is gutted and left in ruin, none of us will have jobs.

    Posted By: mustang (1:20pm 10-07-2009)
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    I have worked in several of the counties you speak of and most of what I see has nothing to do with mining, it has to do with laziness and instead of paying a trash bill to pick up trash it is so much easier to throw it over the hill and blame MTR.One could only hope that while the EPA is investigating mines, they will also start investigating and issuing fines upon those people that have batteries, cars, trash, sewer etc,etc,etc in the streams behind their homes and demand they clean up or continue paying fines.

    Posted By: malfoy (1:18pm 10-07-2009)
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    Nanette: Amen, Sister.

    Posted By: Nanette (12:35am 10-07-2009)
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    It sounds to me that Mustang has stated what we in the coalfields have known for a long time. They want the residents out of their way. We are not wanted here even though our families have been here since the 1700's. Dub us as ecoterrorists because we are trying to protect our homes and the land.

    How come you coal people are whining when you have a governor who is whining for you? King Joe has proven where his loyalty is, and it certainly is not to the citizens of this state.

    Posted By: ajf (12:34am 10-07-2009)
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    I agree KittyKat

    Posted By: kittykat (11:58am 10-07-2009)
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    Mustang, I would answer to your post if I could only I have no idea what you are talking about because it sounds like you are blaming dead people who were bilked by out-of-state extractors taking advantage of their poverty. But then no one is that stupid. It also sounds like your telling me that if I choose to stay in the State my family has lived in for 300 years then that means I should agree to letting it be destroyed by greedy coal companies so they can send money to stock holders and executives in Missouri and Pennsylvania. Again, no one is that stupid. Sounds like you're saying we should all just sit back and allow the environment to be destroyed by thugs who think the Creator made these mountains just so a filthy coal company could turn a quick buck off of hillbillies to dumb to make a living that doesn't required them to defecate in their own nest then live in it. But like I said, no one is that stupid so maybe you should clarify.

    Posted By: truthandreality (11:52am 10-07-2009)
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    Leveling a Mountain of Research on Mountaintop Removal Strip Mining

    July 2004

    Internal government documents initially obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that senior Bush administration officials at the U.S. Department of the Interior intentionally disregarded extensive scientific studies conducted by five separate federal and state agencies over four years in preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) on mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia.

    Scientists working for various federal agencies have documented a wide range of enormously destructive environmental impacts from this mining technique.

    http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/abuses_of_science/case_studies_and_evidence/mountaintop-removal-mining.html

    Posted By: mustang (11:35am 10-07-2009)
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    Well kitty kitty, you are sure showing what a true ecoterrosist sounds like. Please don't move if that be your choice, stay where your not wanted, totally up to you but then shut up. If you have a gripe pick it up with the neighbor that sold out to the coal companies, YOU have known this for years and years.

    Posted By: truthandreality (11:14am 10-07-2009)
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    What we have is " CHANGE " !!!
    BUSH is gone , the BUSH EPA is gone , the BUSH rubber-stamp Congress is gone , the BUSH Dept. of Interior is gone , and the BUSH Dept. of Energy is gone .

    " CHANGE " .... BASED ON SCIENCE , AND.... THE FEDERAL LAW !!!

    According to The Sierra Club ,
    which has constant contact with the The U.S. Dept.of Energy ,
    " Mountaintop Removal " coal from Appalachia contributes approximately ( 4 ) - ( FOUR ) percent
    to the actual U.S. electricity generation .

    The ABSENCE of Mountaintop Removal coal in our nations coal - fired power plants would not even be noticed .

    The " lights " and all our computers would still be on ….
    as well as all residential , governmental , industrial , and commercial electricity in the United States .

    MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL COAL MINING IS NOT , OR EVER HAS BEEN .... ACTUALLY NEEDED .
    IT IS ALL ABOUT ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM " PROFIT " FOR " OUTSIDER " COAL CORPORATIONS .
    IT " DOES NOT " KEEP THE LIGHTS ON !!!

