I was born in McDowell Co so I know what you are talking about. The roads are a disaster and need to be widened. Even after 100 years of making coal companies rich, McDowell Co is the 8th poorest county, and 13th in women's deaths in over 5000 nationwide. The bottom line is this: mercury, lead, arsenic, selenium in the rubble from exploded mountains dumped in valleys below. The children breathing, drinking, and eating those heavy metals today will be the adult cancer victims of tomorrow.
Miners have my respect. I am proud of the work my Daddy did to support us kids. MTR does not have my respect. There is no way to overstate the harm from heavy metals released by MTR into the water, air, and land of innocent people. Those flood waters contaminant everything in their path all the way to the gulf through the river systems. I'm not against you - I'm for you. Those metals will be causing cancer and other toxic diseases for a hundred years even if MTR is stopped today.
My husband is a WV coal miner, underground and mtr. There is so much media hype surrounding mtr that your right, it doesn't have a chance. However, there are other ev issues that need way more attention in this area. We do not even have the opportunity to recycle in this area. The flood waters are filled with plastic containers that will be here desecrating our land when the mountains have healed beautifully from mtr. The lasting effects of mtr way overplayed in the media (shocking lol).
If a company wants to access a market in WV, they need to be required to have recycling centers for the refuse of the products they sell. The garbage littering the mountains that is visible after the leaves fall is shocking beyond belief. Get this book at your local library for some great insight into the what, why, and how of WV's economy: Unleashing Capitalism: Why Prosperity Stops at the West Virginia Border. Aquifers blown away by MTR never heal, thus the 100 year floods every few years.
why is it acceptable to remove a mountain top to put a Wal-Mart shopping center, but not for schools or highways. When done properly, mtr creates usable flat ground where we have none. The state of wv has refused to build highways in southern wv because it is so expensive, so post mtr land is the only option we have if we want infrastructure and sustainable progress for the citizens of this area.
Do a search at Yahoo or Google for this paper done by consultants for MTR. I can't get the URL posted here. They discuss destruction of aquifers, loss of human life and species, 40% reduction in water, etc. Their proposed solution is absurd, creating a bowl in the top of the flattened mountains to catch rain. Very eye opening: RECHARGING APPALACHIAN AQUIFERS USING WATERSHED SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGY AND METHODOLOGY AND TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATIVE TO MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL.
You watch way too much liberal news channels. MTR doesn't harm anyone at all. If you want a cleaner planet quit driving/mowing grass and walk, quit using your electric, and stop grilling out food as Char"COAL" fumes is put directly in our envirenment. Just go live in a cave and eat tree bark and grass all day!
Grass and bark would be healthier than what most people eat now, unless of course it is contaminated by heavy metals from MTR. Cancers are caused by other unhealthy things besides MTR but heavy metals have to be at the top of the list. But Friend, soon we will be on our knees begging for just a blade of grass to eat, but alas, no water. I am not a liberal, and yes, we use too much energy, but I use less than most. We will get what we deserve, and Don't Blame God; it's our own damned fault.
I work in a Mineral/Enviremental Laboratory, I am a manager. Until you can give me factual evidents as to what "Heavy Metals" are in the caol/refuse and what little parts per million are contaminating our envirenment . You see I know the facts, Mr. Gore is a puppet trying to work his agenda, please don't be fooled. My God bless you my friend.
Agreed on Gore but let's add Obama too. I'm not a parts is parts person so can't give you the details you asked for, but common sense tells me when X number of people in a coal community have more cancer than a non coal waste community, duh! wonder why? I'm the wrong tree for you to bark up because I would enforce Amish ways if I could, so, Friend, we probably agree on more than we disagree about. This earth is run on the lust for money and power by both sides, but that's coming to an end.
