Don't Despair - Organize and Fight Back Instead!

Open the newspaper, turn on the news, even talk with your friends – you can instantly get your overdose of doom and gloom.

Looming over whatever we do each day is the prospect of war, the ultimate social and environmental nightmare. War is the worst possible energy strategy our government could pursue. Everyone knows this potential war is, in major part, about Iraq’s oil. After all, there are other countries with both brutal despots and weapons of mass destruction, plus Al Qaeda has ties to at least 60 countries, yet we aren’t about to bomb all of them.

What does our Governor think? He is on record as saying an extended war will bring more attention to America’s coalfields! The National Mining Association, in its latest aggressive public relations push, is touting coal as important for "homeland security" (which may sell with people whose homes aren’t in the coalfields).

Judge Haden’s latest ruling that certain valley fills are illegal has been overturned. But, remember, lawsuits are but one aspect of a multi-pronged, multi-group campaign against the massacre of our mountains. More lawsuits are ongoing and in the works, as are many other aspects of the campaign.

The coal industry wants a major roll back of state mining laws, just in case they are ever forced to obey them. Massey Energy is flooding the airwaves with ads so misleading that the Department of Environmental Protection mining division chief has complained about them to the Legislature, though at least one Senator has publicly stated he believes the ads.

But…don’t let the ba***ards bring you down! You don’t need me to tell you about all the beauty and goodness in life – friends, family, fun, nature, religion and more.

You know the rest of this too, but it bears repeating. Groups like OVEC are helping to safeguard the good things in life, by acting as agents for positive change. That’s right, your participation in organized actions is critical. Not only is protesting good for your health (according to a recent study), but organized actions do get results. You’ll note some organized citizens’ latest victories in this newsletter – Sylvester residents having their day in court and Peytona being saved, at least for now, from a massive dusting by Massey.

Fortunately, membership in OVEC has increased over the last year. We expect the attack on federal and state environmental laws will bring even more folks into the fold. That’s great because we need an ever-growing chorus of people demanding an end to the abuse of our environment. As ever, continue your letters to the editor and to legislators. Work to get your friends and neighbors involved. Stay tuned for upcoming actions! We are in this for the long haul – because our futures depend on it!

And remember – we have way more fun than the bad guys!