    Posted By: kittykat (11:01am 10-07-2009)
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    AJF, who do you think are attacking environmentalists and killing their dogs and destroying their property? Who do you think attacked the picnicers who were peaceably gathering in support of the mountains? Massey thugs are to dumb to know they are being used by out-of-state extractors to not only bust the union but continue MTR which takes jobs of legitimate coal miners and UMWA members and gives them to heavy equipment operators. Those stupid coal thugs aren't smart enough to know that Massey doesn't give a da*&mn and about them or their families. They just parade those stooges around in a sympathy ploy all the while laughing to the banks in Missouri, and Pennsylvania and Virginia. It's time to vote out Joe Manchin and all the other corrupt, pro-coal thugs.

    Posted By: malfoy (10:57am 10-07-2009)
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    kittykat brought up another point that 'friends of coal' seem to forget. massey busts unions. that right there tells you they could give a crap less about coal miners. forget about all of the smaller companies massey has bought and ran the union out of town?

    Posted By: bamsterman (10:48am 10-07-2009)
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    Quit your whining Joe. Cruel and inhumane is you allowing those kids at Marsh Fork Elementary to continue to walk into that school every day after your very own Env. Quality Board Vice-Chair person determined through a scientific investigation that those kids were (and still are) breathing fine particulate coal dust that has been treated with chemical scrubbers and diesel fuel.
    The Fed. EPA has the authority to enforce the Clean Water Act. I’m happy that they are doing their job. I hope the Fed. Justice Dept. takes a good look at you next. You haven’t done anything to bring new jobs to our state. Your self interest in your coal investments is more important to you than diversifying our economy. You are out bragging about a small 30 megawatt experimental coal fired plant in Germany as a way to justify the continued destruction of our mountains. Stop the sniveling, get to work, bring some new jobs to WV. MTR workers are less than 1% of our workforce. What about the other 99%?

    Posted By: ajf (10:48am 10-07-2009)
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    This is not an attack on the coal miners! this is about corporations who do not follow the rules!

    Posted By: kittykat (10:45am 10-07-2009)
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    Friends of Coal, don't you know when you're being used? Do you not have any idea what MTR does to the environment, the animals, the people of this State and the work of the Creator? Do you not care that West Virginians are being poisoned and their land destroyed? What kind of person are you? I tell you what you are, you are a coal company stooge who's willing to sell out the people of this State so that out-of-state extractors can turn a buck. Jobs? MTR has cost jobs and everyone knows that. Massey is a union buster who would rather destroy our state than mine coal responsibly because it's more expense. You are a traitor to this State and its people. My family has been in these mountains since before the Revolution. You have no right to give away my mountains, my land, my state and my health. Any decent human being should be moved to tears by what MTR does to this State.

    Posted By: mustang (10:42am 10-07-2009)
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    I know that pelosi needs rode out of town on a rail and IF manchin, rahall and byrd don't back these miner's then the people of west virginia should find a rail and ride their backsides out too. As much as some people would like for the miner's to be gone this is what west virginia does and has done for years whether it be underground or MTR. That or moonshining.

    Posted By: ajf (10:40am 10-07-2009)
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    To Friends Of Coal:I'm all about jobs in this state,but if these pollutors of keep poisonong our children with their toxic chemicals and getting away with it,how long will our children live to seek out these wonderfull job opportunities?

    Posted By: malfoy (10:36am 10-07-2009)
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    So it comes down to jobs or killing people. Everyone switch places with someone from the opposing side and see if your opinion changes.

    Posted By: ByrdWatcher (10:36am 10-07-2009)
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    Well Friends of Coal, how much do you think the folks whose water is ruined paid for the medical care of their dying children? More than their yearly salary, you can bet. If the Barrons would follow the guidelines set in place by the EPA instead of trying to dodge them, we wouldn't have all of these problems in the first place. Play by the rules that were set in place for the protection of people instead of killing us. What a bunch of liars these companies are. If they were legal in the first place, this wouldn't be happening. SICKOS.

    Posted By: ByrdWatcher (10:17am 10-07-2009)
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    The Coal Barrons knew this was coming down a long time ago-they just hoped that their Governor Puppet would stop it. Good for the EPA. Everyone, write your Senators, Congressmen, the NY Times, the LA Times and the Chicago Tribune. It's time to get him out of office once and for all.