There is the same amount of cancer any where you go even Hawii. This planet is nature and man can't change nature. Jesus is coming one day after while, and if this planet was to be destroyed it would be by him NOT MAN. Its been a pleasure talking with you my friend. As for Obama he still flies in his Jet fuel guzzling Air Force One and until he stops I won't take him on the envirement!
I'm neither a conservative nor a liberal; I blame both sides for the condition of the country. So as far as politics is concerned it's all a pile of horse$#t to me. That said MTR does damage the environment, w/out trees & their vast root systems there is nothing to hold soil in place & flash floods & mudslides become more prevalent the more MTR scrapes away.
I don't work @ a "Mineral/Environmental Laboratory", but I do have a Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science so I'm not an ignorant or gullible child of a political agenda. I've studied soils, explosives, & arson to name a few & while you say nothing is left in the environment following MTR I disagree. MTR uses high explosives & the main components of many high explosives are metals such as lead & mercury. Another favorite high explosive is ammonium nitrate which raises the acidity of water.
Another problem w/ coal is slurry ponds, if you need to know the dangers of that subject I suggest you read up on Buffalo Creek. We lost family in that flood. Coal isn't worth destroying our beautiful mtns & risking the lives of people & their environment. So Sweety, if anybody is a victim of an agenda it's the innocent people of Appalachia who have been lead to believe that coal companies have their best interests @ heart & care about their safety & health as well as that of their environment.
My family is from Gilbert. My grandmother grew up down there. (I am a Harless/Elkins. From what I've heard, my grandmother's home place that has been there for a hundred years is now gone. Sad.
I from Mingo County and it is absolutely horrible down there. There are no roads in some places, homes have been obliterated, etc. etc. Every bridge that you can see down where I live is unpassable.
You are correct about the devestation, but we are all pulling together with a sense of community pride and love that I have never felt before. We are West Virginian's are we are all used to hard work. So we will come come better than ever, right.....:-)
My 2 cents...WV has some of the lowest unemployment in the nation right now and whee I live now (Morgantown, WV) actually has the lowest unemployement of anywhere in the nation. I am not poor, nor uneducated, nor unhappy.
You are right. I bet if someone checked the old deeds in the WV Archives in Charleston, and knew the background of the Rockefellers, they would find a connection between Jay and the millions of acres owned by the mining companies. The coal is the only reason he colonized WV like his uncle did Arkansas. As for Bob, how sad that such a beloved figure nationwide should sell his soul for coal profits. Poorest, sickest, and unhappiest state is the legacy these two left WV. All the data is online.
Unless you live here, in Gilbert, WV, you really can not assume that we are poor, sick or unhappy. As a matter of fact, even in such devestation, we are all happy that no one was killed! I am neither poor, unhappy, or sick and I am proud to call WV my HOME. Don't assume.
Look up the stats online. Numbers don't lie. Poorest state, second in children's chronic respiratory diseases, 2nd for depression, 10th for suicide, second in lung cancer, unhappiest, etc, etc. I love WV. My Daddy was a coal miner but he went IN the mines and put his own self at risk; he didn't blow up the mountain inflicting contaminants on his neighbors in the form of mining waste in the air, water, and land. I may not live in WV but my Federal taxes go to clean up the coal companies mess
Okay, here is my rebuttal because some of your points are not correct.
1. We are not the poorest state in the nation. According the U.S. Census Bureau, Mississippi is the poorest state with $34,473 a year in median household income.
2. Your C.R.D point also includes things like the common cold, laryngitis, pulmonary embolism, cancer, etc. etc. MAny of these things are not caused by environment.
3.Depression/suicide- You forgot to mention that it is one of the states with the fewest
That census was taken 9 years ago. In the last four years, WV has been at the bottom of the list three of those four years, edged out by Louisiana after Katrina. That isn't the point; WV does not have to be at the bottom of all positive lists or at the top of all negative lists. WV's leaders keep her there so they can get rich on her. Unfortunately, WV only has one party so you don't have much of a choice. I was where you are when the nuclear industry went tits up in the NW. MTR is toast.
