|
|
 
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Thanks so much to the 60-some people who
turned out for the Nov. 10 protest against Massey Energy's Buyout of
Justice! We'll soon have a story and pictures up on the People
in Action section of the OVEC website. We sang a special
version of "Country Roads" at the event, lyrics by Bob
Kincaid--with apologies to John Denver. A couple of you asked
for the lyrics, so they are included at the bottom of this e-mail.
Recently, Molly Ivans wrote, "So,
fellow progressives, stop thinking about suicide or moving abroad.
Want to feel better? Eat a sour grape, then do something immediately,
now, today. Figure out what you can do to help rescue the country — join something, send a little
money to some group, call somewhere and offer to volunteer, find a
politician you like at the local level and start helping him or her to
move up....Think about how you can lend a hand to the amazing myriad
efforts that will promptly break out to help the country recover from
what it has done to itself. Now is the time. Don't
mourn, organize."
Massey and other coal companies are really
burying the state in propaganda. We sure don't have the money to
counteract the lies they broadcast over the airwaves and spew over
billboards, but we do have the power of truth and numbers!
Letters to the editor are one of the most heavily read sections of
newspapers, so use them. Let's show our numbers! Please write
letters to the editors of local and statewide newspapers, and
tell them what you think about mountain range removal. Find contact
information for almost all West Virginia media at: www.wvmediaguide.com/. See http://newslink.org/
to find the address for about any paper in the country. Feel
free to e-mail us copies of letters you send.
Do More, Write On Behalf Of Blair
Mountain!
Kenny King, Anna Sale, Regina Hendrix and
others have really been working hard to save
historic Blair Mountain in Logan County. Help them out by writing letters
of support to your congressional representatives, asking for their
assistance in preserving this important West Virginia historical
site. See Blair Mountain Talking Points below for ideas
about what to include in your letter. You guessed it, Blair Mountain
is threatened by more mountain range removal.
This Saturday, Nov. 20 from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.
at the Salamy Building, 3817
Coal River Road in Whitesville, join Coal River Mountain Watch
for Mountain Heritage Night. Free admission, free
food, free live entertainment with the Pitzers, and a
free presentation of "Appalachian Treasures." Pot -of-gold
(fifty-fifty) raffle. Everyone welcome! Bring your old photos, your
stories and memories.
Nov. 22: Join WV E-Council
6-8 p.m. Celebrate the Season with WV Environmental
Council's After-Work Mixer/Benefit at The Empty Glass, 410
Elizabeth St., Charleston, WV. Check out the music of Bonzer,
with Andy Katz of VooDoo Katz fame, and Karen Allen who once sang
for Crazy Jane. There'll be plenty of appetizers, conversation
and a cash bar. No cover charge - suggested donation is $5. Questions?
Call 346-5905. WVEC supports legislative efforts for issues such as
clean air, clean water, and regulation of mountain range removal coal
mining. Come out and have a good time while you support our
environment.
Online Event
Now thru December 14: Join
an internet discussion of the book The Appalachians, which includes essays on
mountain range removal by Coal River Mountain Watch's Judy Bonds and
OVEC's Vivian Stockman. Visit http://forums.prospero.com/kr-ohio_evans/start to get in on the discussion, and a live web
cast on Dec. 14.
Blair Mountain Talking Points
-The battle of Blair Mountain is one of the most significant
historical events in West Virginia.
-We have always treated our battlefields with respect.
-The battle of Blair Mountain was the first time that airplanes were
deployed in an industrial dispute.
-There is currently a lack of recreational land in Logan County.
Historic preservation would supplement Chief Logan State Park
-Historical preservation listing would complement the designation of
Route 17 as a scenic byway and will enhance tourism in Logan County.
-There are currently plans to preserve the site of the trials at the
Jefferson County Courthouse. Preservation of the battleground
completes the honoring of this event. .
-The Battle of Blair Mountain has had a lasting impact on the lives of
many residents, not only in Logan County, but throughout the entire
state of West Virginia and surrounding states.
-Listing as an historical landmark will provide permanent protection
for an important labor history site.
Write to:
Senator Robert C. Byrd, 311 Hart Senate Office Bldg., Wash., D. C.
20510-4801
Senator John D. Rockefeller, III, 531 Hart Senate Office Bldg., Wash.,
D. C. 20510-4802
Congressman Alan Mollohan, Rayburn House Office Bldg., Wash., D. C.
20515-4801
Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, 1431 Longworth House Office Bldg.,
Wash., D. C. 20515-4802
Congressman Nick Rahall, 2307 Rayburn House Office Bldg., Wash.,
D.C.20515-4803
When you write please forward a copy for the record to Regina
Hendrix at regina1936@verizon.net.
Those Kincaid Lyrics
Almost level, West Virginia
Flattened mountains
Coal filth in our rivers-
Life is cheap there
Cheaper by the ton
We lose more by law here
Than if they used a gun.
Strip mine roads, ruined my home
And all the places I belong
West Virginia, stripped off Momma
Where's my home, my country roads?
All my mem'ries, died within her
Massey's run-off, poison in the water
Black and filthy, merc'ry in the sky
Poison taste of ars'nic
Fly-ash in my eyes
Strip mine roads ruin'd my home
And the places I belong
West Virginia, ruined Momma
Where's my home, my country roads?
I hear Massey's voice
Every hour it warns me
On the radio that I should go far, far away
And drivin' down the road I get a feelin'
That I've got to stay, fight for better
days, better days...
On these country roads, I'll fight for home
And the hills where I belong
West Virginia, I'll fight for Momma
This my home, down these country roads.
Almost level, West Virginia,
Donnie Blankenship,
Buyin' him a guvver-mint...
One-point-seven million dirty bucks
To take away our Justice,
Hauled off in his coal trucks.
(repeat last chorus)
|
OVEC Home Issues Contact Join Site Map |
|