    Posted By: ByrdWatcher (10:14am 10-07-2009)
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    OMG...I cannot believe the Governor would use the words cruel and inhumane-unless he was referring to all of death and tumors his decisions have brought to our state. I liked his uncle much better. At least he acted concerned for the people of West Virginia. I hope the people of Prenter get this out to the world.

    Posted By: augustus (9:55am 10-07-2009)
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    Thats right Uncle Joe, protect your masters.

    Posted By: endcorruptwv (9:44am 10-07-2009)
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    KING COAL!!! Don't stop the PATH!!!

    Posted By: ajf (9:11am 10-07-2009)
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    There Gov. Manchin goes again protecting rogue corporations who don't want to follow the rules.Remember in the Spelter Smelter trial?"Manchin a puppet for Dupont" and this "Manchin files (Friend of the Court Briefs)on behalf of Dupont.He never did care about the health and well being of our families and children.I would like to invite Gov.Manchin to come on a fishing trip along the West Fork river where the Green Goo is flowing from the Spelter Smelter Site that Miss Rebecca Morlock found and see if he would like to eat some of the toxic tainted fish that comes out of there as well as Dunkard Creek.

    Posted By: malfoy (8:48am 10-07-2009)
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    gmhoover = the puppet. why don't you and manchin 'both' just shut up? one thing is for sure: whenever something is up for debate, you can be sure gmhoover will always spout off on the side of money, and against the common person. whether it's MTR, healthcare or whatever.

    gmhoover, why is it so bad that the coal companies are finally being asked to follow the law? is obama the devil for taking steps to make sure they do? you know what, don't even answer. i'm not even interested in your response. you're nothing more than a mouthpiece for the republican party. you don't even have your own opinion. are you michael agnello in disguise?

    Posted By: Raider (8:22am 10-07-2009)
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    I would think that the governor would endorse the efforts of the EPA in order to insure that there is no detrimental effect affecting the water quality and health of WV citizens. They haven't ruled against these permits and it's sad that outside regulatory agencies care more about us then the governor. Maybe we could ask the EPA to also run the Public Service Commission!!!

    Posted By: gmhoover (7:18am 10-07-2009)
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    Gov. Manchin is right. This is a covert approach by the Obama administration to kill off MTR mining without the Congress getting involved. Where is Rockefeller and Byrd on this issue? Rahall has proven himself to be a puppet of Pelosi's. Regardless of your position on this subject, our nation still needs the cheap efficient power that coal provides. Our equipment operators, miners, property owners and finally even the companies all pay taxes. If these people don't work, they don't pay taxes. If they don't pay taxes, non-miners will simply wind up paying more. Surface mining has been going on for years and our rivers are cleaner now than I have ever seen them. Somethings gotta give....in my opinion....it should be the EPA.

    Posted By: idpeaceb (6:57am 10-07-2009)
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    He's so transparent. Whenever he opens his mouth, West Virginia loses another IQ point. Why doesn't he just enjoy his wealth and shut up?

    Posted By: jkotcon (6:22am 10-07-2009)
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    The issue is whether mining can be done in compliance with existing laws. WV-DEP says it is impossible to mine without violations, although that may mean that the mine operators are simply unwilling, rather than unable, to comply with the law. Manchin seems to be objecting to the very idea of regulatory agencies requiring mine operators to obey the law, and plays the "poor working families" card to divert attention from illegal mining practices. How many hundred million dollars did Blankenship earn last year, and why are we supposed to feel sorry for him?

    Posted By: WVState (11:11pm 10-06-2009)
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    Manchin again demonstrates that he only cares about the welfare of the coal operators, and not the welfare of the people who live downstream of those coal mines. Rahall is right, the mine operators have had plenty of time to comply with regs.

    Posted By: cfenix (10:34pm 10-06-2009)
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    Laughable. Now Joe Manchin thinks he's an attorney. He must have got a law degree while Garrison was pres of WVU, like his daughter got an EMBA.

    These people are cancers on our state.

    Posted By: iteach (9:48pm 10-06-2009)
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    Joe Manchin should resign from the Democratic party and officially throw in with Shelly Capito and their fellow Republicans.

    Posted By: goatboy (6:26pm 10-06-2009)
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    Nick Rahall Is a traitor and should be kicked out of WV.

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