I understand that it is 9 years old, but the census is only taken every 10 years. States do not do their own census anymore because they stopped doing that in the 1920's. I do not care that we are at the top or the bottom, I was just pointing out fact. Also, If you wouldn't mind, send me a message of where you are getting your information. Something that is by the government, not by the media.
Look up WV health stats; hits on the WV Depart of Health, plus government stats, plus newspaper articles referencing studies. Don't be defensive; I'm not attacking you. Chronic diseases and birth defects are what you need to learn about and fight against with a vengeance. Good luck to you and God bless WV. My heart and prayers go out to you all. But a new day is coming to WV. I would get a lawyer since the EPA declared mine waste a health hazard. Bush had those results years ago. Look it up.
West Virginia had both Byrd and Rockefeller vote for the Lands Bill which makes honest gun owners criminals if they drive down a road that crosses NPS land in WV with a carry permit. Thats right, they want you put in prison. spread the word vote these tyrants out of office.
I am a gun owner, but what in the HELL does that have to do with flooding and road damage? The only connection I see is that if it weren't for Byrd, half of WV would still have dirt roads right now.
You are right about the video, but you mountaneers really should vote these two out of the Senate if they will not protect your freedoms and trust the honest American gun owners. Gun Owners of America rating for BYRD = F
ROCKEFELLER = F , A tyrant will always try to dis-arm the honest gun owner.
You, my dear friend, are what many of us call a "gun nut." You are the ones that make all of us gun owners look bad in the eyes of the non gun owners and make it difficult for us to keep and maintain our rights as firearms owners. This law is dumb and unnecessary, but it's hardly tyranny. When you have done as much for WV as what these two people have, then you can talk shit.
Yea ,that state is doing so well aint it? Your a farm animal(if Im a gun nut) and you need to live under the tyrants rule. They will come for your guns and you will hand them over because them two hero's have put a carrot in front of your nose.
Dude, you are a dumbass. Thanks for antagonizing people with a non-issue that has nothing to do with this video. Grow a pair of testicles and grow up. This is a natural disaster, not a political goddamn debate.
Oh geez. Dude you really have no clue, do you? Besides, did you happen to notice where I now live? We *really* like our guns down here in Georgia and I don't think anybody is going to be trying to take them away from us any time soon. In fact, there's been laws passed in recent years granting us even more freedom with them. You, my dear friend, are a SHEEP following the NRA and GOP flock into Looneyville.
gosh, this was awful. but now there finally getting things back to the way it was.:)
XxXohitsmestevieeXxX 2 years ago
I was born in McDowell Co so I know what you are talking about. The roads are a disaster and need to be widened. Even after 100 years of making coal companies rich, McDowell Co is the 8th poorest county, and 13th in women's deaths in over 5000 nationwide. The bottom line is this: mercury, lead, arsenic, selenium in the rubble from exploded mountains dumped in valleys below. The children breathing, drinking, and eating those heavy metals today will be the adult cancer victims of tomorrow.
usflagwaver 2 years ago
Miners have my respect. I am proud of the work my Daddy did to support us kids. MTR does not have my respect. There is no way to overstate the harm from heavy metals released by MTR into the water, air, and land of innocent people. Those flood waters contaminant everything in their path all the way to the gulf through the river systems. I'm not against you - I'm for you. Those metals will be causing cancer and other toxic diseases for a hundred years even if MTR is stopped today.
usflagwaver 2 years ago
My husband is a WV coal miner, underground and mtr. There is so much media hype surrounding mtr that your right, it doesn't have a chance. However, there are other ev issues that need way more attention in this area. We do not even have the opportunity to recycle in this area. The flood waters are filled with plastic containers that will be here desecrating our land when the mountains have healed beautifully from mtr. The lasting effects of mtr way overplayed in the media (shocking lol).
