This news story originally provided by The Herald-Dispatch

May 25, 2005

Pruett now helping destroy mountains

It saddens me beyond belief to see Bobby Pruett trade in his football jersey for the uniform of public relations for coal corporations, those greedy giants who have decided that Appalachia is the nation’s sacrifice zone for cheap electricity.

How could you, Bobby? You’re a role model for a lot of these kids who high-five every touchdown. Mountaintop removal is the most intensive, destructive form of surface mining for coal that has ever been invented. It is the final solution for the forests, mountains, water and culture of Appalachia.

West Virginia has one of the most productive and biologically diverse temperate forest ecosystems. How arrogant to sacrifice mountains that have taken billions of years to evolve with all their special gifts for us. God will not be pleased at our ingratitude.

These are our mountains, and this is our homeland. Either fight for them, or stand back and watch them disappear in the wake of Walker Big Cats and tons of corporate dynamite.

Which side are you on? There is nothing I won’t do to stop them. I’ve had enough.

Winnie Fox
Huntington