Published: March 21, 2008 04:12 pm            

In Your View — 03/26/08

Bill would not shut down mines

Who's proud of coal miners? I sure am. My granddaddy was a miner and was involved in the Knights of Labor, the early union movement before the UMWA. My father was a miner, involved in the union and was wounded on the picket line as he pushed for mine safety.

I was also a miner before three tons of rock fell on me. After getting hurt, I worked as an organizer for the UMWA for many years. My son and son-in-law both work in the industry now. I know about coal mining. I’m also a strong supporter of the “Stream Saver Bill.”

What's going on right now is Chicken Little. Any time you challenge the coal operators’ pocketbook, they scream that we're going to shut them down. When has that ever been true? This is a tactic the coal industry has used time and time again.

I hope those who attended the miners rally at the capital recognize that they're falling into the trap that the coal industry has laid before them. Don't let the companies brainwash you into thinking that this legislation would take away your job.

Brian Patton of James River Coal Company testified against the bill. He said that coal miners are too unskilled to work in another industry and would end up on welfare if they weren't working in the mines. That's an insult.

Patton is one of the folks who is trying to pit me and others standing up for our water and our communities against fellow miners. This legislation would not shut down the industry; it would make them more accountable and would likely create more jobs.

Miners have more in common with supporters of the Stream Saver Bill than they do the coal operators.

Carl Shoupe, Benham



Representatives showed courage

As a Letcher County chapter member of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, I want the rest of the state to be aware of the courage of those members of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee who co-sponsored, supported and defended House Bill 164, known as the “Stream Saver bill.”

Because of their positions, these representatives have been told such things as “not to think about running for a statewide office.” Others are afraid the coal industry will finance a candidate against them.

Apparently the industry is concerned because we’re hearing that many of the miners who signed letters against this bill were told they had to sign or they would not receive their paychecks.

Thus, we really thank these representatives — Royce Adams, Dwight Butler, Jesse Crenshaw, Derrick Graham, Jimmy Higdon, Jimmy Lee, Harry Moberly Jr., Lonnie Napier, Don Pasley, Rick Rand, Charles Siler, Arnold Simpson, and Jim Wayne — for giving the people of eastern Kentucky a voice concerning this important issue.

Sharman Chapman-Crane, Eolia



2 states should not be disenfranchised

Florida and Michigan will be crucial to a Democratic victory in November. It’s unacceptable for a Democratic candidate to be stonewalling efforts to count the votes of 3 million citizens in these states. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what Barack Obama’s campaign is doing.

Both Florida and Michigan were punished by the Democratic National Committee for holding their presidential primaries earlier than the date prescribed by party rules. The DNC stripped the two states of all their delegates — a total of 366 delegates.

Hillary Clinton and her campaign have been working to ensure that these voters are not disenfranchised. The Clinton campaign has offered two options: Seat the delegates based on the previous primary elections or conduct another election. The Obama campaign is opposed to both moves.

All Democrats should denounce the disenfranchisement of two of the largest states. It’s something that no one should tolerate.

Tyler Murphy, Flatwoods

        

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