proudwvmom 2 years ago
If a company wants to access a market in WV, they need to be required to have recycling centers for the refuse of the products they sell. The garbage littering the mountains that is visible after the leaves fall is shocking beyond belief. Get this book at your local library for some great insight into the what, why, and how of WV's economy: Unleashing Capitalism: Why Prosperity Stops at the West Virginia Border. Aquifers blown away by MTR never heal, thus the 100 year floods every few years.
usflagwaver 2 years ago
why is it acceptable to remove a mountain top to put a Wal-Mart shopping center, but not for schools or highways. When done properly, mtr creates usable flat ground where we have none. The state of wv has refused to build highways in southern wv because it is so expensive, so post mtr land is the only option we have if we want infrastructure and sustainable progress for the citizens of this area.
proudwvmom 2 years ago
Do a search at Yahoo or Google for this paper done by consultants for MTR. I can't get the URL posted here. They discuss destruction of aquifers, loss of human life and species, 40% reduction in water, etc. Their proposed solution is absurd, creating a bowl in the top of the flattened mountains to catch rain. Very eye opening: RECHARGING APPALACHIAN AQUIFERS USING WATERSHED SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGY AND METHODOLOGY AND TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATIVE TO MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL.
usflagwaver 2 years ago
You watch way too much liberal news channels. MTR doesn't harm anyone at all. If you want a cleaner planet quit driving/mowing grass and walk, quit using your electric, and stop grilling out food as Char"COAL" fumes is put directly in our envirenment. Just go live in a cave and eat tree bark and grass all day!
Clay4legacy 2 years ago
Grass and bark would be healthier than what most people eat now, unless of course it is contaminated by heavy metals from MTR. Cancers are caused by other unhealthy things besides MTR but heavy metals have to be at the top of the list. But Friend, soon we will be on our knees begging for just a blade of grass to eat, but alas, no water. I am not a liberal, and yes, we use too much energy, but I use less than most. We will get what we deserve, and Don't Blame God; it's our own damned fault.
usflagwaver 2 years ago
I work in a Mineral/Enviremental Laboratory, I am a manager. Until you can give me factual evidents as to what "Heavy Metals" are in the caol/refuse and what little parts per million are contaminating our envirenment . You see I know the facts, Mr. Gore is a puppet trying to work his agenda, please don't be fooled. My God bless you my friend.
Clay4legacy 2 years ago
Agreed on Gore but let's add Obama too. I'm not a parts is parts person so can't give you the details you asked for, but common sense tells me when X number of people in a coal community have more cancer than a non coal waste community, duh! wonder why? I'm the wrong tree for you to bark up because I would enforce Amish ways if I could, so, Friend, we probably agree on more than we disagree about. This earth is run on the lust for money and power by both sides, but that's coming to an end.
usflagwaver 2 years ago
There is the same amount of cancer any where you go even Hawii. This planet is nature and man can't change nature. Jesus is coming one day after while, and if this planet was to be destroyed it would be by him NOT MAN. Its been a pleasure talking with you my friend. As for Obama he still flies in his Jet fuel guzzling Air Force One and until he stops I won't take him on the envirement!
Clay4legacy 2 years ago
I'm neither a conservative nor a liberal; I blame both sides for the condition of the country. So as far as politics is concerned it's all a pile of horse$#t to me. That said MTR does damage the environment, w/out trees & their vast root systems there is nothing to hold soil in place & flash floods & mudslides become more prevalent the more MTR scrapes away.
ky74cat 2 years ago
I don't work @ a "Mineral/Environmental Laboratory", but I do have a Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science so I'm not an ignorant or gullible child of a political agenda. I've studied soils, explosives, & arson to name a few & while you say nothing is left in the environment following MTR I disagree. MTR uses high explosives & the main components of many high explosives are metals such as lead & mercury. Another favorite high explosive is ammonium nitrate which raises the acidity of water.
ky74cat 2 years ago
Another problem w/ coal is slurry ponds, if you need to know the dangers of that subject I suggest you read up on Buffalo Creek. We lost family in that flood. Coal isn't worth destroying our beautiful mtns & risking the lives of people & their environment. So Sweety, if anybody is a victim of an agenda it's the innocent people of Appalachia who have been lead to believe that coal companies have their best interests @ heart & care about their safety & health as well as that of their environment.
ky74cat 2 years ago
Comment removed
ky74cat 2 years ago
good post!!!!
Clay4legacy 2 years ago
im from longbranch we lost some houses cause of the flood one of my relatives almost drowned
jokey1134 2 years ago
My family is from Gilbert. My grandmother grew up down there. (I am a Harless/Elkins. From what I've heard, my grandmother's home place that has been there for a hundred years is now gone. Sad.
lsharless 2 years ago
I from Mingo County and it is absolutely horrible down there. There are no roads in some places, homes have been obliterated, etc. etc. Every bridge that you can see down where I live is unpassable.
Juggalofromthehills 2 years ago
You are correct about the devestation, but we are all pulling together with a sense of community pride and love that I have never felt before. We are West Virginian's are we are all used to hard work. So we will come come better than ever, right.....:-)
ktbzfolks1 2 years ago
My 2 cents...WV has some of the lowest unemployment in the nation right now and whee I live now (Morgantown, WV) actually has the lowest unemployement of anywhere in the nation. I am not poor, nor uneducated, nor unhappy.
lsharless 2 years ago
You shouldn't be uneducated considering we both live right nea WVU. lol
Juggalofromthehills 2 years ago
stop mt top removal!!! time for jay, nick joe, bob to go. the price of easy coal is to high.
howiedog150 2 years ago
You are right. I bet if someone checked the old deeds in the WV Archives in Charleston, and knew the background of the Rockefellers, they would find a connection between Jay and the millions of acres owned by the mining companies. The coal is the only reason he colonized WV like his uncle did Arkansas. As for Bob, how sad that such a beloved figure nationwide should sell his soul for coal profits. Poorest, sickest, and unhappiest state is the legacy these two left WV. All the data is online.
usflagwaver 2 years ago
Unless you live here, in Gilbert, WV, you really can not assume that we are poor, sick or unhappy. As a matter of fact, even in such devestation, we are all happy that no one was killed! I am neither poor, unhappy, or sick and I am proud to call WV my HOME. Don't assume.
ktbzfolks1 2 years ago
Look up the stats online. Numbers don't lie. Poorest state, second in children's chronic respiratory diseases, 2nd for depression, 10th for suicide, second in lung cancer, unhappiest, etc, etc. I love WV. My Daddy was a coal miner but he went IN the mines and put his own self at risk; he didn't blow up the mountain inflicting contaminants on his neighbors in the form of mining waste in the air, water, and land. I may not live in WV but my Federal taxes go to clean up the coal companies mess
usflagwaver 2 years ago
Okay, here is my rebuttal because some of your points are not correct.
1. We are not the poorest state in the nation. According the U.S. Census Bureau, Mississippi is the poorest state with $34,473 a year in median household income.
2. Your C.R.D point also includes things like the common cold, laryngitis, pulmonary embolism, cancer, etc. etc. MAny of these things are not caused by environment.
3.Depression/suicide- You forgot to mention that it is one of the states with the fewest
Juggalofromthehills 2 years ago
That census was taken 9 years ago. In the last four years, WV has been at the bottom of the list three of those four years, edged out by Louisiana after Katrina. That isn't the point; WV does not have to be at the bottom of all positive lists or at the top of all negative lists. WV's leaders keep her there so they can get rich on her. Unfortunately, WV only has one party so you don't have much of a choice. I was where you are when the nuclear industry went tits up in the NW. MTR is toast.
usflagwaver 2 years ago
I understand that it is 9 years old, but the census is only taken every 10 years. States do not do their own census anymore because they stopped doing that in the 1920's. I do not care that we are at the top or the bottom, I was just pointing out fact. Also, If you wouldn't mind, send me a message of where you are getting your information. Something that is by the government, not by the media.
Juggalofromthehills 2 years ago
Look up WV health stats; hits on the WV Depart of Health, plus government stats, plus newspaper articles referencing studies. Don't be defensive; I'm not attacking you. Chronic diseases and birth defects are what you need to learn about and fight against with a vengeance. Good luck to you and God bless WV. My heart and prayers go out to you all. But a new day is coming to WV. I would get a lawyer since the EPA declared mine waste a health hazard. Bush had those results years ago. Look it up.
usflagwaver 2 years ago
mental health professionals. States with more mental help professionals have low suicide rates.
4. You just renamed things that fall into the same catergories as others. Also, we are not the un-happiest in the nation. Utah is.
Not trying to be an ass, but the reason I did this is because some of these things are not our fault or just re-stated to make us look worse.
Juggalofromthehills 2 years ago
yeah and those miners work and sometimes die so you can have power have some respect
jokey1134 2 years ago
If more Mountain Top Removal could happen, then the debris from the hills would not be there.
ktbzfolks1 2 years ago
Comment removed
Fockersnextdoor 2 years ago
In Barboursville here, keeping all of you all down that way in my thoughts and prayers.
drgonzo767 2 years ago
I just read that the roads around Gilbert will be closed for a while. Now I see why.
celticchrys 2 years ago
West Virginia had both Byrd and Rockefeller vote for the Lands Bill which makes honest gun owners criminals if they drive down a road that crosses NPS land in WV with a carry permit. Thats right, they want you put in prison. spread the word vote these tyrants out of office.
Fockersnextdoor 2 years ago
I am a gun owner, but what in the HELL does that have to do with flooding and road damage? The only connection I see is that if it weren't for Byrd, half of WV would still have dirt roads right now.
TheCyanideSandwich 2 years ago 2
I would rather have dirt roads and my gun freedoms over paved roads that only armed criminals and U.N. troops patrol.
Fockersnextdoor 2 years ago
My point is that regardless of whether you're right or wrong, it really has nothing to do with this video now does it?
TheCyanideSandwich 2 years ago 2
You are right about the video, but you mountaneers really should vote these two out of the Senate if they will not protect your freedoms and trust the honest American gun owners. Gun Owners of America rating for BYRD = F
ROCKEFELLER = F , A tyrant will always try to dis-arm the honest gun owner.
Fockersnextdoor 2 years ago
You, my dear friend, are what many of us call a "gun nut." You are the ones that make all of us gun owners look bad in the eyes of the non gun owners and make it difficult for us to keep and maintain our rights as firearms owners. This law is dumb and unnecessary, but it's hardly tyranny. When you have done as much for WV as what these two people have, then you can talk shit.
TheCyanideSandwich 2 years ago
Yea ,that state is doing so well aint it? Your a farm animal(if Im a gun nut) and you need to live under the tyrants rule. They will come for your guns and you will hand them over because them two hero's have put a carrot in front of your nose.
Fockersnextdoor 2 years ago
Dude, you are a dumbass. Thanks for antagonizing people with a non-issue that has nothing to do with this video. Grow a pair of testicles and grow up. This is a natural disaster, not a political goddamn debate.
marvdeezy 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I got a carrot
Fockersnextdoor 2 years ago
You need a fucking brain and some maturity to go along with it.
marvdeezy 2 years ago
Oh geez. Dude you really have no clue, do you? Besides, did you happen to notice where I now live? We *really* like our guns down here in Georgia and I don't think anybody is going to be trying to take them away from us any time soon. In fact, there's been laws passed in recent years granting us even more freedom with them. You, my dear friend, are a SHEEP following the NRA and GOP flock into Looneyville.
TheCyanideSandwich 2 years ago